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Movie Review: Standard Operating Procedure Alternate Title: Blowup
Story: The Interrotron
sounds like a torture device out of Star Trek, does it not?
Errol Morris, the Oscar winning director of Fog
of War (http://www.judithwolfe.com/lobosmoviereviews/reviews/fogofwar.html)
and the amazing Thin Blue Line created a unique lens device
where the subject looks directly at Mr. Morris' image and not at the
camera when they are being interviewed. This allows for a more intimate
portrait of the interviewee. This time out Errol Morris tackles
the national disgrace we all know as Abu Ghraib. Yes,
you remember those awful images and you may have seen interviews on
TV with those involved or perhaps have seen the made Rory Kennedy
documentary Ghosts of Abu Ghraib ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxfPpi7IUaU).
Morris, in a slick, breaking out of the mold, documentary
presentation, interviews six of the soldiers who were directly involved
and recreates some of the prison scenes. Morris' interview technique is minimal. He asks
a question and lets the camera roll. Inevitably, the subject will continue
speaking when an interviewer does not interrupt. This is terrific filmmaking. Do we learn anything new? I learned that General
Sanchez, head of the operation over the prison, allowed a one
day amnesty, for anyone at the prison to destroy CD's, photos, hard
drives or anything else that might otherwise implicate them or anyone
else. I learned that no one above the rank of Staff Sergeant was convicted
of anything and I learned that these soldiers have no remorse. They
were, as we all know so well, just 'following orders.' You can probably add this fine film to the long
list of Iraq War films that will not be seen by the general public.
They probably prefer their War movie to be more in the line of Harold
and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay. Sigh. If you are not going to see the film at least
spend two minutes and watch the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8vk3v1BJBE Acting: You will recognize the faces of those involved
if you have watched this story unfold over the years. Lynndie England,
Javal Davis, Sabrina Harman, Tim Dugan, Megan Ambuhl Graner, Jeremy
Sivits, Janis Karpinski and Brent Pack are some of the
talking heads.
Predilection: I am a political junkie.
Critters: Two very scary military police dogs.
Sex Spectrum: There is only simulated sex photos to
debase the prisoners. There are many photos of naked prisoners as well.
The images are very disturbing.
Blatant Product Placement: It turns out 'be all that
you can be' is not such a good thing.
Soundtrack: An at times, over the top soundtrack
by veteran Danny Elfman.
Theater Audience: About 50 other mesmerized theater
goers at the Angelika Theater on Houston Street
Squirm Scale: It does not get much more squirmy than
this.
Drift Factor: It could have been edited.
Oscar Worthy: Perhaps. It is probably released too
early in the season to be considered for next year's award season. We
have very short memories.
Soap Box: Go to my web site for political views.
http://www.judylobo.wordpress.com/
Big Screen or Rental: Rental is fine and you would
do well to rent all of Morris' other films too.
Length: Two hours.
LOBO HOWLS: 7 |