Change Your Image
petholm
Ratings
Most Recently Rated
Lists
An error has ocurred. Please try againReviews
The Americas with Simon Reeve (2019)
Shut up for at second, Simon. Please. Just. Shut. Up. SHUT UP!
The problem I have with any Simon Reeve program is that he never stops talking. It's an hour of trying to experience the place Simon is visiting with a constant background noise of Simon chattering. And often he talks about things he can't be bothered to show us, so the only visuals are Simon talking in a car while he talks about poverty or climate change or whatever he read about online over breakfast. So people he meets are essentially reduced to sound bites, so that they won't interfere with Simon's talking time. So it's more of a podcast than a visual experience. So it's poorly made television with a mediocre host. He is the antithesis to "Don't tell it. Show it". Simon's programs are best watched with the volume off.
Wide Awake (2006)
Brilliant!
This documentary is a a stroke of genius! The way Alan Berliner illustrates his points by using everything from commercials, file footage, old movies, scenes from some of his other documentaries an interviews is great. And he obviously takes great care in choosing just the right shot, whether it lasts 10 frames or 10 seconds.
There is never a dull moment and every shot and cut adds a layer to the story which keeps the story progressing. His use of sound sets the pace and creates different moods during the documentary and his sense of humor is always present. It's in his choice of shots, sounds, the very skillful editing and his persona throughout the documentary.
Now I am just waiting for the DVD :-)