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Reviews
Hamilton's Pharmacopeia (2011)
Fascinating series on psychoactives and psychedelics
Hamilton Morris is a young documentarian with a background in chemistry and botany and a great interest in psychoactive drugs and plants. Each episode covers a different one. He usually covers some of the history including people who are proponents of the various drugs. Psilocybin, MDMA, Sonoran toads, Phenecycledine, Ketamine etc...On most episodes he self doses and reports his reaction as well. There was a huge negative governmental and cultural reaction to this whole category of drugs in the Sixties and Seventies. Recently some of these got a second chance and are being researched medically and scientifically. Cancer and end of life patients are being treated with some of these to deal with the challenges of life threatening disease or end of life. I have consumed many of these mostly 30-40 years ago. I think he shines a much needed light on this topic in a very interesting way. By the way the drugs that are on the more dangerous side they are really good about warning people to have some guidance.
Uncut Gems (2019)
Intense roller coaster ride. Sandler's best.
Wow. I can't believe all the 1's. Strap in, this film is non-stop pressure ride. If you can't handle being anxious or uncomfortable maybe this might not be for you. Sandler's character, Howard Ratner, is a natural born hustler. Clever, driven, wound tight and a little too passionate. He's often a little too smart for his own good. You can't help but hope that some of his schemes will work but a lot of external events or just plain bad luck constantly trip him up. I found myself thinking about it a lot the next day. Definitely one of the best films of 2019. PS-I'm generally not a fan of Adam Sandler. This is totally different than any of his comedies.
Childrens Hospital (2008)
Brilliant Mocku-series of every hospital show ever
Rob Cordry and cast and crew knock it out of the park with this absurdist, surreal, over the top take on hospital dramas. it's like "Scrubs" on acid. Take every single stereotype from hospital shows and throw them in a blender with vain, horny, not very medically skilled, trying to advance their careers and simultaneously cover their asses attributes pour that formula into a great ensemble cast of comedians and skilled actors and you have "Children's Hospital". Rob's character is like a funhouse mirror of Patch Adams with a huge pair of lungs-shaped bloodstain (or possibly angel wings shaped) on the front of his scrubs where he either wipes his hands or is the collective blood of several patients. Their patients are conveniently ignored or just fodder for the crazy hi-jinks. There is a secret weird hierarchy of nurses. They slip into a strange MASH-like alternate universe for a season. Sexual harassment, blind ambition, wrong-headed philosophical observations and every kind of ridiculous stereotype are served in heaps. A nurse is promoted to surgeon because of an observation in the ER. The next day the head nurse vows to sabotage her. When she asks for a scalpel she's handed a corkscrew, asks for a defibrillator and is handed a pair of hamsters etc..and doesn't notice. They roam the landscape looking for and finding laughs at the expense of the medical community something that is usually made to appeal to people's sense of concern, caring and respect.
The Ox-Bow Incident (1942)
A somber tale that bears repeating
The Salem Witch Trials; McCarthyism in the Fifties; The Second Iraq War (the one 10 years ago); and the Ox-Bow Incident. The message is the same-reach a conclusion and then go scrounging around for evidence, circumstantial or otherwise, that might possibly support the conclusion. Some folks feel that the introduction of the ornery cowpokes at the bar is unnecessary. I beg to differ. You see that these guys are not only regular guys trying to get by but that they are aware and sensitive to being singled out as "different" or "unknown" which is key to the film's dilemma. The vast majority of Westerns don't keep and hold the moral dilemma that this fine film conveys in the spotlight in such a gripping emotional manner. Although the viewer realizes pretty quickly the mistakes that the posse is making in their blood-lust, who among us has not elected to keep our mouth shut in the face of blistering rage or when seemingly outnumbered so as not to feel the same wrath ourselves? In the end the sorrow for the victims and the anger at the perpetrators makes me resolve to be vigilant towards injustice and bullying yet again as I make my way through this world. This one goes near the top of my "Top Ten Western" list.
