Whether you're making a documentary about Internet relationships or making a documentary about relationships, without using the Internet...
one thing seems commonplace- you're probably going to meet some really interesting people! This is “Movie Night”!
*theme song plays*
Hello, and welcome to “Movie Night.” I'm your host, Jonathan Paula.
Tonight, we'll be taking a look at two Internet-related documentaries that recently made their way to your living room this past month...
the first by way of DVD; the second of which, by way of YouTube rental.
Tonight's first movie, though, is the critically acclaimed favorite from the 2010 Sundance Film Festival, “Catfish.”
Before I begin, I should mention that “Catfish” is a film that is perhaps best explored with absolutely zero knowledge about its plot.
But if you've already heard something about it or had the ending spoiled for you, it doesn't diminish its impact or effectiveness in any way.
Either way, I will try to do my best to avoid any major spoilers.
Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman take us along for an adventure in the life of Ariel's brother Nev, a young photographer in New York City.
It is a startlingly honest and exposing tale, as we are witness to a series of events as they unfold in real-time.
We watch as Nev begins to develop a friendship with Abby, an eight-year-old child prodigy artist from rural Michigan...
after she starts sending him paintings of Nev's published photographs.
Eventually, Nev begins talking to Abby's older sister Megan, who he starts to form a long-distance relationship with, exclusively through phone calls and Facebook.
Where our trio of documentary-makers takes us from here is both exciting, surprising, and emotional...
but it is most certainly not a "horror-thriller" as some trailers have made it out to be.
The filmmaking from brother Ariel is deliberate here, in some instances almost prodding into the life of his brother...
but it's these techniques that bring us that much closer to Nev's private thought process and the feelings he's developing for Megan along the way.
It's in these scenes of brutal honesty where we see these characters feeling nervous, uncomfortable, and vulnerable...
that we truly appreciate and empathize with them and their respective situations.
"Catfish" is exemplary in its ability to completely immerse its audience in its world for a thought-provoking and captivating 86 minutes...
all of which truly feel like you're experiencing these moments right alongside Nev, Henry, and Ariel.
Even if you believe you've had the ending spoiled for you, this film is a poignant reflection of human character and how some of us act in extreme situations...
and it is definitely worth watching. Much has been said about this movie's "supposed" authenticity, but in my opinion, it is 100% genuine, and surprisingly suspenseful.
"Catfish"- "An amazingly honest character study."
Well, that's what I thought about "Catfish." Now, let’s see what you had to say about it in the YouTube comments.
Some varying opinions there, so let's bring in the Rate-o-Matic now, to see how we both scored "Catfish.”
An “8” and a “7”! While this movie may not have been a true "thriller," it was a brazen examination of human relationships, and it was truly captivating.
I thought it was “great.” Enjoying it for its engrossing nature and suspense, but perhaps being turned-off by some of the misleading hype surrounding the film, you scored it a “cool.”
Now, let's transition from a film about online relationships to one that refuses to use the Internet, “Looking for Ms. Locklear.”
Filmed in the summer of 2006 by Internet comedians Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal, “Looking for Ms. Locklear” is the story of...
Actually, you know what? How about we just let the men themselves introduce their movie!
Rhett: Hey, guys, Rhett and Link here!
Link: "Looking for Ms. Locklear" is a 60-minute documentary we made about our search for our first-grade schoolteacher.
Rhett: We had some interesting rules that we set in place- we couldn't use the Internet, we couldn't use the phone book.
Rhett: We had to use people and conversations that would lead us from one person to another. And we got into a lot of unexpected things, and it made the movie!
Link: We are honored, Jonathan, that you are watching and reviewing our movie.
Rhett: But we'll tell you- if you don't like it, don't tell anybody! Tell 'em that it was awesome, or we won't be friends anymore!
Link: Just kidding!
Thank you for that introduction, fellas, and luckily for our friendship, I honestly thought your little film was quite good.
And as difficult as it may be to give this movie a proper critical analysis without any subjective bias, I will do my best.
Rhett and Link artfully open their film with a delightfully nostalgic look at the past, introducing the audience to their friendship, their humble beginnings...
and, most importantly, why we should be invested in their quest to find some schoolteacher they haven't seen in twenty years.
From there, using only word of mouth, we join them on their journey through the rural heartland of North Carolina, as we're introduced to so many memorable characters.
Perhaps realizing that an entire movie about a simple search wouldn't be very fascinating...
these YouTube big shots skillfully direct the narrative around the people they meet along the way...
transforming the movie into a look at humanism at its finest. As Rhett and Link bounce from town to town, we learn more about their friendship, and motivation, as well...
both through soft-spoken narration and fly-on-the-wall audio from their various conversations.
While it is always fun to watch them interact and sing along with the locals they meet along the way, it's the individual stories of struggle, success...
and determination that really make "Looking for Ms. Locklear" a compelling documentary, from a 65-year-old who still dreams of making it in the music business...
to dozens of members of the Lumbee Native American tribe who desperately yearn for official recognition from the United States Government.
Unfortunately, it's also these fascinating sub-stories around each character that make the film feel a bit disjointed at times, as only the search itself receives a proper three-act structure.
Luckily, though, some on-screen text at the end of the movie brings some closure to a few of the stories we've been introduced to.
By the final act, whether or not Rhett and Link actually find their long-lost first grade teacher is inconsequential, because, as the classic proverb has shown...
it's more about the journey than the destination. And the journey here is a fantastic one.
Especially since you can rent it right here on YouTube for only $2, there's no reason not to take that journey with them.
"Looking For Ms. Locklear"- “A vivid slice of Americana."
Well, that's my review. Now, let's read some of yours.
All favorable reviews there, but let's bring in the Rate-o-Matic, to see how we really scored "Looking for Ms. Locklear."
A “great” and an “awesome”! There wasn't much about Rhett and Link's film I didn't like, but I also would have loved to have seen more done with it in certain places.
I gave it an “8.” Hopefully, we can still be friends, guys! As expected, most of you loved this movie...
really enjoying Rhett and Link's live performances in the films and the crazy characters they meet along the way, giving it a “9” out of “10.”
But that does it for this week's films, so now, let's take a look at what's currently playing in theaters, with some Tweet Critiques.
Remember, if you're going to the movies this weekend, make sure to submit your Twitter review, using the #JPMN hashtag, to have it featured on an upcoming episode.
Next week, in honor of the 83rd Annual Academy Awards, I'll be quickly reviewing each of the 10 Best Picture nominees: "127 Hours," "Black Swan"...
"The Fighter,” "Inception," "The Kids Are All Right," "The King's Speech," "The Social Network," "Toy Story 3," "True Grit," and "Winter's Bone.”
And I'll also be giving you my prediction of which one I think deserves to win at the Oscars on February 27th.
As always, I encourage you to buy, rent, or download any of these 10 films before next week's episode...
and let me know what you think about them by voting in the polls below, or by leaving me a comment review.
Once again, my name is Jonathan Paula. Thank you for watching “Movie Night.” I hope to see you right back here next Friday!
*end credits play*
*Click on episode #129 to see the first time Riley ever has to use the fire extinguisher!*