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evanfinn
Reviews
Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable (2018)
Disappointing across the board
Just got back from a screening, featuring a Q&A with the director and Bethany Hamilton herself. The film is adequate, it's basically a commercial for Bethany. Nothing terribly revelatory or groundbreaking.
What was especially disappointing was Bethany herself. I brought my daughters aged 7, 10 and 12 to the movie, excited at the possibility of being able to ask Bethany a question in the Q&A portion. Well, after the ostensibly mediocre movie wrapped up, the Q&A began, with a qualification from Bethany that no questions would be asked from the audience. Um, what? Oh, and even while we sit there and do nothing while we wait for the Facebook live stream to fire up, no questions allowed. And then, after the moderator threw her a couple of softballs, that's it, because her kids are waiting in the car or some insanity like that.
Honestly, if you're going to do a Q&A, DO A Q&A, don't completely half-ass it like this. I've been to many Q&A's prior to this (a benefit of living in LA) with very, VERY famous actors and directors taking the time to interact with fans in the audience. In this case, I felt like we were there merely to serve as background for her Facebook live stream- ie. to backstop her narcissism. Now I've got a sobbing 7-year old who doesn't understand why the audience was snubbed.
Our family was a fan of Bethany's before this screening... probably not anymore.
Battlestar Galactica (2004)
One of the finest programs on television
Although I expected to see a fair share of detractors of the series, I must say that I'm shocked at how vitriolic some of the criticisms are... "poorly made", "awful camera-work", "crappily written"- I mean, come on, it's just not true. I understand if someone takes exception to the content and even the stylistic choices of the series, but make no doubt about it, the show is EXPERTLY crafted.
I was not a huge fan of the original series(')- watching them today gives evidence to how dated they look. I believe this iteration of the franchise will age much better. I, for one, love the rough, documentary-style camera-work, and the fact that they integrate this style into the CG battle sequences is remarkable and a very creative choice. I just get tired of the clean, austere, toy-ish nature of basically all the other space battles I've seen.
I find the actors to be in top form, the writing to be well done, and although the series has been hit-and-miss with certain episodes, I find it overall to be a wildly entertaining show. Detractors, say what you will, but I'll be sad to see it go at the end of season 4.
The Beaver Gets a Boner (1985)
One of the best USC short films ever produced
A movie of this caliber comes as no surprise from the same guy behind 'Heathers'. Along with many other student shorts, I was forced to see it over and over again when putting together a retrospective of several USC short films, and this one was by far the easiest to watch repeatedly. Look for the funny small roles from celebs like Tony Cox (the midget from 'Bad Santa'), Brian Doyle-Murray (Bill Murray's brother, see him in 'Groundhog Day'), and Scott Alexander (co-writer of 'Ed Wood' and 'The People vs. Larry Flynt'). A little sick, a little twisted and %@!#ing hilarious. Worth watching again and again, even if you're not being forced to. ;)