What a fun show! It collects an eclectic mix of stories loosely centered on clothing. Loosely, indeed -- the first segment (very amusing) is about nudists who find fulfillment in the absence of clothes. Other segments are equally interesting and entertaining. I was leery of a bit about a codpiece but through it discovered the terrific, forgotten saxophonist Timmy Capello who played with Tina Turner and other stars. Give this show a chance and you'll be delighted.
Reviews
10 Reviews
Just Gender
(2013)
Lucid and Engaging
2 July 2016
This documentary is clear and educational. It presents many of the complexities of being transgender. It starts with definitions of various gender identities and expands into the many struggles people have with gender. Many of the troubles are unknown to the average person; the film describes them accurately, which is a public service.
First-hand interviews convey information in an engaging manner. The speakers are appealing and admirably candid. It's hard not to empathize with people who have suffered when their hardships are written on their faces. The narration by Emmy & Tony award-winner Bebe Neuwirth is excellent. This film needs to be seen by more people. It creates valuable knowledge which is a potent antidote to ignorance and hatred.
First-hand interviews convey information in an engaging manner. The speakers are appealing and admirably candid. It's hard not to empathize with people who have suffered when their hardships are written on their faces. The narration by Emmy & Tony award-winner Bebe Neuwirth is excellent. This film needs to be seen by more people. It creates valuable knowledge which is a potent antidote to ignorance and hatred.
Hitler's Children
(2011)
The Sins Of Our Fathers
16 February 2014
This film is fascinating, profound and moving. It raises important moral issues and shakes many conventional beliefs.
How should we view crimes committed by our parents and ancestors? At what point do our ancestors' acts forfeit our natural (and culturally-encouraged) love for them? Should we even face the facts of their choices and lives? The documentary addresses these issues in the starkest case: by speaking with the relatives of men who committed the worst of crimes. These children and grandchildren bear the family-name of their infamous ancestors while not accepting and, in some cases sharply repudiating, the legacies of those ancestors.
Modern society washes away what happened last week, let alone by the last generation. So the current inclination is to simply forget about the past. Yet when the past was atrocious, forgetting it is wrong. At the least, we owe victims of atrocities remembrance of their history and their suffering.
This movie should be seen by more people. To understand our present, we need to grapple with our past, including the ugly parts.
How should we view crimes committed by our parents and ancestors? At what point do our ancestors' acts forfeit our natural (and culturally-encouraged) love for them? Should we even face the facts of their choices and lives? The documentary addresses these issues in the starkest case: by speaking with the relatives of men who committed the worst of crimes. These children and grandchildren bear the family-name of their infamous ancestors while not accepting and, in some cases sharply repudiating, the legacies of those ancestors.
Modern society washes away what happened last week, let alone by the last generation. So the current inclination is to simply forget about the past. Yet when the past was atrocious, forgetting it is wrong. At the least, we owe victims of atrocities remembrance of their history and their suffering.
This movie should be seen by more people. To understand our present, we need to grapple with our past, including the ugly parts.
Two Days in New York
(2012)
Delightful Mix of Farce and Metaphysics
25 January 2014
I discovered Julie Delpy in the "Before..." trilogy and was thrilled to see she's written, directed and acted in these two "2 Days..." films. Seeing "2 Days In Paris" shortly before viewing this movie was helpful because there's so much that carries over from that original to this sequel.
Everything about this movie appeals to me. The entertaining mix of farcical humor (low art) and metaphysical inquiry (high art) is reminiscent of Woody Allen's best work. And the quality of the writing is high. The dialogue Julie crafts sounds authentic and makes the characters credible.
Also charming is her choice of cast-members. I'm a big fan of Daniel Brühl from his superb work in "Rush" (and "Inglourious Basterds"), so seeing him in cameos in these two films is a delight. And adding the infamous artist who plays the purchaser of Julie's character's soul is inspired. I leapt with joy at seeing that surprise.
Independent film exists for personal, well-crafted art and Julie Delpy is supplying us with some nice work. I'll follow her future efforts without exception.
Everything about this movie appeals to me. The entertaining mix of farcical humor (low art) and metaphysical inquiry (high art) is reminiscent of Woody Allen's best work. And the quality of the writing is high. The dialogue Julie crafts sounds authentic and makes the characters credible.
Also charming is her choice of cast-members. I'm a big fan of Daniel Brühl from his superb work in "Rush" (and "Inglourious Basterds"), so seeing him in cameos in these two films is a delight. And adding the infamous artist who plays the purchaser of Julie's character's soul is inspired. I leapt with joy at seeing that surprise.
Independent film exists for personal, well-crafted art and Julie Delpy is supplying us with some nice work. I'll follow her future efforts without exception.
Revolver
(2005)
Worst Film Ever
11 July 2008
Like Roger Ebert, I hated this film. It howlingly fails as entertainment and its real mission, to explain basic human-psychology, is adolescently-approached.
The filmmaker presents simple concepts with insulting repetition and explication; the movie doesn't respect the audience while trying strenuously to "educate" it. The condescension is pervasive.
A real intellectual film wouldn't have been so overt. Ironically, the filmmaker's own anxiety about the reception of his work is a prime illustration of the psychological blindness the movie wants to criticize.
The filmmaker presents simple concepts with insulting repetition and explication; the movie doesn't respect the audience while trying strenuously to "educate" it. The condescension is pervasive.
A real intellectual film wouldn't have been so overt. Ironically, the filmmaker's own anxiety about the reception of his work is a prime illustration of the psychological blindness the movie wants to criticize.
