Reviews

I was completely unfamiliar with Lil Wayne's rap music before I watched this movie. While I can't say that I am a newly converted fan, I feel that he is undoubtedly an artist in the truest sense. He exists in his own world, makes his art pretty much for himself because he has to, and is utterly dedicated to his art, whether or not anyone else considers it art. The fact that he is a commercial success is just cake. This guy could be doing any other sort of art and be the same person as far as I can tell. He reminds me of another great unique artist, Syd Barrett. I have no idea how harmful his Syzzurup is, I just hope it doesn't kill him and leave the world with another brilliant casualty. He is definitely an "out there", bizarre person, and who knows what he'd be doing if he didn't find a creative outlet. I find him completely fascinating and I was moved by at least a couple of his pieces. I don't care for the p***y and drugs stuff, and I don't know that he really does either, but he sure knows how to apply them to his art. The guy is just a bottomless creative force, and I think it's great that he has an audience. I will definitely try to stay informed about his career.

Why do I love this show?! I crack up non-stop and it's completely absurd! It's brilliant and strangely innocent in its semi-violent soft-porn formulaic presentation. It has a silly charm that most shows will never approach. It's this Japanese game show called 'Takeshi's Castle' messed up and joked on in English translation, each episode is 1/2 hour. I love everything about it, the main characters Kenny, Vic, the Captain, and Guy, plus the gladiator-types, all made to relish their roles, at least in the funny translation. I haven't investigated the straight translation, anyone tried that? I wonder how funny that would seem to me. I also wonder if Japan broadcasts MXC in Japanese, how that would translate, you know? The games are excellent, I especially love 'the rotating surfboard of death'. There's even something I enjoy about the settings, the backdrops, the whole outdoors thing. The costumes are great, the video game graphics used to demo the games, the top 10 most painful eliminations of the day. The dialogue is best of all, brilliantly goofy, Guy's suggestive comments crack me up endlessly, Captain's 'Get it on!', and Vic's 'Right you are, Ken'. Some episodes are better than others, but the basic premise assures a nice constant level of humor. I might be addicted, but fortunately I think it's only on once a week (for three hours in a row, but I don't usually get sucked in for all 6 episodes). 'She's full of spunk! She's spunkalicious!'

I recently viewed Zappa after watching Twist and Shout, they came packaged together on DVD. Both films are absolutely wonderful, great performances, visuals, stories. The three lead actors in Zappa are incredible, but it is the work of Morton Huff as Mulle that really packs an emotional wallop. I am a huge fan of coming of age films, and Scandinavia really turns out some gems. There's something in that snowy socially responsible region that American films can never duplicate without looking completely schmaltzy and emotionally heavy-handed. Something innocent, unassuming, unphony, completely unforced (am I being redundant?). There's a natural style and grace. I feel blessed that films like these exist and lucky to stumble upon them now and then.

A simply amazing film with definite cult status, I can watch this movie over and over, especially when I need to be picked up...it's one of those movies that makes you feel safe and comfortable, just because the Dude makes you feel like everything will work out fine. The movie is hilarious, and there are so many great quotes and characters. It is also one of the few films that makes me think LA might be a nice place to live. The music is excellent, the dream sequences are inspired. I enjoy most Coen brothers films, but this one is truly special. It has such a good flow to it. Often, when I really like a movie, I enjoy the first half hour or so more than the rest. This one is entertaining from start to finish. Jeff Bridges, whom I've often liked in films, has really made one of the greatest characters of all time. The Dude abides. Viva el Duderino!