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Suswatibasu (1702 KP) rated Shadow of Truth in TV
Nov 23, 2017 (Updated Nov 23, 2017)
Another incredible true crime docu-series
This true crime docu-series has already been well-received in Israel as one of the most popular and critically acclaimed shows in the country's history, and it's clear to see why.
Following in the footsteps of other documentaries such as @Making A Murderer - Season 1 and @The Keepers - Season 1, Shadow of Truth focuses on the murder of a teenage girl and the man, a Ukrainian immigrant, who confessed to the murder. Except his confession was questionable as we follow the short series. In this case, it does feel similar to @The Confession Tapes - Season 1 - but there is twist after twist in each episode, all focusing on the case from a different point of view.
What's astonishing is the aftermath of this documentary, in which high-ranking government officials like Israel State Attorney Shai Nitzan even went so far as to call the series "a serious threat to democracy." Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the show and thought any attempt to suppress it violated freedom of speech. It's worth a watch if you love true crime, and more so just for the intense reaction.
Following in the footsteps of other documentaries such as @Making A Murderer - Season 1 and @The Keepers - Season 1, Shadow of Truth focuses on the murder of a teenage girl and the man, a Ukrainian immigrant, who confessed to the murder. Except his confession was questionable as we follow the short series. In this case, it does feel similar to @The Confession Tapes - Season 1 - but there is twist after twist in each episode, all focusing on the case from a different point of view.
What's astonishing is the aftermath of this documentary, in which high-ranking government officials like Israel State Attorney Shai Nitzan even went so far as to call the series "a serious threat to democracy." Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the show and thought any attempt to suppress it violated freedom of speech. It's worth a watch if you love true crime, and more so just for the intense reaction.
Suswatibasu (1702 KP) rated The Confession Tapes - Season 1 in TV
Sep 9, 2017
Traumatic watch, another brilliant true crime series
I have to say I was deeply traumatised watching this astounding yet disturbing series on confessions. Netflix have showcased another incredible documentary series about police misconduct and failings of the judicial process in these six cases.
Like Making A Murderer, it is well produced and directed leaving only the voices of those involved in these cases within the documentaries. However, it looks at one case per 45 minute episode bar the first episode which is spread across two. And it's relentless. Police techniques in questioning the accused range from psychological torture to even what appears to be hypnosis.
The cases itself are horrific. From confessing to the murder of your family, and your children, to brutal murders that led to an entire neighbourhood in Washington DC to break apart after convicting nine innocent teenagers. And no other leads are followed, and it's all based on circumstantial evidence. It makes you really question if you can trust the system. Watch it with caution as it can be harrowing.
Like Making A Murderer, it is well produced and directed leaving only the voices of those involved in these cases within the documentaries. However, it looks at one case per 45 minute episode bar the first episode which is spread across two. And it's relentless. Police techniques in questioning the accused range from psychological torture to even what appears to be hypnosis.
The cases itself are horrific. From confessing to the murder of your family, and your children, to brutal murders that led to an entire neighbourhood in Washington DC to break apart after convicting nine innocent teenagers. And no other leads are followed, and it's all based on circumstantial evidence. It makes you really question if you can trust the system. Watch it with caution as it can be harrowing.
Steve Fearon (84 KP) rated Found Footage 3D (2016) in Movies
Sep 19, 2018
Some Nice ideas, but a little less than good
Found Footage 3D is a fun idea...a meta horror about a small crew filming their own 'found-footage' horror, so you have a mixture of 'movie within a movie' scenes mixed with their own documentary about the making of their film.
The other aspects of the premise are all very much in keeping with tradition; the haunted cabin, the unseen "spectre", the paranoia etc
It is reasonably well made and well acted for a smaller budget film, and though the script offers few surprises, it is an easy watch, and makes some clever observations on the genre including a brilliant rant by one of the characters about how 'there have only ever been 2 half decent found footage movies, and one of those was 15 years ago!".
All in all, it is a good, fun, at times clever, at others predictable romp through a haunted cabin in the woods, with a self aware cast and an attitude of 'lets just enjoy the tropes'.
Worth a watch.
The other aspects of the premise are all very much in keeping with tradition; the haunted cabin, the unseen "spectre", the paranoia etc
It is reasonably well made and well acted for a smaller budget film, and though the script offers few surprises, it is an easy watch, and makes some clever observations on the genre including a brilliant rant by one of the characters about how 'there have only ever been 2 half decent found footage movies, and one of those was 15 years ago!".
