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alopez20011
Reviews
Black Gold (2006)
where there should be more gold
This should be better than it is. It is one of a run of documentaries whose subject is so emotive, like Michael Moore's documentaries that the subject often covers up the cracks and limitations of the film itself. Nick and Mark Francis's documentary exposes the fascinating and horrifying means of coffee producing that seems so innocent when you are making it in the morning unaware of the exploitation and human suffering that went into providing you with this innocent beverage.
Although portraying the inequalities that are part of coffee producing and the cheap labour that is used in order to keep process down and revenue for the coffee companies high this film still misses the mark. The poverty of the Ethopian farmers is carefully and lovingly displayed which makes this necessary viewing for anyone and especially coffee drinkers but the film is still made in a blunt matter of fact way that doesn't allow the farmers voice to be properly expressed and that is the film's disappointment
The Wicker Man (2006)
circle is empty
What is the point of this film? Remember the remake of Psycho. What kind of brain dead executives say its OK to throw millions o fdollars remaking a classic and then adding nothing to it? Burton pulled off 'Planet of the Apes' because he reimagined it. But here there is a scene by scene remake of the 1973 classic as an attempt to make a quick buck. As usual the only appeal will be for those who haven't seen the original and those who will watch with anger at how the seminal Hammer film is being desecrated by this unimaginative rehash of the classic. Nicholas Cage who can be a great actor in the right role must have been cast for this following the comments of 'Captain Corelli's Mandolin' that he had no sexual spark with his actress. So then suitable for the role of the virginal police officer sent to investigate the disappearance of the girl on the Scottish Island. Just stick with the original 1973 film
Surf's Up (2007)
yahoo
The great works of Pixar have caused critics to compare all animated films by that high standard and moan when they don't reach that. This is what has happened to this film unfairly. Who needs perfect animation when you have a screen full of surfing penguins. The conceit of the film is glorious. A good promotion for punching that whole in the ozone layer bigger still is the prospect that we can be surfing in Antartica pretty soon. These penguins are straight out of the end of the 1960s hazy psychedelic time and enjoying the warm waters and surfing. The film is more enjoyable if you see 'March of the Penguins' first with its earnest and pofaced narration. Here instead of penguins struggling to survive against impossible conditions whilst being lauded for their life and death struggle by film makers in the comfortable climate of America, these surfing penguins are enjoying the high life of sweet living when things have warmed up. Spray an aerosol for a penguin and go see this fun film!