Student Film Reviews

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1. Ruth Morgan 07.14.17 / 2pm

   Very insightful and interesting review! From your review, this sounds like a very well executed documentary! I think you put it very well as to why the culinary art is often such a gold mine for both documentary style films, as well as reality television. I think that the majority of people, despite not being world class cooks, can universally appreciate the culinary art. And like you said, highly successful cooks often possess an impressive amount of passion, a colorful personality, as well as a rare amount of dedication. In a way, I always find watching these types of people to be with entertaining as well as extremely inspiring and motivational.
2. Lawrence Gleeson 07.14.17 / 6pm

   Well said, Ruth. And thank you! That was my take-away – inspiration, passion and dedication of the individuals involved. In addition, each of the two featured chefs had a support network in the form of close friends, family and, in Frank Linn’s case, a spouse. In my opinion, it was well executed. Thank you again for your comment!
3. matthewmacdonald5 07.15.17 / 3pm

   Great job!
   I thought it was a well constructed and detailed review that at many times even actually made me hungry! I am personally a huge fan of good food and have also been to the Maryland or DC area. The insightful context of your review truly does the area, especially those involved in the cooking community, sweet justice. I especially enjoyed the part when you described the two hosts of “New Chefs on the Block” Atlas and Harrison during their pizza expedition. You go into tremendous detail and allow the reader to essentially take part in the experience as if it were my own.
4. Matthew Nunez 07.15.17 / 4pm

   This is a thoughtful review and a very interesting read, Larry! I think that the restaurant industry is a good industry to use for a documentary, and one that a lot of people are interested in, including myself. I enjoy that this documentary uses two people in the same setting, with similar goals, however with seemingly opposite personalities and ways of getting to their goals, I feel that it adds depth. Through your descriptions of each chef, I get a feel of what each is really like, and it adds personification through words. This is a well written review and helped me to understand what this documentary is truly about.
5. Tyler Henderson 07.15.17 / 5pm

   The review on New Chefs on the Block by Atlas Harrison not only made me hungry but wanted to watch the film right away to see this intense and informative documentary. I thought the best part of the review was how you were able to prove how the director made such a strong point on how hard the culinary industry is and why not many people make it and this is what caught my attention. I definitely have the upmost respect for these people that put in blood, sweat and tears in order to accomplish a goal that not many people can accomplish. With your review going into such extreme details, it really allowed me to feel like I had already seen the film, but still left me wondering about certain parts of the film and for this I will definitely be watching this film.
6. Savluk 07.15.17 / 7pm

   Awesome review. I personally am a big fan of documentaries and I’m going to have to add this to my watch list. I like the way you spoke of the chefs. I can tell they are very well respected and that they were able to not only execute the restaurants perfectly, but in interviews as well.
   The detail given during the opening of the pizza restaurant scene made me picture the scene exact.
   Will definitely have to watch this documentary.
7. SteveAldana 07.15.17 / 7pm

   “Food made with love.” I work serving at a restaurant and can relate to Dustin Harrison-Atlas documentary. It’s a prime example of the struggle for success. The lengths that these chefs went through to achieve their dreams of running a successful restaurant is inspiring. It’s their art form to create such beautiful, delicious food for the community to enjoy. As a server, I feel the pressure of maintaining the status quo for the place that I work for. It’s challenging at times, and I do make mistakes, but that’s the beauty of my duty. I play an important role in keeping the business running, and the pay is great. I have an even bigger respect for the Chefs that dedicate their lives to sharing their creations of food with us.
8. Maria Donley 07.15.17 / 10pm

   WOW! reading your review of this documentary actually got me to want to see it! you did a fantastic job really getting in depth and detailing exactly what was going on which eventually made me hungry haha. I work as a server in a high paced restaurant that is owned and ran by one man and I feel like I can really relate to this film because day in and day out I see my boss working 12 hour shifts, 7 days a week to achieve the success he once only dreamt of.
9. Lawrence Gleeson 07.17.17 / 7pm