Jimi: All Is by My Side (2013)
A complex film about a complex character
Wow! I am amazed and shocked by some of the reviews and some of the weird interpretations of what people think they understood about this film. I am a huge Hendrix fan and would go so far as saying he is and has always been my biggest musical inspiration. The reviewers who felt that this is formulaic have been watching films with a different "formula" than I am used to. The film depicts the year between June '66 and June '67 when he went from relatively unknown flamboyant musical sideman to "The World's First Guitar God". I would hope that most viewers have a knowledge of the artist's brilliant body of work as well as some of his personal history. He was loved by millions and exploited by others and undoubtedly took advantage of situations himself. This is not a simple poor boy rises to fame or boy meets girl type plot but reflects some of the realities of the rise to fame and complexity of relationships and love interests when ambition, adulation and Jimi's passion for music itself are in the mix. It focuses on his relationships with some of the people who recognized his talent and did everything they could to make sure this was seen by the world at large, mostly Linda Keith and Chas Chandler, as well as various other people who loved him or were instrumental to Jimi in one way or another. I am grateful that his girlfriend and main love interest in the story, Kathy Etchingham, reviews the movie here on IMDb and can appreciate her frustration but I hope that doesn't prevent you from watching and deciding for yourself. It also shows some of the complexity and frustration of the music business as well as the racism Hendrix experienced in subtle and blatant ways his whole life. Granted John Ridley uses artistic license and twists some anecdotes for dramatic effect. Undoubtedly they simplified some aspects of relationships and exaggerated others but it's a movie that depends on drama and has a limited time to get it's point across. This is the danger and benefit of Ridley going with this one year which I see now as a brilliant choice. I thought the complexity of Jimi was realized here more than most Bio-pics are capable of. Jimi Hendrix had a tragic family history filled with loss, despair, neglect and poverty that is alluded to just barely in the film but if you are a fan I sincerely hope you read one of his biographies to get a feel for where Jimi was "coming from". I can't believe that some of the reviewers felt he was depicted as a "moron". I don't know if this is because of his comments about liking Dylan's hair or his band-mates pants but he really said stuff like that all the time. But if you ever listen to his rendition of "All Along he Watchtower" which Dylan says "Jimi made that song his own" or realized what a brilliant choice Mitch Mitchell's jazz drumming in a power trio was it has to be obvious that there are more to his choices than these offhand comments. He often spoke with a certain innocence and naiveté that seems "quaint" or even deluded in modern culture but to me it shows a sense of hope and imagination and ability to access visions of fantasy that is sadly lacking today. I would go as far as saying that this outlook seems to be accessed by children and poets more than most "responsible" adults. He had a quick and creative mind but was soft spoken and non-confrontational many times yet at other times "going off" on someone close to him. If you have any doubts look for the "I will always touch you" anecdote from the soundtrack to "The Jimi Hendrix Story" also read or watch or listen to interviews. IMHO, Andre Benjamin was a perfect choice and the nuance of his performance deserves an Oscar nomination. The bizarre idea that Linda Keith gave him his first "guitar of his own" expressed by one reviewer is ludicrous. As with many musicians, yes even the world class ones who don't have a day job, the vast majority have little to no income. Jimi pawned or sold gear and play borrowed gear all the time just to eat and keep a roof over his head as did many of his contemporaries. Historically, many amazing musicians will never be heard or known to the world at large during their lifetimes and some lesser talents will become rich and famous because of being at the right place at he right time. That is just the way it is, sadly. The Hendrix estate did not allow Ridley access to Jimi's original music and I feel that is unfortunate. I feel that would have showed his creative side much better but maybe some other reviewers could be right that it might have been a distraction. A hero's tale usually depicts the changes that the hero goes through as he or she faces and usually overcomes the obstacles and challenges of their journey. Once again I am not sure that anybody would deny Hendrix the fame that he earned but this film feels like a snapshot of this beautiful soul that was in conflict with much of the world including himself but somehow managed to express himself in 3-1/2 years of fame and almost 28 years of life. If the Hendrix Estate wants to hire or convince someone else to do a bigger picture or even better a multi-part bio-pic and allow the use of his music I would be thrilled (Ken Burns? Scorsese? You out there?). I am sure that the Hendrix legacy will live on and thrive because of his music and spirit despite our various perceptions and disagreements about Jimi Hendrix, the man.
