Magic Review:Zeitgeist

It is not very often that a documentary comes along which makes you question your personal values and beliefs but Zeitgeist does just that. This is not your Michael Moore going on a rant about George W, this doco is not only thought provoking but it seems to be well researched and the delivery is just superb.  The Documentary is broken into 3 parts. The 1st part is called "The Greatest Story Ever Told" and focuses on the Jesus-Myth theory which presents an interesting question on whether Jesus really did exist. This is achieved by explaining the similarities between historical figures, the sun, astrology, the 12 s Dionysys igns of the Zodiac & its relation to many aspects of the Bible. For example it shows many figures throughout history such as Krishna (Indian God 900BC), Horus (Egyptian God 3000 BC), Attis (Greece 3000BC),(Greece 500 BC), Mithra (Persia 1200 BC) who have many similarities to Jesus such as being born on December 25th, born of a virgin, was a child prophet at the age of 12, died and was resurrected. It talks of astrology and how it relates to Jesus' birth sequence. For example in the Bible when Jesus is born there is a bright star in the east. The narrator explains that on December 24th a star (known in astrology as Sirus) in the east aligns with a series of three stars know today as they always have been as " The Three Kings". This in effect relates to the bible which states that when the birth occurs a star shines bright in the east which lead Three Kings to Nazareth to find the baby Jesus.  This is just one example of a huge amount they give and is very fascinating and as I have stated very thought provoking. The 2nd part of the documentary is called "All the world's a stage" focuses on the perceived cover up of 9/11 and the Pentagon attacks by the United States Government. It puts forward the notion that the Twin towers were actually imploded from within causing them to fall the way they did. They interview a variety of fire man and other public officials whom back up the theory. I should point out that I do not necessarily agree with all the theories presented however I find them very engaging. The 3rd part labelled "Don't Mind The Men Behind the Curtain" talks of how the Reserve Bank of America was set up by families such as the Rockafellers and the JP Morgans. Part 3 outlines how they conspired to manipulate the money and credit market which led to chaos and the need for a federal monetary regulator. It shows how the bank was set up by parties at a secret location known as Jekyll Island in Georgia, USA.  Further it looks at war profiteering by some of the major banks as well as defense and military groups. It states how the groups seek to gain control of the public in order to create a world power. It puts forward the argument that Federal Income Tax is actually Unconstitutional which is very well researched.

This is one of the best Documentaries I have ever seen and will be passing it on to everyone I know. 

Magic Rating: 9.5/10

Magic Review: You Kill me

I know this movie came out a little while ago however I feel that it is necessary to give it the attention it truly deserves. Sir Ben Kingsley (Gandhi) plays an alcoholic hitman Frank Falencytzk who kills for the polish mob in upstate New York. When he falls asleep on an important job he is sent to San Francisco to dry out. I don't think I would have any objections when I make the statement that Sir Ben is possibly the best actor on the planet. Anyone that can play Mahatma Gandhi and then come out and play the frightening physchopath Don Logan in Sexy Beast (2000) is pure brilliance. The film also offers some good supporting roles such as the always funny Luke Wilson (Old School) who plays a typical San Francisco gay that becomes Frank's AA sponsor and Tea Leone (Spanglish) who plays a very dry San Francisco executive and there relationship becomes very comical. I would urge all parties to go and enjoy this very clever and funny movie which also stars Dennis Farina (Get Shorty) as the Irish mob boss. Kingsley is pure gold in this role and after looking at the average rating it received  on the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes, I feel that people need to not take this movie to seriously as although midly violent at times it has a comedic theme throughout the whole film.

Magic Rating: 7.3/10

Magic Review: You Don't Mess With The Zohan

Happy Madison's newest production of "You Don't mess with the Zohan" starring Adam Sandler is a funny yet hardly believable satire about an Israeli counter terrorist who flees to New York City with hopes of becoming a successful hairdresser. This is a funny tale however the similarities between Zohan and Borat although only subtle leaving the viewer sometimes wondering where the idea came from. The all star writer cast of Judd Aptow (Knocked up -2007) and Robert Smigel (Saturday Night Live) do a great job of using humour as a vehicle to show audiences the underlying conflict between Israel and the Palestine, especially in mid town New York. The Performance of Rob Schneider (Deuce Bigalow Male Gigalo -1999) as a bitter and twisted Palestinian who has it out for Zohan and plots against him, is the streamline of the film. Cameos from Mariah Carey and Michael Buffer (yes I know odd) add to the movies overall quirkiness. Zohan is a light hearted satire but the question could be raised whether it would be more suited to a Saturday Night Live skit rather than drag it out over 2 hrs.

Magic Rating: 5.5/10