This short documentary follows the story of a boy named Jason Genova as he trains and prepares to compete at a bodybuilding show. If you don't know Jason's backstory, he was born to a meth addicted mother and raised in the forest in an abandoned Chevy van. When Jason was about 8, he was diagnosed with significant developmental delays related to autism. Despite this setbacks, Jason's natural effusive charm and iron will wins over friends and supporters the world over. He went on to become Prom King & Queen and after completing his education, sets off to pursue his dreams of becoming the next Arnold Schwarzenegger. Though short, you'll enjoy every moment of this heartwarming film.
Reviews
13 Reviews
Journey of Elisa Lam
(2014)
Interesting little short indie
13 April 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This doesn't present any factual account of the case so, if you go into this looking for info related to the investigation, it will disappoint you. The film is a very indie horror idea that works elements of the Cecil Hotel legends into the story. A small time film maker is trying to make a project that will generate interest her company in the hopes of saving it from bankruptcy. She devises an idea about filming a ghost investigation type of documentary about the Cecil Hotel. She heads to LA and meets a cab driver---the character has a few humorous lines but comes off a bit annoying. She goes to the hotel and waits for her room in the bar. This is where she encounters the spirit of the Black Dahlia, though at the time, she doesn't realize she is chatting with a ghost.
The Elizabeth Short actress bears an uncanny resemblance to the Dahlia, though in modern apparel.
From there, the film maker begins strolling the hallways documenting various places of notoriety. She is a little glib describing these cases, displaying and lack of tact and respect that reflects her overall jaded demeanor. Without giving away too much, this is where she begins to encounter much of the supernatural scares. Elisa herself, or at least what is possibly implied to be Elisa begins showing up. Additionally, ghosts of other unfortunate souls who met their fate at the Cecil terrorize the young film maker as well. A prostitute, possibly one of Ramirez's victims, appears. The little girl ghoul is never quite explained as there is no story of a child who died at the hotel, (at least not one well known as with these other deaths.) The creepiest moments are the near identical elevator scene wherein the actress behaves as the late Elisa in that infamous footage and the water tank scene where she is imagined to be being drowned by Elisa's ghost.
The Dahlia returns to deliver her coup de grace; exploiting these tragedies is perpetuating the horror of what the victims went through. She wants the film maker to stop drop her blase' attitude and develop compassion for those who died in the hotel. The short ends with the film maker realizing there's other ways to save her company than profiting off tragedy. She exits LA as she arrived, being annoyed by a cab driver who seems irreverent yet predator-like.
The horror make up is low budget and, to most of us, eyeroll inducing. For its budget, I think it gave an interesting story with a few moments of real fear. Will this makes any one's favorites list? Not likely. Is it a very nice short that did a good job with its constraints and can keep an audience's attention? Yes. Worth at least a one time watch.
The Elizabeth Short actress bears an uncanny resemblance to the Dahlia, though in modern apparel.
From there, the film maker begins strolling the hallways documenting various places of notoriety. She is a little glib describing these cases, displaying and lack of tact and respect that reflects her overall jaded demeanor. Without giving away too much, this is where she begins to encounter much of the supernatural scares. Elisa herself, or at least what is possibly implied to be Elisa begins showing up. Additionally, ghosts of other unfortunate souls who met their fate at the Cecil terrorize the young film maker as well. A prostitute, possibly one of Ramirez's victims, appears. The little girl ghoul is never quite explained as there is no story of a child who died at the hotel, (at least not one well known as with these other deaths.) The creepiest moments are the near identical elevator scene wherein the actress behaves as the late Elisa in that infamous footage and the water tank scene where she is imagined to be being drowned by Elisa's ghost.
The Dahlia returns to deliver her coup de grace; exploiting these tragedies is perpetuating the horror of what the victims went through. She wants the film maker to stop drop her blase' attitude and develop compassion for those who died in the hotel. The short ends with the film maker realizing there's other ways to save her company than profiting off tragedy. She exits LA as she arrived, being annoyed by a cab driver who seems irreverent yet predator-like.
The horror make up is low budget and, to most of us, eyeroll inducing. For its budget, I think it gave an interesting story with a few moments of real fear. Will this makes any one's favorites list? Not likely. Is it a very nice short that did a good job with its constraints and can keep an audience's attention? Yes. Worth at least a one time watch.
