Sicko (2007)

Regardless of your feelings towards the polarizing filmmaker Michael Moore, Sicko deserves your attention. Examining America's privatized health care systems, Moore exposes the corruption in our government where health care lobbyists outnumber senators four to one. Our America allows hospitals to dump patients on the curb when they can't pay their medical bills. Our America celebrates the heroes of 9/11 and then turns it's back when them when health issues arise. Our America makes a man choose between paying $12,000 to reattach his ringer finger and $60,000 to reattach his index finger. Our America lets citizens die because they can't afford a life-saving treatment.

By comparing the American health care system to that of France, Canada, Great Britain and Cuba, Moore exposes an appalling lack of care and an even worse case of not caring. Moore portrays universal health care as a Utopian system devoid of flaws. Citizens of these nations are provided with quality health care free of charge and while Moore neglects in examining how systems of this kind are supported save for a short digression into taxes, he does make a solid case.

Taking 9/11 rescue workers to Cuba for health care treatment may be viewed as an over-the-top stunt, but separate the propaganda from fact and you examine the fundamentals of humanity. These workers rife with undiagnosed health issues are welcomed by the Cuban health care system. After a short intake interview consisting two questions, your name and birth date, the workers are treated with a battery of tests and examinations with no regard for payment. The caliber of care was embarrassing. These heroes that were worshipped by their own countrymen years ago are now seeking treatment from a country that, according to our government, is evil.

Moore's tongue-in-cheek take on the stereotypes of socialism and the Red Scare is eye opening. Despite growing up far removed from the Cold War, even I know that socialism is to be feared. *rolls eyes* I was surprised not to find Sicko rife with rhetoric and anti-American sentiment. Instead, here is a man who seems genuinely engaged in created a national dialogue and demanding change. Moore is thrusting upon the American people the ugly truth and asking 'why aren't we doing something about this?'

After viewing Sicko I can't help but wonder what does it take? Money should not equal care. Medical bills are the number one cause of bankruptcy here in America. 18,000 people die each year in America due to lack of medical treatment they can not afford. Does that not bother anyone? Why are we not demanding more from our government?

Ultimately, it is up to the people to demand change in the system. Apathy is no excuse-- only frightened, hopeless people don't vote. Frightened, uneducated people sick their heads in the sand thinking 'what can I do'. It benefits the government for it's citizens to be indebted, hopeless, uneducated people-- they don't know how to resist.

Several DVD extras provide further dialogue on the benefits and myths surrounding socialized medicine. The interview with former Labour Party MP Tom Bein should not be overlooked.

If anything, Sicko should make angry. Angry that in such a civilized nation would allow its citizen to die from lack of health care. If in that anger, you decide to take action (see H.R. 676), then maybe all is not in vain.

Starter for Ten (2007)

Brian Jackson (James McAvoy) isn't beautiful or smart. He has to work at it. 1985 finds him gaining entrance to England's prestigious Bristol University where he soon develops a crush on a girl completely out of his league. Alice Harbinson (Alice Eve) is everything Brian is not-- beautiful, smart and wealthy. His freshman year is part coming-of-age, part series of romantic gaffes as Brian begins to assert his individuality. A general knowledge god, Brian knows all the stuff you didn't bother learning and uses it to diffuse tense situations, impress peers and hopefully, get the girl.

Starter for Ten has a complex; it suffers from an identity crisis. Because director Tim Vaughan doesn't know where he's going, darling James McAvoy languishes onscreen underutilized. The whole cast suffers from lack of depth and direction. Much like the facts Brian goes about absorbing, this movie is pointless.

This clumsy romantic comedy goes nowhere. Starter for Ten does manage bits of genius thanks to clever dialogue. The classic 80s soundtrack from The Cure and Tears for Fears stabs blindly at nostalgia.

Starter for Ten is not a complete waste of 96 minutes; its just a goofy, romantic comedy no-brainer for those who remember when Kate Bush was for intellectuals.

War of the Worlds (2005)

I found myself riveted to the screen as the probing metal tendril explored the cellar. Ray (Tom Cruise), Rachel (Dakota Fanning) and Harvil (Tim Robbins) are paralyzed with fear. You can read it on their faces.

This wouldn't be the first time I've redacted a review. Upon my initial viewing of this remake of the treasured H.G. Wells book, I was disappointed. Whenever you get hype involved I think disappointment is inevitable. My original review accused the Spielberg led film of having a "total lack of developed plot." Allow me to revise that statement. War of the Worlds has plot holes the size of crators. Regardless there is something worth seeing here.

