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laurelvanwilligen
Reviews
Basketball or Nothing (2019)
Plenty to Like
So much to like about this documentary. Having watched a slew of these, I can say that it is just so refreshing to see a coach get results without abusive language and behavior toward his players.
The staff at the school seemed so good. Concerned, supportive, trying to balance academics with sports.
It was impossible for me to ignore the overall atmosphere of depression in most of the players and most of their parents. And I get why they would be depressed.
But the one thing that I just cannot figure out for the life of me is why you would spend 25 million dollars on a high school basketball arena when there are people in the community that don't have running water. That right there depressed me.
KKK: The Fight for White Supremacy (2015)
Stupid people proudly proclaiming their ignorance
This film is a perfect example of why freedom of expression is not just important, but vital. You could talk yourself blue in the face about what makes groups like the KKK worthless and mindless. Spend hours warning your children to steer clear. But NOTHING can do as much harm as these stupid people proudly proclaiming their mindless beliefs. They number a whopping 5000-8000 in the entire US, many of their 'klans' fighting against each other. Stetson Kennedy's brilliant exposé whittled them down to almost nothing. Now their own words will eventually finish them off. I think this film might help speed that up.
The Red Pill (2016)
Faint Praise
To call Cassie Jaye courageous is faint praise. Most people don't know--will never know--how much personal fortitude is required to renounce your 'thing'. What do I call myself when people ask? Cassie Jaye called herself a feminist. Her first act of bravery was wading into the 'enemy' camp. How many of us even have the stomach to read the blog of someone with opposing political views, let alone spend personal time with them and film for a documentary? What I loved most was Cassie's personal reflections. We all do this every day. Am I doing the right thing? Is my life better for all this time I'm spending doing blah-blah- blah? She waded in, she filmed her most personal questioning moments. And in the end, she opened her eyes, looked at the evidence and said, "The horse I'm backing isn't even a horse. It's a wolf in sheep's clothing biting anyone who dares question it's battered sheep agenda." Bravo. May I learn from you and practice the self-reflective honesty you showed. I hope so.
Finding Home (2014)
Too much religion
This isn't a bad documentary, nor is it a great one--a little better than average. Yes, it has an insanely important message. But the means of delivering it is overdone with religion and an attempt to proselytize. I'm happy the people in this film can see themselves as having made something of their lives. That's important for all of us. But the apparent need to place themselves on a pedestal ruined it for me. I can come to my own conclusions about the meaning of these horrible, demeaning, abusive trafficking situations. I don't need someone else's notion of 'God' to 'splain it to me. Cut that stuff out and you'll get an 8 from me. Really important issue, really great that people devote their lives to it. Don't need to be preached to.