The Forbidden City
(1918)
Product of its time
25 March 2021
It's hard to review the terribly dated story because it encompassed the morals and views of the decade in which it was made. When viewed through the lens of 2021, most will recoil at the blatant racism and misogyny, the terrible cliches that prod the plot along.
Looking at the film itself, the trouble is the story just is not a good fit for Ms. Talmadge. She seems awkward, overly formal and without the subtle nuance and sincerity of Her Only Way. Thomas Meighan, as usual, turns in a strong, workmanlike performance. The supporting cast is capable, Mr. Warren interesting to watch. It's like a puzzle with one wrong piece that distorts the entire image.
If you're a silent movie junkie, or Norma Talmadge fan, it's definitely worth watching. However, you're not missing any career highlights or adept storytelling to just skip this one.
Looking at the film itself, the trouble is the story just is not a good fit for Ms. Talmadge. She seems awkward, overly formal and without the subtle nuance and sincerity of Her Only Way. Thomas Meighan, as usual, turns in a strong, workmanlike performance. The supporting cast is capable, Mr. Warren interesting to watch. It's like a puzzle with one wrong piece that distorts the entire image.
If you're a silent movie junkie, or Norma Talmadge fan, it's definitely worth watching. However, you're not missing any career highlights or adept storytelling to just skip this one.
After.Life
(2009)
There's a lot of good here
21 September 2019
Warning: Spoilers
With the constant remakes and reboots, the film is worth watching just for being an original story. It is beautifully shot and I think well cast; Neeson hits just the right tenor of 'is he or isn't he?' Ricci and Long turn in good performances. The little boy cast as Jack I thought to be exceptionally good as well as the mother. Those two didn't get a lot of screen time but what they had really built the story and moved it along.
The premise is a school teacher who wakes up in a funeral home and is told by the mortician she has died. He can hear and speak to her because he has a gift. The young woman believes she is still alive and it becomes her struggle to discern what is really happen. To that point, we the viewers, are left to discern it, too. Is the caretaker a clairvoyant with these gifts who followed her car because he knew she was about to die; is he only a kindly man burdened with the terrible task of helping the dead cross over ? Is he a serial killer drugging her and keeping her confused to drag out her agony before burying her? Throughout the film, we're given subtle evidence that supports both ideas but there's never a solid 'conclusion' that answers the question.
An odd aside, but i remember watching as Ms. Ricci's character is preparing for her funeral and thinking 'Who does funeral make up like that?" she looked as if she was going clubbing.
Many reviews complain about the pacing of the film, and I do agree, it plods along terribly slow in many places. The story never quite feels 'finished' but don't let that stop from giving this a chance.
The premise is a school teacher who wakes up in a funeral home and is told by the mortician she has died. He can hear and speak to her because he has a gift. The young woman believes she is still alive and it becomes her struggle to discern what is really happen. To that point, we the viewers, are left to discern it, too. Is the caretaker a clairvoyant with these gifts who followed her car because he knew she was about to die; is he only a kindly man burdened with the terrible task of helping the dead cross over ? Is he a serial killer drugging her and keeping her confused to drag out her agony before burying her? Throughout the film, we're given subtle evidence that supports both ideas but there's never a solid 'conclusion' that answers the question.
An odd aside, but i remember watching as Ms. Ricci's character is preparing for her funeral and thinking 'Who does funeral make up like that?" she looked as if she was going clubbing.
Many reviews complain about the pacing of the film, and I do agree, it plods along terribly slow in many places. The story never quite feels 'finished' but don't let that stop from giving this a chance.
Booba
(2014– )
What is this evil creature and what does it want???
18 April 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Erroneously labelled 'children's entertainment' this Murnau-esque program features a genetically mutated hamster/ rodent beast, cruelly unleashed onto an unsuspecting public. It's unquenching thirst for violence leads it to decimate homes, deface priceless art, and inflict hundreds of thousands of dollars of property damage. So deranged and beastlike this 'Booba' creature. its sole companion is an androgynous mutated rat with a horrificly deformed pelvis.
Seems to be popular with the 3 and under crowd.
Seems to be popular with the 3 and under crowd.
A Society Sensation
(1918)
A little bit of everything that made the silents great
8 March 2019
Warning: Spoilers
At just under 20 minutes, the only existent version wallops a lot of movie into that running time. There's action with athletic Valentino fighting the villain and several rough sailors, there's the romance between Rudy and Carmel's characters, and comedy superbly played by Zasu Pitts at her most beautiful Lillian Gish doppleganger best.
