This episode is legendary among dance DJ's and electronic music producers. This was the first time that a broad audience was exposed to sampling. This episode showed what you could do with sampling and how it sounded. Stevie Wonder records the Huxtables and immediately can manipulate the sound. He comes up with a cute track apparently spontaneously. In the next decades, electronic digital sounds came to dominate pop music.
Reviews
9 Reviews
The Flower of My Secret
(1995)
Too many unconvincing plot twists
15 September 2017
A big disappointment. Right from the start, Leo (Marisa Paredes) is too weirdly frantic and needy. She cries way too much. It gets irritating. She is supposed to be intelligent and perceptive. Why can't she see that Paco no longer cares about her? He all but wears a sign. Betty says as much. Angel is instantly in love with Leo, although she is an obvious basket case.
The arguments between Leo's mother and sister are a bit funny, but then they get irritating. Another irritating thing: Leo goes into a bar/café. She listens to the tragic song on the TV and she starts to cry. She goes on crying for way too long, with no dialogue. I hope you like the song, because it goes on forever.
Some of the digressions are too much. Leo's cook is a great artist and makes a triumphant return to the stage. It just seems absurd and uncredible, not whimsical or funny. The long sequence of medical workers role-playing about organ donations was a confusing way to start the movie, although there was a payoff.
This is a great role for Marisa Paredes. All of the other actresses are strong, too. The scenes of the women together are sometimes charming and always interesting and lively.
Ultimately, there were too many plot twists and turns that were not convincing. Almadovar's next films were Live Flesh and All About My Mother, two of the great ones. They are completely absorbing, without the irritating and absurd elements of Flower of My Secret.
The arguments between Leo's mother and sister are a bit funny, but then they get irritating. Another irritating thing: Leo goes into a bar/café. She listens to the tragic song on the TV and she starts to cry. She goes on crying for way too long, with no dialogue. I hope you like the song, because it goes on forever.
Some of the digressions are too much. Leo's cook is a great artist and makes a triumphant return to the stage. It just seems absurd and uncredible, not whimsical or funny. The long sequence of medical workers role-playing about organ donations was a confusing way to start the movie, although there was a payoff.
This is a great role for Marisa Paredes. All of the other actresses are strong, too. The scenes of the women together are sometimes charming and always interesting and lively.
Ultimately, there were too many plot twists and turns that were not convincing. Almadovar's next films were Live Flesh and All About My Mother, two of the great ones. They are completely absorbing, without the irritating and absurd elements of Flower of My Secret.
Strike a Pose
(2016)
Like the gay Waiting for Godot
24 June 2016
Lots of crying. Documentary-makers love it. Almost everybody in the movie gets to cry. Coming out of the closet and AIDS, AIDS, AIDS. No, it is not "powerful." It is stagey and manipulative. The individual stories are familiar. The only difference is Madonna.
Like the gay Waiting for Godot. Everybody talks about Madonna, but she's not there.
"We were like a family" is the motif. I doubt that the dancers were really that naive. They were Madonna's employees. Did they really think that they were going to be pals with her once the tour was over?
There is a shot of a mother watching a video of her dead son. There is a discussion of Bell's palsy.
There is an awkward reunion dinner apparently staged for this film. It's as if the dancers know what is expected. Lots of hugging and more crying. Declarations of undying love and friendship. A cringe-inducing replay of truth or dare. Everyone aware of the cameras. It seems self- conscious.
What do you do with your life if it peaks when you're 22? To be cast out of MDNA paradise. There are vague images of the dancers in what may be their present careers. One of them is a waiter, but it is implied that they are still in dance. No specifics are given. The idea is to leave on an upbeat note.
Like the gay Waiting for Godot. Everybody talks about Madonna, but she's not there.
"We were like a family" is the motif. I doubt that the dancers were really that naive. They were Madonna's employees. Did they really think that they were going to be pals with her once the tour was over?
There is a shot of a mother watching a video of her dead son. There is a discussion of Bell's palsy.
There is an awkward reunion dinner apparently staged for this film. It's as if the dancers know what is expected. Lots of hugging and more crying. Declarations of undying love and friendship. A cringe-inducing replay of truth or dare. Everyone aware of the cameras. It seems self- conscious.
