THIS WEEK IN RENTALS

Super Size Me, Open Water, The Manchurian Candidate

By: B -- 2/22/05

Super Size Me

“Disgusting and informative.”

This is how my friend, who refers to himself as Filmore Slim, described Super Size Me. This uber-popular 2004 documentary (nominated for the “Best Documentary Feature” Oscar) is based around filmmaker Morgan Spurlock’s brave quest to eat McDonald’s every meal for an entire month. Since focusing a feature-length film on one unpleasant gimmick likely wouldn’t sustain the viewers’ attention, Spurlock smartly infuses fast food industry facts around his dietary challenge.

The film plugs along at a swift but uneven pace as Spurlock visits 20 U.S. cities looking for answers to America’s obesity problems. While Spurlock quickly packs on pounds he interviews gym teachers, physical therapists, cooks and lawyers to create a snapshot of the lucrative and shockingly harmful fast food industry. I knew America was fat, but this movie took a deeper look at the causes and possible villains without offering too much finger-pointing.

All in all, Super Size Me is, well, disgusting and informative.

POP RATING: 7.5

CRITICAL RATING: 8

B'S RATING: 8

Open Water

The first 15 minutes – the pre-water segment – have the production quality and script of an average porn film. The next 60 minutes consist of two people bobbing in the middle of the ocean, half of which I fast-forwarded through out of sheer boredom. I felt bad about it because I want to respect a movie like Open Water – it’s a unique indie film bold enough to take a chance with its deliberate plot – but trying to sit through this film felt incredibly tedious.

I am going to spoil the ending so you don’t waste your time: they both die. You’re welcome.

POP RATING: 5

CRITICAL RATING: 5

B’S RATING: 5

The Manchurian Candidate

I Netflix’d The Manchurian Candidate, kept it for about two weeks and returned it without even opening the package. I have absolutely no desire to see this movie. It’s not that the reviews were horrible, because they really weren’t, but everyone I spoke to who actually watched this movie offered little more than a bored shrug as a reaction.

Candidate is the Latoya London of 2004 movies. No one’s saying it’s awful, but no one’s doing back flips about it either. I ain’t gots the time.

TAKE ME TO THE TOP