Resolved (2007)

Wow, this is a REALLY bad movie!

Too much of everything

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

I saw this movie before reading any reviews, and I thought it was very funny. I was very surprised to see the overwhelmingly negative reviews this film received from critics.

What an incredibly fascinating documentary. I'm in high school debate at a school much like the ones shown- yes, we're in Texas- and the story shown is scarily accurate. It's more than entertaining to see the more unusual aspects of debate highlighted, like foot-tapping and spreading.For those who oppose spreading, that's understandable, but in many ways, it's necessary. Debaters are always told to decide for themselves how they should present their case, depending on the type of judge they have. In a round in which everyone can understand each other, a fast pace simply means more arguments and evidence. It definitely isn't ideal for the average person to comprehend, but as for training speech and eloquence, it is more helpful than imaginable. You have no idea how concise and clear your arguments and everyday speaking becomes after training to speak coherently at hundreds of words per minute. Also, you gain a well-developed sense of self-being and confidence from speaking on issues that are very much applicable to the real world.However, I very much agree with the kids from the urban league, because debate nowadays is focused far too much on the structure of debate- topicality, etc.- which only detract from the true debate. It's less of an argument on theories and morals and more of an argument of if the other team follows the rules or not. Ridiculous impacts are named to win rounds, and the experience strays from true intellectual discussion. If there is anything I could change about debate, it would be the easy ways out; using cheap tricks to win rounds and avoid ideological debate does NOT mean that you are a good debater.Either way, this movie is fantastic, and it's easily watched. For those who think debate is boring, check this out and think again. :]

A few years ago, while Mr. Whiteley was shooting for my husband in Portland, Oregon, we asked him what projects he was developing. He excitedly told us about Resolved and its concept. This was an idea he had working for quite some time. New York Doll had yet to be conceived. Jim is way off with his inflammatory remark that Mr. Whiteley is a THIEF. The time frame makes that impossible. New York Doll and Resolved are both unique, brilliant accomplishments. Mr. Whiteley has incredible talent, finds passion in the otherwise mundane. An old, washed out rock star brings tears to my eyes. Debate ... well would you ever? And, would I ever go to see another film about debate? Well, now I would. Please, Jim, proudly continue with your project as I, for one, welcome films aimed for the above 90 IQ.

After viewing (and buying) Greg Whiteley's first film - New York Doll, I was eager to see his newest project. However, never having been involved in debate myself, and never really seeing the draw of it, I was a little uncertain of how much I'd truly like the film. Once I saw the first trailer for the film, I was even more uncertain. Seriously - who talks like that?! And who can understand them??! If this was the whole movie, I might well be lost. I decided to give the film a chance, though, since I wasn't a fan of rock music and had never heard of the New York Dolls before I saw New York Doll, but I fell in love with that story. I decided to trust Mr. Whiteley, and I'm glad I did. There's a reason this film won the Audience Choice award at the Los Angeles Film Festival. You truly grow to care about the students in this story, and want them to be successful in this most competitive of worlds. When you get the chance (hopefully this film is picked up for distribution soon and we can all see it in the theatre), GO SEE THIS FILM. You'll be happy you did.

I am stunned at the comment about this movie posted by Jim Crotty. Has he even seen this film? I have and I can say it is pure genius . . . not even close to the knock-off that Crotty makes it out to be. Whiteley earned his street cred with the thoroughly original New York Doll (Sundance) and has outdone himself with his latest documentary, which has received glowing reviews (Variety, the Hollywood Reporter and Cinema Without Borders to name a few).In Resolved, Whiteley uses high school debate—a world that is fascinating in its own right—as a vehicle to explore the equally fascinating lives of a handful of kids who participate in debate. The struggles (with life in general and with the debate community) of two inner city debaters from Long Beach Jordan High School are the heart of the film. Has Crotty even met these kids? If he claims that Whiteley stole his idea to follow these two kids, then he might have a point but his posting seems to suggest that he thinks he has a monopoly on documentaries about inner-city kids that debate, which is a truly audacious claim.It does seem coincidental that Whiteley also named his pic Resolved but, as a former debater, this shouldn't surprise anyone since, as I recall, the first word spoken in every high school debate round is "Resolved." There is so much more to Whiteley's film than the name. If Crotty has a great film about debate in the works, I would love to see it and am not terribly concerned about what he calls it. As for Whiteley's film, it is as gripping and authentic as they come.Perhaps we can get Whiteley to chime in on how he arrived at the name?