Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing (2006)

ShutUpAndSingI hate country music. In all of its forms. I think it’s a pro-conservative, right wing, antiquated form of music best suited for run down bars, filled with whiny, bitching, moaning, chaw chewing, cow poking “stars” who have no idea what good writing is (“Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue” is proof positive), and is a genre so disgusted with itself it’s lost touch with its roots and instead has turned into another form of adult contemporary pop. That being said I like the Dixie Chicks. Not because of their music, granted, they have great voices, but because one day in a concert, they decided to exercise their freedom of speech and tell their fans what they thought of our government. And the fans, the red state hicks they are, hated that, and turned on them.

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This Film is Not Yet Rated: Unrated (2006)

Pussy, prick, cock, threesome, orgasm, cumming, doggy style, sixty-nine, orgy, jerk off, gang bang, cunt, cunnilingus, glory hole. If any of these words made you cringe, you’ve proven the basic point of “This Film is Not Yet Rated.” Why is America so afraid of sex? Why does sex frighten us? Why does liking certain sexual acts make us flee in terror? What about sex makes us afraid that it will shake our foundation? America is one of the few countries in the world so adamant about concealing sexual acts, and sexual themes are what sink films into NC-17 ratings. And most of these films with the NC-17’s are masterpieces; masterpieces that many people haven’t seen, like “The Dreamers” and “The Cooler.” And, that’s a damn shame.

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Jackass: Number Two (2006)

MV5BNzgzNDYyOTcxNl5BMl5BanBBam: I’d rather rip my dick off and throw it in the river, than do that again.

It’s no big new flash, and not a shock that “Jackass” and everything about it, has never been a favorite of mine. I despised the show, despise the talentless asses involved in it, and I loathed the first film. Say whatever you want about me, but I just don’t get what the appeal is about this series. I’m curious when stupid chic became so popular, and why “Jackass” is consistently popular. I just don’t get it, I admit that. But then again, “Jackass: Number Two” had me near tears the entire time. Shocked? You know you are. Close your mouth and keep reading.

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Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple (2006)

jonestown_film_landing“I’ve never said suicide, I never will say suicide… Jim Jones killed them.”

One of the most spine-tingling moments of “Jonestown: The Life and Death of the People’s Temple” is a simple minute of passive home video footage. Jim Jones opens a box of supplies and explores it: “Here we have rice… black-eyed peas… Kool-aid.” How does one man win over 909 people? How does one man convince them he is the second coming of Christ? How does one man convince almost a thousand people to follow him in committing suicide? Prey on their vulnerabilities.

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Jesus Camp (2006)

jesus_camp“This will be the greatest day in your life; the day you got saved,” says Becky Fischer to a room filled with five-ten year olds. What could a group of small children have done that warrants being saved by a god? You answer that for me. “They’re so usable in Christianity,” boasts Fischer. Catholic, Christian, or Atheist, “Jesus Camp” is a testament, and serves as physical proof that religion can be a horrible device in the hands of lunatics and wielded on impressionable children. I’m one who thinks religion is an unnecessary part of society, but I accept that some people feel they need it in their lives. But if you are religious, heed the images of “Jesus Camp” and watch how a beautiful concept can destroy children’s mentality in the wrong hands.

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Desperate Crossing: The Untold Story of the Mayflower

In the end, “Desperate Crossing” is still a rather glossy depiction of the pilgrims on the mayflower depicting them as rebels and immigrants. Regardless it tries to cut through all the junk and chronicle the realism of their journey and their desperation to move to a land where they could worship freely. However, we never explore how this culture may have dominated the primitive Native American culture, nor does it really take the accounts warts and all.

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Engineering an Empire: Egypt

header_history_egypt_engineering_an_empireNot being a history, engineering, or architecture buff, I didn’t see what I could take away or find of interest in the pilot episode of “Engineering an Empire.” Spinning off from the special “Engineering an Empire” in Rome, the series will now chronicle historical accounts of architectural landmarks from all civilizations and discuss monuments, buildings, fortresses, and dams.

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