What do you do with your life if it peaks when you're 22? To be cast out of MDNA paradise. There are vague images of the dancers in what may be their present careers. One of them is a waiter, but it is implied that they are still in dance. No specifics are given. The idea is to leave on an upbeat note.
The Night Before
(II) (2015)
Forced, Frantic, Sometimes Funny
23 November 2015
The Night Before has the feeling of going through the motions. The premise is not new: grown males reliving their youth and doing stupid stuff. There is a lot of franticness. The actors seem too eager to sell the humor. A lot of the humor is adolescent, but not in a good way. There is a vomiting scene. A man gets dragged on a rope behind a car. The funniest bits are towards the beginning of the film, like most Hollywood comedies. The movie gets really schmaltzy at the end. As usual, the serious bits of drama are unconvincing and seem forced, like, "OK, now we get serious and show that comedians are not very good actors."
If you like Miley Cyrus and Wrecking Ball, there is a funny scene which makes good use of that song's grab-you-by-the-throat chorus.
If you like Miley Cyrus and Wrecking Ball, there is a funny scene which makes good use of that song's grab-you-by-the-throat chorus.
Shame
(2011)
Anonymous sex is never fun in the movies
5 February 2012
Warning: Spoilers
SPOILERS Brandon (Michael Fassbender) has a lot of really hot sex and he's unhappy. That's the movie in a nutshell. When this movie ended, I thought, "Is that all there is?" The unhappiness theme is established at the start. It is reiterated throughout the film. OK, he's unhappy, I get it.
There's way too much sex. You know at the start of the film that Brandon has a lot of sex. The additional sex scenes add nothing to our understanding of the character. Although the sex looks hot (two hookers at once!), Brandon always looks grim. Anonymous sex is never fun in the movies. Lighten up, dude!
It's not clear if the sex is causing Brandon's unhappiness, or if it is a symptom. The character is not articulate, so you will have to infer.
It is fun to see Michael Fassbender walking around naked. Dude's got a big one, and a nice butt. I could do without actually seeing him pee.
There are some teasing moments when the director sets you up to expect something sexy or pervy, and then doesn't deliver. When Sissy and Brandon's boss are having loud sex in Brandon's apartment, Brandon takes his clothes off. Is he going to join them in the bedroom? No, he's just going running.
In the opening scene, Brandon is shown naked in bed with his hand over his crotch. Sorry, no payoff, he just rolls over and gets out of bed.
Incest between Brandon and Sissy is implied. She stands provocatively naked in front of him when he bursts into the bathroom. She does not cover herself as they talk. In another scene, he jumps on her on the sofa when he is wearing only a towel, which then slips off. She gets in bed with him. The issue is not directly addressed or resolved, so it seems to be a red herring.
The film seems padded. There are long shots of Brandon walking through Manhattan, or riding the subway. OK, we know he's always on the make. There is a very long single shot of Brandon jogging. If you know Manhattan geography, you can pass the time by trying to identify his route. Or you can check your messages.
In the restaurant where Brandon meets Marianne, you have to listen to the waiter give his spiel about that night's specials and the wine list.
Worst of all, you have to listen to Sissy sing "New York New York" all the way through, at a very slow tempo.
There is an incident when Brandon is on the subway. His train comes to a halt at the platform, but the doors do not open. There is some kind of scuffle on the platform. Perps are seen running. The conductor orders all of the passengers to exit through the rear car. There are cops and yellow caution tape to guide the passengers. This sequence is interesting. Being stuck on a train underground is a kind of primal fear. How was the caution tape put up so fast? The sequence looks like it was really shot in the subway. If there is some connection with the rest of the story, I missed it. Brandon exits up to the street, and the incident is forgotten.
Why does Sissy have to stay at Brandon's apartment? She has money. Why doesn't she have her own apartment? Or stay at a hotel? How can she get high-paying gigs as a singer when her life is chaotic? When does she rehearse?
