Student Film Reviews

Film reviews from theaters, couches, and film festivals

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1. Alyssa Barrios 07.08.20 / 9pm

   So in my opinion from reading this review I would have to say looks like a very interesting film based on what was said in the review. A horrible fire caused accidentally killing 85 innocent lives and knocking down a lot of structures, its sad to hear stories like this but accidents happen. The picture in this review also helps draw attention and can explain without any words what the movie is about. Fire fighters do have a tough job and I will definitely be watching this movie sooner rather than later. I would give this review a 10 out of a 10.
2. Gaby Arriaga 07.16.20 / 9am

   Hello Larry,
   I’ve actually never seen the film “Rebuilding Paradise” by Ron Howard so reading your review on the film made me want to watch it. I liked how you started by stating how Ron is an academic Award-winning filmmaker and he is popular for what he does. I liked how in the first paragraph you talked about some of his other films who he has been awarded and recognized. Not many films have a narrative voice-over but I think that just gave the audience a better understanding of all the things going around like you mentioned. Since I haven’t seen this movie I don’t know much about the quality, the actors, ect but you did say how time moved about in the film which I think is great because of what is going on in the film. Some films are only based on what is happening not what will happen or for example “7 years later.” Overall I enjoyed your review and it sounds like an interesting movie I might watch.
3. Christiana Magalong 07.17.20 / 11am

   Good Afternoon Larry,

   Great review. I have not seen this film in particular, but after reading your review, I am definitely going to make a point to! I feel a little biased and emotionally drawn to this film in particular because my father is a fireman in San Francisco. I think it’s always really interesting and special for me to watch filmed centered around life as a fireman, because even though my father shares stories with us, there’s a lot I will never know about what he does. Even thought this tends to be very emotional, it helps me with a better understanding of my father- which feels special. I love this about film- there is such power in creating memories and visuals for an audience that may be removed or close to the subject matter. Great review, I took a lot from it!
4. Brandon Jadidi 07.17.20 / 6pm

   Hello Larry,
   This is an amazing short and to the point review. I have not seen this film but I could make and educated guess by the scene you played out for us that this film had many mise-en-scenes. The way you talked about the split decision actions the characters had to make, makes me believe that this film was very emotional and the audience had a great connection the characters. Another reason the film could be very emotional to be is because I live in California and fires are predominant here, so seeing what a fire can do to large area would be very hard to see.
5. Coleman Mortensen 07.18.20 / 11am

   Hey Larry,
   From watching this movie and reading your review I have come to appreciate this saddening story of a devastating fire that affected so many lives. I remember the cinematography vividly. The footage of limbs falling and people driving through fires to stay alive was so jaw dropping because of its realness. As the sorrow piles upon piles, the wound in our (the viewer’s) hearts grows to an excruciating level.
   I thought the pinpoints of specific, saddening moments were powerful in this review. The interweaving of background knowledge (especially that of the PG&E instigators of wrongdoings) was extremely helpful. By looking into explicit points of the film, the mise-en-scene was analyzed and readers enjoy this smooth read. Very good review.
6. kelly engstrom 07.18.20 / 4pm

   Hello Larry! This movie seems very interesting and I enjoyed reading your review. Although I haven’t seen the movie, your description of the film makes me eager to see it. I enjoy the fact that the story is told in a linear segment because it makes it easy to follow along and not get confused. In my experience, movies that jump back and forth between the future and the present are difficult to watch. I often get confused about the time period, which causes me to focus more on that and not what’s happening in the movie. In addition, I’m intrigued by this movie because it highlights the harsh reality of fire-fighting. Documentary style movies are some of my favorites, so I’m excited to watch!
7. Edith Lopez 07.18.20 / 5pm

   Hello Larry,
   I enjoyed reading your review. I have not watched this film so sadly I don’t know much to mention, although reading your review and the way this film is being discussed has got my attention. I can see the emotions and connections it has with the audience. I find it interesting how you mention its a narrative-voice over, since there isn’t many of those now a days. Your review was amazing!
8. Adrienne Schell 07.18.20 / 7pm

   Hi Larry~

   I loved your use of language to paint the scenes for us regarding the movie Rebuilding Paradise. The description of the diegetic and non diegetic elements was extremely useful as we can hear the music, prayers for help and the fires’ inferno all happening at the same time.

   Being a lifelong resident of CA has made me aware of how fragile our forrests are throughout the state. So the subject matter is personal to me, and I relate to it on an emotional level.

   Using the verite method combined with documentary is one that fits this experience well. Ron Howard is a visionary director always trying new techniques in his movies.

