Real Movie Review-Movie Reviews, Movie Quotes, Movie Trivia

Director: Seth Gordon

Starring: Billy Mitchell, Steve Wiebe, Robert Mruzek, Roy Shildt, Adam Wood,

The King Of Kong is a surprisingly engrossing documentary about the battle between two very different men, to be recognized as the world’s greatest Donkey Kong player (if you don’t know what Donkey Kong is, then skip the rest of the review, this film is not for you). Director Seth Gordon doesn’t appear on film, but has created an entertaining feature packed with quirky characters that fill the seriously competitive video game world.

Billy Mitchell is introduced at the beginning of this documentary as the undisputed, untouchable, and barely mortal master of Donkey Kong, an incredibly difficult and frustrating game that has a little Mario character dodging barrels on his way to rescue a kidnapped princess. Mario’s world seems to have a lot of missing princesses. Odd. Anyway, introduced next is Steve Wiebe, frustrated musician, teacher, and father, who wants to usurp Billy the Kong emperor, and take the high score record, assuring his legacy for all time. We are treated to interviews with the two competitors, their families, friends, and other video game experts, as the story keeps us in suspense about who will emerge as the one and only King of Kong.

I never liked Donkey Kong much, preferring more violent and ‘realistic’ games like Punchout and Spyhunter, and I found the idea of a documentary about a bunch of guys begging for wedgies, and well-acquainted with the inside of a closed locker, to hold little interest for me. I was wrong (no need to alert the media. Its not that unusual). This is a similar idea to films like Spellbound (teenagers vying for the national spelling title) and Word Wars (Scrabble), but is more appealing than both. If this review has peaked your interest, then you are likely to enjoy this journey into a world where any score less than a million just isn’t good enough.

Director: Chris Bradley, Kyle LaBrache

Starring: Annabelle Gurwitch

You have to admire the imagination of documentary makers who can take all kinds of experiences, and come up with the idea for a feature. In this case, Annabelle Gurwitch wrote and starred in this mildly interesting look at the sour, rejecting experience of being fired. There are a few funny spots, but the overall effect is uneven, and I wasn’t disappointed to find that it was only around a hour long. Is that a good sign?

Writer and star, Annabelle Gurwitch starts out with the tale of her own dismissal at the hands of no other than the neurotic, drama king of New York City, himself, Woody Allen. From here, she goes on to interview all kinds of people from ordinary to the mildly famous about their own dismissal experiences, and takes us to some stand up routines about being canned. This film also marks the first time that I have seen a puppet show on a documentary. Well, there’s a first time for everything they say, though I’m still waiting to grow a second head so I have someone intelligent to talk to.

Fired is a short and mildly amusing feature that doesn’t take itself too seriously, but I think that there better ways to spend 70 minutes.

Director: Jeffrey Ross

Starring: Jeffrey Ross, Drew Carey, Blake Clark, Kyle Dunnigan, Andres Fernandez, Larry Gelbart, Kathy Kinney, Rocky La Porte

This self-made documentary by comedian, Jerry Ross is part social commentary, part politically incorrect, but pretty funny, stand-up show and part look at the American soldiers serving in Iraq. There isn’t too much of a point here, just a look at life in the 138 degree Iraq desert from a comedian’s point of view.

So what happens when Jeffrey Ross, a self-confessed selfish, smart ass comedian drunkenly agrees to accompany and other comedians, on a Drew Carey led USO tour to Iraq. Ross starts off talking about the late, great Bob Hope’s tireless troop supporting activities, and continues referring back to his legacy, throughout the feature. Rather than a more traditional, informative documentary, this is really just a glimpse at the Iraq experience through his own experiences and through the words of other comics and the U.S. personnel.

Jeff Ross, joined by Drew Carey and others put on a decent show, but if you were looking for a Michael Moore-style politically charged attack on George Bush’s freedom-dismantling Patriot Act, then this is not what you are looking for. Patriot Act is somewhere around center/right in its view. It’s an entertaining enough, if you are so inclined, but i think there are better ways to spend 78 minutes.

Patriot Act – movie quotes:
Movie lines from Patriot Act
“You (Drew Carey) look like Buddy Holly and Barney Rubble had a baby and peed on it.”

“This is Operation Enduring His Act. The war didn’t last as long as his fucking show.”

“By the time we got to our third big show, we were all good pals; a giddy bunch of desert clowns. Drew Carey and his Iraq pack.”