The sequence where Brandon goes gay is uncredible. Is this sequence intended to show how low he will go? --- or that he's latent? These things do happen, but we already know that Brandon can get all of the hookers he wants. He meets chic women in bars and they're having sex under a bridge 20 minutes later. This hetero superman all of sudden goes to a gay sex club? Not so plausible.
Sissy's character is more interesting than Brandon. She talks more, so you know her better. Too bad about the suicide attempt. Like, now it's time for a big dramatic moment. Maybe if the movie were about Sissy, I would care more.
There isn't a lot of ideas here. Most of the film seems to be treading water. Brandon is unhappy at the end of the movie. Like he was at the start.
There's way too much sex. You know at the start of the film that Brandon has a lot of sex. The additional sex scenes add nothing to our understanding of the character. Although the sex looks hot (two hookers at once!), Brandon always looks grim. Anonymous sex is never fun in the movies. Lighten up, dude!
It's not clear if the sex is causing Brandon's unhappiness, or if it is a symptom. The character is not articulate, so you will have to infer.
It is fun to see Michael Fassbender walking around naked. Dude's got a big one, and a nice butt. I could do without actually seeing him pee.
There are some teasing moments when the director sets you up to expect something sexy or pervy, and then doesn't deliver. When Sissy and Brandon's boss are having loud sex in Brandon's apartment, Brandon takes his clothes off. Is he going to join them in the bedroom? No, he's just going running.
In the opening scene, Brandon is shown naked in bed with his hand over his crotch. Sorry, no payoff, he just rolls over and gets out of bed.
Incest between Brandon and Sissy is implied. She stands provocatively naked in front of him when he bursts into the bathroom. She does not cover herself as they talk. In another scene, he jumps on her on the sofa when he is wearing only a towel, which then slips off. She gets in bed with him. The issue is not directly addressed or resolved, so it seems to be a red herring.
The film seems padded. There are long shots of Brandon walking through Manhattan, or riding the subway. OK, we know he's always on the make. There is a very long single shot of Brandon jogging. If you know Manhattan geography, you can pass the time by trying to identify his route. Or you can check your messages.
In the restaurant where Brandon meets Marianne, you have to listen to the waiter give his spiel about that night's specials and the wine list.
Worst of all, you have to listen to Sissy sing "New York New York" all the way through, at a very slow tempo.
There is an incident when Brandon is on the subway. His train comes to a halt at the platform, but the doors do not open. There is some kind of scuffle on the platform. Perps are seen running. The conductor orders all of the passengers to exit through the rear car. There are cops and yellow caution tape to guide the passengers. This sequence is interesting. Being stuck on a train underground is a kind of primal fear. How was the caution tape put up so fast? The sequence looks like it was really shot in the subway. If there is some connection with the rest of the story, I missed it. Brandon exits up to the street, and the incident is forgotten.
Why does Sissy have to stay at Brandon's apartment? She has money. Why doesn't she have her own apartment? Or stay at a hotel? How can she get high-paying gigs as a singer when her life is chaotic? When does she rehearse?
The sequence where Brandon goes gay is uncredible. Is this sequence intended to show how low he will go? --- or that he's latent? These things do happen, but we already know that Brandon can get all of the hookers he wants. He meets chic women in bars and they're having sex under a bridge 20 minutes later. This hetero superman all of sudden goes to a gay sex club? Not so plausible.
Sissy's character is more interesting than Brandon. She talks more, so you know her better. Too bad about the suicide attempt. Like, now it's time for a big dramatic moment. Maybe if the movie were about Sissy, I would care more.
There isn't a lot of ideas here. Most of the film seems to be treading water. Brandon is unhappy at the end of the movie. Like he was at the start.
Kalifornia
(1993)
hicks with funny accents
10 December 2007
This film is never credible, not for one second. You never believe in any of the characters. You never forget that you are watching beautiful Hollywood actors giving performances.
David Duchovny and Michelle Forbes are boring, generic actors, although they sure are good looking. Juliette Lewis is an interesting actor, but annoying, too. Brad Pitt is fun to watch whenever he is on the screen, but he over does the accent.
So many holes in the plot. Brian and Carrie need to find people to share expenses? -- although they wear stylish clothes, have expensive camera gear and live in an apartment the size of a football field.
