Dive (2011)

If you've ever gone into any grocery store and scanned all the packages of meat and fresh food they sell and wondered what happened to the stuff they don't sell, watch this documentary and get ready to get mad.  What makes Jeremy Seifert's film so enlightening is that he visually explains the facts he's gathered on food waste in a humorous tone.  But don't mistake this as a "dumpster diving film" because it's about so much more and the diving aspect is just the set-up.  It's certainly a thought-provoking film and made me see what I already kind of knew and that is our supposed "modern" society is horribly inefficient and disrespectful toward our resources.  I'm glad a documentary like this exists to start a dialogue going.  So see this film, it's too important to skip.  Grade: A.

Top Ten Best Dystopia Films (Commentary)

After watching The Hunger Games I decided it would be fun to think of the best Dystopia films I've seen.  In my research I came across a ton of seemingly excellent films that I haven't seen yet so I considered not doing this list.  But oh well, it's just a list representing my opinion now; it's not set in stone.  (I actually would put The Hunger Games on here but have decided to wait until the rest of the movies of the series come out.)   To narrow down my choices I purposely did not select Utopia/Dystopa films, these are societies that seem successful and efficient but are not, this is why films like Gattaca are not listed.

10. Brazil (1985)
9. Metropolis (1927)
8. Code 46 (2003)
7. Clockwork Orange (1971)
6. The Matrix (1999)
5. Akria (1988)
4. THX 1138 (1971
3. Soylent Green (1973)
2. Children of Men (2006)
1. Mad Max: The Road Warrior (1981)

Honorable Mentions: Waterworld (1995), Robocop (1987), Mad Max Beyond the Thunderdome (1985), and Alphaville (1965)

The Hunger Games (2012)

There's not much that this book adaption gets wrong.  As I watched this tense and engaging movie, I kept thinking how close the movie producers matched what I saw in my head as I read Suzanne Collin's fantastic book.  I had a strong feeling that Gary Ross would succeed, being that he's such an accomplished film director, but he surpassed even my expectations.  Jennifer Lawrence leads a perfectly-casted group of actors, all of whom give real and draining performances.   I don't have much to complain about, except I almost wish I hadn't read the book so many years before, than I could have enjoyed this movie even more than I already had.  Excellent adventure movie that really anyone would enjoy unless you dislike dystopia visions of the future.  Grade: A

Rubber (2010)

An absurdist experiment directed by Quentin Dupieux (aka Mr. Oizo) tells the story of a tire that becomes a live and starts killing people with its psychic powers.  Such a wacky idea would usually find favor with me, in fact I loved the first thirty minutes of this film so much I wish I would have stopped watching from that point so I could celebrate this odd film as an entertaining masterpiece.  Unfortunately the film fizzles out and what I was left seeing was a underdeveloped story based on a witty and grand idea.  Talk about a lost opportunity.  I will say though, at least the last few minutes ended up on a positive note.   I think if Dupieux needed to developed the characters more instead of expecting the kookiness carry the film.  Grade: C+

Wendy and Lucy (2008)

Directed by Kelly Reichardt and staring Michelle Williams (both of whom would work together again on Meek's Cutoff) this film about a young woman searching for her dog after her car breaks down in a small town is a nice change of pace.  It's not bold or daring or even sentimental.  It's just a well-crafted story that explores desperation and those moments when even the smallest thing seems too hard.  Williams is unrecognizable and pulls out a raw and tender performance that echoes after the film has ended.  It's not the kind of film for everyone for it's not flashy or fast paced.  But for those who enjoy small intimate fables this one rewards.  Grade: A-

Hereafter (2009)

Clint Eastwood's mystical and haunting film that tells three stories: one about a psychic played by Matt Damon who can communicate with loved ones after they die and how he deals with a gift that's pretty much a curse as well, a French reporter who experiences a near-death and how it changes her life and twin brothers living with their drug-addict mother in London.   If a different director was at the helm I don't know if this film would have turned out as beautiful and poignant.   It's just a solid effort with a great beginning and a nice steady climb to a satisfying conclusion.  Grade: A-

Being Elmo (2011)

This inspiring documentary follows the story of Kevin Clash, the puppeteer who dreamed of Sesame Street as a kid and adult and ended up becoming the creator of a superstar.  For those skeptics out there that don't believe that hard work and persistence doesn't count and that dreams never come true, watch this and be proven wrong.  It's not just a rags to riches story it's also an celebration of Jim Hensen and his beacon of promise and talent.   A wonderful movie that brought tears to my eyes and filled me with hope.  Grade: A