HellBellsLiveWired Reviews

The Killing of America (1981)

A Documentary That Examines the Culture of Violence in America

[9/10 · 13 February 2014]

The latter half of the 20th century was rife with societal and political turmoil in the United States of America, and this resulted in a wave of violent crime that continued to the end of the century. There are many contributing factors attributed to this spike in violence, including mass proliferation of guns and drugs, overcrowded prisons, immoral foreign wars, crooked politicians, and poor economic conditions, but The Killing of America focuses mainly on how ingrained violence is in American society, and how we consider violence a part of our cultural identity.

The Killing of America tackles this subject with uncompromising reality, using rare and often shocking archival footage to shock the viewer into submission. However, the film never comes off as an exploitation film. Although the footage is often brutal, it is used with journalistic integrity.

The documentary focuses on a host of violent events in recent history such as assassinations, hostage situations, robberies, spree killings, and serial killings. Many of the subjects the film covers are famous, such as the Kennedy assassinations, while others are more obscure, especially for people like me who weren't alive to experience the events as they happened. Many of the situations are shocking, and a lot of the footage included in the movie is so effective that it may change your perception of what it means to be a violent criminal.

We see killers of all kinds, from all walks of life in America. We understand after viewing that violence can happen anywhere, at anytime, to anyone, by anyone. It paints a picture of a society in deep turmoil based on race, class, politics, and sometimes for no reason at all. Its almost as if the country is constantly at war with itself, with absolutely no sense of togetherness as a nation.

The Killing of America is one of the most shocking and effective documentaries I've ever seen. it is continually engaging and throughout its running time never loses steam. Its use of archival footage and music is some of the best I've ever seen in a documentary. It is a raw piece of filmmaking that exposes the true face of American society. I highly recommend this film to any fans of good documentaries or anyone with an interest in American society.

Boogie Nights (1997)

A funny and engaging saga of dreams, debauchery, and the search for belongingness.

[8/10 · 9 February 2014]

The very beginning of Boogie Nights sets the tone for the entire picture. A melancholy piece of sentimental music plays over a black screen before being quickly drowned out by an explosion of upbeat disco. It's almost as though PT Anderson wanted the audience to feel like they just snorted a line of cocaine. The brilliant tracking shot that follows does a fantastic job of introducing all the characters, but it is that first screen that sets the tone; Boogie Nights is not about the glitz and glamor of its time period, but rather the sadness and desperation that lies beneath the gilded surface.

The film follows a well-endowed and starry-eyed teenager named Eddie Adams (Mark Wahlberg), who escapes the turmoil of his home life by immersing himself in the sex and drug-fueled world of disco-dancing and hardcore pornography. Porn mogul Jack Horner (Burt Reynolds)and the sexy yet maternal Amber Waves (Julianne Moore)take Eddie under their wing, adopting him into their own twisted 'family', which Eddie is eager to join. As Eddie changes his persona to Dirk Diggler, the line between his real self and his on screen persona begins to blur, and the humbleness of his Eddie Adams is replaced by the ego-crazed arrogance of Dirk Diggler.

After watching Boogie Nights time and time again, I have come to realize how truly unique it is in that the tonal shifts of the plot seem natural rather than jarring. There is a lot of humor in this movie, and at the same time a lot of sadness. Like all great filmmakers, PT Anderson is a master at playing with the audience's emotions. Boogie Nights, as well as his next film Magnolia, are emotional roller coaster rides. The key to mastering this is good characterization and seamless tonal shifts, both of which Boogie Nights succeeds in getting right.

Tone is hard to define, but it can make or break a film. If a comedy is too serious, then it doesn't work. If a drama isn't taking itself seriously enough, then it doesn't work. Boogie Nights somehow manages to find that balance throughout its many tonal shifts, and for that it is a unique film watching experience.

Perhaps the biggest strength in PT Anderson's films is his attention to detail in regards to his characters. In this ensemble cast, almost all of the characters undergo an emotional journeys of some sort. The fact that even the most ancillary characters have a storyline makes the film seem more realistic, and this makes it easier for the audience to sympathize with their struggles.

