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Screamers (2006)
A documentary that hits the right notes
12 December 2006
In short, the film is a band documentary a la Scorsese's "The Last Waltz" except it is geared towards a specific subject matter with snippets of their touring.

The concept of the film is unique in its nature. Incorporating concert footage that is relevant to the relative sequence (preceding or following) and maintaining its theme in bringing to light the politics behind the Armenian Genocide, "Screamers" consistently delivers. There is just the right amount of concert footage to keep System of a Down fans happy and just enough political characteristics to keep the moviegoers interested, with some added entertaining shots of fans that allows the ill-natured topics to be given a rest every once in a while.

The beauty of the film lies in the fact that it provides feedback for the reasoning behind why Armenians still fight for recognition after 90 years. Discussing several modern genocides of the 20th and 21th Century (including the ongoing tragedy in Darfur), "Screamers" is able to relate the Armenian Genocide and its denial to contemporary accounts of why some may still think that they can get away with such atrocities.

Some critiques of the film may come from politically motivated viewers, having not seen the film (as the currently ridiculous rating of 2.1/10 suggests). I am reviewing the film in a partial manner, regardless of my Armenian heritage and my views on the subject. As a film, "Screamers" is well worth your time, regardless of your political views. Whether you are Turkish, Armenian, or any ethnicity for that matter, please, watch the film before you judge it or review it.

Combining music, politics, humor, and drama, this documentary will keep you entertained, provoke your thoughts on contemporary tragedies, and possibly, influence you to become a "Screamer" rather than live in your own little world, silently watching a tragedy unfold.
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Crimson Gold (2003)
One of the best films of the year
13 January 2005
Crimson Gold, one of the best films of the year, is absolutely stunning from start to finish. It's gritty and captures the essence of the social struggles in Iran while consistently delivering messages on the struggles we all face in life regarding love and relationships. It's a humanistic film that is extremely subtle, which turned off several viewers (as does Taxi Driver, one of my all-time favorites). Jafar Panahi's slow pacing doesn't allow the film to go into incoherent territory, but again, some viewers may be turned off by this. The pacing is really what allows the messages to set in and provoke the viewers thoughts. It's worth every second of your time, don't miss this gem.

9/10
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Masterpiece
2 March 2003
A beautiful movie. I have to say it was a very hard movie to understand, but once I did, I realized it was a masterpiece. Atom Egoyan is known for these kinds of thought provoking movies with many subplots and this is one movie worth seeing.
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