If I haven't proven it to you yet, it's time to believe it now. Documentaries don't have to be boring, and Freakonomics is a perfect example (of not being boring).
Some of the most talented documentarians in the business have gathered together to bring the popular book Freakonomics by Stephen Dubner and Steven Levitt to life and help explore the proposition that statistics can help prove, explain or determine human behavior.
While that sounds dry and the possible subject of an educational film you would see on The Simpsons, our directors, each using his or her own style, tackle each challenge in the most engaging way possible, whether that be with laughs, or shockingly dramatic storytelling.
Freakonomics is broken up into several segments, and my favorite has to
be Alex Gibney's investigation of cheating and corruption in Japanese
Sumo Wrestling. It's the Japanese version of the Steroid Scandal as
Gibney walks us through the history of Sumo Wrestling and its role in
Japanese culture, while explaining how the discovery was made. It's
heartbreaking, yet, Gibney also portrays the participants in a
sympathetic light that all of us can understand.
Some segments invite great controversy, like Eugene Jarecki's look at possible ties between abortion and dwindling crime rates, while others, like Morgan Spurlock's piece about how your name impacts your future, are guaranteed to make you giggle.
Freakonomics is a movie for those of you who like to fill out the crossword puzzle or play Sudoku daily, or anyone who is willing to turn on their brain a little bit while chomping on some popcorn.
3 Waffles (Out of 4)
Freakonomics is rated PG-13 for elements of violence, sexuality/nudity, drugs, and brief strong language.
Some segments invite great controversy, like Eugene Jarecki's look at possible ties between abortion and dwindling crime rates, while others, like Morgan Spurlock's piece about how your name impacts your future, are guaranteed to make you giggle.
Freakonomics is a movie for those of you who like to fill out the crossword puzzle or play Sudoku daily, or anyone who is willing to turn on their brain a little bit while chomping on some popcorn.
3 Waffles (Out of 4)
Freakonomics is rated PG-13 for elements of violence, sexuality/nudity, drugs, and brief strong language.
