Cute Overload

The Film “Etre ed Avoir” or “To Be and to Have” DVD NYV 023 is perhaps the cutest film in our collection. This is as a result of our not having “Milo and Otis” which is the trump card of cute films. The film revolves around George Lopez, a teacher in a one room school house, and his students. The reasons it is so darn cute are as follows:

-The children, 3-11, are French and consequently speak French. Thus cuter being that is a well know fact that children speaking a language other than your own is cuter than children speaking your language. French speakers fear not these kids are cute enough on their own and do not need the heightened cuteness.

-One of the kids name is Jojo.

-One of the kids name is Axel.

-Lopez talks to the kids like they are adults.

-Kids driving tractors.

-When the kids are sledding one of them runs into another in a cute way not in a sad way.

-In the extras the children recite poetry. Cuteness ensues.

All cuteness aside this is a beautiful documentary about a wonderful teacher who is sure to inspire all those who work with kids especially those in the teaching field.

Reviewed by Anna

King Corn (DVD BFI 051)

I had been meaning to watch this documentary for a while, but I didn't get around to it until I stumbled upon its screening at the Media Center's Dawg Daze's film festival in Allen Auditorium.

It's a nice little film depicting the history and lifecycle of corn, sometimes with the use of cute animations. The film follows two friends as they return to their roots and explore the significance of corn in their lives. It addresses the following questions:

• How long will it take to plant 30,000 seeds of corn?
• How can I make my own high fructose corn syrup?
  
• Should cows be fed corn or grass?
  
• What is the relationship between Iowa farms and fast food restaurants?
  

I've been wary of high fructose corn syrup in beverages for a while, but I didn't realize how many other food products corn gets into. While almost anything is fine in moderation, it does seem that Americans tend to overdo it with the corn. I just came back from the Netherlands where colas were made with sugar instead of corn syrup. I'm not sure if that's actually better or not ... but it does make me wonder if there's a correlation between corn syrup and height/weight proportions. The film doesn't address how corn is used in other countries, though.

Immediately after watching King Corn, my co-worker pointed out the following commercials that were just put out by the Corn Refiners Association. There are some pretty good spoofs on YouTube.

Reviewed by Cecilia