Film Review: Ethos: A Time For Change

By

Sydney Morris

            Ethos: A Time for Change, from Director Pete McGrain and hosted by Woody Harrelson, is an entrancing documentary that opens viewers’ eyes to the real power they possess as consumers and members of modern society. According to the documentary, we cannot change our system until we know how it works. The system controls virtually all of the everyday aspects of our lives and how we live within in. With this documentary, you learn how to function in peace and justice in a clean environment. Ethos: A Time for Change is a great way for people who may be uninformed about certain topics to learn and become more powerful and responsible decision makers, creating a way for them to fully open their eyes to the world we live in.

            The choice of quotes and people who were interviewed complemented the documentary very well; they supported the purpose of the film and added interesting insight. The facts are undeniable and provide people who watch this with several things to think about. One of the subjects covered is politics and how politicians often completely contradict themselves. McGrain makes an interesting point that we never really know what to believe when politicians do this, and tend to just go along with their ideas, which is another way they control the system and how we live.

            I thoroughly enjoyed the documentary; it was informative and gave an outlook on the world that I would not have been aware of otherwise. I enjoyed the narrative and I would recommend it to others who are curious as to how the corrupt system impacts our lives and how easy it is to change the way it works once you can understand the amount of power you hold as a consumer. This is a great documentary, one that serves as a much needed wake up call, and is well worth the watch!

Film Review: Eye of the Future

Charles A. Smith

Eye of the Future is an intriguing story of creativity and problem resolution as seen through the eyes and imaginations of five children. The kids, who are the children of 5 UN ambassadors, are given a quest by Mother Earth to reduce the amount of the carbon in the earth;s atmosphere that's caused by mankind, thereby creating a sustainable future. Currently, the reading is 390 ppm (parts per million) and the children must bring that down to 350 ppm, which is a healthy state for the earth's air, water and land. They have until 2050 to get this done, and their young minds will stun viewers with the simplicity and ingenuity they use to solve the carbon problems for the world. Each show real solutions being done on a small scale in their respective countries, and imagine the effect on a larger scale.  Things being done across the globe to make clean, safe energy are revealed to viewers along with fantastic world panoramas.

Breathtaking cinematography with plenty of interesting facts make this a very interesting and informative DVD that's not just for children, but for all who are interested in saving the planet for the future generations who will habitat it. We must change the way we do things environmentally or the planet will not be able to support life the way it has. The children hold the audience's attention as they each guide you through their collective solution with a target of reaching this very critical goal.  Eye Of The Future, from director Catherine Cunningham, is a well produced documentary, and one that should be required viewing for all. The important messages conveyed by the film are expressed in a way that is engaging for all ages, and for that I commend the producers, because the message is loud and clear. The future belongs to those who prepare. I highly recommend this DVD!!    

  

Film Review: Master Qi And The Monkey King (Alan Govenar)

By
Charles A. Smith

Alan Govenar's Master Qi and the Monkey King is a documentary that chronicles the beautiful and compelling Chinese Opera. Qi Shu Fang is one of the most prominent masters of Chinese Opera, who made the tough choice to stay in the United States and act as a cultural liaison between the cultures. Master Qi and her husband Ding Mei-kui and their company of Chinese Opera performers spread knowledge and beauty about the ancient art form of Peking Opera. Balancing modern life and her love for ancient tradition, she and her husband work and live in Queens NY, in a section of the city that now has many Chinese and Asian immigrants. This documentary shows the hard work and dedication that are demanded by this art form, as well as its' nature and perfection. This is carried over to the performers that work with and for her. 

