Mrobinson8609 Reviews

Cristiano Ronaldo: World at His Feet (2014)

Not perfect, but fun none the less!

[8/10 · 27 June 2014]

I'm not a huge soccer fan. Beyond David Beckham my knowledge about the sport is that you can't use your hands. I watched this documentary meanly because ever since the world cup started there has been endless chatter about Cristiano Ronaldo. Some of it was good (he is an excellent scorer) much of it was bad (He is a preening peacock) with all this applause and vitriol I decided to learn more and came across this documentary. No first off there are a few flaws. The narration is at times unfocused and there are these tangential asides that seem forced. These flaws aside the film is entertaining and informative and I walked away with a more well rounded view of the subject.

Finding Happiness (2014)

A new way to live!

[10/10 · 26 February 2014]

First off I have to admit that whenever I see anything that appears to be "New Age" I start to roll my eyes. I usually dismiss it as hokum or as a scam. The whole enlightenment thing is very off-putting to me. It was with this bias that I watched "Finding Happiness", the premise is a skeptical reporter visits the Ananda community in Northen California armed with a pen and a fair amount of doubt. As she meets more members of the community she comes to the realization that yoga, communal living and a more cooperative approach is actually the key to Finding Happiness. The movie serves as an introduction to their principles and I have to admit afterwords I was perusing their website and thinking about how I can live a more in tune lifestyle.

JT: Reflections (2013 Video)

Great doc about a great entertainer!

[9/10 · 28 December 2013]

Justin Timberlake can do it all! He dances, he acts and of course he is an amazing singer. The documentary "JT:Reflections" follows his start as a starry eyed kid from Memphis to the superstar he is now. The story moves from Memphis to the "Mickey Mouse Club" where Justin worked with many future superstars (Christina Aguilara, Brittany Spears and even Ryan Gosling) After that of course he went onto to N'Sync which was the biggest boy band of their era. Then it was solo stardom and even acclaim as an actor. Throughout the documentary insight is given by entertainment insiders shedding light on why Justin is so special. This documentary is a must for Justin fans!

Lunch (I) (2012)

Comedy legends discuss their craft.

[10/10 · 23 December 2013]

I live for comedy. A good laugh gets me through the day and I love it how a funny guest can liven up any party. The documentary "Lunch" is like having a dinner party with some of the most lively, entertaining guests imaginable. "Lunch" follows a group of legendary comedy writers who meet for lunch every other week in Los Angeles. At easch lunch they discuss the old days, current events and what its like being old. Each subject is handles with wit and grace and each member is interviewed and their current situations are shared. The documentary breezes by and I was left wanting more. This documentary is a must for any fan of classic TV. You won;t regret it.

Comedy Warriors: Healing Through Humor (2013)

Healing through Laughter

[10/10 · 11 December 2013]

I gotta admit I'm a pretty liberal guy. I didn't approve of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan and I'm not a real military guy. That being said, I still support the troops and my heart aches for all they endure. It was with these conflicting feelings that I watched "Comedy Warriors" I can't imagine losing a leg or seeing what these guys saw. I loved hearing their stories, but even more I loved watching them kill it on-stage. It was especially cool seeing them get pointers from established comedians and how their advice helped their sets improve, and the best part these vets were truly funny, there weren't any pity laughs they killed it!

Pink: Staying True (2013)

Great documentary about a great artist!

[9/10 · 26 November 2013]

Pink is one of a kind and that is made abundantly clear throughout this slick documentary/retrospective of her career. The thing that is coolest and most refreshing about Pink is that she has remained real and has not changed. Throughout the documentary she comes across as real, down to earth, and not afraid to speak her mind, something that is lacking in most modern day pop princesses. I have always been a fan, but after seeing her realness in this documentary I found myself not only loving, but respecting her as an artist as well. The other cool thing was listening to people talk about working with her. The glowing praise proves that she is a one of a kind diva and a breath of fresh air!

Nik Rabinowitz: You Can't Be Serious (2011)

Freakin' Hilarious!

[10/10 · 22 November 2013]

Nik is crazy, and I mean this as a complement. He zooms in and out of impressions and news stories throughout this comedy special. He reminded me of Robin Williams, doing spot on impersonations, all while skewering South African culture with wit and sarcasm. The bits range from the World Cup, to their burgeoning space program, to a South African Disneyland. I especially loved when he re-did American movie trailers from an Afrikans perspective, hilarious. Throughout the audience is kept laughing and the Nik's high energy, rapid fire delivery never comes down. A great stand-up special and I cannot wait to see what Nik has to say next!

Cage Fight (2012)

A fun look at underground fighting

[9/10 · 14 November 2013]

"Cage Fight" follows Guerrero, an illegal immigrant from Mexico who crosses the border in the trunk of the car looking for his family. (He was deported without them knowing)After he arrives the corrupt crime lord Santoro gets him to fight in underground fights for him. He wins and Santoro selects him to fight in a Cage Fight. Guerrero agrees, but only so he can win enough money to find his family. The film is fun and reminded me of the Van Damme movie "Bloodsport" The action moves quickly and I found myself caring about Guerrero. There are twists that happen and characters are not what they appear. The fight scenes are well executed and all and all "Cage Fight" is a fun movie perfect for a Friday night!

