REVIEW OF THE PRESTIGE

THE PRESTIGE - STORY: In an escalating battle, two magicians each want to have the better tricks.
THE PRESTIGE - MESSAGE: Obsession devours those who are obsessed.
THE PRESTIGE - WIN: It treated revenge and the fixed idea as bad things. Aesthetic sets and performances.
THE PRESTIGE - LOSE: The editing style of rearranging the time line made the story a bit confusing, leaving some things misunderstood and hard to follow. It falsely said that science is the only true magic. Falsely emphasized that sacrifice is necessary to win. It also falsely said that one must be less than honest, less than ethical to pull off magic, ie that magic is who can tell the better lie or give the better illusion. There is a demeaning of the audience in this, whether the audience be in the theatre or in life. The wife's suicide seemed too out of character for a caring mother.
THE PRESTIGE - EFFECT ON ME: I was still trying to sort it all out when the movie ended, and suspect I need to watch it again to really get it. In a way, it made me want to cheat fate by outwitting it. I had the feeling I had been part of an intense contest, really invested myself in it and really experienced the emotions, due to the good storytelling. It was a good example of what my screenwriting instructor has been telling me about two nearly equal forces opposing each other in a script, and made me want to write such a compelling tale.

REVIEW OF FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS

FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS - STORY: A WWII photo taken of American soldiers raising a flag on a Japanese island inspires Americans to conceive of victory, and a war effort fundraiser has the soldiers go around on display as heroes to encourage people to buy war bonds.
FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS - MESSAGE: Politicians appeal to lofty ideals in order to raise funds for war.
FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS - WIN: Such is the power of aesthetics that it can create an emotional impact when stirring up the passion for freedom and victory over an evil. The raising of the first flag showed a solidarity and unity of people, a symbol of the land of freedom.
FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS - LOSE: Seeing the gore of war stirs up uneasiness in the audience. The film promotes war as the solution to saving our freedoms. Shows a person drinking to cope with shame. It ruins the iconic flag-raising photo knowing the truth behind it, but it is interesting to know how it came about.
FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS - EFFECT ON ME: I felt a little betrayed by the deception that was necessary to get funds for the war. I reconfirmed my belief of the senseless loss of life in wars. I felt for the soldiers abroad. I felt sad for war victims from any present and distant war.

Review of Man of the Year

MAN OF THE YEAR - STORY: A fan suggests a comic run for President of the US, he does, gets serious, then gets unserious, wins, finds out there was a computer voting system glitch and he really didn't win.
MAN OF THE YEAR - MESSAGE: All joking aside, honesty is the best policy.
MAN OF THE YEAR - WIN: Promotes honesty and doing the right thing. Comes closer to addressing the real issues that most politicians miss.
MAN OF THE YEAR - LOSE: His manager harps on him to influence him.
MAN OF THE YEAR - EFFECT ON ME: I felt reaffirmed that honesty is the best policy.

Review of America: From Freedom to Fascism

AMERICA: FROM FREEDOM TO FASCISM - STORY: An interviewer searches in vain for proof that American citizens are required to pay the Income Tax.
AMERICA: FROM FREEDOM TO FASCISM - MESSAGE: The American government has fallen into unsavory patterns which are eliminating freedoms.
AMERICA: FROM FREEDOM TO FASCISM - WIN: Sheds light on areas of government that need inspection, such as IRS, Federal Reserve, etc. It gives one thing you can do about it, which is a website at the end, where you can team up with like-minded people.
AMERICA: FROM FREEDOM TO FASCISM - LOSE: The investigation doesn't go deep enough to locate the real perpetrators. Thus it seems overwhelmingly hopeless. Getting down to the real bottom of it would bring about realization of a clear-cut solution.
AMERICA: FROM FREEDOM TO FASCISM - EFFECT ON ME: I was glad to have the knowledge I have about human behavior and was proud to have an arsenal of positive ways to change things. It was a bit unsettling, but it made me want to push harder for the things I value, including human rights, morality, freedoms and a day dedicated to the arts and artists of all disciplines.