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Film reviews

You Can See Everything Review

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There is a point in life when we wonder what it would be like to be a celebrity. There are also moments when we wonder about what struggles being a celebrity would cause, especially when things do not go as planned. The real-life answers to these questions, including the challenges and punishments faced, are presented with honesty in You Can See Everything. Directors Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim dive into the life of Elizabeth Holmes in this film.  Fielder is with Elizabeth and her family throughout the film until she begins serving her  prison sentence. The whole experience feels real due to the mind and creativity of Fielder, who was the ideal director for You Can See Everything.

I met Nathan when I attended his live-in person event when he was promoting his series Nathan for You. This docuseries features Nathan utilizing his business degree and life experiences to turn big profits for real businesses. The comic approach to that show had many surprises. While the outcomes were often silly, they were quite genius. Oppenheim also experienced prior success directing Primetime.  In You Can See Everything, both Fielder and Oppenheim tap into their backgrounds working in the arena of real-life situations. 

The film kept my eyes glued to the screen, because every fragment of this story is real. Nathan stays with Elizabeth, her husband, Billy Evans, and her family. He talks to them and explores many different subjects. The truth behind Elizabeth’s story is spellbinding. Her actions do not only impact her, but those around her.  Nathan keeps digging for answers and the truth as he journeys through her life. 

The background of Elizabeth’s  testing company, Theranos, became a negative conspiracy. The many aspects of what went wrong are explored with an emotional tone. Nathan challenges Elizabeth and Billy about dishonesty involving the technology, the hidden truths, and the blindsiding of the investors. There is a long list of red flags to dig into during You Can See Everything.  I wanted Nathan to keep on going. I felt like I was in the room waiting for the other shoe to drop.. I felt Elizabeth’s pain. I even felt like I was walking in Nathan’s shoes as I watched everyone falling apart on-screen.

This captivating documentary will haunt audiences for years to come. This daring film provides evidence that there is no way to keep the truth from coming out. The directors’ brilliant approach gives audiences an insider’s look at an icon that started something and then lost it all. Although there are plenty of downer moments in the story, the eventual outcome is inevitable and real. Three-and-a-half out of four stars.

Film reviews

Misty Green Review

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Written and directed by Chris Rock, the world of Hollywood has a strong presence in Misty Green. The film focuses on a woman trying to get back on her feet after being previously famous. Rosalind Eleazar plays the character of Misty Greene who is a force of nature. Rock’s direction is both dramatic and comedic.  Misty is surrounded by good and bad influence as she struggles to find her way back to fame. The script is well-written and the story mirrors reality. 

The plot involves Misty Green trying to navigate her way back into Hollywood. Her experience is impacted by the irreparable consequences of past personal issues which makes it challenging to get doors to open again. The people in her life also cause her path to be difficult. Her filmmaker friend, Zach (Adam Driver), is addicted to drugs. Her brother, Jay Green (Daniel Kaluuya), is an ex-con. Misty’s best friend is Naomi (Anna Kendrick). Misty’s previous talent agent is Randy (Topher Grace). Rock also puts himself in the film, playing Jordan, Misty’s casting director. Some are committed to helping Misty, and some are not. The film is ultimately about the following Misty on her journey to a comeback which is filled with trials and errors.

Rock’s direction highlights how tumultuous it can be for people in show business. When striving for fame, there are always complicated dynamics in the industry, especially between those who are very famous versus barely famous . Misty is trying to achieve mid-level fame, primarily because her actions have landed her on a slippery slope. Regaining what she once had is not easy in Misty Green. The moving parts of her various conflicts makes this film riveting. 

I appreciate Rock’s take on struggling in Hollywood. Even though the film has some flaws, there are reminders that connections in show business matter. Misty is still recognized, but her image and reputation are impacting her ability to succeed. She is trying to land a role that allows her to reboot. Given scenarios from her past, she has burned bridges which add to her uphill battle in Misty Green. 

