Amazon.com: Maxed Out: James D. Scurlock, Magnolia Pictures: Amazon Instant Video

Maxed Out

Per its title, James D. Scurlock's virulently angry muckraking documentary Maxed Out examines the many problems associated with escalating U.S. consumer debt.

Directed by: James D. Scurlock
Runtime: 1 hour 27 minutes
Studio: Magnolia


	Amazon Prime now includes unlimited, commercial-free, instant streaming of thousands of movies and TV shows at no additional cost.

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.

Starring: Beth Naef, Mike Hudson

Supporting actors: Louis C.K., Catherine Brown, John Brown, Robin Leach, Luke McCabe, Dave Ramsey, Chris Barrett, Elizabeth Warren, Brandie Broersma, Will Broersma, Bud Hibbs, Janne O'Donnell, Mark Mumma, Trisha A. Johnson, Jon Ballew, Kathy Ballew, David Szwak, Jerry Jarzombek

Directed by: James D. Scurlock

Genre: Documentary

Runtime: 1 hour 27 minutes

Captions and Subtitles: Details

Studio: Magnolia

ASIN: B001F4YOR0

Rights & Requirements

Rental rights: 48 hour viewing period. Details

Purchase rights: Stream instantly and download to 2 locations. Details

Format: Amazon Instant Video (streaming online video and digital download)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

90 of 100 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Don't Leave Home Without It March 24, 2008

By Edwin C. Pauzer VINE™ VOICE

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

The woman looks out at the camera while showing the audience her new home in the making. She tells us how the bank guaranteed her mortgage based on the projected increased value of the house from its original price, after completion. We are told this is the exact same accounting procedure that Enron used.

There are some facts that this DVD makes clear. America, once a country where people were forced to live within their means has become a nation of debtors. Our indebtedness has been encouraged and even exploited by politicians, and credit card companies who tell us they are everywhere we want to be. With the complicity of congress, credit card companies are sapping the financial vitality of the American family.

Almost all politicians have told us that we should continue to consume. If it isn't Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger telling us from the front of an auto dealership that we need a new car, it's George W. Bush who told us after 9/11, to hell with sacrifices--just buy (and get into more debt).

In the 1980's President Ronald Reagan encouraged deregulation. Banks, once unable to operate in other states or float credit cards could now do so. Knowing that we could have something now instead of later was tempting for too many people. As the DVD reveals, the banks found a master marketer who suggested that they have zero percent interest "come-ons."

Then, there was targeting the right population. College kids were especially targeted with free Frisbees, school tee shirts, or any other gimmick that was given just for filling out an application. Calculated in this decision was to lure kids with future income potential and limited current income to make them debtors for life.... Read more ›

22 Comments |

Was this review helpful to you?

Yes

35 of 37 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars mandatory viewing for better money management November 3, 2007

By Matthew G. Sherwin HALL OF FAMETOP 100 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:DVD

The best things in life are free
But you can keep 'em for the birds and bees
Now give me money (that's what I want)
That's what I want (that's what I want)
That's what I want (that's what I want), yeah
That's what I want

Your lovin' gives me a thrill
But your lovin' don't pay my bills
Now give me money (that's what I want)
That's what I want (that's what I want)
That's what I want (that's what I want), yeah
That's what I want

Money don't get everything it's true,
What it don't get I can't use;
Now give me money (that's what I want)
That's what I want (that's what I want)
That's what I want (that's what I want), yeah
That's what I want

People want money. The credit card moguls prey on consumers who don't read the fine print before they sign their lives away; elected government officials including presidents "borrow" money from Social Security; and the average person wants an endless income. As my grandfather used to say, "Rich or poor, it's good to have money."

Maxed Out is an excellent documentary that, although somewhat disjointed, does do a very good job of exploring and explaining to people--in plain English--the risks of too much debt and the responsibilities they must face when it comes time to pay back that debt. We get fascinating interviews with unsuspecting, everyday people who unknowingly were fooled by creditors to become saddled with more debt than they could handle. We also see examples of families shattered when a member of the family actually kills themselves rather than face the shame of debt or bankruptcy. In addition, look for some excellent insights from Elizabeth Warren from Harvard University and former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan....

