MAN ON WIRE

SUMMARY:  Man on Wire is an amazing documentary that should be seen by anyone with a dream.  It's about a man named Philippe Petit, a tight rope walker and street performer, who saw a challenge that needed to be taken.  With no fear and a genius plan he pulls off one of the most amazing crimes in history.

ACTING: All of the main characters are people who were actually in the real story, so everything flows very well. The main character, Philippe Petit, is an amazing individual whose personality was only matched by his skills.   Hearing him relive his experience is absolutely captivating because of the passion he shows for his craft.

SCRIPT: If the movie was scripted at all, it was hard to tell.  The characters relive the moments of their crime with such vivid detail,it feels like your there.  From start to finish the storytelling keeps you enthralled in the moment.

CINEMATOGRAPHY: With the amount of archival film taken by Petit's crew, there is footage for almost every part of the set up leading to the finale. The scenarios that weren't filmed were reenacted by good actors who gave a great depiction on what would have happened.

RE-WATCHABILITY:  This film is very inspiring and makes you want to dream big.  There is no real action but a lot of suspense that can be watched over and over with the same "holding of the breath" effect.  This almost unbelievable story is amazing in itself, but the conclusion is even greater still.

PLOT: The idea of seeing a distant dream and waiting patiently for years until the opportunity presented itself is quite hard to do.  Yet, actually accomplishing an illegal, almost impossible, risky, and impressive stunt that beats anything attempted in history.... well, thats unheard of.

RATING: ☃☃☃☃☃

FAUBOURG TREMÉ

SUMMARY: The viewer is taken on a ride through New Orleans that flows from post Katrina to slavery times. With narrator, Lolis Eric Elie, a New Orleans newspaper writer;  an old New Orleans town is brought back to life.  A story of a forgotten neighborhood is told and the history behind Faubourg Tremé is brought above the water. 

ACTING: The narration is full of emotion, bringing the music and setting together.  The speakers who come throughout the movie give a good testament to what there neighborhood means to them.

SCRIPT:  Very well written, giving a glimpse of the suffering during Katrina and also a history lesson on Faubourg Tremé.  Some information was just history already learned but most was new and unheard of info.  

CINEMATOGRAPHY:  Because the movie is a documentary the cameras used aren't top quality but the people operating them do a good job at showing the scenery in a sad yet beautiful way.  Catching what New Orleans embodies and showing places many didn't know existed.

RE-WATCHABILITY: If you ever want to be reminded of two huge events in history,  (Katrina and Slavery) this gives insight to both.  Not a date movie and no excitement, but is a movie that carries a knowledgeable story.

PLOT: The point of this documentary (like all documentaries) is to inform, which this movie does very well.  It emotionally ties you to the people of New Orleans and the severity of the flood.

Bonus: MUSIC: Amazing soundtrack that speaks more then the narrators' voices.  The music brings the documentary to life and sets the tone for what ever topic is being discussed.

RATING:  ☃☃☃☃