Cinema Verite
Dir: Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini
2011
****
Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini's 2011 Cinema Verite reveals the birth of reality TV, all what is wrong with it and then shows a rare example of it leading to a happy ending by telling the (almost) true story of 1973's hit reality show The American Family. Cinema Verite could of had a cinema release rather than just a TV premiere, I think it was more than good enough. The cast all do a fine job and I thought the mix of recreation and real footage was the best I've seen from the genre. Diane Lane and Tim Robbins are great in their roles but it's James Gandolfini who really steals the show, playing lovable and dastardly equally well.

Girl Most Likely
Dir: Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini
2012
***
I'm not too sure what Girl Most Likely has set out to say or is trying to be. Nothing is really resolved as such and every situation is generally answered by an unrealistic but relatively funny scenario. It is funny and if you concentrate on just the humour you won't be disappointed because nothing else really makes sense. Is it supposed to? Well, I don't think the makers intended it not too but I guess silly was deemed more appropriate then preachy and I suppose there is nothing wrong with that especially when you have likable and well performed characters and a fairly punchy script. It's likable nonsense.