It's enchanting to watch the excerpts from various operas and the time at work the artists put in after working other jobs. Qi's movements are exquisite and brilliant. There's also footage from the early days of her career as a prodigy finishing her schooling in three years instead of the five that was normally required. She spent her early years doing plays for the central government and the "Modern Model Play Company", then ventured into films. "Taking Tiger Mountain", in which she plays Little Changbao, a strong female character, propelled her to even higher levels of fame. Now years later, Master Qi is just as powerful and engaging as she ever was, if not more so. To be a performer of this type, one must be an acrobat,  martial artist, singer, dancer, actor, and more. What this incredible documentary does is allow the uninitiated to develop an interest in Chinese Opera, while aficionados gain further insight into a wonderful art form and one of the masters of it. This is one 200 year old tradition that you shouldn't waste another day to see! Very highly recommended!!  

Film Review: The Callers

By
Charles A. Smith

The art of auctioneering has been brought to DVD via Susan Sfarra's documentary The Callers, and it is interesting to find out there is another way to find treasures and great values at auctions, something most of us don't really think about. Those of you who do yard sales, and go to garage sales and flea markets  might have never considered going to a auction, but you might want to rethink your position.

Everything is auctioned from livestock to buildings and there is serious money to be saved and made. People have made this a business, but the major player here is actually the auctioneer, who is a work of art in human form. In The Callers, you will find out how they become auctioneers and what it takes to become one. It is fascinating to see the amount of things and ways people call upon these craftsmen and women to help them sell -- things they no longer want or need. Said to be the fairest method of doing trade, the auction game is big business. Some of the things people get rid of at auctions are really of great value. These days, some things just aren't made like they use to be, so antiques are worthy of purchase because of the craftsmanship that has gone into them. And the Auctioneer really serves a very useful purpose organizing the auction and all the items to be sold, doing it all in a profession and fast paced way. This documentary made me think about checking for auctions in my area for some of the things I need and just to see what I might find. Great DVD. Happy hunting!!

Film Review: Beyond Hatred

By
Charles A. Smith

"Beyond Hatred," an Oliver Meyrou film, is a compelling and engrossing documentary about a family and their pain in the aftermath of the murder of their son Fracois Chenu. The 29 year old Chenu, who was gay, was attacked and killed in 2002 by three neofascist skinheads in a pubic park in Rhine, France. His murderers were there looking for an Arab to attack, but found Chenu instead. When he refused to renounce his homosexuality, he was beaten unconscious and throw in a into a pond, where he drowned. 

"Beyond Hatred" takes a deep look at hate crimes and homophobia, and a family's struggle to forgive the unforgivable. The Chenu family was kind enough to let the world in to the empty space left behind such an outrageous act. Questions are presented that are thought provoking and enlightening. Young people following strange ideals and parents standing back as they do is part of the cause. The inability of some to not accept others for whatever the reason is revealed in this as insanity. The lessons found here are difficult, but important. Long after this heinous crime was committed, as the family tried to go through the healing process, the trial began and the unleashing of raw emotions and wounds began anew. Still, Chenu's family sought to take the path of forgiveness and civility, as much for their own survival and sanity as for anyone else. 

This well produced film is shot with simplicity to allow the subject matter and emotional content to tell the story. "Beyond Hatred" is a very moving and disturbing look at what some members of our society have become, in an effort to stop the progression of such evil. You will feel deeply for the victims, and even have some compassion for the murderers. But most of all you will come to know that society must change its mindset of intolerance for others who are different. This is a powerful story of pain and humanity. The documentary is in French with English subtitles. I highly recommend this film!!

Film Review: When The Drum Is Beating

By
Charles A. Smith

"When The Drum Is Beating," from filmmaker Whitney Dow, is a documentary about the life of an extraordinary people, country, and band. The country is Haiti, the people are Haitians, and the band is Septentrional, known fondly in Haiti as Septen. For 60 years, this 20 member band has filled the hearts of the Haitian people with joy and their remarkable sound. The country has certainly seen its share of hardships since its inception, but the people of Haiti, who are resilient and proud, have always had their music. Even slaves in chains prior to the revolution in 1804 danced and sang, illustrating the points that there is always hope as long as the heart endures and also, that freedom is a state of mind.

