Reviews

A friend "bribed" me into seeing this film with a bottle of wine beforehand. I had heard nothing about it and hence, had no expectation. I probably owe that friend a bottle of wine myself, because this film was all the reward I needed. In an industry where fluff gets made and remade, it's always refreshing to see something entirely different, and that's what Animal Kingdom is. It's different. It's gritty. Most of all, it's REAL.

I know that some critics might pan the performances in this movie as being unmotivated, but I find this to be the opposite of true. The performances in Animal Kingdom are simply real. They are understated. I believed all the relationships, and throughout the story, I wasn't necessarily sure of the characters' motivations, so I didn't know what they were going to do next, which kept it moving and kept it fresh! It was definitely an indie, but that's what I LOVED. The lighting was natural. The camera work wasn't overdone and was intimate. The makeup, hair, and wardrobe was extremely minimal. It was complex in story and simple in execution, which made it... beautiful.

For me, it was easily the best film I've seen so far this year. The Aussies really pulled it out on this one, and I hope they continue to go this direction. I'm gonna be watching all the players involved in this film and will keep my eyes peeled for their next efforts.

There's a lot of word on the street as to what we're all eating and what we're all buying, but the truth is, that the less we know, the better profits are for big business. I was aware of a lot of the downside of corporate food production and distribution, but Food, Inc. really opened my eyes to more sides than I even thought I cared to know. It has changed my buying and eating habits indefinitely and irreversibly.

From the beginning, I knew that this film was going to take the gloves off, and it didn't let me down. Often times, we do find that documentaries tend to paint the darker versions of what we don't know in society, and though this followed along these same lines, I was pleasantly delighted to see that they covered the bright spots and outlined what could be done to make a change.

I won't outline the film's points or go into any spoilers, but I feel like it's VERY important to see this film and others like it so that we might be EDUCATED and AWARE of how we're being manipulated, and what we're being fed, both with the food we consume and with the media. Once you see what is going on behind closed doors, you will never eat or live the same.

I was already on the green, natural, local, and organic kick before seeing this film, but not only has it pushed me more in that direction, but I've seen it several times, showing it to multitudes of others to spread the word that these are the things about our consumables and our society that we NEED to know! My only disappointment with this film is that the representatives of the big businesses who continue to deceive and implement and promote questionable business practices refused to be interviewed for the film, which was out of the hands of the filmmakers. Hopefully, we can get a sequel one day that will have these cowards face the music.

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Having seen some really awful Christian films somehow along the way, I was extremely wary to even give this one a look, but got talked into it nevertheless, and was very surprised.

For once, a solid, interesting story that actually might appeal to someone outside of a church audience. As a matter of fact, it really strayed from the usual modus operandi of Christian films, which is to really push the bible rather than to just tell a story.

It seemed very mature in storytelling, as the plot lines were all different, but somehow intersected and worked with each-other and in the end, though all got resolved in a somewhat typical Hollywood fashion, the story itself kept me pretty involved and I found it to be, for the most part, compelling, which I can't say for any of the other Christian films I've seen.

The cinematography was done fairly well, and though the lighting did seem a little forced, the camera work was solid and the editing was cohesive and focused. The acting, for the most part, was natural, though some came off better than others.

All in all, this is not going to score anyone a whole lot of mainstream buzz or come out the other side with any real awards, but I found it to be, by far, the best of this genre I've seen, and I would recommend it as a rental for sure.

I didn't know Ben had it in him, but I have found a whole new respect for him in this film. He not only delivered as a lead, but somehow directed a film which really broke out of the usual mode I think we've seen from him.

The town most definitely kept me very compelled and on the edge of my seat, and I thought that the acting was spot-on. There were,of course, a few minor points that I felt were a tad forced story-wise,but other than that, it was a solid picture throughout.

The action sequences were really intense and had me twisting. The character portrayals were real and gritty. The editing and sound design were up to par, as was the cinematography.

I'm glad I went to see this at the theatre. Definitely the best I've seen so far this year. Very riveting, visually done well, and a great overall theatrical experience.

I may not be a teacher, but both my parents were, and I grew up going to public school and got many views of the educational system as a whole. I'm really surprised to see that some teachers went to this and were actually offended by what it offered.

This movie did not set out to blame the issues of this country's education on the teachers. It depicts the issues with the SYSTEM. It's a system that protects the teachers' needs over the students in some cases. We all are aware that teachers don't get paid very well, but there are many upsides to a career as a teacher, and some go into this field because they are gifted, but just as many aren't.

What this film attempted to say (in my opinion, successfully) is that we must put the child's needs above all. The system is BROKEN, and that's all the director wanted to say. Through the establishment of the abuses of the unions, the communication of the compelling stats, and the following of just a few examples of a larger populace of suffering students and their families, the director did a BEAUTIFUL job of bringing issues to the surface.

Teachers who are talented, work very hard, and are committed to pushing students and not cruising through should not take offense to this film. However, there are plenty of teachers out there who should find this film threatening, just as many departments of education should, because on the whole, American schools are failing, and we have a lot of work to do.

Because there are educators who are threatened by the message of this film, I say that is what makes it a success. What effective documentary doesn't shake up the system and strike fear in those whose system it threatens? I'm ready for more!!!