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xtro181
Loves: Music, film, animation, photography, computers.
Reviews
The Invisible Chronicles (2009)
DeCOteau film... difficult to find
**** contains "spoilers" **** Let me first say the review by mnpollo was spot on. I have been a collector of Mr. DeCoteau's films for years now and I have to say that this is one of his finest.
I humbly disagree, however, regarding the matter of DeCoteau's reluctance to include full on nudity... I never expect that from his films, and to me, at least, I think that added to the tension of this film. OK... it is a B horror flick so I am not talking magnitudes beyond that ilk.
In other works, though few, DeCoteau DOES take that extra step ... "Prison of the Dead" had his first scenes that involved implied gay relationships, with a brilliant actor, CJ Thomason. IF one blinked, one could have missed it, but it was clear... later on we got "House of Usher" and "The Raven", with some outright in your face male-male bonding. No nudity... it was not needed.
In this HG Well's take-off, however, we deal with a much more insidious element. It ends up being a very twisted love/hate metaphor.
***SPOILERS*** It is apparent that the main character Griffin is attracted to his "victims" and uses revenge as a tool... but, much more interesting is the brilliant acting job that Trevor Duke performs... often expressing his desire and hatred in complex acting skills that his eyes do not betray. It was enough for me to suspend my belief that the plot was predictable... the talent of this young and attractive actor brought to the table was intriguing and just the sort of nutty "Norman Bates"-like effect that made this film become one of my favorite DeCoteau films (and it is WAY MUCH BETTER than that dreadful 1313 series).
There are a few scenes that go a bit beyond the usual body worship. There is clearly a masturbation scene where-in Griffin takes the role of a voyeur, and a shower scene that touches on crazy-tender: One is left with the question of did the invisible serum make Griffin into the psycho he eventually becomes, or was it the locker-room male-rape by those boys whom he was clearly attracted to? One could look at this film from a wide variety of angles, including just the entertainment value, the abundance of male pulchritude or more deeply into motivations.
This is DeCoteau at his finest... and regrettably, this is a very difficult film to acquire!
Hempsters: Plant the Seed (2010)
Hemp vs. Marijuan
This thoughtful and well researched film is not about decriminalizing marijuana, nor is it a documentary film about drug use.
This film focuses on the production of HEMP, as a fiber plant, its uses as such, and makes very clear distinctions between the hemp plant and its "cousin", marijuana.
The history of hemp is well portrayed... including its use in rope making, clothing, etc. Emphasis is placed on the plants usefulness in the WWII efforts to provide rope literally, miles of it, and how quickly after WWII the plant became illegal.
The film is very balanced... e.g. NO EFFORT was made to demonize Dupont, Corp. ...other films do this...(citing the invention of nylon as a major factor in the criminalization of hemp)etc. but rather, most of the film centers on the usefulness of the plant and the issue of the confusion in government in the "political treatment" over this plant as a "crop" or a "drug".
Well written, informative, and focused on farming of Hemp as a natural resource that very useful in reduction of deforestation, etc.
This is NOT a film to watch if you are looking for a pro-legalization/decriminalization of marijuana as a drug. The film does not even go there at all, despite some well known actors and advocates.
Special Unit 2 (2001)
Great SHow I caught on a cable channel
Smart writing! Great casting! Original take on Freaky Things! Yep! ALL of this is Special Unit 2. Too bad X_files fans and gamers see a resemblance to the shows they covet. I liked X Files and I like video games too, but c'mon folks! I don't compare every drama or comedy to the works of Shakespeare! Special Unit 2 was FRESH, INVITING, COMIC, DARING and, hell, yes! DAMN GREAT! It is a variation of themes that we all love and to COMPARE it to others is not doing it justice.
It sits just fine in my top list of Sci-Fi shows and I really can't care about why it was canceled. Maybe because it was a clone of something or whatever. In my book, the network made a bad decision because of whatever statistical reasons or legal reasons, or even perhaps, God forbid, a stupid network executive decision. Let's admit it folks!!!!!! Network executives are not Gods and do make mistakes when it comes to MONEY and ART. The crap on TV proves it! Special Unit 2 was a great show that got canned because the executives at UPN decided that. When was the last time UPN called you asking what shows you wanted to see. I bet it is NEVER.
While the UPN folks were talking to their lawyers and reading ratings the public got left out. It is the way it is.
MAYBE... some SMART and brilliant writer will revive the show, buck the X-File yahoos an the "comparison" people and go a-new, but, that is not the way the industry seems to work! Just my 2-cents worth.