This sensational and highly uplifting film gives insights into the history of a great people, their traditions, and the culture of Haiti. The breathtaking cinematography shows Haiti as it was, is, and provides a look at what it could become. The light that is shed on the lives of the Septen musicians and their struggles is candid and revealing, giving the viewer one of the most factual and touching first hand look at the magic in the midst of chaos. Though Septentrional is clearly talented, they too suffer to create the music that so many love and can find solace in. I really loved Septen's music, which is played throughout the documentary, which is in French with subtitles, giving it an authentic feel. My heart really goes out to these people who have gone through so much, but continue to remain true to their traditions, relying on music to feed their souls during dark and perilous times.

I don't believe that anyone can watch this gripping and heart warming film and just turn the television off and forget about these people, this country, or this band. This is one film that becomes a part of you, claiming a place in your heart and mind. There are so many different emotions evoked by "When The Drum Is Beating," that you will wonder how Dow was able to make you feel them all in such a short amount of time, but this is a fine piece of work that deserves to be heralded at the highest levels.

Film Review: Man On A Mission

By
Charles A. Smith

"Man On A Mission," directed by Mike Woolf, is a fascinating peek into the life of Richard Garriott, who made his fortune in computer as one of the founding fathers of MMORG (Massive Multiplayer Oline Role Playing Games), detailing his chronicle to be on the first commercial civilian flight to outer space, with a hefty price tag of  $30 million/seat. The son of NASA astronaut Owen Garriott, Richard always dreamed of following in his father's footsteps but was unable to because of nearsightedness. In "Man On A Mission," Garriott share his dreams, plights, and training to obtain a space on the Russian rocket that will inevitably provide him with his life's greatest aspiration. The film is very well made and viewers will find it to be exhilirating, funny, scary, but most of all, entertaining. This is an excellent documentary which includes bonus features as well, answering the questions that most would want to ask. I found it to be well worth the watch and consider it a "must see!"

Film Review: Orgasm Inc.

By
Michele Wilson-Morris

Orgasms. Who wouldn’t want to have one and how far would you go to make it a reality?  Liz Canner explores this very relevant topic in depth in a thoroughly entertaining and informative way in Orgasm Inc., as well as profiling pharmaceutical companies who are competing for what is sure to be a multi-billion dollar industry and one of the fastest growing segments in pharmaceutical research. Orgasm Inc. illustrates just how easy it is for us, the public at large, to be convinced that every problem we have is an illness that can and should be treated with pills.  It’s as easy as 1-2-3.   

1.  Convince the public that there is a new generation of diseases.
2.  Invent the disease.
3. Create a market in which pharmaceuticals can prosper by curing or treating it.

Canner was asked to go beyond the role of journaling and documenting the development process to being a participant by producing porn for women that would allow them to become aroused. She was a true observer in her campaign to find the truth, or get as close to it as possible.

Is there really such a thing as Female Sexual Dysfunction? Or would pharmaceutical companies just like for us to believe there is. Orgasm Inc. presents many debatable points of view. The fact is that women should have the final say on whether there is truth in the issues presented. But is this all just another sham to make money from women based on a fictitious health problem that could probably be handled with more rest, less stress, and better, more informed partners as opposed to a new money making bonanza for the health industrial complex? Still, you can’t blame a girl for trying. The film is highly recommended and completely enjoyable. 

Welcome To The Entertainment Bank!!!

Thank you for stopping by The Entertainment Bank. Please know that we’re a work in progress, with great things ahead. While we fully intend to be a major online magazine in the future, for now, we’re taking baby steps. Our goal is to find the best movies, and music from both major label and indie artists, and share those with you. We will also provide services such as press release writing, copyediting, one-sheets, EPKs, track and album reviews, and all forms of business writing – all at a reasonable price, and with honesty, integrity, and good customer service. We believe these things are in short supply and high demand. So, no matter what your entertainment tastes are, you’ll find something here that you like. 

Feel free to contact me with questions, comments, or suggestions at michele@theentertainmentbank.com.