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In the Darwinian logic of the boxoffice, the ruling principle tends to be the survival of the fattest rather than of the fittest which is why the 135m Pearl Harbor see review opposite, bloated colossus of allAmerican idiocy, will no doubt thrash all comers. By contrast, the Contenders are too intent on survival to ingratiate themselves Survivors catchphrase Trust no one becomes literal.

Even so, the weeks interesting film stands every chance of holding its own if Pearl Harbor is lumbering, peabrained rex, then Daniel Minahans lowbudget satire Series 7 The Contenders is smart, vicious velociraptor, leaner, faster and incomparably more entertaining. Besides, they have no control over the cameras representation of them. Minahans film is opportunism in the best sense, as witty in its ofthemoment sensationseeking as the exploitation quickies that Roger Corman used to make. When first drafted, the surprised contestants are captured in freezeframe, fixed into cartoon versions of themselves tough guy, ingenue, crazy old coot …

Besides, they have no control over the cameras representation of them. In the Darwinian logic of the boxoffice, the ruling principle tends to be the survival of the fattest rather than of the fittest which is why the 135m Pearl Harbor see review opposite, bloated colossus of allAmerican idiocy, will no doubt thrash all comers. Minahans film is opportunism in the best sense, as witty in its ofthemoment sensationseeking as the exploitation quickies that Roger Corman used to make.

Its opportunistic in another sense Series feeds off, and mimics, the object it despises the reality TV game show in which six contestants are randomly chosen and forced to take part they must hunt each other down until only one is left alive. Minahans film is opportunism in the best sense, as witty in its ofthemoment sensationseeking as the exploitation quickies that Roger Corman used to make.

So what, though, if Series is not stand alone novelty? Television satire aside, it offers other disturbing resonances. And what is anyones incentive to survive one series if they must then repeat their ordeal in the next? The pure absurdism gives Series an existential spin it points out that we all try to control our fates, to live like champs, yet are always subject to the possibility that someone with madder agenda might ruin everything our plans.

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