BootDigest Such a frustrating disappointment

Comwayon A Disappointing Continuation

Portia Hilton Blistering performances.

Dana An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

pdiepersloot Murder mysteries as a genre, so it seems, has gained significant momentum over the past few years. Netflix acts as an active supporter of the genre seeing it has recently produced series like The Keepers which proved extremely succesful. The Jinx is yet another mystery crime documentary series which explores multiple murder cases and the people possibly involved in it. This tendency therefore quickly brings to mind a documentary like A Thin Blue Line which, in my opinion, could be seen as the blueprint for these new Netflix series. What the abovementioned documentaries all have in common is its use of reenactments resulting in an overt dramatization of the displayed themes and storylines. Yet whereas normally the use of reenactments in documentaries might seem questionable, it is within these documentaries that I believe it serves as to illustrate more clearly the inconsistencies surrounding the given suspects and stories. So instead of using it as a way to show what (theoretically) has happened according to the filmmakers, it rather serves as a tool to communicate the flaws surrounding the existing theories about the given events. Its used as a means to pose questions, not answers. It is for this reason that, in my opinion, the documentaries' credibility is by no means undermined. Moreover, further research concerning any of these documentaries does not result in contradictory findings as is the case with another murder mystery documentary series produced by Netflix; Making a Murderer. Surrounded by inconsistencies, irregularities and questionable evidence this documentary proofed to have taken a few liberties with their findings. The Jinx, as noted, does however build a surprisingly strong case against Robert Durst without its evidence being disputed by other sources. And its not like these other sources don't get the oppurtunity to present the case in favor of Robert Durst. Even Durst himself has the oppurtunity to explain what has happened and how he was (or wans't) involved. However during the six-episode series a pattern slowly emerges which undeniably lead to one single conclusion. The documentary surely offers an interesting portrayal of a man caught up in allegations and trials. Furthermore it offers psychological insight into a man who has been subject of many investigations in the past 30 years. And last but not least I find the images produced to be of absolute importance for the world to see. That being said I must conclude that its the story which makes it a great documentary. Not by way of its storytelling for it mostly shows talking-heads, offers little archive material of evidence, and fails to capture the gruesomeness to some extent. Nonetheless the story itself intriques and just screams to be told. Hopefully it is not too late.

room102 A 4.5 hours HBO investigation/court documentary split into 6 episodes (or chapters).This is a fascinating documentary by Andrew Jarecki, who also directed "Capturing the Friedmans (2003)" - one of the best court documentaries I've ever seen. It also tells the real life story of the man on which the movie "All Good Things (2010)", also directed by Jarecki, is loosely based.Like in two other amazing investigation/court documentaries - those about serial killer Aileen Wuornos and the West Memphis Three - this is another example where the filmmaker finds himself getting involved in the story and having a direct and major affect on the case.If you haven't heard about this in the news, you might want to avoid reading about the case before watching the documentary - although I did read about it (and then recalled the news several months ago) and it didn't spoil the fascination of watching it.The documentary follows the life of Robert Durst, who is the son of the late Seymour Durst, one of New York's richest real estate investors and developers. For years Robert has been suspected of killing 3 people: His wife, his female friend, and his neighbor. However, he always managed to "walk between the drops without getting wet".The film has tons of material, showing old footage, evidence, interviews with the people, reenactment of events, actual footage from court,and amazing of all - interviews and full cooperation from Robert Durst himself.Each episode focuses mainly on one thing. Starting from episode 4 you'll be glued to your chair. Episode 5 is where the filmmakers themselves are getting into their own documentary and becoming a part of it. I don't want to "spoil" anything for you, but episode 6 is simply amazing. You can't invent stuff like that. The very last minute is simply something that is taken from the movies.

Karl Ericsson This is, with little doubt, the most boring piece of idiocy I almost watched entirely. I understand that there must be some significant difference between me and the general public in the USA. For sure, I cannot understand how a poor person in America can vote on anything but the communists, out of spite if for no other reason. John Steinbeck wrote that the poor in America look at themselves as temporarily embarrassed millionaires and if that is possible then I guess the raving reviews that this film has gotten is possible too. Somebody has to issue a warning, so I'm doing it. If you buy this film, you cannot blame me. Where lies the fascination that some people seem to have for this garbage? Are they surprised that there are killers in a system of competition, in which only the most evil can succeed? A good person cannot see his fellow human beings as opponents and subsequently a good person has no chance to make it in the USA. I guess, most Americans don't know that. What could have been told in half an hour or less, is stretched out to more than 4 hours (or was it even 5?). Every idiot has their say. The only thing that could have saved this film - well,almost - would have been if he was innocent without a doubt and the guilty person would have been somebody you never even heard about before.

kumpfcorey I don't typically watch documentaries and many I often find boring. I also don't typically write reviews. The Jinx however, is the most compelling and dramatic thing I've ever seen. On one side it has the feel of a featured film murder mystery like Gone Girl. Almost seeming written, and even features an amazing intro and theme song similar to True Detective. On the other side you acknowledge this is actually a documentary, and the interviews from the man himself are chilling. For lack of a better comparison , It's like an episode of Dateline NBC on super steroids and 10 times more interesting. I love how it was broken into separate episodes rather than a lengthy one piece.This gives them the ability to leave cliff hangers for the next episode and that makes you want to binge watch(which I did). This series also leaves you wanting more, and you'll find yourself searching the internet for other details about Robert at the case itself. This puts anything else that calls itself "reality television" to shame. Overall, I find it to be more powerful and dramatic than anything I've ever watched in a feature film or on television.