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kftweedy
Reviews
The Music Lovers (1971)
Not On DVD in the U.S. ?
How can this film NOT be available on DVD in the U.S.? I'd definitely rank it in the top 3 of ALL Ken Russell films (in the same league as "Tommy" and "Mahler") and the combination of visuals and gorgeous Tchaikovsky music is sumptuous beyond belief.
If ever a film deserved a Director's cut (was it a stereo soundtrack ? what's that chance of beefing it up to DD or DTS?) this one is IT!
I recall seeing this in Berkeley, CA at the cinema on University and being totally blown away. That audience was highly appreciative and it's a pity that the world never really "discovered" this excellent film. (The film was good enough to make me really like Richard Chamberlain -- of course I already adored the fabulous Glenda Jackson and the supporting case, in general is also superb!)
The Last Mimzy (2007)
the flip side of Terminator
Instead of scary things coming from the future to assure their future, there are benevolent things trying to 'correct' our course. Lovely abstractions which challenge one to understand how all these pretty triangles "add up". Charming premise, although I'd just as soon kids weren't just flying around so freely in the future world! It's nice to see Timothy Hutton as the loving, yet distracted, father figure and when the story actually causes him to pay a little more attention, he's very effective. The two kids "introduced" in this film are just terrific. (Worry not about the geographic details of getting around the Seattle area -- all pictures based on a locale take liberties with the map for photogenic reasons. Remember "The Sandpiper"? Or "A Summer Place"? Both completely turned the Monterey Peninsula upside-down and backwards!) The DVD is well put-together with lots of extra features for those who crave 'em!
Khachaturian (2003)
Much more than "Sabre Dance"!
Brilliant and insightful, this "documentary of love" tells the life story of the composer from the first person (narration by fellow Armenian Eric Bogasian). Along the way, it exposes the "big lies" of the Soviet experiment and the torment that it put many Soviet artists through. If you're a fan of Aram Khachaturian (even if you've only heard and loved the "Sabre Dance") this is a very illuminating film and well worth your time. If you're completely oblivious of the likes of Khachaturian, Shostakovich and Prokofiev, this is a very worthwhile historical document, laced with terrific archival performances (many which were snuck out of today's Russian Federation). Obviously, for the whole team which put this project together (many Americans with Armenian names in the credits) it was a labor of love and the accuracy which shines through communicates the passion of an artist struggling within a totalitarian regime. Aram Khachaturian the person shines through with a spirit and intensity that is rarely found in typical "bio-pics". Highly recommended.
Queer as Folk (2000)
Bravos all around!
I had the good fortune to be in New Zealand in 2000 when their television channel was playing the Brit series `Queer as Folk'. Our little touring party was riveted to the TV each night that it was on. The only improvement one could have made to that series is now in the `American Queer as Folk': [1] more episodes and [2] American speech (as opposed to the Brit dialects which clearly needed subtitles for an American ear). Where the American version takes place in Pittsburgh (really filmed in Toronto) the Brit version takes place in Manchester and the Manchester accent is one of the most difficult for Americans to hear. If there hadn't been three of us watching (and being able to query `what did he say?') we probably wouldn't have understood the Brit series at all.
I've now viewed the entire first season in the Showtime incarnation. The producers who caused this to happen (in collaboration with the original Brit Russell T. Davies) also engaged a total of 14 writers for the 22 episodes of Series 1 and while there is a certain liquidation of `one voice' writing the overall show holds together. Since I was out of the country for most of the time that the 22 episodes were shown on Showtime, I rented the DVD and watched 3 to 4 episodes ever 2 or 3 nights over the course of about six weeks. (Each disc in the DVD set contains one `special edition' episode. Unlike a lot of films, instead of a `commentary under' approach, the producers and packagers have taken an `insert comment' approach, where observations by the actors and writers interrupt the episode with some pithy comment. I have mixed feelings on the success of this approach, but give them extra credit for trying a difference method of just chatting underneath the action as most other `commentary' editions are done.)
