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Reviews
Trial by Media: 41 Shots (2020)
Frustrating and Depressing
We've liked how these documentaries deal with how media manipulates what we consider justice in the USA. I had not lived in NYC very long when the police murdered Amadou Diallo. Even to my white Midwestern ears, the police sounded guilty, guilty, guilty. This short documentary brings back the public's frustration and anger at the crazy aggression of Rudy Giuliani and the NYPD, but also how U. S. gun laws (lack of them) yields cops who think everyone--sorry, I mean everyone who's not WHITE is packing and out to kill them. I appreciated the interviews with journalists and former politicians (like Mayor Dinkins), as well as Diallo's mother. It does a good job showing how media "otherized" Mr Diallo, stripping him of his education and family, identifying him as a "poor immigrant street peddler." I believe the police should have been punished, but it is important that we hear this story, too.
Doctor Who: Revolution of the Daleks (2021)
Not a show for misogynists or racists
After looking at many of the negative reviews, I feel I need to speak up for people who actually know what good writing is, and who believe that women on screen in meaty science fiction roles is a good thing. We've watched Jodi Whittaker for two full seasons and two holiday specials, and we think she's fantastic. She embodies the insatiable curiosity of the Doctor, but also nails the exuberant problem-solving genius and happiness in a clever solution. The rapport with her trio of companions is remarkably respectful and like a true friendship of equals. The old school Doctor, when stories have him ordering everyone around and makes sure you know he's the cleverest in the room, are old fashioned and, frankly, disrespectful of the diversity of the humanity the Doctor claims to love and champion. As a child I liked them, and while I still watch to fill in gaps in my knowledge, they don't resonate the way more recent incarnations and storytelling does. But it was time for Davies and Moffat to go, and "Chib" is an excellent replacement. It's really sad seeing all the thinly veiled racism and misogyny in the complaints and petitions. Come on, people, most of us have grown up! The Doctor can, too!
The Diary of a High School Bride (1959)
Getting married when you're this young is more than a little rough.
Sure there are things that could be stronger, and Steve seems a little bit too old and smart to have picked at 17 y.o. high school student of questionable achievement for a wife (although I guess that in itself should give question to his intelligence), but the film does really capture some of the difficulties of new marriage, and there are a couple of decent songs. There are some sensible people in the story, too, especially viewed through a 1950s lens, but I wish there had been more realistic high school girls, both sugary ones and snotty ones, dealing with Judy's changed status. There's also some pretty good tension due to the constant harassment from the skeevy ex-boyfriend Chuck, which was a bit of a surprise. Anyway, while I didn't find it the most entertaining thing in the world, it was an okay piece of film making. It's hard to understand how Chuck's girlfriend puts up with him, though; I would totally dump his trouble-making ass.
Kingdom (2007)
If it weren't for Stephen Fry...
I have to agree that if it weren't for Stephen Fry, this would have quickly been on the discard pile. The stories are a rather plain mix of DOC MARTIN and INSPECTOR MORSE, although Peter Kingdom is the antithesis of those two in his gentleness. The cases are not that interesting, really, despite some satisfying resolutions. It's one of Stephen Fry's strengths, actually, that he can carry a show with such weak scripts. The mystery regarding a missing family member was also less than I had hoped, but I was willing to accept it. But when it came down to it, the quirky villagers and incredibly irritating sister made this almost impossible for me to watch; I sped through most every scene with either.