Waco: The Rules of Engagement (1997)
An Eye Opening Documentary
Disclaimer-I am not a right wing person who thinks the government is infringing on my religious or second amendment rights. I don't even own a gun. I still don't get why some Christians are so obsessed with being heavily armed despite all of those Sundays I spent in church and the fact that I learned to shoot a gun at the age of 8 years, but it is certainly their right. I have found few to no conspiracy theories that were actually plausible once most facts were analyzed. Having said that, this is a very well made documentary. It might not be totally even-handed, but it uncovers and links together many overlooked, or more likely covered up facts, in a very compelling narrative. I don't remember the last time I felt so shocked and angered about a story I thought that I knew from the media coverage in 1993. The one sentence synopsis at the time might have been "Heavily armed religious cult is led to fiery death against federal agents by deranged leader." It was apparent at the time that the initial confrontation was clumsily handled by the ATF, but once you know more of the details you will wonder what the ATF was thinking and how could we even allow such decision making in modern times. The rest of the government actions seem to be a continuous ratcheting up of covering up the original blunder or seeking revenge all the way up to the Senate and Attorney General. The scariest aspect is the government's seeming spoon feeding the media only what it wanted them to know, much like the lead up to the Iraq war. The saddest part is the loss of so many innocent men, women and children on both sides based on poor decision making, posturing and fear. The part that makes me angriest is the apparent cover-up and denial so high up the chain. Yes a lot would have been different had David Koresh led his followers out with their hands up but that doesn't excuse the brutal treatment and slaughter of many innocents. Whether you consider yourself Left, Right or Center politically this documentary should be seen if you are an American citizen and want to be well informed about modern history. I still think the government can be a force for great good but it can do great damage if not held accountable.
Land of the Lost (2009)
Will Ferrell at his arrogant, immature, un-informed best!
I don't get some of the other reviews. This spoof-satire is one of my favorite Ferrell flicks with an outstanding supporting cast working with an outlandish, mind-blowingly impossible script. If your hope is to see something based on reality then I suggest you look elsewhere. If you have ever seen the TV show it was based on (which was equally unbelievable) it uses that as a touchstone but takes that to a whole new level of craziness.
We begin with Dr. Rick Marshall (Ferrell) as a scientist that develops some theories of time-travel. Although he gets some fame/infamy it seems like his theories are soon discredited and his career path has fallen to the level of working at the La Brea Tar Pits doing scientific demonstrations for children's field trips (poorly) and validating parking in his spare time (see DVD extras for some hilarious deleted scenes). He puts his machine together and gets convinced by the closest thing to a straight-man in the film, Holly Cantrell (played by the lovely and talented Anna Friel) who is not only virtuous and intelligent but has seemingly-unshakable faith in Dr. Marshall, to try it out. They are led by his Tachyon Meter to one of those weird middle of nowhere "pray that the people passing by here stop" attractions Devil's Canyon Mystery Cave run by none other than Danny McBride. McBride plays his usual wannabe tough guy/trailer trash character, named Will Stanton in this case, who with his own brand of under-informed vanity, is a comedic gold match-up with Ferrell's character.
To cut to the chase they are soon transported to another time, with past, present and future mixed up in a wonderfully weird/oblique way, where they immediately encounter and save the life of their simian-human companion/resident tour guide Chaka, Jorma Taccone, who seems to be either leading them to danger or safety (it is often hard to tell if he just helped or hurt them or figure out his motives). The interactions of this unlikely crew with all of the dinosaurs, lizard people, time portals, etc... as they try to alternately explore, escape and survive this bizarre new world makes up the rest of the movie complete with a sequence where they consume some type of narcotic substance in this strange desert landscape and have a trippy yet somehow bonding pool party, as if it wasn't weird enough.
I loved it and my wife (who thinks many comedies I like are stupid/ridiculous) and my kids loved it which is rare for all of us to like the same movie so much. If having to choose between "Anchorman", "Talladega Nights","Step Brothers" or "Land of the Lost" again I think "LotL" is the funniest as far as laughing out loud goes. For what it's worth I didn't really like "Blades of Glory" or "Semi-Pro" that much and I'd generally avoid seeing them again. Ferrell has developed and cultivated this character that plows/stumbles through these situations , sometimes unintentionally, with the opposite of traditional leading man virtues. "Land of the Lost" is a great vehicle for his type of character. Ferrell is at his best when he is in over his head and this movie has seemingly endless opportunities for that. He comes up with nonsensical solutions (at least everybody in the audience realizes they are) and bravely, or crazily, tries to pull them off. Somehow or another he gets to the other side, and that is the fun part.
The ending has two great setups for a sequel so hopefully some brave producer will get behind it someday soon.