Series 7: The Contenders

IMDB
First time viewed: No
Current Release: No
Watched With: Jordan, Amberly

This movie is 10 years old and yet it is more timely than ever. The reality tv crazy has showed no signs of slowing. This was a favourite of mine in my high school years. A wonderfully dark satire of of the genre that plays scarily authentic.

Daniel Minahan went on from this to direct some of my favourite episodes of HBO television. I always get excited when his name comes up. The reason I remembered his name was because of this film and the great commentary track that came on the dvd.

The recreation of reality tv conventions is apt and allows for some great characters and delightfully forced drama. I think it works as both an authentic homage and a parody, it really just depends on the viewers interpretation.

I love the use of dramatic reenactments and that the entire climax of the film takes place without the real actors. Throughout the film you can imagine the producers of the show twisting the events to make them more entertaining so that by the time it gets to the end you doubt completely the reality of what you are seeing. Especially when Will Arnett shows up. That's the 2nd film tonight he cameos in!

Great to watch this again after so many years.