realtimerealtalk Reviews

American Revolution 2 (1969)

What a wonderful world it could be

[9/10 · 26 December 2023]

The summary for this film suggests that this a Black Panthers (read: social justice) doc, a lazy hubristic take that contextualizes the film immediately from a racial perspective.

American Revolution 2 is about the fallout of 1960s idealism meeting its first clash with the wave of indifferent capitalism that would change how neighborhoods were managed by the city, regardless of race. It's about the working class of Chicago briefly uniting and transparently discussing the urban dynamics of poverty, property, housing, and crime-primarily the police's colorblind violent harassment.

Ultimately it's a snapshot of 60s idealism coming to a halt through the lens of racially diverse working class narrators who don't find a solution but do imagine-together-what a better Chicago(US) might look like.

Pelosi in the House (2022)

Love her or hate her..

[9/10 · 14 December 2022]

It should go without saying that Nancy Pelosi has been one of (if not) *the* most powerful women in American/global politics. She is a political Jedi with a mother's sense of priorities.

Admittedly I'm a left-leaning Independent-haven't always agreed with her and not here for hero worship-but this doc speaks to Pelosi's longevity, political savvy & effectiveness at *doing her job.*

Love her or hate her, the doc paints a portrait of what DC inside baseball looks like at the highest levels power - from her family's political background to trailblazing as a twice-elected woman Speaker.

What stands out the most clearly: Nancy never GAF about getting elected just to stay in office; she pushed her chips to the table multiple times over the last couple decades with ZERO regard for re-election-and that's probably why she lasted so long in Congress.

The English (2022)

9.5 - Most aesthetically pleasing viewing of the '20s

[10/10 · 11 November 2022]

Admittedly I haven't finished this series - just started episode 3 - but standing on cinematography and art direction alone it is supremely watchable.

The storyline moves with pace - almost like a video game - and the overall tone is reminiscent of Red Dead Redemption but with a Kill Bill tilt.

The dynamic between the leads grounds the show, the dialogue is efficient in a way that's genuinely "western", and the writing feels modern but not indulgent.

There's an analog feel throughout, but they're not just hat-tipping...it's super clean and should be seen in the highest definition available.

The First Lady (2022)

Why the low score?

[8/10 · 2 May 2022]

This show is great. If you like historical fiction portrayed thru a contemporary lens, this show is for you. It's like The Crown but with the sensibilities of American Crime Story. People in their feelings over partisan BS gotta be a result of 5.7. The cast is top notch. No doubt there's some editorializing the history, but not at the expense of anyone's character.