Margaret (Carmel) is the daughter of fisherman with some pretentious claims to a noble lineage; as befitting his stature, Capt. Parmalee (father) sends Margaret to the city to be taken under the wing of a society matron who will polish her with manners of a lady of quality. Along the way, fresh precocious Margaret meets and beguiles young aristocrat Dick Bradley (Rudolph) The two have a quickie romance with all indications of impending matrimony when Capt. Parmalee receives word that his claim to the noble title cannot be substantiated and Margaret is just a fisherman's daughter. Margaret returns home and Jim, a rough sailor and acquaintance of her father's makes it clear he still wants to marry her, title or no. But Dick isn't giving up and pursues Margaret. They agree to a clandestine meeting at the beach but Jim, knowing Margaret is still sweet on Dick, kidnaps her to his boat. This is where Zasu Pitts, lingering on the sidelines throughout the story and crazy for Jim, jumps into action and alerts everyone that her friend has been stolen---you have to see it, she overacts in such an intentionally ridiculous way you cannot help but be charmed by this silly girl. After a rescue, some fighting, every one coming to peaceful terms, it turns out Margaret really does have a noble heritage and can marry Jim as she is now his equal.
A typical 20s romp with the mores and morals of that time. The original film must have been a delight, as this cut down version, re released in 1924 to exploit Valentino's popularity, is a brief and enjoyable short.
Margaret (Carmel) is the daughter of fisherman with some pretentious claims to a noble lineage; as befitting his stature, Capt. Parmalee (father) sends Margaret to the city to be taken under the wing of a society matron who will polish her with manners of a lady of quality. Along the way, fresh precocious Margaret meets and beguiles young aristocrat Dick Bradley (Rudolph) The two have a quickie romance with all indications of impending matrimony when Capt. Parmalee receives word that his claim to the noble title cannot be substantiated and Margaret is just a fisherman's daughter. Margaret returns home and Jim, a rough sailor and acquaintance of her father's makes it clear he still wants to marry her, title or no. But Dick isn't giving up and pursues Margaret. They agree to a clandestine meeting at the beach but Jim, knowing Margaret is still sweet on Dick, kidnaps her to his boat. This is where Zasu Pitts, lingering on the sidelines throughout the story and crazy for Jim, jumps into action and alerts everyone that her friend has been stolen---you have to see it, she overacts in such an intentionally ridiculous way you cannot help but be charmed by this silly girl. After a rescue, some fighting, every one coming to peaceful terms, it turns out Margaret really does have a noble heritage and can marry Jim as she is now his equal.
A typical 20s romp with the mores and morals of that time. The original film must have been a delight, as this cut down version, re released in 1924 to exploit Valentino's popularity, is a brief and enjoyable short.
Sick: Survive the Night
(I) (2012)
A good 'watch once & forget' film
3 March 2019
The film is low budget and, for the most, part that aspect is used well--the Romero Night of the Living Dead type of zombie, locations sparse and simple blending well with the survivalist tone of the story. The action is simple, and they're not breaking new ground or taking the genre in a new direction.
The acting is rather bad, some of the scenes meant to be emotional or characters reflecting back on the trauma they've endured, forced and uncomfortable. If you're a big zombie movie fan, this is a white noise time killer.
Inoperable
(2017)
Eh, it's not the best nor worst
28 February 2019
On the plus side, the concept behind the story is interesting, it's beautifully shot, the location works well. I found the actors to be competent, if a little green.
To it's detriment, the story needs some work, nothing in this really wowed me.
It's an ok watch once time killer. For an indie thriller, you could certainly do worse.
9JKL
(2017–2018)
Why?
5 October 2017
I really wish Linda Lavin had a better project to be involved with. This is so beneath her, it's depressing.
The show itself comes across as if it was some high school student's creative writing project; every stupid, obvious, and tired joke possible gets deployed with painful results.
There are some series where you think, 'With a better cast/better writers, this could work." Not the case here. Skip it; probably won't be around much longer.
The show itself comes across as if it was some high school student's creative writing project; every stupid, obvious, and tired joke possible gets deployed with painful results.
There are some series where you think, 'With a better cast/better writers, this could work." Not the case here. Skip it; probably won't be around much longer.
The Great Indoors
(2016–2017)
Embarrassing to watch :/
29 March 2017
Joel McHale and Stephen Fry--this should be hilarious, right?