The Visitor
(I) (2007)
Outstanding
25 April 2008
It's only about twice a decade that I run across a movie that really impresses me. It's usually an obscure film that I entered with no expectations -- but left blown away by its cinematic achievement.
I just saw such a film tonight. "The Visitor" A small independent production with zero-advertising. Made by Tom McCarthy whose prior film, "The Station Agent," was an imperfect, character-absorbed drama.
The star of this movie is an actor (Richard Jenkins) whom you'll recognize from his numerous roles as minor-characters, most notably the dead-patriarch in "Six Feet Under." All of the other actors are completely unknown, but notably talented.
The appeal of this film is its story. An aged, listless academic, whose wife died earlier, floats through his uninteresting life until something happens to jar him. What happens next is unexpected, interesting and poignant. It would ruin the story if I told it to you, so you'll have to trust me. Suffice it to say it's a story of rebirth.
Like most of my favorite films, it has comedy, pathos, surprises, authenticity and a philosophical examination of what it means to be human. In short, everything, even politics.
And the presentation is skillfully-crafted. McCarthy demonstrates what was good about his prior work without dragging it down with what was bad about that work.
See it.
I just saw such a film tonight. "The Visitor" A small independent production with zero-advertising. Made by Tom McCarthy whose prior film, "The Station Agent," was an imperfect, character-absorbed drama.
The star of this movie is an actor (Richard Jenkins) whom you'll recognize from his numerous roles as minor-characters, most notably the dead-patriarch in "Six Feet Under." All of the other actors are completely unknown, but notably talented.
The appeal of this film is its story. An aged, listless academic, whose wife died earlier, floats through his uninteresting life until something happens to jar him. What happens next is unexpected, interesting and poignant. It would ruin the story if I told it to you, so you'll have to trust me. Suffice it to say it's a story of rebirth.
Like most of my favorite films, it has comedy, pathos, surprises, authenticity and a philosophical examination of what it means to be human. In short, everything, even politics.
And the presentation is skillfully-crafted. McCarthy demonstrates what was good about his prior work without dragging it down with what was bad about that work.
See it.
Swimming
(2000)
Hidden Gem
21 April 2006
This obscure coming-of-age film deserves a wider audience. Its writing is better than usual, particularly for the genre, and the direction brings out the humanity of the characters. I was engrossed by the drama without once knowing where it was headed.
All three female leads are superb in their portrayals and avoid the clichés common to such films. Yes, of course the main attraction is seeing Lauren Ambrose (Claire, from "Six Feet Under") before the fame of that role but, surprisingly, she creates a different character here. The expressiveness of her face, almost limitless in its ability to display inner feelings, shows a young woman with different thoughts and behavior than what we're used to seeing from her. That's a tribute to true acting skill -- and a delight to watch.
All three female leads are superb in their portrayals and avoid the clichés common to such films. Yes, of course the main attraction is seeing Lauren Ambrose (Claire, from "Six Feet Under") before the fame of that role but, surprisingly, she creates a different character here. The expressiveness of her face, almost limitless in its ability to display inner feelings, shows a young woman with different thoughts and behavior than what we're used to seeing from her. That's a tribute to true acting skill -- and a delight to watch.
The Independent
(2000)
Satire Worth Seeing
4 July 2003
This sleeper has been overlooked. It is frequently funny with many illustrations of real wit. If you're a fan of indie-flicks, then there's much to enjoy here, not least of which are unexpected cameos by industry names.
Plus, despite what others have said, there is a narrative based on the characters' familial relations. That, and quality acting from the leads (especially Jerry Stiller, who'll surprise you with his convincing portrayal) make this satire well-worth watching.
I found this on cable and learned it's not been released on DVD. Let's start lobbying for that!
Plus, despite what others have said, there is a narrative based on the characters' familial relations. That, and quality acting from the leads (especially Jerry Stiller, who'll surprise you with his convincing portrayal) make this satire well-worth watching.
I found this on cable and learned it's not been released on DVD. Let's start lobbying for that!
Hedwig and the Angry Inch
(2001)
Unexpected Delight!
19 April 2003
This film is, first and foremost, funny. Hilarious, in fact. Hedwig, the lead character, spews some fabulous one-liners ("One day in the late mid-80's, I was in my early late-20's;" "How did some slip of a girly-boy from communist East Berlin become the internationally-ignored song-stylist barely standing in front of you?"). And watching Midwesterners react to Hedwig had me laughing out loud. The movie's second and equally important feature is the music -- clever, tuneful songs ranging across the spectrum from hard-rock to country ballads. The best is "Origins of Love", a song spun from a writing by Plato (true!) and illustrated with apt animation. Finally, this film has a message, urging acceptance of our inner selves. You can't ask for more than this! "Hedwig..." delivers in poignancy, entertainment and punch.
The Rules of Attraction
(2002)
An Artistic Achievement
16 October 2002
This film blew me away with its innovative cinematic techniques. While edging toward novelty for its own sake but staying within the bounds of the story, the approach of the film was brilliant. Avary achieved the artistic goal he set out for. This is the most talented film of the year.
One has to note that the unfairly-negative reviews by commercial critics are due to the overdone subject-matter of the film, not its artistry and I am sure those myopic slams will be replaced in the future by greater admiration for Avary's accomplishment here. Until then, don't miss this fascinating film!
One has to note that the unfairly-negative reviews by commercial critics are due to the overdone subject-matter of the film, not its artistry and I am sure those myopic slams will be replaced in the future by greater admiration for Avary's accomplishment here. Until then, don't miss this fascinating film!
Tell Your Friends