"Catfish" Brings to Life the Fears We Quiet When Meeting Someone Online

            “I was so gullible. I’m so embarrassed.” Catfish is a genuine documentary where a guy falls for a girl online, but as the film progresses, the web of lies surrounding these Facebook profiles unravel. While following one heartwarming story, we come across another’s attempt in escaping from reality, but like any risks, there’s bound to be some casualties. This movie portrays raw human emotions, depicts the struggle in dating in today’s modern times, and the basic human longing to connect with another human being. Catfish proves that real life surpasses fiction at any given time.

            A scene in particular shows Nev, a New York based photographer, talking to a girl he’s never met before in person on the phone, giggling and blushing. 

            Nev thinks he’s found the girl of his dreams, starts to envisions a future with her, but as he goes after her, he uncovers one lie after another. The movie touches a relevant subject, online dating. This documentary shows real people testifying about a true first-world-nightmare, showing up to a date you made online, and realizing he/she sent a REALLY old picture. 

            Nev mentions at the beginning of the documentary that he doesn’t believe in long distance relationships. He doesn’t want to hurt anyone, and he is definitely not going to get hurt, he says. Yet, he pursues a conversation with a girl who laughs at his awkward jokes, somebody that not only gives him butterflies, but he gives butterflies to as well. We want her to be real, we want him to be happy, but life is a sick screenwriter. 

           This project deserves respect for coming into fruition. This contemporary classic includes honest human reactions captured in modern digital filmmaking. Taking a step back and seeing it as a filmmaker, you realize how much work went into this. Catfish was shot by two filmmakers documenting an ordinary guy forming an online friendship with an eight year old artist, yet the story grows into much more, and they knew how to capture it perfectly on a budget. At first the story may seem dull, but the scenery, style of shooting, and editing pull you in. The time invested into this project is evident. Catfish is so well edited that it guides your feelings, subtly and successfully.  Like documentaries, or a good thriller? Check “Catfish” out! Please don’t condemn it because it’s now a show on MTV. 

Check it out and lemme’ know what you think at the comment section below!

"The Big Sick" tackles Prejudgments and Arranged Marriages set in our Modern Tinder Era

            “The Big Sick” not only delivers good laughs, but a look into the Pakistani culture surrounding arranged marriages, and a compelling modern love story. The film features an aspiring comedian falling for a girl, and as the two grow closer, an opportunity to impress a big talent scout arises, but couldn’t come at a worst time, as his girlfriend is placed in a medically induced coma. The entire cast does an incredible job at pulling the comedic strings in this musical instrument of a film. The story places likable characters in a difficult situation, enabling the humor to come in as a surprise, making the film much more enjoyable. The Big Sick takes it a step further by portraying a Pakistani-White American relationship.

The love story told in this film explores racial verbal attacks, prejudice behavior, and a clash between two different cultures.

            As the aspiring comedian, Kumail, chooses to stay by Emily’s side, her parents deter him from doing so. Emily’s father creates a memorable moment when he presents Kumail with a conversation on 9-11, which Kumail handles very eloquently. 

Emily’s parents soon get to see another side of Kumail when seeing him perform on stage, and their prejudices are soon belittled by real ignorance being outpoured in a malice intension. The film also succeeds in re-enforcing some pretty well known information like, “all racist frat boys have small shriveled up penises.”

            The love interest that grows between Kumail and Emily captivates as both try to not grow attached to one another. As both our lead characters find comfort in each other, Kumail has a hard time stopping his mother from finding him a Pakistani wife. Our lead character seems torn by two cultures, the one he’s been brought up in, and the one he meets outside of home. 

He even comes to question why his parents would immigrate to a country if they didn’t expect their children to simulate to the culture surrounding them. The film offers a comedic look into the culture cultivating arranged marriages, which happens to create another barrier for our leading character.

            The Big Sick provides an interesting modern love tale set in our tinder-era. Kumail and Emily are the type of couple one roots for until the end of the film. Humor leaps out even in the most ordinary scenes, like Kumail and his brother having a conversation in public. As their conversation grows heated, a concerned white family turns to them, Kumail can’t help but to notify them that they hate terrorist, too. Overall, the film gives us an example of how when one forms a strong attachment to someone, not even belonging to different worlds can stand as an obstacle. The Big Sick is a must watch! In the mood for a comedy, or a good love story? You found it!

"Wind River" Succeeds in Portraying Injustices Inflicted on Native American Women, Yet Indulges in the White Savior Complex

            “Wind River” stands as a strong well-rounded story with metaphors, embodies injustices inflicted on Native American women in the U.S, but also indulges in the “white savior” complex. This powerful narrative uses symbolism, such as the upside-down flag in the intro, commenting on the urgent help the Indian reservation needed. The film turns terrifying statistics on the disappearance of Native American women into a scary reality. While standing as a strong story, it can’t help but to indulge in the “white savior complex,” where a white character rescues people of color from their plight. “Wind River” delivers a vital message on the lack of statistics on Native American women going missing, while also providing a memorable murder mystery.

            According to the United States flag code, the flag should only be displayed with the union down when signaling dire distress […]. With that fun fact kept in mind, the opening shot of the upside-down flag being hit by the strong cold wind, forms a deeper impact.  “Wind River” follows a wildlife officer and an FBI agent solving the mystery behind the death of a young woman in an American Indian reservation. Within the story following the murder mystery, the wildlife officer is on a mission to kill a group of lions killing livestock. The job task the officer faces is parallel to the truth behind the death of the 18-year-old Native American woman, where another pack of lions is responsible.

            While the movie delivers a compelling story, it also manages to inform it’s audience of the morbid statistics surrounding Native American women. Without giving too much away, the film shares a quote at the end; “While missing person statistics are compiled for every other demographic, none exist for Native American women.” According to the New York Time’s article, “Higher Crimes, Fewer Charges on Indian Land,” tribal members have sued the government for declining prosecutions. Director Taylor Sheridan shared research done before shooting the film with Newsweek, like how it wasn’t until 2013, that “sexual assault of a Native woman by a non-Native couldn’t be prosecuted because it was a state crime on federal land…[.]” The lawsuit was an example of how the United States attorney’s office has a tendency of declining cases where the victims are Native American.

            While Native American actors played the criminal, meth-head, and victim, it would’ve been interesting to have another Native American actor as the good guy of the film. The lead character helps solve the case behind the death of a young woman, and also can’t help but to learn something about himself in the process. It makes sense why the FBI agent brought in to help would be of another race, since she’s an outsider. Yet, the lead male role was brought in because of his knowledge of the area, so it would be understandable if he were Native American, but was not. The film sadly fell into the white savior genre.  

            “Wind River” is an intriguing murder mystery set in a natural beautiful environment. Symbolism and metaphors adorning this film give way to a satisfying aftertaste. Director Taylor Sheridan succeeds in portraying the injustice inflicted against Native American women in the U.S. Even though the film partakes in the long cinematic tradition of the white savior complex, it still succeeds in many forms. The acting, scenery, and purposeful shots, are delivered eloquently in this motion picture. 

Check out the trailer and give the movie a shot, you won't regret it!