Director: Nadia Conners, Leila Conners Petersen

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio,

I applaud Leonardo DiCaprio’s effort to co-write and co-produce this Al Gore-style environmental warning film. I agree with his views and those espoused by the never-ending parade of speakers about the need to address the environmental collapse that threatens to destroy our way of life, and indeed our very lives, however, I think he really could have found a better way to express these views. His heart is in the right place, but Leo, my friend, heart ain’t enough. He has some interesting speakers but repetition might help study for a biology exam, but it doesn’t do much for entertainment.

Pack the bags, honey! We’re going on a guilt trip. Al gore took us on one of these, as well, but at least he gave some amusement along the way and offered an upbeat optimistic ending that made us believe that it wasn’t too late to save the whales, the tigers and all of those little humans running around ( I kind of like them). Here we are offered a parade of authors, scientists and environmental leaders telling us over and over again that we better get moving. Some solutions are looked at and those are always good to see, but a little entertainment value would have gone a long way.

Dry, but not a bad documentary, and certainly a topic that does need to driven (ummm, or commuted on a high speed electric train) into our consciousness a couple more times at least. A little more imagination and variety would have helped out here. I know that guys like Leo and Gore like to think they are persuading, but really they are mostly preaching to the choir, (will George Bush see this film? I’m guessing not – probably thinks its left wing pinko propaganda) so at least at least give us a chuckle or two along with our sermon. Still, celebrities and politicians see the public’s will through box office receipts, so please see this movie.

Director: Michael Moore

Starring: Michael Moore

Michael Moore is at it again. Thus far, on the big screen, Moore had tackled GM, gun laws and George Bush. This time out his opponent is the American medical system, which seems like a pretty, easy target. This feature follows the Moore formula by combining humour with stories and interviews that range from heartbreaking to outrageous. His pace is fast and entertaining, though some of the stories are truly heart wrenching, so be prepared.

Michael Moore is never afraid to tackle the most powerful institutions in America and this outing is no exception. This time the controversial filmmaker climbs into the ring with the American medical system and sends it down the canvas with a series of international comparison roundhouses and interview uppercuts with those who have suffered in the 37th best healthcare system in the world and the worst of any industrialized country if his facts are to be taken at face value. With Moore, that is always a big ‘if’. In my opinion, his heart is in the right place, even if his numbers aren’t.

Make no mistake. This is propaganda. Moore’s point may be valid and the issues he tackles are always deserving of a hard look, but he does not present a balanced view. Any case that his detractors may present is glossed over or not mentioned at all. This doesn’t make them right, but remember that his opinion is what gets airtime, here. Some question his facts and some even question his motives, but at least he makes people think about issues that politicians get paid to keep Americans from thinking about. This is an issue that the American people need to take a long hard look at, but don’t take Moore’s word for it, or even mine. Look at both sides and decide for yourself.

Director: Rick Caine, Debbie Melnyk

Now, I like Michael Moore. I know that his features are less documentaries than they are carefully crafted diatribes that are laced with humor, questionable facts and are always completely one-sided. So, when I heard about this feature (named as a play on Noam Chomsky’s book, ‘Manufacting Consent’) that takes a hard look at him, I wanted to see it. I have to say that their argument is persuasive, and there are several very unflattering items, that I’m sure Moore would have preferred not to see on film.

What happens when the hunter becomes the hunted? Michael Moore is known to the movie-going public as a corporate bigwig buster, and the Republican Party’s most vocal opponent (at least the most vocal opponent that has never appeared on a ballot). This Canadian-made documentary features a couple of determined filmmakers trying to get an interview with the biggest name in mainstream documentaries. Unfortunately the American champion of the little guy proves to be as elusive as he claimed GM Chairman Roger Smith was in the Moore’s first feature, 1989’s Roger and Me. While the deadly duo is following Moore around the country trying to get a sit down, they are also exposing fallacies that they found in his various films and talking about his professional rise to his current level of wealth and, complete with interviews with friends and business associates, past and present. There is also, of course, ample footage of Moore, himself, from his features, other speaking engagements and encounters with the filmmakers themselves. The attacks upon his work include everything from careful editing to assure that he remains in the forefront and downplaying the efforts of others to outright lies.

I already knew that Michael Moore does not even attempt to put forth a balanced view in his features and knew that his ‘facts’ should not be accepted completely at face value. Although, I understand Caine and Melnyk’s frustration at trying to get an interview, I have to wonder why they think they are entitled to one? Moore is a busy celebrity who, undoubtedly, has many demands on his time. Some of the material presented about Moore is disconcerting, but I usually find myself in agreement with his views, so I guess I am willing to forgive his character flaws and look forward to his next work. He should try to be a better person, though. I should too.

