The Assassination of Richard Nixon details the events in the life of Sam Bick, a desperately introverted and socially inept sales man who battles with the daily struggle locating meaning and regaining the power in his life. The film documents the actions and events that lead to the break in the character of an ordinary man that could push him to such extraordinary events. For a man who detested lies he found himself wound in a web of deceit as he attempted to salvage his relationship with his estranged wife and take control of his life as an honest man. Sean Penn delivers an Oscar worthy performance and portrays a sympathetic character with whom the audience is able to sympathise, even to the point where the manic in him begins to recklessly steal the lives of others. The documentary included in the extras section gives even greater insight into the events leading up to the assassination.

In a similar vein, The Manic deals with the lives of a group of adolescents who have been admitted into a psychiatric unit, and are attempting to deal with the daemons in the shadows of their psyches. Filmed in a format designed to represent a documentary The Manic delivers a gritty insight into the difficulties faced by some young people, and how these can have dire consequences for all of those involved with them. Jordan Melamed’s direction is artistic yet hard hitting. The characters are extremely well developed, each invoking empathy and understanding of the trials that they have had to face. The film reaches into the inner depths of the human spirit and examines the experiences that can make or break a soul.

The Corporation is a hard hitting documentary which details the reality behind the phenomenon that is a corporation. From the fact that corporations have the same rights as people to the international destruction that they cause to lives and the environment this film leaves no deception uncovered and no corporation free from scrutiny. This film is an absolute must see. It proves our every fear that the right of the multinational corporation is indeed help higher than the rights of the individual. These multi billion organisations that have no consideration of the law or for mankind are exposed for what they are. The documentary is a raw look at this creation of or time. The extras point out how we as individuals can rage against the machine!

Though seeming an odd combination for a box set the three movies compliment each other in a subtle way. They all appeal to the same audience and make for very informative yet interesting viewing.

Release Date (DVD)

Monday 21 August 2006