The film also explores the issue of keeping people close. I valued this conflict in the story because I have  encountered similar situations in my life. I have found that there are times when people in our lives cause frustrations with the limits they want to impose on us. However, we may choose to tolerate these people to maintain positive relationships and shared connections. For Misty to make her comeback, she must keep in touch with her agent Randy. She must also keep her brother in close contact, so he does not stall her. These relationships become a bit much and lead to various disasters which halt a clear path to glory. Misty Green has some ugly moments where despair reigns.  

There is one scene where Misty is trying to help her brother with his legal issues. There is another one where she is trying to hound her agent to help her land a part that does not feel below her. Neither of these situations represent easy processes. While she has fame and recognition, it is not on a level that makes her hirable in the industry. It doesn’t help that she often looks like she’s in the bag which she does about eighty percent of the film. She pops pills and snorts coke, believing those habits will help boost her positive high. Her bad habits only serve to make success harder to reach. Eleazar plays the role well and  performs with realism. Still, the film is flawed due to a number of repetitive breaks. Two-and-a-half out of four stars for Misty Green.

Film reviews

Primetime Review

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Written by Ajon Singh, based on the article by Luke Dittrich, and directed by Lance Oppenheim, this is Primetime. The film is based on events that occurred in 2006 with Chris Hansen, who did what he could to make television history with To Catch a Predator. The story begins with lots of surveillance, and then lots of revelations. Primetime is a magnificent and daring rollercoaster ride. Robert Pattinson plays Chris Hansen, and he is spectacular. The moving parts in his performance explore the tension between reality and career choices. His character blurs the lines creating a world of unexpected possibilities. Primetime brought me back to the era of TV shows when most people tuned into programming like Lost and Grey’s Anatomy at night. 

In Primetime, Chris Hansen finds himself in a position to be on top with his TV series To Catch a Predator. This show involves a sting operation where he lures grown-ups who chat with minors online and then busts them. His tactics generate all kinds of buzz—some good and some bad. What it comes down to is trying to keep up with the popularity of Lost. The competition element leads to a bumpy ride for Primetime because every move poses a risk. There are risks for the show as well as for Chris given the choices he makes. An assistant named Andie Bender (Merritt Wever) goes out of her way to skyrocket the budget. This leads to Chris having to hire an actor to pose for the show. That character is Dan Plumb (Skyler Gisondo). Chris calls him “Decoy Dan” because of how he is the first person in a shot before Chris comes in. 

To provide some context to the show’s format, Chris and his team find predators, give them an address, and then the camera crew waits…from there Chris takes the show over. He exposes his victims, tells them what they did wrong, and televises it. The pursuit of finding people who make bad choices is written in a vivid and enticing way. Pattinson displays an egotistical manner in his performance. His character is hungry for the views needed to keep his fame afloat, but he has some personal issues as well.

As part of the NBC network (he was a correspondent for Dateline NBC), Chris’ personal issues have an impact on him. While he is playing someone trying to catch bad guys to gain popularity, his own choices catch up with him. There are moments in which infidelity, lies, and deceit come into play in his own life. These behaviors could ruin his career. So, while he is doing all he can to market To Catch a Predator, the pressure is intense. Chris is put in a mind-boggling position where he must be willing to risk his career or his team. Pattinson is outstanding playing the monster of success. Many pressures are thrown his way, and turn into a scattered puzzle that makes viewers want more. What spoke to me was how his problems kept growing. It felt like a boiling pot that made me ache for more to be enthralled by. Oppenheim knows how to harness the unique tones of the era in Primetime.

There is a scene when Chris says, “The whale is coming,”  This comment causes viewers to ponder the amount of power of a TV network. In pursuit of fame, there are always unforeseen consequences. Given the shady subject matter of Chris’ show, not everyone in this era was a fan. In the end, Pattinson’s portrayal of Hansen in an industry-driven true story is unforgettable. Four out of four stars for Primetime.