   Thanks for sharing your excellent analysis
9. Jordyn Constantine 07.18.20 / 7pm

   Hello Larry,
   I enjoyed reading your entry on the movie Rebuilding Paradise, you gave a very vivid and detailed description of what the movie was about while keeping it short and to the point. Through your entry, I could tell that this film carried the element of mise-en-scene. This movie seems like it would be a real tear-jerker. But, it also seems like it has the impression to inspire others to hold onto their hope, no matter what they’re going through in their lives. Though I have not seen this movie, it’s easy for me to feel a connection to it, because California is prone to fires. Back in 2018, the city of Ventura faced this nightmare, so many people lost their homes; some even lost their family members, friends, and pets. But, once these horrid fires diminished, the community came together and helped rebuild their “Paradise.”
10. William Holland 07.18.20 / 9pm

    Hello Larry, 
    Although I have never seen this film, I have been personally affected by California wildfires, and have almost lost my home on multiple occasions due to them. What you had to say about the film made me recall my own memories of having to evacuate from wildfires and the fear I felt when I considered the possibility of everything I owned being turned into ash. Based on what you had to say, the film seems to be extremely well-made, and considering it is about a topic I am very familiar with, I’ll definitely need to see it for myself sometime. Excellent and concise review. Thanks!
11. emshiers 07.18.20 / 9pm

    A family friend of ours lived in Paradise at the time of the fire, she is alright but her home was destroyed. This is a sad tale that happens again and again. The main issue is over 100 years of fire suppression. These environments should burn much more often and by “Playing God” we have made things worse, not better. I love Ron Howard’s work both as an actor and a director/producer. It is interesting that this movie is a true story and back draft was fiction but it still captures the reality of fire.
12. ryanwilliamn 07.18.20 / 11pm

    Hello Larry,
    I loved your review of Rebuilding Paradise. While I have not gotten the chance to see the film, I have more of a reason to now after reading your review of it. The introduction you presented us with was quite gripping and dramatic, befitting of the serious and life-threatening nature of the film. Following the introduction where the family escapes danger into an open and clear area is a simple and great way to foreshadow better things to come. I also think this movie is quite good because of the topic it’s depicting. Fires are unpredictable and dangerous, and the work of fire fighters cannot be understated. This movie is a good way to exemplify how much they mean to our society.
13. Bee Carter 07.30.20 / 9pm

    I very much enjoyed reading your review and I also want to watch this film after reading it. This is my first time reading about a documentary film about fire, and fires are affecting us a lot here in California. I’ve been living in the USA only for two years now, so I have not experienced anything about the wildfires here. I feel so sad of what happened here, so this film is useful to learn about the fire to maybe understand more about the destruction fires create. What made me really sad is your paragraph about the woman who had to give up her pregnancy.
14. Victoria Zarett 09.12.20 / 1pm

    This review was so detailed and well written that I am going to watch this film. The way that Rebuilding Paradise is aligned linearly makes me assume that there weren’t any flashbacks, but there were three parallel stories and a lot of accelerated montage going back and forth with the characters, psychologist, and PG&E. The description of the scenes about the car racing and the wildfire makes me picture editing for intense special effects and close-ups as well as panning to get the entire scene of the catastrophe. Even though the movie sounds incredibly sad you bring hope and light to it by reinforcing the idea that the survivors move forward to rebuild their life.
15. Gavin Herrera 10.15.20 / 2pm

    Hey Larry,

    My grandma lived in Paradise during the fires and she saw some pretty devastating things. Your description of the film was super vivid and I can only imagine what the people there had to experience.
16. Gavin Herrera 10.15.20 / 2pm

    Hey Larry,

    My grandma lived in Paradise during the fires and she saw some pretty devastating things. Your description of the film was super vivid and I can only imagine what the people there had to experience. I think it’s pretty interesting how he was talking to the public about the story in increments of months. I’m also super surprised that PG&E was only charged with manslaughter. I like how you included each part of the movie, it felt like I was picturing everything you wrote while I was reading it. I’m not a huge fan of documentaries but that review definitely makes me want to watch it.
17. Arianna Perez 10.16.20 / 1am

    I have not seen this film yet, but am hoping to watch it soon after reading your review. I like that you included that this story was told in a linear segment. I feel that with a heart-breaking story like this it was a very good idea to avoid jumping around, which could potentially confuse viewers. I can see from your analysis how the film connects to the audience with the use of diegetic, non diegetic elements, and mise-en-scene. Your review also allowed me to paint pictures in my head of what was happening in the film. I was born and raised in California and it is devastating watching your community become victims of wildfires. I liked that the film has a sense of hope as the idea of victims rebuilding their “paradise”. This seems like an amazing film and I really enjoyed your review.
18. Ian Overton 10.23.20 / 2pm

    Hey Larry!
    You did an absolutely fantastic job capturing the ambience and the general feel of the film. Your words are extremely imaginative and paint a clear picture as to the style and the very notions that the film attempts to put forward. Though I am yet to see the film, being a California resident, as I am sure most of us here are, this film strikes home in a pretty surreal way. The use of verite style, as you pointed out, could only serve to heighten the verisimilitude and the rawness of the film.
19. Isaac Briner 11.13.20 / 7pm

    Hello Larry,

    I have never seen this movie but being from California I remember reading and watching these events unfold. I really enjoyed your review, it gives enough detail about the events to intrigue the reader but leaves them wanting know the rest of the story. I like that you were honest with how devastating this fire was but also not leaving it at that, giving the reader hope that there was some sort of redemption. This was a well written review and I look forward to watching the movie.

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