Product Description
Per its title, James D. Scurlock's virulently angry muckraking documentary Maxed Out examines the many problems associated with escalating U.S. consumer debt.
Product Details
| Creator | Magnolia Pictures |
| Format | Video On Demand |
| Directed By | James D. Scurlock |
| Compatible Devices | TiVo |
| Running Time | 87 minutes |
| Synopsis | Per its title, James D. Scurlock's virulently angry muckraking documentary Maxed Out examines the many problems associated with escalating U.S. consumer debt. Scurlock places his weightiest emphasis on the ends of the spectrum rooted in extreme evil (read: abuse) - such as the capital lenders who wheedle poor farm families into assuming unmanageable loans and college students into placing massive amounts on credit cards. He also touches on the end rooted in extreme tragedy, such as the debtors who sink so far in over their heads that suicide represents the only conceivable out. The film's many interviewees include: Harvard University financial analyst Elizabeth Warren (who pontificates on the lucrativeness of high-interest mortgage banking) and born-again Christian radio host Dave Ramsey, who offers difficult, on-air advice to the fiscally burdened by drawing on his own experiences as a debtor. |
| Title | MAXED OUT |
| Studio | Magnolia |
| Genre | Art House |
| Release Date | 2008-09-01 |
Customer Reviews
film doesn't mention that the nat'l debt is paid to the Federal ReserveReview by civil liberties, 2010-08-17
wow, have some tissues ready when you watch this film. several of these stories are really heartbreaking. i wasn't prepared for that, however i liked the personal stories as opposed to a bunch of stats and abstract discussions about americans in general.
i was bothered by one glaring omission in this film, and that is when the film spoke about the national debt... hey america, answer me this... to whom do we owe this debt? The Federal Reserve that's who. The Federal Reserve which is a private central bank, which prints money out of thin air, loans it to the government, then your and my tax dollars go to pay the interest on that loan back to the FED! It's all a big scam. the constitution provides that congress has the power to print money, but our country has been taken over by a private consortium of banks and it is these bankers that are basically ruling the country. the president answers to them. our gov't issues nothing but bonds and you and i are carrying around fiat paper money that is backed by nothing.
i was dismayed that by the end this film just became an anti-bush piece. now, i don't like bush either. he's about as awful as one gets, but if you think any of the democratic presidents cares more about the average american than repubs then you're just naive and deceiving yourself. go listen to alex jones or david icke and learn some truth.
WATCH the new film "THE SECRET OF OZ" by Bill Still instead. he advocates for a change from our current debt-money system to one geared toward greater prosperity for all, not just for the bankers.
Good information and stories about the Credit Industry
Review by JR Felisilda, 2010-03-23
This DVD had good information and features about handling credit. It would be more impactful if they would update the information that pertains to the new changes in credit that took effect this year (2010).
Seen it and love it
Review by Amber Heimbach, 2010-03-12
I saw this documentary on tv. I was appauld by the outright disregard for human lives. We are no longer people simply numbers in some coporate paycheck. This documentary proves and shows everything we have always feared. That we are in this by ourselves . our only defense is our power as consumers. You want to take down credit card companies? Want to make them care? Hit them where it hurts in their wallets. Dont apply for credit cards. Take the advice from the other reviews too. buy this dvd and pay cash. Its totally worth it.
Content Great, Technical Features Suck
Review by J. Cipriani, 2009-12-25
The material presented in this video is appropriate and totally relevant in today's economy. For content alone, I'd rate this DVD at least a four.
The problem is that the people who produced the technical features of this film are retarded. A common style used in documentaries these days is to show action or live footage and then follow with a screen of printed text to add factual commentaries on the footage. Obviously the producers of this DVD were either too lazy to preview their creation prior to release of the DVD for sale or they were too stupid to notice that the printed text they used was a) too small, b) lettering not at all crisp or clear and c) the use of a highly cursive type font that indicates the technician who created it was at the time under the influence of crack cocaine.
In order to read the pages of text within the movie footage, even if you have 20/20 vision you need to set with your nose about two inches away from the TV screen in order to read it ... and even then it is a struggle.
I mean, come on ... don't DVD producers actually watch their own crappy, shoddy productions before they pawn the junk off on an unsuspecting public?
This is real and true! needed it sooner.
Review by Flower, 2009-12-09
I wish I would have came across this sooner! It is an awesome look inside debt and how it affects families. I thought this dvd was very educational and touching. You must see this. I think it will inform you and help you to start taking steps to either get out of debt or not get into debt. All children, families etc should watch this dvd. Try it you won't be disappointed!