   Wow, Maria! I imagine you will see many similarities with Rose’s Luxury. On the other hand, Frankly…Pizza! is predominantly, a one-man cooking operation. Another restaurant film I can recommend to you is Ella Brennan: Commanding the Table. I’d love to hear your comments after seeing the films. Thank you for commenting.
10. ckgreen 07.16.17 / 7am

    Really insighful feedback on this film. I am a big fan of cooking, so that is what captivated me to read your review. The storyline sounds very interesting and almost romantic. I would be interested in watching this film. The characters also seem very interesting.
11. Lawrence Gleeson 07.17.17 / 7pm

    Thank you. Maybe a dash of romance. It’s absolutely a character driven documentary. And, there’s some exquisite cooking shots. I’d love to hear after you see New Chefs on the Block. Thanks, again.
12. Taylor Jackson 07.16.17 / 11pm

    This review was just detailed enough to make me want to watch the documentary. It was well worded and insightful. The concept of the documentary is fresh, no pun intended. I appreciate the dynamic it has to offer: something old and something new but still alike. I believe the review capture the essence of the documentary because I felt my heart warming just from the review! The inclusion of family and how it affects the business is truly amazing. The documentary’s inclusion of the trials and errors of owning a restaurant will surely be inspirational to other to follow their passions and give back.
13. Lawrence Gleeson 07.17.17 / 7pm

    Thank you,Taylor! The story is very heartwarming and technically the film is very solid. The sound is good.The cinematography adds to the story as well. The mise-en-scene is quite pleasant. And, yes, the family dynamic is stupendous! Thank you for commenting.
14. Jose Mejia 07.17.17 / 10pm

    Hey Larry! Really enjoyed another one of your reviews. I like how you clearly identified the overall plot of the film. Also, how you identified the visual aspects that you noticed throughout the film. Another factor that intrigued me was the fact that you mentioned the use of music, I’ve personally seen music to change up the certain mood of scenes throughout films. Continue the great work!
15. Lawrence Gleeson 07.20.17 / 12am

    Thanks so much, Jose. I know you’ll really like this film. It is a heart-warming, life-affirming success story for both of the film’s protagonist. It’s very well put together technically and it does capture some fairly intense moments as both characters struggle with the realities of opening a new restaurant. I’d love to hear your thoughts after you see the film.
16. KeriParsons 07.28.17 / 5pm

    Hi Larry, I really enjoyed reading your review on New Chefs on the Block, directed by Dustin Harrison-Atlas. You started off your film review very strong by mentioning the main purpose of the film, following the stories of two chefs, Aaron Silverman and Frank Linn. You further discuss the film’s setting in Washington, DC and the time it was taking place. You describe Silverman and Linn’s journeys as chefs in great detail, enough for the reader (me) to get a nice idea of what each of them are like and what their goals are, but not too much that it gives away the film’s entire plot or includes any spoilers. That is a mistake I’ve seen many times in film reviews. You then start talking about the director, Atlas-Harrison, and how he came up with the idea to make a documentary about these chefs and in what ways he was connected to them in real life. Learning a little about the director’s background and purpose for making the documentary is so important. After reading your very impressive film review, I greatly am looking forward to checking out the “slick, highly polished production” that is New Chefs on the Block. Bravo!
17. kara gibson 10.09.17 / 3pm

    Insightful feedback, the way you compared and contrasted the two chefs was eye opening. My showing the differences in the two chefs it really grabbed my attention as the reader, making me want to keep on reading to see where either chef would end up coming from two very different backgrounds. I personally love documentaries and based on this review I will definitely be seeing “New Chefs on the Block”. Atlas-Harrison’s ability to get insight from “on camera interviews and testimonials from legendary chefs and restauratueurs” really proves the quality and greatness of this film. Likewise, Larry’s ability to see Atlas-Harrison’s capabilities makes him just as honorable.
18. Ivan Volkov 10.10.17 / 12am

