By Christopher K House

​Stumped was part of the documentary series of the 2017 Milwaukee Film Festival. Always look forward to the festival's doc series and this year is no different. Stumped is the story of film maker Will Lautzenheiser and his personal journey losing his limbs and adjusting to life. Lautzenheiser lost both arms and legs due to complications from staph infection. 

​Intermixed with interviews from Lautzenheiser's friend's and family we get a close look into their lives. Lautzenheiser is chosen to have a donor's arms transplanted onto his own arms. We learn more about limb transplant through interviews with Lautzenheiser's doctors. The thing that is missing is more detail of the emotional journey of when Lautzenheiser became sick and what he and his family went through when he did loose his limbs. It's there, just not the detail that would make us invest emotionally. It's glanced over. 

​One thing that makes a documentary great is one of those "hooks" when something happens to turn the story on it's head. Nothing like that happens here. It's still a fascinating story, it just doesn't have an emotional hook. 

A great doc that captivates  but, doesn't have a hook.

​3 out of 4 stars

By Christopher K House

One of my most anticipated films at the 2017 Milwaukee Film Festival was Lucky. Harry Dean Stanton's final film. Would it be a bittersweet send off to one of Hollywood's most beloved and versatile character actors? Lucky isn't a plot heavy film but more of a character study of an old man named Lucky, a man who goes about his day to day routine like clockwork. One of those guys everyone knows and likes. 

After an incident that sends him to see his doctor, it's found Lucky is in perfect health and is just getting old. It's at this point Lucky starts to realize his own mortality. 

With a great ensemble cast that includes Tom Skerritt and David Lynch, Lucky is the directorial debut of David Caroll Lynch. Lynch's foray into directing is off to a good start. Lynch is another great character actor known for quirky roles in films like Zodiac and TV such as American Horror Story.

There was a bit of sadness behind watching Lucky, knowing Stanton himself passed away very recently at the age of 91. Unable to enjoy the accolades this film will sure to receive. Stanton is the reason to watch. 

With a great ensemble cast and a wit as sharp as a knife, Lucky isn't plot heavy but it makes up for it in charm.


3 out of 4 stars