Sunset Strip (2012)

A Great Retropspective of the Sunset Strip

[10/10 · 7 November 2013]

Like many other people past and present I was drawn to Los Angeles attracted by the glitz and glamour of Tinseltown, and like many other people the first thing I did when I arrived was drive down the Sunset Strip. I remember seeing the billboards and feeling the energy of knowing that amazing things were happening, and that I was far removed from my mountain roots. Although I was fascinated by the strip I always wanted to learn more about its history. So you can imagine my excitement when I heard about this documentary. I rushed to my computer, bought the film and screened it that moment on my laptop and let me say I was not disappointed! The history of the strip from its formation to the speakeasies of the 20s up through present day is covered through interviews with the people who lived it. You really see how the sunset strip was shaped by, but also influenced culture and the personalities! A great film and I will make sure to watch it again soon!

Bad Behavior (2013)

The babysitting job from hell!

[10/10 · 22 October 2013]

From the moment Zoe rings the doorbell we know that something is off with apparently normal family. The parent's seem too nice, and too willing to over pay. The middle child Tyler is skittish and perverted, the youngest is lost in her own princess fantasy, and the oldest, Jack looks like as Zoe's boyfriend Kansas puts it a "serial killer" Well all it takes is a knock on the head to Zoe, and we learn that this family is hiding some dark secrets, mainly that Jack suffers from paranoid delusions. As he terrorizes Zoe, Grace, and Tyler (who are all trapped in the bathroom) we learn that this isn't the first time Jack has acted out, but will it be the most violent? You have to watch the film to find out!

One Direction: Going Our Way (2013)

Insightful and Interesting

[9/10 · 17 October 2013]

As a child of the 90s I remember the Backstreet Boys and N Sync days well. Honestly it wasn't until recently that I had even heard of "One Direction" I wanted to see what all the fuss is about so I decided to check out this documentary about them, and I will say after watching it I walked away with a greater appreciation for them as artists. Different media personalities are interviewed and discuss their rise to prominence. One area in particular that stood out was their adept use of using social media and how that differed from the old model of record company promotion. (Mainly they were famous on twitter before they had even released a single state side)couple that with their humble, non-pretentious sense of fun, and you have a band that I will be rooting for for a long time!

Beauty and the Breast (2012)

Survival and courage

[15 October 2013]

This film is all about how women cope with the disease that is Breast Cancer. Throughout this powerful documentary various women are interviewed at different stages from diagnosis to treatment. Different women make different decisions regarding treatment and issues of body image and femininity are brought up. The different stories and stark brutal honesty is what makes this movie so special. These women bravely share their fears and hopes as they battle their disease.I found myself connecting to them all and hoping they would pull through and getting angry at some of their choices. I left feeling inspired by these women's perseverance and recommend it not only for those suffering this cruel disease, but anyone because this disease truly affects us all!

Amy (II) (2013)

A Fun Halloween Movie

[8/10 · 8 October 2013]

Possession in a remote Amish community. That is what happens in the Indie horror film "Amy." A Young girl learns she has the ability to see fallen souls. The problem is that not only does her village not believe here, but her boyfriend Robert thinks she's foolish as well. As the film goes on she meets a mysterious outsider named Chris and she must work with him to cleanse her village of the possession. The film conveys the feeling of being alone. No one outside the village is ever seen and this helps convey Amy's feeling's of loneliness. Also the film has several surprises that will keep you guessing until the end. A great film for Halloween!

Guido (2011)

A fun action movie

[9/10 · 1 October 2013]

The thing I liked best about this movie is that it didn't take its self too seriously. It had that old-school 80s action movie vibe. This makes for some over the top scenes, but that's what low budget independent film is all about! In the film Iraqi hit man Guido must take his dying landlady and a body to California all while avoiding a deranged hit man and the law. There are plenty of violent scenes, and a sense of "black comedy" that reminded me of Robert Rodriguez's Desperado. People are killed in imaginative ways, and the violence is so outlandish it's impossible not to enjoy it!. All and all it's a good fun action film with some over the top ridiculous moments (But that's what makes it fun!)

Pieces (1982)

Relax it's supposed to be fun!

[9/10 · 1 October 2013]

Reading some of the negative reviews it appears that people have forgotten that this film is supposed to be violent, over the top, and ridiculous. You don't watch "Pieces" for high art, you watch it to be ghastly entertained. The deaths, the premise and the acting is so deliciously over the top it is impossible not to enjoy. Furthermore it plays with horror convention. Naked actreess are slaughtered, the twists are telegraped and the dilaougue is cheesy in the most delightful way. Maybe I'm biased because I love a good b-movie, but this film delivers on exactly what it sees it will, and most movies can't claim that!

The Last Push (2012)

The Cost of Exploration

[9/10 · 27 September 2013]

The Thing that I liked most about this film is it did not shy away from the cost of space exploration. Instead it dealt with it head on. Michael Forrest (Khary Payton) is forced to endure isolation, and a confined existence all to survive and hopefully make it back to Earth. His only communication is when he receives a message from mission control. It is a horrifying existence and I found myself constantly wondering how I would deal with it (Not as well as him) In the end the film does more service to the spirit of exploration that any big budget Hollywood could ever hope too. A must view for all fans of "real" cinema.

Femme (2013)

A Brighter Future

[9/10 · 20 September 2013]

This film gives me hope for the future, mainly that there might be a way us to fix the problems of the past, and create a more equitable future.

Through numerous interviews with renowned women Femme gives insight into how the world is changing for the better. By women asserting themselves more the balance of the world is being tilted towards the positive again. This means that war, economic desparity, and inequality will start to erode.

The film does not let men of the hook (I'll admit at times I felt ashamed for my gender's past), but ultimately the message is hopeful. Both genders have an integral role to play in the planet's healing, that is the films inspiring message!