Finders Keepers: The Perfect Example of a Character Driven Documentary

This week I watched Finders Keepers on Netflix. Although I gravitate towards issues documentaries for personal viewing, this documentary will shows the power that good characters can have in making a documentary engaging and entertaining. The real life story follows a media feud and legal battle between Shannon Whisnant and John Wood over a very interesting item--an amputated leg. Shannon purchased an abandoned storage unit that housed Wood's leg that was amputated after a plane crash. Odd events transpired that resulted in an all out legal battle that captured media attention. The two men in particular (however we do see this with the other family members as well) are eccentric and, quite frankly, this story seems to fantastical to be true. Check out the trailer below:

Soul Surfer

Soul Surfer is a 2011 American biographical drama film directed by Sean McNamara. It is a film adaptation of the 2004 autobiography Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board by Bethany Hamilton about her life as a surfer after a horrific shark attack and her recovery. The film stars AnnaSophia Robb, Helen Hunt, Dennis Quaid, and Lorraine Nicholson with Carrie Underwood, Kevin Sorbo, Sonya Balmores, Branscombe Richmond, and Craig T. Nelson.

Filming of this prestigious life story took place in Hawaii in early 2010 with Robb wearing a green sleeve on her arm so visual effects could be added in post-production to create the appearance of a stump. More additional filming took place in Tahiti in August 2010. Soul Surfer was released in theaters on April 8, 2011 in the United States and Canada by a partnership between FilmDistrict and TriStar Pictures.

Bethany (AnnaSophia Robb), a natural talent in the sport of surfing, loses an arm in a freak shark attack. Helped along by the love of her parents (Helen Hunt, Dennis Quaid), brothers, and friend Alana Blanchard, she refused to give up.  With big plans to return to competition, questions about her future continued to trouble her. Upon seeing the devastation in Thailand caused by the 2004 tsunami on a trip with her local youth group, Bethany discovers a greater purpose: to make a difference in the lives of others.  She realizes she cannot give up.  She needs to be an inspiration for other people with traumatic experiences and disabilities.  She wants to make a difference and prove that you can do anything you put your heart to.

I believe that this film did not get enough credit.  There was a large amount of work that went into this film.  Not only does filming surfing create challenges, but a realistic shark attack, and a green screen arm that looked completely real as a stump.  This film had phenomenal technical work.  I believe that the film also had beautiful acting.  The actors captured the emotions perfectly, and as a viewer, I really felt what they were going through.  I think that this movie is one to be watched, it is very inspirational and truly a great film on a brave, courageous person.  It really earns its name, Soul Surfer. 

Based Off a True Story

This week, as usual, I was scrolling through my Netflix to try to find something to keep me entertained.  I clicked on the film The Freedom Writers directed by Richard LaGravenese.  I had heard things about The Freedom Writers through my mom, who loves this movie.  So, I decided to watch it.

The story told in The Freedom Writers is not a light one.  There is power in the words of this story, and the crazy part is that it is based off of a true story.  I always feel like there is pressure from recreating a true story, especially if it is as emotional as this one.  

Two things that really stood out to me were the writing and the acting.  The story was eloquently written.  The writing was based off of the diaries of student's emotional lives and battles.  But what is a story without actors to tell it?  The acting in this film was incredible as well.  Hilary Swank played the role of the ambitious Erin Gruwell, and nailed it.  But it was the chemistry between her and the many actors that played her group of gang ridden students that made this movie so powerful.

Aesthetically, this film was not outstanding, but at the same time not poorly done.   Applying what we learned in class, I saw many shots where the frame was based around the Golden Ratio.  See? Here's just one example right here.

Another thing I noticed was that the camera would be filming handheld in times of high intensity or high emotions.  In times where there was less action or emotion, the camera was filming on a steady surface, whether that be a dolly or a tripod.  Nothing about this films aesthetics was poor, but nothing stood out, either.  I can understand that though, since The Freedom Writers is a movie that is highly dependent on the story and the way the actors tell it. 

Based on a True Story

For as long as I can remember, I have always been entertained and attracted to movies that are based on true stories. I know many of them tend to change or over-exaggerate the story line from what actually happen, but when I watch true story movies For as long as I can remember, I have always been entertained and attracted to movies that are based on true stories. I know many of them tend to change or over-exaggerate the story line from what actually happened, but when I watch true story movies I find myself interested in the life of the individual or group of people the film is portraying. I especially tend to be attracted to true stories about history like movies about wars, presidents, conspiracies, etc. Below are a few of the many true stories that grabbed my attention, and that I enjoyed watching.

The Blindside got my eye because it's a sports movie and it had a number of actors/actresses that I love to watch. It's the true story of Michael Oher, who didn't have a home, a mother who did drugs and abandoned him. He was a warrant of the state who had no such records to his name. He became under the guardianship of Sean and Leign Ann Tuohy, graduates of the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss). A sensitive young man, who knew nothing about football started playing left tackle for his high school. Attracted by many colleges for his athleticism including Alabama, Tenessee, South Carolina, and many more, he became an all-star athlete. Today you can see him on the Baltimore Ravens as he was a pick in the 2009 NFL draft. It's a heart warming story that will leave audiences both happy, but can be a tear jerker. 

The Perfect Storm was another movie that got my eye that was based on a true story. Directed by Wolfgang Peterson, it's the story of a sword fishing boat called the Andrea Gail captained by Billy Tyne (George Clooney) and his crew of 5 men who went under during a fishing trip and was caught in the middle of a Hurricane (known as the perfect storm). 

The most recent true story I have seen is Lawless, which the true story about Forrest, Howard, and Jack  Bondurant, who were members of the Moonshine Conspiracy in Franklin Virginia in 1931. The Brothers were in a successful boot-legging business during prohibition. This movie kept me on the edge of my seat and the story was well written. I definitely recommend this movie to anyone who loves action, suspense, and none than other TOM HARDY.