Unlike so many of the us versus them movies, War of the Worlds has the humans losing. The fear and fight for survival is palpable-- that's what's riveting. Spielberg's choice to focus on Ray and his children, Rachel and Robbie (Justin Chatwin) creates a different take on the oft-tapped apocalyptic genre. Amid spectacular explosions and general pandimonium he examines some difficult questions. What lengths would you go to in order to save your loved one? What causes some to fold and others to fight?in order to save our loved ones?

War of the Worlds is classic summer blockbuster material that aims to be so much more. I don't think the movie quite makes it to 'much more', Spielberg should be commended for a valiant effort that appeals to the movie-going masses.

Bonus Feature: Book

Rock fans and pop culture-ites alike will enjoy Chuck Klosterman's thoughts on dying in Killing Yourself To Live: 85% Of A True Story . The book follows Klosterman's travels as he retraces the steps to death taken by some of music's greatest. Over the course of twenty-one days he drove his Ford Taurus, affectionately called 'the Tauntan' from the Chelsea Hotel to the place where Kurt Cobain died. He explores the swamp that brought death to Lynyrd Skynyrd; he visits the Great White fire.

Klosterman's observations are oddly perverse, but often dead-on. Pardon the pun. He writes randomly-- kinda like you and your friend on a roadtrip. You know, the kind of friend where silence is OK and as you gaze out the window you think 'It's never rainy enough' while debating the finer points of Led Zep's SOZO. While he's driving, you spend a lot of time in his brain-- a scary thought as he breaks down the "Pot/Creedence" Contingent and the "Coke/Interpol" Contingent. Regardless, he speaks truth. Allow me to quote.

"If there was ever a band doomed to die by the side of the road it was the Allman Brothers... I say this because the only think I know about the Allman Brothers Band is that they seem to die a lot. Still, they did record "Whipping Post," a song title that is ironically yelled at indie-rock concerts almost as often as "Free Bird." That counts for something."

"With the possible exception of Jim Morrison, Eric Clapton is (arguably) the most overrated rock musician of all time; he's a talented, boring guitar player, and he's a workmanlike, boring vocalist. He also has an abhorrent (and, I suppose, boring) neck beard. However, he is not terrible in totality; he did unleash one stellar album: Derek and the Dominos' 1970 LP, Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs."

The Eighth Day finds Klosterman examing ten rock 'n' roll casualties 'nobody ever talks about by probably should, as they are latently educational.' Among them: Steve Clark, the insecure lead guitarist for Def Leppard who liked to drink massive amounts of everything. "In 1991, while taking prescription painkillers for three broken ribs, Clark came home from an evening at the pub and decided to have a few nightcpas, which- according to her drinking companion, Daniel Van Alphen--ended up being a triple vodka, a gradruple vodka, and a double brandy (all comsumed in 30 minutes). This killed him. What's interesing about this episode is that Def Leppard had fired guitarist named Pete Willis in 1982 because he had a drinking problem." The lesson Klosterman goes on to tell: "We all have problems, brother."

Killing Yourself To Live examines the romance of death. Klosterman writes with respect for the deceased legends, but he often challenges the myth and romance that goes with them. It fels almost sacreligious to challnge 'facts'. His observations are sometimes profound and more times than not, I found myself nodding (and laughing) in agreement.

The book may be mildly offensive to some, but fans of all genres will agree Killing Yourself To Live is a nice addition to your music library.

Masterpiece Theatre: Miss Austen Regrets (2007)

Have you ever thought about the woman behind some of the greatest romance stories? Jane Austen is a woman of myth and legend. Was Austen's own life the source of her stories? Did Austen have her own Mr. Darcy? Was she as principled as Lizzie Bennett? Did she suffer the heartbreak of Anne Elliot?

Ths biopic of the beloved author tells the story of the Jane as a devoted aunt. Fannie (Imogen Poots), her neice and most ardent believer in Jane's literary heroines, has asked Jane to assist in determing the worth of potiential suitors. Jane (Olivia Williams), nearing forty, finds herself looking back and examining her own choices as she aids Fanny.

Can't say I've ever really thought about the author behind some of my favorite stories. Guess I was too wrapped up in romance to wonder. Miss Austen Regrets surmises Jane's final years as bittersweet ones. It is during a time when it's inappropriate for a woman of her age to be unmarried or even think about supporting herself-- much less actually writing.

The film is beautiful, but not light-hearted and gay. Williams portrays Austen as witty and clever, but extremely bitter. To think the harbinger of romance and satire would be this sour is difficult-- but who's to really say. Few of her journals would survive her untimely death due to illness, still, I prefer the Jane Austen of my imagination to this poor soul. Austen, I think, would prefer her devoted readers to know her- warts and all.

Ultimately, Miss Austen Regrets is a well made period drama. Lavish and detailed, you're enveloped in the period laughing conspiritorily with Jane.