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Reviews
Murdaugh Murders Podcast (2021)
Great research and content that needs better delivery
I think Mandy has great content and has done her homework on this fascinating, twisted case. She clearly understands how twisted southern politics can be and that is very helpful the examination of this case. However, the quality of the recordings needs serious work. I can hear a lot of punching in and out in the recordings that makes for an uneven and unauthentic speaking pace. And I'm sorry, if you know you have vocal fry, an adapted way of speaking made famous by the Kardashians, maybe it's time to unlearn it. It's annoying and gets in the way of what would otherwise be a great podcast.
Frank and Cindy (2007)
An unsentimental look at a real family
There's no need to wonder how this documentary was made into a movie. It beautifully shows the complexity of family and the unconventional ties that bind us over many years. I have so much appreciation for the couple for allowing an honest depiction of a family -- not a Hallmark special, but the truth of broken dreams, addiction, regrets, reunification and survival.
Holy Hell (2016)
A fascinating view into cult life and bad '80s fashion
I thought this was a fascinating and well-crafted documentary. The intimate, meticulous footage detailing the life and psyche of a cult leader is very interesting yet disturbing. While the leader is very much a sociopath who uses people as fuel for his massive ego, I have to wonder how much I consider his followers to be victims. I'm not saying that I can't understand how they were conned, but when it comes to major issues like having abortions, something that clearly was against one member's personal belief system, why couldn't she see the light and vanish from the premises if it meant the life of her child on two occasions?
These followers are educated adults, many from privileged backgrounds so how can all reasoning skills be dismissed when it comes to Michel/Andreas? He is the definition of a creepy/sexual opportunist from the get-go with his soulless shark eyes, make-up, oiled body and unexplained need for all followers to know every inch of his body. What about this doesn't scream narcissistic opportunist? By the end of the movie, I was left wondering how so many people could have fallen for this man's charade. I'm not victim blaming as much as honestly wondering why they didn't band together for a mass exodus.
Also, where did the money come from? The travel expenses from California to Texas are one thing, but who had the couple of mill lying around to build the elaborate dance theater? While it is understood that Michel/Andreas was the son a wealthy Venezuelan land owner, I don't get any idea if that played into the group's obvious wealth or not.
The end was somewhat dissatisfying as there is no true confrontation of Michel/Andreas/Reyji. The former follower who spoke to him on the beach in Hawaii seemed to still be under his spell and there is no resolution, just video evidence that yet again, this person has been able to maintain followers.
For anyone who's fascinated by cults, this is a must watch. The voyeurism into 20 years in the life of an unrepentant narcissist alone are worth the nagging questions about adult consent and reason.