I.O.U.S.A., 2008

Please watch this film:



This documentary examines the financial mess our country is in with basic language, engaging graphics, and knowledgeable interviewees. Every politician in this country should be required to see this film: if we don't understand how we got into the mess, how can we get out of it?

A non-partisan view of a very political concern. Who knew, money doesn't grow on trees....

Directed by Patrick Creadon.
Based on the book Empire of Debt by William Bonner.

Melody's Stars: * * * * *


Rating System:
*****=Worth Buying
****=Worth Seeing in Theaters
***=Worth Renting
**=Worth Watching on TV
*=Worth Watching if also cleaning house or doing paperwork
0=Total waste of time
Fail=So bad it doesn't even make the rating system

Die Welle, 2008

Based on a true story, high school teacher Rainer Wenger (Jürgen Vogel) decides to teach his students about autocracy by creating one in his class. When the class project grows beyond his control, the consequences are bigger than anyone would have predicted.



A very thought provoking film, Die Welle explores the human urge for community. The film depicts the comfort and sense of belonging that a group creates as well as the dark side of following a crowd.

Kudos to Dennis Gansel who not only plays the part of high school student Martin but also wrote (along with Peter Thorwarth) and directed this film!

Great soundtrack.
Based on the novel by Todd Strasser, and the classroom experiment The Third Wave created by California high school teacher Ron Jones.


Melody's Stars: * * * * *


Rating System:
*****=Worth Buying
****=Worth Seeing in Theaters
***=Worth Renting
**=Worth Watching on TV
*=Worth Watching if also cleaning house or doing paperwork
0=Total waste of time
Fail=So bad it doesn't even make the rating system

Rachel Getting Married, 2008

When Kym (Anne Hathaway) gets out of rehab on the eve of her sister's wedding, emotions run high. Rachel (Rosemarie DeWitt) feels--with good reason--that Kym is always trying to steal the spotlight. Meanwhile their dad (Bill Irwin) attempts to
solve problems through his cooking.




A character driven ensemble piece, with fine performances by all, Rachel Getting Married explores the odd mix of tension and love in a dysfunctional family's relationships.

The film is shot in a gritty, camera-shake, art-house style, so the audience feels like a fly-on-the-wall. The closeness creates an uncomfortable feeling; as if you're forced into sharing private moments with total strangers.

The editing leaves something to be desired, especially towards the end when the wedding reception seems to last about six hours and does nothing to drive the plot or deepen our understanding of the characters. Well, perhaps it does help us relate to Kym's feeling of having to get away by any means possible! The approximately 15 minutes of music and dancing really should have been cut by more than half.

While a neatly-wrapped typical ending is not at all what this film needs, a bit more clarity on Rosa's (Roslyn Ruff) appearance at the end seems only fair.


Directed by Jonathan Demme.
Written by Jenny Lumet.

Melody's Stars: I have decided not to rate this movie.


Rating System:
*****=Worth Buying
****=Worth Seeing in Theaters
***=Worth Renting
**=Worth Watching on TV
*=Worth Watching if also cleaning house or doing paperwork
0=Total waste of time
Fail=So bad it doesn't even make the rating system