Maxed Out can be difficult to watch. After all, the stories we learn of are rather sad and unpleasant. We learn of credit card companies so driven to sign anyone up they give out credit cards like candy to college freshmen working a mere 12 hours a week. It's scary. We learn how four consecutive presidents "borrowed" money from social security just to pay interest on government loans and to keep the government open. (Actually, even this failed when the government closed for three days a few years ago.) Ay!

Worse yet, we are introduced to people at collection agencies who rather heartlessly leave messages with relatives and neighbors of the people in debt so that the debtors can be publicly embarrassed about getting a call from a collection agency. The shame is so great that according to Elizabeth Warren a bankruptcy is often referred to as "the event" because people can't bear to hear the word bankruptcy.

Of course, there is the other side of the coin. We see Dave Ramsey, a radio DJ who coaches individual responsibility when it comes to money management. I also had the sense, although the movie did not spell this out, that many parents simply assume that their eighteen year olds would never be given a credit card--and so too many parents never teach their kids about the risks of racking up debt. Parents and schools need to teach lessons about money management very, very carefully.

Overall, Maxed Out is an excellent film that deals with all of the above and more. The DVD also comes with interesting bonuses including another interview with Elizabeth Warren; a 1950's educational film about credit and money management that should still be shown to young students today; and we also get another close look at Dave Ramsey who counsels people on the radio about debt and getting out of it.

I highly recommend Maxed Out for anyone who wants to better understand just how predatory credit card companies can be--and just how much we still need to know about overall money management to avoid much more debt than we could ever repay. This movie also benefits from an excellent soundtrack. Although this subject matter could be dry, the movie keeps it all interesting by also showing interviews with everyday people about their financial problems and other film clips. Read more ›

2 Comments |

Was this review helpful to you?

Yes

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars No easy answers here for difficult financial burdens June 9, 2007

By Kyle Tolle VINE™ VOICE

Format:DVD

`Maxed Out' is an informative although disjointed look at personal and national debt in America. There is a decent amount of interviews given by not only regular victims of credit card debt but also from individuals who are educated in this subject such as consumer advocates and financial experts. A bit more organization in the presentation of material would have been better.

Looking past the shortcomings listed above and concentrating solely on the subject of debt, this program reveals some alarming trends by credit card companies, the government, and corporations that want to part you from your money using whatever means they feel are good for them but not good for you.

Whether it is credit lenders trying to exploit college students or companies trying to induce recent bankruptcy filers to again mire themselves in financial trouble, this is just another day at the office for them, business as usual. When it comes to ethics and professional behavior, it really isn't a big consideration in day to day affairs for some credit card companies and banks. As far as collecting on what you owe them, it is commonplace to experience rude and intimidating behavior from some debt collectors. When it comes to gathering information about a person's credit history and buying practices, there is evidence of data manipulation and disregarding people's rights to privacy in financial affairs.

When looking at numbers too, these don't paint a very pretty picture. Over 4 billion credit card offers a year are sent to the public. Credit card fees have risen 160 percent over the last 5 years. Between 1994 and 2004, over 10 million Americans filed for bankruptcy.... Read more ›

Comment |

Was this review helpful to you?

Yes

› See all 100 customer reviews (newest first)

Write a customer review

Most Recent Customer Reviews

1.0 out of 5 stars Examines Banking from scewed point of view

This is your typical hidden agenda video that tries to scare Americans into believing that the banking system is out to get them. Read more

Published 1 month ago by J. Tamayo

3.0 out of 5 stars Had potential to be more

Movie did have some interesting points but would have been even better if there were more interviews with people in the industry (or formerly in the industry) & more in depth case... Read more

Published 2 months ago by M. Gallagher