Documentary+Review



Sabrina Chipping 10/13/10 __**“Last Minutes with Oden”**__ Director/Editor: Eliot Rausch Director of Photography: Luke Korver and Matt Taylor

Most of you have heard the phase “A dog is a man’s best friend.” The documentary directed by Eliot Rausch displays how true of a friend a dog really is and how much they have touched our hearts and lives. He interprets the story of a man named Jason Wood on his difficult and emotional journey to find the will to let his suffering companion go. In the beginning of this film, Jason refers to his past character as “…just some poor, pathetic guy who made a lot of decisions based on fear.” In other words, he wasn’t proud of the man that he once was because of the poor decisions he had made. Through all this there was one who stayed beside Jason to take it all in with him, his three legged dog Oden. Oden had been diagnosed with cancer and was now suffering in pain. Before his cancer had gotten worse, Oden’s influence of unconditional love and loyalty changed Jason for the better. He learned to love the people around him more from Oden’s example, and to make better decisions in life. When Oden’s cancer became too severe he was given a date to be euthanized. No matter how much it hurt him inside to see his best friend die, Jason knew he couldn’t let Oden live on just for his own comfort. The loss a friend and hero would leave Jason heartbroken but as a better man who could move forward. Jason Wood said that he believed dogs had a universal job to take care of people and bring them together. I am convinced that this is true because I can relate to this through my own dog, Cindy. I noticed now that whenever I spend time with her the whole family is together and we are all happy. Dogs have been known to cure sick people in the hospital just by visiting them to put a smile on their faces every day. Oden certainly changed Jason and the way he lived his life. The strong symbolism that I found in this film is the scene where he is riding his bike through the city. The weather is rainy and ugly, making the setting look gloomy. This scene symbolized that no matter how hard life gets or what obstacles he may encounter, Jason will always be able to keep moving forward. This emotional yet heart-warming story showed how strong the relationship of man and dog can be. To conclude this review is the most touching quote that Jason Wood said. “God is love, and love is God. God was that dog I held.” Excellent Job. Nice use of quotes from the film! 24/24

"Fifty People, One Quetion: Brooklyn" -50 pople from all different backgrounds were asked the same question, where would you like to wake up? -some answered paradise while others said they were happy waking up where they already were. it went from simple and funny responses to complex and emotional ones. -the clips flowed nicely together where the camera went out of focus and then back in. -the music added a calm dreamlike quality -it makes you think about if you are happy where you are now or do you wish to be somewhere else.

"Last Minutes With Oden" -the message of this video was about how powerful the love and relationship between man and animal can be. In this film, the do changed the way he lived his life and how he treated others. -it was told in first person but filmed as though we were seeing it from some else's eyes. -the music makes the atmophere feel emtpy in a way, but you can feel the string emotion withthe way it was filmed

"The Black Hole" -Makes you confused about the meaning of this film and if it really is a dcoumentary. -The message it sends is to not abuse power or that being greedy with power can turn on you. -even if it wasn't really a documentary it was entertaining. -the setting was a typical boring office -some foreshadowing

"The Bully Project" -it is a trailer for a full length film -it is an informative film about how badly bullying can affect one's life e.g a seventeen year-old hung himself because he was bullyed and abused physical and emotionally. -this trailer makes you want to research more about this video and even to go and see it. -some shots were as if you were looking through the eyes of a student who is bullyed or left out.