Year: 2011
Road Dogs
Documentaries about bands on the road can be overwhelmingly disgusting given their ultra lavish lifestyles but this documentary is completely disgusting for different reasons. That isn’t to say it’s bad—but watching a man screw his genitals together and face-painted “freaks” do entirely too much coke makes for a disgusting display, indeed. Don’t get me wrong a little blow on the road is a good thing, right? … read more
to.get.her
From the first scene of to.get.her it becomes painfully clear that this film managed to package every teen movie cliché together. Five friends come together at a beach house to drink, dance and have “a night of no consequence.” How is the trip paid for? Each girl is flown in using a stolen credit card from a step-dad to be. … read more
Bhopali
Bhopal, India is home to one of the worst industrial accidents in the history of the world, the worst in the history of India, and one still happening to this day. After the original thousands of deaths occurred the death toll has mounted and isn’t stopping, this is where “Bhopali” picks up, condemning original polluters Union Carbide and subsequent liability owner Dow. … read more
Kaboom
My opinion of this movie is very similar to my opinion of David Sedaris, the NPR Humorist and Bestselling Author. I enjoy satire, I really do. But the manner in which Sedaris delivers his monologues makes me bored after the first two minutes. I appreciate his social commentary and witty euphemisms but I grow tired of hearing his voice recite them. … read more
Say My Name
In an age of male dominated sports, especially in Salt Lake City where the ski scene suffers from a raging case of testosterone poisoning, it is nice to see a film that highlights the feminine side of snow sliding. In Stan Evans and Jeremy Miller’s film “Say My Name”, the unlikely pair of directors follows around local hero, and accomplished young woman, Grete Eliassen as she makes her mark on the world. … read more
Stan Evans & Jeremy Miller Interview
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: “Times New Roman”; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }No strangers to the action sports scene, photographer Stan Evans and videographer Jeremy Miller joined forces to create a film that focuses on the women that are changing the ski scene every chance they get. “Say My Name” premiered at the 2011 X-Dance Action Sport Film Festival, and the directors took the time to answer some burning questions about their latest venture.
… read more
Miss Representation
The debate regarding the objectification of women in the media has been an ongoing issue for decades. In fact, it was the same topic discussed in Jean Kilbourne’s 1979 documentary short, “Killing Us Softly”. In an effort to reexamine and expand the research, director Jennifer Siebel Newsom has reopened the dialogue to investigate how far America has progressed in the past 32 years. Sadly, the result is still disheartening. … read more
Crime After Crime
It’s sickening to think of a world where battered women who fight back against their abusers can be locked up for simply defending themselves. Yes, nowadays victims can seek shelters, but such was not the case in the late 1970s and that fact is exactly why Deborah Peagler was incarcerated and sentenced to 25 years to life for the murder of her boyfriend, Oliver Wilson. … read more
Homework
This may be Gavin Wiesen’s feature debut as a director, but it’s blatantly clear he’s been watching and studying Sundance entries for the past 20 years, because nothing contained in his teenage love drama is remotely innovative. George (Freddie Highmore) is your typical independent film protagonist who attends a private school, is provided with an affluent lifestyle and calls his parents and teachers by their first name (how hip of him). … read more
Hot Coffee
We’ve all heard the tale about the elderly woman, Stella Liebeck, who spilt McDonald’s coffee in her lap while driving and was awarded over $2 million in compensation from the subsequent lawsuit. It was immortalized on “Seinfeld” with the character Kramer enduring a similar accident, which is exactly how “Hot Coffee” opens. … read more