Review of C.S.A.: The Confederate States of America (2005) by Trinity C — 14 Oct 2006

[b][i]United 93[/i][/b], directed by Paul Greengrass, takes a sobering look at the plane that was hijacked on 9/11 and then overtaken by passengers when it became apparent to them the captors were on a suicide mission to fly the plan into a building. It's realistric, not at all exploitive, in fact Greengrass employed no name actors to avoid this possibility. Although I think this was a good idea, my biggest problem with the film was the lack of character development of the passengers. 9/11 is still fresh to us, yet this film played too much like a documentary and the victims (and heroes) of United 93 remained as faceless after watching this film as they were beforehand. Perhaps that was the intent, but, at least for me, it left me less emotionally invested in the film. Other than that, well done.

[b][i]Land of Plenty[/i][/b], directed by Wim Wenders, takes a Post 9/11 look at a paranoid Vietnam Vet and his social worker niece who come together after the death of a homeless Middle Eastern man. The film stars John Diehl and Michelle Williams. The film has some poignant moments and at times has the potential to make some very moving social statements, but too often falters due to some extreme stereotyping of Diehl's Vietnam Vet character.

[b][i]CSA: Confederate States of America [/i][/b]is a mockumentary directed by Kevin Wilmott. This extremely low budget film takes a look at America....had the South won the Civil War. The satire is often biting, and parts are funny even though you may feel uncomfortable watching. That said I think I was more impressed by the idea than the actual film-making. In other words interesting, but it could have been so much better.