European Tour 73′: A Journey Through Time And Emotional Significance.

European Tour ’73 is a documentary film directed by Ross Munro. The plot recounts the tale of the 6-week summer holiday Munro went on as a kid across Europe, it also ties the emotional significance of said trip back to family history.

Damn, this film hit me. So, let me open by saying you need to stop what you’re doing and watch this film it is the most positive cheerful film I have seen in a long time, it had me smiling a lot and even made me laugh quite a few times. In times like these, we need films like this to restore some of our daily lost joy.

On the flip side, mid-way through this film the tone changes up and we learn about the family history behind the trip, that the narrators Grandfather did this very same tour in WW2 and that is why the narrator and his family are going on the trip in 73. I am not going to lie to you, the way this is done is so beautiful and touching that I had to actively try to not cry, it touched me in such a way that I have not experienced since last years Blinded By The Light.

Overall this is a magnificent film that I highly recommend you watch.

Pros.

It is sweet

You can feel the passion

It connects with you (or at least it did with me)

It is quite funny

The animation is done well

Cons.

None

5/5

Reviewed by Luke

Super-Size Me: Ronald McDonald’s Day In Court.

Super-Size Me is a documentary film directed by and staring Morgan Spurlock. The film explores the role that fast food plays in our modern lives as well as asking what degree of responsibility the fast food/ junk food companies have in the rising tide of obese people in the world today. The answers hit hard and close to home.

Before I get into this review, I just want to say that Morgan Spurlock has admitted to a history of sexual misconduct and that Jared, the peado, from subway also makes a rather unsettling appearance, so be warned. While I was watching it, I managed to separate the art from the artists, so it didn’t spoil my enjoyment of the film.

This film is fascinating because it tries to show where the line between personal responsibility ends and corporate responsibility begins. Is it McDonald’s fault there are more and more people becoming obese and suffering from things like heart disease? There is no clear answer as the film shows. However, it also exposes cultural practices that try and trick consumers and create a cycle of addiction; which isn’t the best look for Ronald and Co.

The best thing I think this film does is show you just how important the fast food industry is as well as how baked into society it is. People are conditioned to think a certain way about it and even crave it, even though it is slowly destroying their bodies. I think it is almost impossible to watch this film and not rethink eating fast-food; even if that thought is only fleeting. The film does such a good job convincing you and winning you around to its viewpoint that it is very hard to argue against.

Overall, a reverting documentary that asks a lot of hard questions about our relationship with food, highlighting what it can do to us if we are not careful. A cautionary tale for sure.

Pros.

Fascinating.

Not afraid to ask hard questions.

Or show their answers, even if they’re unpleasant.

Will have an effect on your life.

Cons.

The people involved make it off putting to a degree.

4/5

Reviewed by Luke

Jim & Andy, The Great Beyond: Lose Yourself

Jim and Andy: The Great Beyond is a documentary film directed by Chris Smith. It documents the production of the 1999 film Man On The Moon and shows the struggles of actor Jim Carrey as he remains in character as Andy Kaufman for the entirety of making the film. It shows the troubled production and highlights in a less literal sense, Jim Carrey’s mental health situation while making the film.

Now I have never seen the film Man On The Moon, but I have heard about the behind the scenes trouble of it, where Carrey as Kaufman was an arsehole to cast and crew and almost lost himself completely in the role, as he would suggest the deceased Kaufman was not only with him, but was trying to possess him.

This documentary shines a light on the dangers of Hollywood and to an extent stardom, it shows how actors are encouraged to be lose themselves in a role, sometimes to the detriment of their mental health, even going so far as to suggest that sometimes actors are cast because of their poor mental health. It presents Hollywood as almost another world, if someone was walking down the street and was behaving the way Carrey did on the set of Man On The Moon people would think he was mentally unwell, but in Hollywood that behaviour is seen as ‘oh that’s just Jim being Jim’ and is actively encouraged.

As someone who is a huge Jim Carrey fan I thought this documentary was fantastic as it showed me a more detailed look at his life, I learnt a lot of things I previously didn’t know, as well as this the documentary made me question the way I saw Carrey, instead of seeing him as his larger than life comic character I now see him as a very vulnerable broken human being who has been through a lot in his life.

I think if you’re a fan of the man himself, or of the film-making process than you will find a lot to like about this documentary. It might even encourage you to watch the film Man On The Moon like it did for me. Very informative and an engrossing watch.

Pros.

As a Jim Carrey fan I loved it.

It showed a peak behind Hollywood’s curtain.

It was engrossing and informative.

Cons.

It went on for a bit too long.

Some of it was a bit uncomfortable to watch.

3.5/5

Reviewed By Luke

Hail Satan? The Devil’s Fight For Justice And, Equality Is Never Done!

Hail Satan? Is a documentary film about The Satanic Temple shedding light on its origins and, political activism; and its fight to keep church and, state separated and, give liberty to all.

This film surprised me as it showed this group of people, who often get blamed and, wrongly judged as not only the opposite of how the media normally portrays them but, as good people who are trying to bring about a real positive change in the world. The reason why this documentary is so good is that it plays with your preconceived notions about what Satanists are and, dispels them one by one.

It also points out very real-world issues about Church encroaching on State, and what right do Christens have to be able to put statues up outside courthouses and other legal buildings solely, shouldn’t all religious groups have this right? This is what it does so well it makes you think, it makes you question what you personally believe to be right.

As well as being a fascinating watch this film also has some dramatic stakes as we see the Satanists, we are rooting for, fighting and facing setbacks at every turn. Not just this, but when we see the schism in The Satanic Temple that leads Jex, a member of the Satanic Temple who leads the Detroit chapter be removed from the organisation it is sad to see. It is also sad to see the spokesman for the organisation Lucien Greaves have to wear a bulletproof vest for fear of being shot, it really makes you consider society and, religion in a whole new light. Why should someone be so persecuted for what they believe in?

Ultimately this review will be a shorter one today, as to truly understand why this documentary is so great you need to go and, watch it. I don’t want to spoil it for you. For me personally ‘Hail Satan?’ really made me question a lot about how I see the world and, how we should always be open to new ideas and, that we have to question the standard media narrative on things because sometimes they can portray a group as devilish when it actual fact they are just trying to do good, in their own way.

A MUST WATCH!

Pros.
It Asks Relevant Questions.
It Dispels False And Harmful Narratives.
It Makes You Question Your Own Beliefs.

Cons.
A Few Minor Pacing Issues Especially In The Early Sections.

4/5

Reviewed by Luke