Inside Job

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: This documentary breaks down the whos, whats, hows, and whys of the economic crash of 2008, which caused the financial crisis we're all in today.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Matt Damon does the voice over. I feel the need to tell you this, because you won't notice it if I don't.

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Go! If you, like I, didn't get around to reading the newspapers over the last 30 or 40 years, this will catch you up on everything you need to know about the financial section. Just don't ask me to tell you what's going on in sports.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: You know what's really funny? It wasn't the idiot layman's fault at all for taking loans they couldn't afford to pay back. We were lied to. You know what's funnier? These guys knew exactly what they were doing as they were screwing everybody, and I think they even kind of knew that they were gonna blame it all on us, the people they screwed, when it fell apart. What better way to convince us to pay them back in taxes for the debts they created?

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: You know what's sad? These guys made enough money with their ponzi scheme to buy off anyone who tries to make them pay back the money they stole, as well as anyone who tries to make them pay in any moral or penitentiaral way for their criminal actions. Yes, they own us, and our little government, too.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Biggest Comeback is going to Eliot Spitzer, who we find out here, was one of the few people who was standing up to Wall Street and trying to fight back to prevent this crash. I'm now convinced that they used the morality card to discredit him so they could get rid of him, because he was trying to stop them from ripping us all off. I'm sure I'm right about this one. Plus, according to the prostitute in this movie, they were all going to the same whores, so it wouldn't've been hard for them to figure out how to ruin him, as they passed each other in the bordello halls.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: The guys who were involved in these crimes are so bad at seeming innocent when asked a direct question, it's a wonder any of them ever got up the corporate ladder at all.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Even though he uses the same scenic shots over and over, Charles Ferguson's shots are exceedingly scenic.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: The structure explaining how we got to this point is clear, organized, and perfectly set up by the opening story of how Iceland had been living in some sort of financial utopia until the Americans convinced them to deregulate. Then, within 10 years, Icelanders went from affluent, civilized, and stable to poverty stricken and unemployed. Thank you, America.

Q: Is there anything else worth mentioning about the movie?

A: Greed is only one of seven deadly sins, but of all the sins a person could commit, this is the one that has the power to cause the most widespread damage and suffering to others. Think about it.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/inside-job/10037867/trailers

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Running with Arnold

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A documentary about Arnold Schwarzenegger, which takes you from his humble roots as an under-educated Austrian boy, through his rise to fame, fortune, and power.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Alec Baldwin narrates. Playing themselves are: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bill Clinton, Gray Davis, Maria Shriver, Bill Maher, Arianna Huffington, Presidents Bush I & II, Kenneth Lay, Nixon, Reagan, Rob Schneider, Warren Beatty, and too many more to mention.

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. To be honest, you won't have a choice. It's only playing in one theater, in one city, for one more day.* The good news is it's being distributed on Netflix starting this week, and it will probably play better on your TV, anyway. It is well worth the watch if you have any interest whatsoever in learning about Arnold as a body builder, an actor, or a politician. This movie gets to the bottom of why Arnold is so compelled to always push himself further... but it doesn't really get to the bottom of why Californians are so compelled to always vote for him.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Arnold is a funny guy... I don't think I mean that in a good way.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: If you haven't yet given up on the democratic process, this movie will continue to crush your spirit.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Not if nobody knows it exists.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Even after reading Alec Baldwin's name in the opening credits, I forgot it was him narrating, while watching the film. It could have been anybody. I'm not sure he gave this one his all. In contrast, this may be Arnold's best performance ever. It's almost like he was born to play the role. If he does ever go back to acting, I hope producers will remember how good he is at playing a total douche.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: The film starts well, presenting a thesis and following it through chronologically, but the ending is abrupt and inconclusive in some ways. After a strong argument, the film ends with a fizzle. Still, the beginning and middle are memorable and informative.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: Arnold as a character study is larger than life. He's almost like a fictional prototype of the narcissistic, power hungry man who will stop at nothing to win... I only say 'almost' because he's not fictional.

Q: Is there anything else worth mentioning about the movie?

A: *It's playing in L.A. at the Laemelle Sunset 5, on Thursday, January 17th.

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