a filmblog

Under discussion:

The Strangers  (2008)

Expecting a romantic evening alone, James (Scott Speedman) and Kristen (Liv Tyler) are unexpectedly thrust into a torturous game of hide and seek when a band of marauders appear on their doorstep. Undoubtedly influenced by the oeuvre of the Charles Manson "Family" and the events that led to the death of Sharon Tate and three others, The Strangers is surprisingly chilling in its depiction of a couples desperate attempts to overcome a seemingly omnipresent cadre of killers bent on fulfilling their murderous urges. Ultimately an unnervingly candid depiction of the motivation behind such brutality with the horror magnified by the rudimentary mask of the male intruder and the deadened eyes of the females kewpie doll visages.

Under discussion:

Manda Bala  (2007)

Manda Bala effortlessly tracks the evolution of corruption throughout Brazil: from the meandering tadpoles that inhabit the slums to the bullfrogs that fill the seats of Congress. Broad in its scope yet captivating in its detail, this documentary dissects the myriad problems that have transformed such a geographically rich and culturally diverse country into a haven for criminals that populate both sides of the poverty line. Children roam the streets re-enacting the latest kidnapping, businessmen spend their free time learning defensive driving techniques and legitimate government officials bide their time with methods of countering their corrupt counterparts. Brutal and a true revelation for the uninformed.

Under discussion:

Recount  (2008)

The controversy surrounding the electoral votes of Florida in the 2000 presidential election has amazingly turned into a story of legendary proportions in less than a decade. Recount attempts to deconstruct the chaotic events that led to George W. Bush defeating Al Gore by a margin of less than 600 votes to become the 43rd president of the United States. From the hilarity that was Katherine Harris (Laura Dern) to the shockingly bad design of the butterfly ballot, Recount is an unbiased detailing of just how dizzyingly complex and borderline absurd the laws that govern this country are, especially in the hands of those with ulterior motives. With an incredible cast and intriguing subject matter, this made for cable production is definitely worth checking out.