All in all, it is a good, fun, at times clever, at others predictable romp through a haunted cabin in the woods, with a self aware cast and an attitude of 'lets just enjoy the tropes'.
Worth a watch.
Sara Cox (1845 KP) rated Girl Without a Face in Books
Jul 23, 2019
Contains spoilers, click to show
A young woman's life is destroyed when she becomes a victim of an acid attack. The police seem to be getting nowhere with the investigation when a letter pops through her door. One of the gang members is remorseful and wants to meet. She starts secretly filming the gang members, with the inside knowledge of their whereabouts, and exposing their criminal activities. Her video becomes a documentary and her career soars as she exposes how easily it is to obtain materials for these attacks.
This story had so much potential. An amazing storyline and characters that could have been inspiring. But I feel like it wasn't written well and this let down the story. There were questions left unanswered. There were scenes that seemed out of place. And situations that seemed unrealistic and just forced idealism. The story felt unfinished and there was no ending for the main male character. And as petty as this may sound, the book needs another proof-reading. The male lead's name changes (it took me a while to figure out who this extra character was) and there are obvious word errors.
This story had so much potential. An amazing storyline and characters that could have been inspiring. But I feel like it wasn't written well and this let down the story. There were questions left unanswered. There were scenes that seemed out of place. And situations that seemed unrealistic and just forced idealism. The story felt unfinished and there was no ending for the main male character. And as petty as this may sound, the book needs another proof-reading. The male lead's name changes (it took me a while to figure out who this extra character was) and there are obvious word errors.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Fiddler: A Miracle of Miracles (2019) in Movies
Dec 13, 2019
Somewhat digressive documentary comes to celebrate Fiddler on the Roof, not critique it, as the title probably makes clear. Various interviewees recount the creation of the show, while others reflect on its cultural impact and continuing and enormous popularity (apparently there has been at least one performance somewhere in the world every single day since it first opened in 1964).
The stories and insights are interesting enough to keep you from wishing you'd just watched a DVD of the movie instead, and they have hunted up some fascinating footage to illustrate the film, ranging from the Temptations doing a very funky version of 'If I Were A Rich Man' to Lin-Manuel Miranda's wedding video. The film addresses the central paradox about this show - that something so very specific in time, place and outlook has such universal appeal and emotional power - but doesn't really attempt to explain it. This is probably quite wise, as it is one of the mysteries of great art. Worth a look if you like the show, which everyone with a heart and a soul who's actually seen it surely does.
The stories and insights are interesting enough to keep you from wishing you'd just watched a DVD of the movie instead, and they have hunted up some fascinating footage to illustrate the film, ranging from the Temptations doing a very funky version of 'If I Were A Rich Man' to Lin-Manuel Miranda's wedding video. The film addresses the central paradox about this show - that something so very specific in time, place and outlook has such universal appeal and emotional power - but doesn't really attempt to explain it. This is probably quite wise, as it is one of the mysteries of great art. Worth a look if you like the show, which everyone with a heart and a soul who's actually seen it surely does.
Sarah (7799 KP) rated Dark Waters (2019) in Movies
Mar 4, 2020
Good, if a little drawn out
I recall watching a documentary on DuPont and Parkersberg a while back, but was really interested to see the dramatised version of how this all came about.
Overall this is a rather haunting and tense film, with a great score and performances especially from Mark Ruffalo. It has such a dark appearance and overtone, and this works really well. It all feels rather ominous. The story itself is hugely interesting, although I think there are parts in this that are way too drawn out. Virtually all of the family related scenes were entirely unnecessary and made the film a lot longer than it needed to be. They could have cut all of these out and it would've had no impact on the main story. Because of this lengthy run time, the film only just held my attention and purely because the story itself is fascinating. I mean how a company gets away with doing something like this is absolutely crazy.
However if they'd have cut a good half an hour out of this, I probably would've rated it a bit higher.
Overall this is a rather haunting and tense film, with a great score and performances especially from Mark Ruffalo. It has such a dark appearance and overtone, and this works really well. It all feels rather ominous. The story itself is hugely interesting, although I think there are parts in this that are way too drawn out. Virtually all of the family related scenes were entirely unnecessary and made the film a lot longer than it needed to be. They could have cut all of these out and it would've had no impact on the main story. Because of this lengthy run time, the film only just held my attention and purely because the story itself is fascinating. I mean how a company gets away with doing something like this is absolutely crazy.
However if they'd have cut a good half an hour out of this, I probably would've rated it a bit higher.
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