Know anyone who is swimming in credit card bills? Oh! It’s you? Take “heart”, you’re not alone.

“Maxed Out” tells the story of the credit industry and how they love it when you get in debt up to your ears. Why? Because they make a boatload of money off of most who do!

Through a series of vignettes of ordinary people you see how credit has become a huge problem for individuals and an obscenely profitable sector for banks and other credit institutions.

This full-length documentary also introduces you to a number of “characters” who make their living collecting (or attempting to collect) debts from people who owe all levels of balances.

Weaved into the narrative is the story of two young guys from Minneapolis who run a credit collection agency. The folks who call and repeatedly threaten you with phone calls at 3 AM. They claim to run a “friendly” organization that is only interested in truly finding a way for people to make their payments. Yeah, right!

One of the most gut-wrenching stories is of an older woman from Mississippi who ends up signing away her home based on the fraudulent promises of a banker. The rates are better for a year, but after that her payments go way up, she and her severely retarded 44 year old son end up getting kicked out of their home.

Another story illustrates that credit problems can end up being deadly. Two women attribute the suicides of their daughters to issues stemming from the overuse of their credit cards.

You’ll learn that financial institutions make the most money from people who never pay on time. In fact, they want you to be late so they can charge you enormous fees.

This film came out right before the financial crisis started (early 2007) and gives you a glimpse into a side of the credit industry that few people know or understand. After watching it I had an unquenchable urge to take every credit card out of my wallet and conduct a ceremonial burning. But, of course, I didn’t. Like many people, I need things. Often things I can’t afford. That’s why credit cards were invented, right?

This film should be mandatory viewing for kids starting Junior High. When they get to that age, I’m going to make my kids watch this film more than once. My only hope is that they will end up making smarter choices than I did.

I’d also make it mandatory for current and future members of the House and the Senate. I’m sure they’ll take my advice!

Don’t expect to truly enjoy watching this movie. It’s not particularly well put together. The individual stories are compelling, but it lacks cohesion. But just like castor oil, this film is good for you, and you need to watch it.

The message is spot on. If only this had come out a few years earlier. The house I own is so far under water you need fins and a snorkel to get through my front door. You too? Join the club … or maybe a 12-step program, I’m looking for one myself!

Now, go out find the movie and rent it. But, make sure you don’t pay for it with a credit card!

Ever worried about the information you share on Facebook or other social media sites? .… YOU SHOULD BE!

This film is one of the first to deal with the issue of online relationships and the issues that can result. It’s a film that any and everyone who’s interested in “new media” should see.

The poster for this film has a crudely drawn picture of a fish and the words: “Don’t Let Anyone Tell You What it is.” My guess is that this is an admonition to those who see it not to TELL OTHERS exactly what it’s about. So it makes it a bit tough to review without giving away the movie.

Here is what I CAN tell you.

The film is shot in a documentary, hand-held style. It’s not one where the camera is bouncing all over the place and making you nauseous. This one works.

The main character is Nev Schulman, an artsy photographer from New York city. Nev gets a painting in the mail of one of his photographs. Not bad given that it’s from an 8 year old prodigy named Abby Pierce, from the “bustling metropolis” of Ishpeming, Mich.

Since Abby is clearly too young to be corresponding with a 30 year old guy, her Mom, Angela, serves as their intermediary. Abby has a 19 year old sister named Megan, and Nev falls for her pretty hard. After some pretty intense, sexually charged IMs (instant messages) and phone calls, Nev is hooked.

Their relationship continues to heat up with regular phone contact. As attracted as he is, Nev starts to sense that something is NOT QUITE RIGHT. In order to figure out what’s really going on, he has to find and meet Megan.

Answer: Road Trip!

Nev, along with a few buddies decide to go out to visit the family unannounced. That’s when things get interesting. The pieces of the puzzle start to come together and Nev discovers the REAL story. But is it the REAL story?

As Nev and his buddies search the various addresses they have discovered while investigating online, things don’t add up. Not until they finally locate Abby and her Mom. But what about Megan? She’s nowhere to be found. Where is she?

What are we to make of what Nev has discovered? Will he eventually be able to find Megan and resolve the issue? I can’t tell you. BUT, I can tell you that you’ll get emotionally sucked in. As much as I fought it, they still got to me.

It’s an interesting and compelling story. I’ve seen very few movies I can compare this one to. And I say that in a GOOD way.

When you leave the film you MAY have some answers.

Your answers may differ from mine. That’s why I’m recommending you see Catfish. It’s not your standard Hollywood fare. It’s not even your standard INDIE fare. It’s different and intriguing enough that you should see it.

PS — All of the marketing for this movie makes you think you’re in for a scary thrill ride. NOT true. Weird? Yes! Scary? Not so much.