"The Yes Men” Documentary Review

Yes Man documentary

“The Yes Men” Documentary Review Paragraph #1: The title of the Film is called the “Yes Man” documentary. The Directors of the film are Sarah Price, and Dan Ollman. The Point of the film is to show the general public the corruption of the World Trade Organization. The film follows the chronological order of dates and times of when things are shown and presented. This structure is very effective at conveying their thoughts on the WTO and how they exploit people. The Guerilla type of marketing that they use is very effective and in turn gives them much more publicity, which in turn is the opposite of what the WTO wants. Paragraph #2 The “Yes Man” documentary was a reflexive type of documentary. The perspective of the documentary is based on the public’s thoughts on the WTO and their choices for there company. As well the perspective of young people and their views on the WTO’S choices. As well the perspective of the news and media around the thoughts of the “Yes Men” and their commercially sold ideas. The scenes when they go to the university, and when they go to the presentation in Finland, and when they were on CNN. All of these examples show how this documentary was a reflexive type documentary. Paragraph #3 I thought the strengths of the film were the parts where they went to meetings and presentations in other countries, and in universities as well. I thought the fact that they could trick some of the smartest people into their ideas, and how ridiculous they are, as well that they had such a small budget. I thought the scene where they went to Helsinki, Finland and proposed their suit for company owners or bosses to use and keep an eye on their workers. This proposition was very interesting idea, because everyone thought it was such a crazy idea, but they still had no questions or open thoughts that they wanted to share about the suit, because everyone thought it was real. And another scene that I thought was very effective was the scene where they went to the class of University students. And proposed a McDonald’s project for third world countries and how to preserve the food from a American fast food chain, through a giant international Mcdonalds food pipe to feed people in other countries around the world. Paragraph #4 The values the “The Yes Man” documentary has in our culture is the fact that they can take advantage of the most powerful organizations and let the world see how ridiculous they make the companies look, with a very low budget. The positive outcomes that can come from their documentary are to show the crooked side of the WTO and its thought’s and ideas. Some negative outcomes that could come from this documentary could be the fact that some people have very negative thoughts on what the WTO is doing.

Hearts of Darkness -Cstitt

“Hearts of Darkness” Documentary Review

Paragraph #1:

Begin with the title of the film, the name of the filmmaker(s) and the point of the film. Remember, the point of the film is not a summary of the film, but rather the theme or message it explores. What is the structure of the film (chronological, non-sequential, etc.). Is this structure effective in conveying the point of the film?

The title of the film is Hearts of Darkness; the Filmmaker of the documentary is Eleanor Coppola. The structure of the film shows the project of Apocalypse Now in order from the picking of the cast, and auditions all the way to the front door of the Oscars and Francis accepting his Oscar with his co-producers. I think that this was the best way to portray the making of Apocalypse Now because it showed really how much Francis went through to produce and keep this project afloat. I think that this way it really showed the general public that it had it’s Disney ending, but during the filming it was actually hell.

Paragraph #2

What type of documentary was it (expository, observational, etc)? Whose perspective(s) is/are transmitted in the documentary? What conventions did the film include that led you to this conclusion? Please provide specific examples.

This type of documentary is an observational film type because it is seen through the eyes of Eleanor Coppola and how she observes the issues that are surrounding her. The perspectives of the cast are transmitted in the documentary, as well as the director of Apocalypse Now, Francis Coppola. But of course the main perspective shown in the documentary is the view that Eleanor Coppola had about her husband and the production he was struggling with. I think the fact that Eleanor was talking over the visual aspects of the film, and stating that Francis was very depressed and not sure of how to handle this huge situation. An example of this is when she is filming him in his study office, and he’s on the typewriter making tons of changes every minute to the script and how he can improve it.

Paragraph #3

From your perspective, what were the strengths of the film? What did you enjoy about it? Choose one or two scenes and describe why you found them effective, interesting or thought-provoking.

I thought that the strengths of the film were the references that Eleanor Coppola made with the citizens of the Philippines and their rituals, and the making of the documentary and the Vietnam War as well. I thought it was very enjoyable and a very good job of filmmaking. I feel that the scene with the Cattle at the end of the movie with the killing of the cow, and the killing of Marlon Brando’s character.

Paragraph #4

What were weaknesses in the film? What would you have changed or improved upon? Choose one or two scenes and describe why they may have been lacking or unnecessary. Write a concluding sentence or two.

I feel the weaknesses in the film were the fact that it took so long to get it up and running and the fact of the confused cast. As well as the fact that it was more one sided on Coppola than with all the cast members, even though some cast members were shown in interviews. I thought that it was very well done and I cannot think of anything I would add or improve on. I feel that the scene with the parties show that Coppola was celebrating the 100 and 200 days in the filming, and I thought that they weren’t that necessary except for the fact that it was so delayed.

I feel that this documentary was very well made, and showed how patience and tranquility perspired to making a great film. And as well this documentary showed that in the filming business you can’t ever give up and back down on something that looks like it could fail.