This was an amazing cinematic achievement for the region where it originated. Overall the piece sparks interest in several different characters but never fully develops or explores any individual instead opting to focus on the group dynamics at play leaving the underlying storylines as secondary. The only point where this film gets extremely difficult to watch is when the night scenes occur and you are left wondering what is happening only given gratification through auditory stimulation. The cultural exploration is in depth and the subject of the film illuminates a very historically important content in palestinian/israeli history. I recommend this film for its historical and region specific cinematic achievements, though i found myself bored by the end.
Reviews
6 Reviews
Christmas on Earth
(1963)
psychadellic soft core 'bores' audiences
3 November 2003
First off I want to say I felt this movie was total trash and I saw it as tripped out porn rather than experimental film in any analytical sense. The overall tone is that of sexual ambiguity and possibly may exhibit overtones of racial ambiguity and/or blurring all of these lines. The two main figures in the first two thirds of the film are in full body paint with various physical features illuminated by contrasting paint colors. The woman is covered in black with white circles around her breasts and stomach as well as highlighting various features of her face. The man is covered in white, with black streaks across his chest and face and black covering his genitalia entirely. These two in juxtaposition almost comes off as a mockery of tribal rituals, especially when they are rhythmically undulating in a close proximity to each other, this is the only point in the film i found at all interesting.
A series of superimposed shots, due to two reels, progresses for the early part of the film saying nothing, and existing as trippy genitalia in 'motion' exhibit. I almost found something appalling about the consistent and heightened representations of flaccidity in the early part of the film but i must say the later erect circus was not highly flattering either. One thing I found interesting in the film is that alongside using the painted stomach and breasts of the woman as a sort of cartoon character, the genitalia become characters as well. In my opinion this film only exists as art because one, the editing style, and two, the way the human body is used as a moving canvas. I will give Barbara credit for that one! One thing i noted during the viewing of this film was that it was either made as a retort to the soft-core porin industry, or as a statement of rebellion against well-composed images, sensibility, and popular culture.
The only theme apparent to me in Christmas, is that of ambiguous identity. This is accomplished through body makeup, 'unassigned' genitalia, superimposition of 'man' and 'woman' imagery atop one another (which can be seen as a disconnected coitus), and also by the gay soft core at the end of the film. The man on man action that concludes the film is the most obscure and unexplained part to me. For one it seems completely unnatached to the rest of the film stylistically. In no way did this film offend me, I just found it pointless and not particularly creative in any way, at least not in a sense that i would care to indulge or sympathize with.
A series of superimposed shots, due to two reels, progresses for the early part of the film saying nothing, and existing as trippy genitalia in 'motion' exhibit. I almost found something appalling about the consistent and heightened representations of flaccidity in the early part of the film but i must say the later erect circus was not highly flattering either. One thing I found interesting in the film is that alongside using the painted stomach and breasts of the woman as a sort of cartoon character, the genitalia become characters as well. In my opinion this film only exists as art because one, the editing style, and two, the way the human body is used as a moving canvas. I will give Barbara credit for that one! One thing i noted during the viewing of this film was that it was either made as a retort to the soft-core porin industry, or as a statement of rebellion against well-composed images, sensibility, and popular culture.
The only theme apparent to me in Christmas, is that of ambiguous identity. This is accomplished through body makeup, 'unassigned' genitalia, superimposition of 'man' and 'woman' imagery atop one another (which can be seen as a disconnected coitus), and also by the gay soft core at the end of the film. The man on man action that concludes the film is the most obscure and unexplained part to me. For one it seems completely unnatached to the rest of the film stylistically. In no way did this film offend me, I just found it pointless and not particularly creative in any way, at least not in a sense that i would care to indulge or sympathize with.
The Royal Tenenbaums
(2001)
One of the top 5 films of 2001
7 October 2002
This most recent edition from the brilliant minds of Wes Anderson and Owen Wilson is pure comic genius. There was not a single moment throughout this film where i was not dazzled with brilliant visuals and cinematography, amazing and witty writing, and superb acting. The film tells the story of a disfunctional family of child prodigies, allowing us to witness the most obscure and simultaneously commonplace events within their life. This masterpiece is a post-modern rollercoaster that will leave you contemplating your viewing experience for days to come. I reccomend for anyone who respects film as an artform to see this movie.
Waking Life
(2001)
visual ecstasy with a philosophical mind trip
5 November 2001
This film is one of the most amazing animated films i have seen in quite some time. Watching this film is like being drunk in a psychological headlock... I'm not quite sure if i caught everything the first time around... I'll have to go back to see it a second time. A must see for any animation fan.
Wild Wild West
(1999)
This is the worst movie I have ever seen and I have seen alot of movies!
17 March 2001
This movie is officially the worst movie i have ever seen. Basically this movie is Will Smith in his third Alienesque movie just sucking horribly. Will Smith is a great actor but he needs to learn that some scripts should just never be made! This movie was extremely lame and when viewing it in the theater I almost got up and left which i have never done because after all it cost an arm and a leg to get in. I stuck it out and this movie is now the worst movie I have ever seen. Nobody should be forced to suffer through this pile.
Tank Girl
(1995)
This movie is hilarious and deserves at least one look over by all.
31 January 2001
Where do I begin? First of all Lori Petty and Malcolm McDowell, how can we go wrong? Sexy Lori Petty takes on the most powerful force left in the world, Water and Power led by Malcolm McDowell. She seeks help from a mutant army of kangaroo men (the Rippers) including Ice-T clad in Ripper gear, to help her get back her friend from WP. The movie is filled with beautiful comic animation interwoven with witty one liners and cyber punk clothing. This movie is totally pro-feminism and the girl kicks butt! All i gots to say is "Pa-pa-pa-Pow!" Give it a look over!
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