jrbrowzer

"Last Breath" is a film that creeps up on you. It begins as a diver in peril trauma and ends up as a primer in the value of human life. The true-life story surrounds a group of oceanic pipe repair technicians and their above-ocean ship team who encounter some real foul weather resulting is one being trapped on the ocean's floor. The film moves forward as the mother ship and bell team work to save the diver or recover his body. Along the way the film develops its humanity and we see the importance of them saving this one person. In today's disposable society we often forget the value of life, but Last Breath reminds us that each breath is a gift. I wasn't prepared for the emotions which arose while seeing this film, but I was glad they were still there in today's crazy, numbing world.

"Katrina: Come Hell and High Water" provides a deafening look at the catastrophe that overtook New Orleans in 2005. The first two episodes provide a laser-sharp analysis of the disaster - before, during and after. I re-learned a lot I had forgotten about, especially how some people had no recourse to leave. The results obviously were devastating. I was amazed by the resiliency of the people of New Orleans, a city I love. The third episode gets muddled in some racial and who can we blame sidebars that have little to do with the hurricane. That said, it is an important documentary about the forces of nature and the fabric of society which when weakened easily tears.

I was pleasantly surprised to hap upon "Macabre," a William Castle suspense horror piece. The plot surrounds a parent's attempt to find his missing daughter who is buried alive somewhere while the clock ticks away - literally. The movie kept me on my toes trying to figure out which character was responsible for the nastiness (none of them are the most pleasant), and Jim Backus played a bad guy quite well. (I was waiting for a "Lovie" to creep in there somewhere, but alas no). There is an air of creepiness amidst all the drama and the ending makes total sense. I don't think Castle ever got credit for the role his movies played in defining horror. Macabre is a nice addition to that.