So WHERE'S THE OPINION? Wow, I sure wish I owned stock in the parent company of Showtime. While not quite as active as HBO in made-for-them movies, this series is one brave statement. A lot of my gay contemporaries are somewhat reticent to recommend it to their friends (`it makes all gay people seem like they are totally sex-driven and debauched' is the major common concern), it has reached `party status' where various folks gather to enjoy the new episodes together. In many a city and town, it is quite the gay social thing to tape the Sunday episode off a satellite feed and play it on Sunday night to the delight of the Showtime-impaired, and much hooting and hollering is heard amongst the clanking of drinks. If ONLY gay life were this merry!
The `explicit' sex scenes are beautiful shot, for the most part. While `Queer as Folk' (at least in Series 1) represents the two sides of gay sex (anonymous and handy versus `in love' and committed) the show also takes on issues of parental disapproval, coming to grips with aging/dying disapproving parents, discrimination in school as well as basic human relationship concerns that span the gay-straight `barrier'.
As much as the other Showtime premier series `Tale of the City' this effort, in my humble opinion, represents a unique combination of bravery (by the network), sensationalism and marketing. It is quite telling that none of the major four networks would have touched this project with the proverbial ten-foot pole, even if the executives showed the slightest interest (which they didn't). Only Showtime and HBO have the wherewithal to grant artistic license to the production team while also keeping the series spiritually intact. Bravo to all involved!
Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain (2001)
One of the most delightful films of the past 5 years!
Wow! Why can't the US makes films as totally joyous and fun as this one? Hard to believe that ANYONE could make it, given the number of separate shots (an animated postcard talks to the main romantic interest in FOUR separate frames at once) and the sheer exuberance of the whole film.
Don't miss it!
Más que amor, frenesí (1996)
A fun romp/thriller that spoofs a lot of tired ideas
I caught this film while in Australia on their excellent SBS channel (which provides its own subtitles and pre-screening warnings). I was impressed with the pacing, content, and general freeness of the notions expressed, all while playing the universal theme of people wanting to be loved. The gay blond (Alberto) is needful and trying too hard and getting connected with all the WRONG men, YeYe is wildly in love with a gigolo, Maria is a mad-cap redhead (out of a bottle that is WAY over on the left side of the shelf) with a heart of gold and her own secret crush on a neighbor boy who (of course) insists on telling her all his sexual conquests (naive though they are) with other women. Add to this a murder investigation, a bit of underworld sexual business (as lesbian madam who uses the gigolo character to 'train' her 'staff'), and three totally over-the-top drag queens (and some of the tightest, rapid-fire writing of that genre) and you have a totally fun film. Yes, it is challenging and drug-filled (and therefore, probably not for the kiddies) but it is also a slice of life and masterful film-making. Invest the time if you are in the mood for a comedy. Invest the time if you are in the mood for a 'comedy /drama / thriller' (not many of those). You won't be disappointed.
Magnolia (1999)
A totally gripping and thoroughly worthwhile cinema experience!
I hadn't gotten around to seeing "Magnolia" when it was in the theatres, but I'd heard some good things about it. I was not prepared for the depth of vision and strength that the combination of the script, cinematography, music underscore, art direction and directing that vision film-maker Anderson has pulled together in this film. The DVD presentation is also a beaut! Two discs (one completely filled with background material) and a video transfer than simply shines! The performances by William H. Macy (and real-life spouse Felicity Huffman as a relatively minor character), the incredible Jason Robards, totally surprising Tom Cruise (an intensity he probably hasn't reached in years), the incredibly talented Julianne Moore. Add to these, terrific supporting performances by Philip Seymour Hoffman, Melinda Dillon, Philip Baker Hall and even Henry Gibson (remember him from "Laugh In"?) and you've got a rollicking romp of a film.
Just when you think the ending is heading for some sort of wild conclusion, Anderson takes a wild left turn (don't give it away!) and the film leaves you slack-jawed. This is what film-making is all about!