Director: Gabriel Range

Starring: Hend Ayoub, Brian Boland, Becky Ann Baker, Robert Mangiardi, Jay Patterson, Jay Whittaker

This is one of the most controversial films of the past couple years as it presents America a couple yeas after President George Bush has been assassinated. The result is gripping, but I had a disturbing feeling that such an authentic view of the murder of a real individual is not appropriate, whatever our personal feelings about that individual may be. Still, the feature has merit and is quality viewing, regardless of varying opinions about how tasteful it is and an ending that goes on too long.

This movie is a mockumentry that is looking a couple years back at the assassination of President George Bush. It presents actors portraying secret service agents, presidential aides, activists, witnesses and numerous other persons connected with the fictional crime. It is disturbing and well done with a chillingly authentic mood, thanks to extensive newsreel footage melded with footage created for this feature. The real hard-hitting material comes as the crime is investigated with suspects’ civil rights being trampled under Bush’s patriot act.

Even left-wing Bush haters may see this movie as going too far, but its detached view of government officials going too far in their zeal to get a suspect seems frighteningly possible. Whatever your opinion, this is a quality project, despite the dragged out ending, but if you are a fan of alternative history mockumentaries (Check out The Confederate States of America), this will be a good choice, if you are comfortable with the subject matter.

Director: Kevin Willmott

What if the Confederacy had won the Civil War and slavery had continued? This wonderful project, dripping with satire and irony, shows us an America that never freed the slaves in great detail. It strives to use variety to hold its viewers, but does run low on steam, although there is no denying its creativity. There is enough tongue-in-cheek humor mixed in and many different methods of delivering the content to keep it from becoming dry, but it is a little repetitive.

This clever and imaginative mockumentry is presented as a British documentary, airing for the first time in America that looks back at the C.S.A.’s history since the Civil War. This program is presented right along with commercials from modern C.S.A., gives a wonderfully imaginative, alternate version of 140 years of American history told through interviews, movie scenes and news clips. There are countless tie-ins with authentic historical events.

This film is a gift to admirers of well-done documentaries, history buffs and aficionados of satirical works. Top-notch writing pays off here and the feature is brimming with humor and imagination. This will be enjoyable by all thinking viewers, with a particularly strong ending.

Director: Mike Akel

Starring: Shannon Harragan, Chris Mass, Jannelle Schremmer, Troy Schremmer

Morgan Spurlock (Super Size Me) produced this wonderfully innovative mockumentary about educators learning their craft in the bloody trenches of high school. Don’t be fooled by the cover, though. Mr. Spurlock didn’t write, narrate or appear in this feature. Movie rookie, Mike Akel directed, and co-wrote, the finely-crafted feature and did a great job, though there are a couple scenes where they step out of the mockumentary style that, while entertaining, hurt the overall flow. All of the performers, from the four leads, to all of the students, are amazingly natural and convincing, with an impressive script and story.

Chalk tells a documentary-style story about the school year of four fledgling educators that include a 1st year history teacher (Troy Schremmer), 2nd year PE teacher (Janelle Schremmer), 3rd year history teacher, Mr. Stroope, and a 1st year Asst. Principal (Shannon Harrigan). The movie starts out in an optimistic September, and follows the four of them through a variety of challenges as the year progresses.

This is an extremely entertaining film for those with any interest in the subject area and is better than most mockumentary features. It is sometimes frightening, often funny, and occasionally uncomfortable, but it is always engaging and entertaining. Teachers will love it, and spend a lot of time, both nodding and shaking their heads and students will feel like they are getting a sneak peek into that mysterious staff room (if they care).

Director: Michael Moore

Michael Moore was at it again in this documentary, but this time out, his target is not Corporations or its CEOs, but the biggest CEO of them all, U.S. President George W. Bush. As much as I dislike Bush (and I really do dislike him), Moore goes after the Leader of the Free World like a viciously, trained pit bull on one of those training ropes. It’s funny at times, and as slick as Moore’s usual work, but any semblance of balance is thrown out to the point that it feels like a personal vendetta.

Moore starts out by questioning Bush’s controversial 2000 election win and goes on to challenge his immediate response to the World Trade Center attacks and then on to examine business and personal connections between the Bush family and the rich and powerful of Saudi Arabia, etc, etc. There is an amusing musical montage of the Bushs meeting a bunch off different Saudis set to the background of REM’s Shiny, Happy People. I got a kick out of that. This is followed by an attack on the self-serving culture of fear that Bush and his boys (and girl) have created in the U.S.

I don’t imagine that this feature did much to endear Michael Moore to Republican Party supporters, who already seem tempted to have him arrested and tortured under the Patriot Act. It is funny, informative (but accurate? no guarantees) and well-edited, like all of Moore’s work, but Mike seems rather vindictive (really? Its true. I am a master obvious stater) this time out, but I’m sure he felt better, getting all of that anger out of his system.