    I found your review very helpful and explanatory. You did a great job explaining how well done this documentary was! It sounds like they did an excellent job filming the meals in terms of presentation. The film Chef, is a one that I’ve seen, that reminds me of this review. The film had really good scenes of cooking food, which kept me so engaged. It sort of sounds like this film is similar in this regard, considering both films are centered around chef’s even if one of them is a fictitious story. Additionally, I found you’re review to be very clear/ concise and from what I see, it is very thorough!
19. Shaden Gallardo 10.11.17 / 4pm

    This is an extremely well written review. You opened your introduction in such a clear and captivating way. As I first started reading, I immediately had a good image in my head on how these two ambitious men have a dream of opening their own restaurants in DC. I love how you shared their backgrounds, this gives the audience the chance to know who they are and what they have accomplished, it makes it much more interesting and welcoming. In the body of your review, you not only summarized the characters’ (Silverman and Linn) story, but you were demonstrating what Atlas-Harrison was capturing in the film, as well as what he believed in, and what he wanted for this film. He took a big part in your review and you appreciated the work he had made, as every audience should appreciate all directors.
20. Christopher Whalen 10.11.17 / 6pm

    I found the review top notch and with out a doubt left me craving quality food. I have personally seen this documentary being a fan of the food industry myself, and you definitely did a great job describing the passion these two chefs bring to the table and the constant push to thrive that these chefs have to seek. You did a well job detailing a complex theme in my opinion bringing it all together into a small but neat reflexion. You definitely left me wanting to eat and i will without a doubt be watching this documentary again.
21. Mohanad Flaih 10.13.17 / 1am

    I really enjoyed reading your review because it was well put together and it made me wanting to see the film. From your review I could tell that this documentary was well made. I like how you analyzed the overall plot by giving the background of the two chefs and telling us what their purpose is. You did a great job in explaining the camera work in the kitchen to help me picture the scene, which made me hungry by the way. Working in a restaurant is hard work and you have to spend a lot of time and effort for it to be successful and I could understand the struggle both chefs are going through by your review. Great review!
22. Xiao Yang 10.13.17 / 7am

    Your review is really interesting and insightful. I am a person who never cooks at home, however, I would need to agree that the culinary art is a good documentary because personally I was working as chief’s helper. I know exactly how hard a restaurant is to keep, the food cost, labor cost, menus, services, est. This is what happens when you open a restaurant. “food made with love” shows the real purpose for a chef. In America, chefs are popular occupation, it also means its competitive status. You start off this review with very clear idea what the purpose of this film is about: you need to work very hard for your goals. Cannot stop chasing your dreams. People will need to put in blood, sweat and tears in order to accomplish a goal that not many people can accomplish.
23. Juliet Parsons 10.15.17 / 1am

    Wow this film caught my attention after reading your review. I personally love cooking so this film would definitely be good. You did a great job explaining wha the movie is about and where it all started like with going to culinary school from the directors. All the information given about the director was helpful because now us audience will know what his intentions were with making this film. I also think it’s really cool how one of the characters does what they do not only cause they love it, but because he wants to make others happy. Overall, fantastic review write up(:
24. Lauren Howard 10.27.17 / 12pm

    Your review was very informative and detailed! The amount of detail you add in describing how the documentary opens up already made me hungry and fascinated to read more. You did two great analyzations on both Silverman and Linn and their own business ideals in the culinary industry. In addition, I appreciated how you added the realistic attributes in the documentary and went into depth on the director. I love to cook so this review stood out to me and most definitely makes me want to watch the documentary. Nice job!
25. Nicole Noroian 10.29.17 / 11pm

    I liked how the review gave a lot of descriptive detail of scenes and the food in the documentary. It felt like it was a very personal film of two chef’s with the same goal but a different purpose. The review made me very hungry and curious about the culinary world. I like how the film has a message to the viewers. Overall, great review and I would watch the documentary.
26. Nicole Noroian 10.29.17 / 11pm

    I liked how the review gave a lot of descriptive detail of scenes and the food in the documentary. It felt like it was a very personal film of two chef’s with the same goal but a different purpose. The review made me very hungry and curious about the culinary world. I like how the film has a message to the viewers. Overall, great review and I would watch the documentary!

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