Except no. The writing is dismal, sophomoric and menial humor. The characters are shallow one note parodies that serve no purpose other than for Joel's character (couldn't even bother to remember the name) to bounce his flat jokes off of them.
Deficiencies like that aside, it's just so generic. It's the typical formulaic sitcom in the same cookie cutter pattern of other sad flops like Undateable and Outsourced. My own preference is that when I watch a show, I don't like being able to predict the entire premise, lines, and jokes in the first 6 or 7 minutes.
Joel deserves better. Stephen can do better. Not sure what to say about the rest of the cast. Just a really bad show.
Except no. The writing is dismal, sophomoric and menial humor. The characters are shallow one note parodies that serve no purpose other than for Joel's character (couldn't even bother to remember the name) to bounce his flat jokes off of them.
Deficiencies like that aside, it's just so generic. It's the typical formulaic sitcom in the same cookie cutter pattern of other sad flops like Undateable and Outsourced. My own preference is that when I watch a show, I don't like being able to predict the entire premise, lines, and jokes in the first 6 or 7 minutes.
Joel deserves better. Stephen can do better. Not sure what to say about the rest of the cast. Just a really bad show.
My Big Fat Fabulous Life
(2015– )
This is bad.
5 March 2016
Warning: Spoilers
I tried to like this show, I really did. More body type variety is something we *need* in media. But, that aside, Whitney fails as a likable character. I wanted to get behind the 'big girl that every one underestimates' plot line but the main character is annoying and I don't think her weight is the reason.
She acknowledges her bad habits but completely fails to take any meaningful steps to change. An ex: many episodes she discusses changing her diet and eating healthier yet is a self admitted Starbucks addict and throws back 700 cal drink several times a day. If she doesn't want to change her weight, that's fine but she says she does so....? One moment, the show attempts to manipulate the viewer into pity, how Whitney is a victim of her genetics. The next, she's a bad ass, take a no prisoners modern feminist gal. Pick one. You can't cling to being a victim and then insist you're happy and every thing is perfect with you.
Her personality might be described by some as 'quirky'; I flat out find her childish to the point of obnoxious. I don't care how much you weigh, be respectful of others time and schedules. Grow up. Clean up after yourself.
She is also rude and demanding to her elderly parents; at any size, this is not cool. You are a grown woman. Be kind to your family. They are patient and good to you.
Fat women deserve a better role model than this.
She acknowledges her bad habits but completely fails to take any meaningful steps to change. An ex: many episodes she discusses changing her diet and eating healthier yet is a self admitted Starbucks addict and throws back 700 cal drink several times a day. If she doesn't want to change her weight, that's fine but she says she does so....? One moment, the show attempts to manipulate the viewer into pity, how Whitney is a victim of her genetics. The next, she's a bad ass, take a no prisoners modern feminist gal. Pick one. You can't cling to being a victim and then insist you're happy and every thing is perfect with you.
Her personality might be described by some as 'quirky'; I flat out find her childish to the point of obnoxious. I don't care how much you weigh, be respectful of others time and schedules. Grow up. Clean up after yourself.
She is also rude and demanding to her elderly parents; at any size, this is not cool. You are a grown woman. Be kind to your family. They are patient and good to you.
Fat women deserve a better role model than this.
Victorious
(2010–2013)
Painfully Bad
23 September 2010
I have two nieces, 12 and 15, and immediately after iCarly, they wanted to change the channel rather than watch Victorious. Curious, I checked it out anyway.Being a tween/teen show I had very low expectations.
While the show is from the same creative team of iCarly, it has none of its humor or charm. The characters are beyond stereotypical, they are so one dimensional I found myself wincing. The jokes are subpar, terrible puns or flat delivery gags.
The most egregious thing on the show is the main character, Tori Vega. The contrived, been done to death, oh I'm so hot and great but gee gosh, I don't even know it character is driven into the viewer's skull to the point where it's annoying to even look at her.
While the show is from the same creative team of iCarly, it has none of its humor or charm. The characters are beyond stereotypical, they are so one dimensional I found myself wincing. The jokes are subpar, terrible puns or flat delivery gags.
The most egregious thing on the show is the main character, Tori Vega. The contrived, been done to death, oh I'm so hot and great but gee gosh, I don't even know it character is driven into the viewer's skull to the point where it's annoying to even look at her.
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