Butts! You get to see two, both male: Brad's and David's. But you will probably want to use the pause function, as there is just a flash in both cases. You get to see one single female breast.
As usual in a Hollywood road trip, there are no interstate highways, no chain hotels and no chain restaurants. Everyone travels by back roads and eats at diners and stays at motels which appear to be from the 1960's.
The only good thing about the film is the two white-trash characters. They can be funny, when the film doesn't try to make them dramatic.
David Duchovny and Michelle Forbes are boring, generic actors, although they sure are good looking. Juliette Lewis is an interesting actor, but annoying, too. Brad Pitt is fun to watch whenever he is on the screen, but he over does the accent.
So many holes in the plot. Brian and Carrie need to find people to share expenses? -- although they wear stylish clothes, have expensive camera gear and live in an apartment the size of a football field.
Butts! You get to see two, both male: Brad's and David's. But you will probably want to use the pause function, as there is just a flash in both cases. You get to see one single female breast.
As usual in a Hollywood road trip, there are no interstate highways, no chain hotels and no chain restaurants. Everyone travels by back roads and eats at diners and stays at motels which appear to be from the 1960's.
The only good thing about the film is the two white-trash characters. They can be funny, when the film doesn't try to make them dramatic.
whine whine whine
16 October 2007
This film has far too much group therapy and not nearly enough music. The issues expressed in the therapy sessions are banal; important to the participants, but not interesting to an outsider. You get no sense of why Metallica was so important to so many people. It is hard to believe that they would allow a film crew to record them in such an unfavorable light. The thing that leaped out about Metallica's music was always the furious, dark, angry energy. Hearing Lars complain about James being late to practice is not that exciting.
And visually, they don't look so good up close anymore. Pushing 40, gaining weight, losing hair, with wives and children -- they even say it themselves: it's not rock'n'roll.
Part of the fun of idolizing a band is that you think that the people are somehow different or special. That is a fantasy, of course, but it is an important part of being a fan. The film reduces the musicians back to just normal whiny folks.
The therapist is obviously eager for the spotlight. It was unethical of him to agree to the filming of the group therapy, even though the participants agreed. When a camera crew is present, people speak and act differently than if no camera crew was there.
There is some talk of money that you don't normally hear. Lars offered Rob Trujillo $1,000,000 as an advance when he joined the band. There is a discussion of voting rights based on percentages based on length of service. The therapist got $40,000 per month.
And visually, they don't look so good up close anymore. Pushing 40, gaining weight, losing hair, with wives and children -- they even say it themselves: it's not rock'n'roll.
Part of the fun of idolizing a band is that you think that the people are somehow different or special. That is a fantasy, of course, but it is an important part of being a fan. The film reduces the musicians back to just normal whiny folks.
The therapist is obviously eager for the spotlight. It was unethical of him to agree to the filming of the group therapy, even though the participants agreed. When a camera crew is present, people speak and act differently than if no camera crew was there.
There is some talk of money that you don't normally hear. Lars offered Rob Trujillo $1,000,000 as an advance when he joined the band. There is a discussion of voting rights based on percentages based on length of service. The therapist got $40,000 per month.
Laurel Canyon
(2002)
made for Lifetime cable TV
1 May 2003
Warning: Spoilers
Spoiler alert. Laurel Canyon is banal. The opening shots of LA freeways; the reconciliation between mother and son ("I always loved you. You're my baby." Yawn.); the angry boyfriend busting up the room when he finds his girl in bed with another man. All of these scenes looked familiar. The ideas in the film are at a TV-movie level.
One moment Alex is the prim grad student. Her hair is up. The next moment she is a wild party girl with lesbian inclinations. Her hair is loose and flowing; how original! The actor is not credible in either mode.
All four of the young characters look like impossibly beautiful Hollywood actors. This does not make the movie convincing.
The actor who plays Sara has a convincing eastern European accent, although the character is Israeli.
I guess that there's no security staff in expensive LA hotels that put up wealthy rock stars. Sam can just go upstairs and walk through any open door.
