Ed's Review Dot Com

A&E IndieFilms, Film4, Protagonist Pictures,

Frederic Bourdin, Adam O’ Brian, Carey Gibson, Anna Ruben, Beverly Dollarhide, Cathy Dresbach, Charlie Parker, Alan Teichman, Nancy Fisher, Ivan Villanueva

This film is a documentary about the 1997 case of French con-man Frederic Bourdin who had a long history of impersonating missing children. When he was caught in Spain and about to be found out, he took the identity of a Texas boy who had been missing for 3 years. When the boy’s sister came to pick him up, she brought him home where he was able to convince a lot of the family that he was their son, even though he had little resemblance to the boy. He told a story of abduction, torture, and rape. Still some were suspicious, but none more than detective Charles Parker who wanted to prove the boy a fake. Many thought some of the family may know or have been involved with the boy’s disappearance, and so the major players in the story appear to tell their side of the story bit by bit.

This is an exciting film, in many ways like a real crime drama, but the story is true. The film isn’t going to solve all the mysteries, but it does try to look as closely as possible into the different tales that the different people tell. The movie moves along at a good enough pace, so it’s not dry or boring as many documentaries are. In fact, very highly acclaimed by the audiences at Sundance, and by the critics, it keeps you on your toes as you go through the story. I have my opinion on who is right, but it’s only my opinion. There doesn’t seem to be any factual evidence that proves one theory or another. If you’re interested in a true life story, a documentary tale, this is one of the better one’s I have seen. This film may be off the radar for most folks, but it available on DVD and hopefully will catch some notice by the public.

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DreamWorks Pictures, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Reliance Entertainment,

Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, David Strathairn, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, James Spader, Hal Holbrook, Tommy Lee Jones, Jackie Earle Haley, John Hawkes, Jared Harris, Joseph Cross, Tim Blake Nelson, David Oyelowo, Bruce McGill

Abraham Lincoln (Daniel Day Lewis) was our 16th President, and presided over the United States during the darkest days of the nation. This film looks at the last months of the life of Abraham Lincoln. The war has been raging on, and he had released the Emancipation Proclamation declaring slavery had been abolished, but that was done as a time of war. It didn’t stop slavery truly, but rather stated that any slaves captured in battles would be free. But it was highly questionable to Lincoln whether he had the power to do this, especially if the war was over. So Lincoln was faces with a major dilemma. He must push for the 13th Amendment to the constitution in the house, to pass with a 2/3 majority, with not near enough votes to do it. He also had to do it before the war was over, because if the south rejoined the Union, they would certainly have enough power to block it. So Lincoln calls in all his favors, and even recruits his enemies, to attempt to pull off this coup. Lincoln may be able to stop slavery, or stop the war, but likely not both. This stunning documentary tells the story of a great American hero.

The similarities of the badly polarized congress to the situation the country is in today is so strikingly similar that it’s uncanny. This is one of the best films I have ever seen. The story is so gripping, and the performance of Daniel Day Lewis is certainly Oscar worthy. Sally Fields also shines as the trouble First Lady who has seen so much tragedy in her life that many deemed her insane. She was definitely a burden to the President, but also his strength. The performances here are certainly superior, and this film will be showered with honors this year, I am certain. There are so many wonderful actors in this movie that turn in amazing performances. Not the least of these is Tommy Lee Jones who is fabulous as the ornery representative from Pennsylvania. Spielberg has a sure hit here. This is a film that must NOT be missed!

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Obama’s America Foundation,

Dinesh D’Souza

Dinesh D’Souza (who?) studied Obama’s book, then set out to do some research about where he came from and how he was raised, and then tried to put together a theory of where he might intend to go in the next four years after his re-election where there is no need to tone things down to get re-elected. This is not a very good documentary, and I think it deserved to sink in the quicksand. The first part about the history of Barack Obama is fairly interesting. I suppose a lot of it is true as it’s based solely on Obama’s autobiography, so how far off could he go. But he spent almost all the time of the movie in working through the history, and neglected to talk about what the title of the movie describes. When he went into the things Obama “might” do if he gets four more years, was very short, very choppy, and so far fetched that it’s not likely any of it will happen. There’s no doubt that whatever happens in the election (which as I’m writing this is a bit more than 2 weeks away) but there is no way this guy is predicting any of it. I’m not sure what the agenda. It’s obvious he doesn’t support Obama, but he’s not all that critical either. It gives the illusion of being fair followed up by a quick run through the alley of far out predictions that leaves us wondering what was the point. Why not make the documentary about where he came from, and leave out the far out conjecture of what might be if he is given free hand to do anything he wants. That’s not going to happen. I think it’s a waste of time, and this documentary can be skipped. I didn’t care for it very much at all.

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Great Ape Productions,

Tim Allen

Tim Allen narrates this DisneyNature film that follows the life and troubles of a baby Chimpanzee named Oscar and follows him as he grows up in his day to day life.

Disney has always been able to bring nature to the screen since the early days of Uncle Walt’s True Life Adventures. This is another along the same lines. I really was interested in this film, as it was quite beautiful to see, and certainly very educational, but made up a life story for this Chimp that seemed to be true. Tim Allen did an awesome job narrating this. In fact, until this very moment I had no idea it was him. He was flawless in the delivery and made it a very interesting story. Now as to whether the thoughts and emotions that they give to this band of chimps is really true or not, I’m not so sure, but it is true nature, filmed in their everyday lives, and is very accurate in the way they are portrayed. Some very interesting things happen to Oscar, and it certainly keeps your attention. This was a really good nature film, and truly a spectacularly shot piece of film making. If you can’t see it in IMAX, then at least try to watch it on the best HDTV you can find. Disney has done an excellent job with this one!

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Insurge Pictures, Imagine Entertainment, Perry Productions,

Katy Perry

This documentary covers a lot of background information about Katy and her family and her background growing up in Santa Barbara, California, and also shows the performances of her Part of Me tour. During the time this documentary was filmed, Katy went from her marriage to Russell Brand through the failure of the marriage and the deep depression and sorry that followed. This is an excellent look into the life and times of a true pop star, and the cost of fame and fortune in real life.

I enjoyed this film a lot. Unfortunately most, of not all, of these concert films have failed to gather any traction in the box office. From the Jonas Brothers, to Justin Bieber, to Miley Cyrus and more, one after another of these “concert films” have failed. What is different about this film is the real view into the depression that followed the breakup with Russell Brand. When she married him, the whole world issued a sigh of “What are you thinking, girl?”, but it appears Katy really, really loved him a lot. She was doing everything she could to make it work, flying to Europe after her concerts to try to spend a weekend with him. But when it failed, Katy was at the peak of her popularity, and on a world tour which meant she was so hurt and destroyed inside, but had to put on a smile and go out on stage to give her best happy performance. Not only are all the great Katy Perry songs performed in the film, but we get to see what her life was like in the despair she felt and how “the show must go on” is really true.

What I got most from this film, besides the enjoyment of the talent she really has, was the close up look at her life and the good and the bad side by side. Katy is a true talent, and I gained so much appreciation for the hard work involved in making it all happen. There is no way most of us could ever make it. If you want to know what it really takes, watch this film.

Perhaps not a great $13.00 film in the theater, this thing really shines on the DVD, and is worth the watch if you are at all into Katy Perry and the music she brought to all of us. This is a nice look into her life and times.

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