The acting in the film is mostly superb, although truthfully I found a few scenes a bit too melodramatic. Mark Wahlberg did a good job, but in some scenes I feel he has a tendency to overact. However this is a minor gripe, and in the overall scheme he does a fantastic job revealing the emotional nuances of his character. John C. Reilly plays my favorite character in the film, Reed Rothschild, Dirk Diggler's best friend and eternal man-child.

Julianne Moore gives a highly emotional and affecting performance, and Burt Reynolds is, for once, not completely annoying.On the contrary, he gives another fantastic performance. Heather Graham is great eye candy for the film, but her character has a lot more depth than her 'rollergirl' persona might suggest. In some ways I find her storyline more interesting than Dirk's.

As someone who is a big fan of the music, films, and culture of the late 70's and early 80's, the setting of Boogie Nights appeals to me a great deal. The soundtrack is phenomenal, and the film uses it in some very unique ways. For example, who could forget Dirk's rendition of 'The Touch'? If you haven't seen the film yet, its worth watching for that scene alone! The film seems to have an appreciation for the time period, but also uses the changes of the period to represent changes in the characters, such as when the primary medium of porn changed from film to tape. This is masterfully done and a unique way to tell the story.

Boogie Nights is a finely crafted and emotionally engaging film that engrosses you not only in its story, but in its characters and setting as well. Its one of those films you can watch time and time again and never get tired because there is simply so much to appreciate. The only things holding it back from masterpiece status are some stilted performances, but for the most part it is a great achievement.

Bad Manners (1984)

A Crude Yet Charming 80's Gem

[8/10 · 11 June 2012]

Bad Manners (1984)

From the back shelf of the local video store comes Bad Manners, a wacky, outrageous, over- the-top comedy film from 1984. The film centers on four troubled adolescent friends who escape their crazy orphanage and set off on an adventure to save another friend whose been adopted by weirdo yuppies. The film more than lives up to its title with the kind of crass and borderline-tasteless humor one could only find in an 80's movie. Featuring plenty of kick- ass music, funny one-liners, naked breasts, fighting, cursing, beer-guzzling and general madness, Bad Manners is a truly entertaining and endearing 80's cult comedy.

I recently rediscovered the film after several years of searching for it with no luck. My parents had rented it on VHS when I was a kid and the movie stuck with me not only because it was so funny and outrageous, but because I felt a real connection to the characters. I got a real sense that their friendship was genuine, and I felt the same way after finally re-watching it ten years later. Quentin Tarantino defined these types of films as 'hang-out' movies, as in movies that make you feel as though you are friends with the characters, like The Big Lebowski for example. A 'hang-out' movie is a perfect way to describe Bad Manners.

The beginning of the film is mostly episodic, focusing on how the main characters spend their everyday lives causing havoc and mayhem in the "Home of the Bleeding Heart" Catholic orphanage. They have declared war on the gung-ho head mistress Sister Serena and ex-Nazi Mr. Kurtz, who zaps misbehaving children with a cattle prod. The place is turned upside down when the eternally cool and antisocial bad ass Piper arrives to stir things up. Intent on escaping, Piper reignites the rebellious spirit of his peers and befriends the tall and lanky Whitey, the token black kid Blackey, the rude problem child 'Mouse', and a tomboy named Joey played by a young Pamela Adlon who would later go on to voice Bobby Hill.

Mouse is soon adopted by a psychotic couple of yuppies played by Karen Black and Martin Mull with absurd campiness. As Mouse wreaks havoc on their home and life, Piper and the gang manage to escape the orphanage and set out on an adventure to rescue him. Their journey leads to several hilarious scenes including mayhem at a bus station and being threatened by a taxi driver with a pick-Axe.

The acting of the kids is actually the high point of the film, which is surprising considering the great majority of child actors suck. Like I said before, their friendship seems genuine and fun, which makes for a very entertaining viewing experience. Maybe the only reason I felt a connection to the kids is because I saw it when I was a kid and could relate to them. I could understand how an up stuck adult could see this film and consider it complete garbage. Let's just say this movie is for the young and the young at heart.

I hesitate on calling this a cult film, because as far as I can tell it doesn't have any following at all. For some reason this film has slipped through the cracks into near-obscurity, but it deserves so much more. It is a truly funny unique film full of personality and a spirit of rebellion. I love this movie.