The music business milieu is especially unconvincing. Jane is a successful record producer in present-day LA, yet her house is stuffed with vinyl LP's. Not a CD in sight. Why does the soundtrack include mostly seventies music? At first I thought that the movie was set in the seventies. Jane produces rock records, but there is a baby grand piano and an upright bass in her living room. Those are not instruments that you hear in modern rock records. The band plays flaccid,third rate Coldplay knockoffs. The films producers couldn't buy some music that sounded fresher? That a record company might actually be interested in? At the druggy hotel party, people are playing acoustic guitars; somehow, this LA has no hip-hop, salsa or electronic dance music.
One moment Alex is the prim grad student. Her hair is up. The next moment she is a wild party girl with lesbian inclinations. Her hair is loose and flowing; how original! The actor is not credible in either mode.
All four of the young characters look like impossibly beautiful Hollywood actors. This does not make the movie convincing.
The actor who plays Sara has a convincing eastern European accent, although the character is Israeli.
I guess that there's no security staff in expensive LA hotels that put up wealthy rock stars. Sam can just go upstairs and walk through any open door.
The music business milieu is especially unconvincing. Jane is a successful record producer in present-day LA, yet her house is stuffed with vinyl LP's. Not a CD in sight. Why does the soundtrack include mostly seventies music? At first I thought that the movie was set in the seventies. Jane produces rock records, but there is a baby grand piano and an upright bass in her living room. Those are not instruments that you hear in modern rock records. The band plays flaccid,third rate Coldplay knockoffs. The films producers couldn't buy some music that sounded fresher? That a record company might actually be interested in? At the druggy hotel party, people are playing acoustic guitars; somehow, this LA has no hip-hop, salsa or electronic dance music.
Talk to Her
(2002)
too many comas
26 March 2003
Warning: Spoilers
spoilers: The following events are important to the story, yet they are not seen: Lydia's death, Alicia'a re-awakening, Benigno's suicide and Alicia's child birth and the death of the child. Mr Almodovar should have shown us these events. What we do see are many sequences showing how to care for a person in a coma. These are so gorgeously shot that they have a certain amount of interest, but they do not make for satisfying drama.
What is the idea of a coma? What is the interest? It is problematic because people in comas do not talk. That is not very interesting. I thought that maybe the idea was unrequited love, but that theme is not pursued.
The black and white sequence is a little bit funny, but it does not seem to relate to the rest of the film. Is the shrinking man somehow equivalent to the two people in a coma? Beats me.
Marco is the strong, silent type. Two of the major characters are in comas. None of them talk. Silent people in a drama are problematic. I want to know what they are thinking.
I wish that the film had focused more on Lydia. She was unique, and the actor who played her was memorably visual. There could have been less of Alicia. She was bland.
Seeing the opening dance sequence did not make me want to rush out to buy tickets to a Pina Bausch concert. I have been to funerals that were more lively.
My pal Neil is 100% certain that Benigno was the rapist. I am not so sure. The information is not given with certainty. Marco was interested in Alicia, and he had the opportunity.
The happy ending seemed to go against the grain of the events that preceeded it.
All About My Mother and Live Flesh were both more engaging.
What is the idea of a coma? What is the interest? It is problematic because people in comas do not talk. That is not very interesting. I thought that maybe the idea was unrequited love, but that theme is not pursued.
The black and white sequence is a little bit funny, but it does not seem to relate to the rest of the film. Is the shrinking man somehow equivalent to the two people in a coma? Beats me.
Marco is the strong, silent type. Two of the major characters are in comas. None of them talk. Silent people in a drama are problematic. I want to know what they are thinking.
I wish that the film had focused more on Lydia. She was unique, and the actor who played her was memorably visual. There could have been less of Alicia. She was bland.
Seeing the opening dance sequence did not make me want to rush out to buy tickets to a Pina Bausch concert. I have been to funerals that were more lively.
My pal Neil is 100% certain that Benigno was the rapist. I am not so sure. The information is not given with certainty. Marco was interested in Alicia, and he had the opportunity.
The happy ending seemed to go against the grain of the events that preceeded it.
All About My Mother and Live Flesh were both more engaging.
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