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Reviews
Above the Best (2019)
new perspective of the battlefield
Like other Salzbergs films (Apache Warrior, Citizen Soldier), Above the Best shakes you to your core with a steadfast reminder of the realities of wartime. What separates this specific work from others, however, is its focus on unity and brotherhood rather than nationalism alone. Whether you're pro-war or blatantly against it, there's no denying the beauty in comradery that David Salzberg manages to capture here. The audience is literally placed in the shoes of American soldiers as they are cornered in some of the most dangerous places on earth. Though the tension of the unedited footage is impressive, it is more so the unscripted moments wherein you bear witness to group-over-individual mentality that lingers after the closing credits - showing just how far these soldiers will go to protect their squadrons. Extremely moving and especially well done
The Great Flip-Off (2018)
compelling story
Italy, Russia, Mexico, and France are just a few of the countries that have been married together by one spectacular art you don't hear much about these days; bareback riding. In this documentary director Dafna Yachin exposes her audience to the community of circus bareback performers who are facing extinction. The film focuses on a group of 20 some individuals including men, women, and children, who all come from their various backgrounds together as a family, either relating to one another through blood or shared passion. This biopic delves into their dynamics not only as coworkers, but as life long friends and families. After exploring the world of these bareback riders behind the curtains, you may walk away understanding why they deserve to be out on the stage. A refreshing documentary that I would have to recommend!
Stockholm (2018)
Refreshing new dark comedy
By nature, we are all mostly compelled by human behavior and all its nuances. Most recently, psychology has found its own niche within entertainment - mini-series and psychological thrillers (Netflix's most recent release of the Stanford Prison Experiment) are only some of the ways that Hollywood has managed to transform something once confined to professional study into a platform that can be appreciated from a reclined couch chairs. While there are many films in which imprisoner-prisoner relations have been explored, Robert Budreau's newest release Stockholm takes this idea past one of shallow amusement found in the unexpected. In touching upon the origin of well known "Stockholm Syndrome", Budreau uses a lighthearted protagonist and folky soundtrack (not too far off from the actual events of the bank heist the film is based on) to rationalize a condition that most people would cast aside as something that they, as regular people, would be immune to. In truth, watching the closing scenes of this 2018 film, it is hard to withdraw from the charm and likable nature of Ethan Hawke's portrayal of bank robber Lars Nystrom and interpret the story as it is - a hostage situation. 10/10 recommend watching