PWB Reviews

Silent Conquest (2013)

Disturbing Even If Slightly Unbalanced

[8/10 · 18 February 2015]

I would disagree that this documentary is conservative, paranoid, propaganda. The film presents various episodes from Europe where political correctness and the litigation of hate speech has overridden the fundamental right of self-expression. More disturbing yet is that there is every reason to believe that freedom of speech in the United States could also be in peril. Historically, religion has been fair game for sarcasm and ridicule in countries which value freedom of expression, and this is especially true in the United States, where no religion is off limits. Now, it would appear, the rules are being altered to protect one religion's sensitivity at the cost of a more valuable Western right. Even if only incipient in the United States (unlike Canada and Europe), these attempts must be thwarted and reversed while they still can be. Political correctness and religious sensitivity must always do obeisance to freedom of speech and self-expression in a free society.

Fishbelly White (1998)

The Mudge Boy is Fishbelly White Fleshed Out

[8/10 · 28 October 2006]

This short film was expanded into The Mudge Boy (2003), with Emil Hirsch as Duncan. All the characters and plot are the same. Perry's antagonism toward and attraction to Duncan moves the story along the same inevitable path, but the under-the-bridge-scene is far more graphic and deliberate than in The Mudge Boy--and explains Duncan's motivation far better.

Fishbelly White clearly lays a more homo-erotic quality to Duncan's character--without the necessity of the rape scene in The Mudge Boy. In fact, after seeing Fishbelly White, I was rather disappointed that Michael Burke resorted to such a shocking and unnecessary scene.

Fishbelly White is the more evocative story.

The Mudge Boy (2003)

This is a remake of Fishbelly White (1998) by Michael Burke.

[28 October 2006]

This is a remake of the short film Fishbelly White by Michael Burke (1998). The plot line and characters are all the same, but the story is fleshed out in The Mudge Boy.

In Fishbelly White, Duncan's character is more homo-erotic; the under-the-track-scene is more deliberate and graphic and explains much of what is left out of The Mudge Boy. In Fishbelly White, Duncan bites the head off his favorite chicken during the pick-up scene with the drunken youths and the rape scene never occurs.

The two films make for an interesting comparison of the two director's visions.

Last Days (2005)

Boring

[2/10 · 13 November 2005]

Elephant was brilliant. Last Days was boring. If this film is at all historical of Cobain's last days, it's no wonder he killed himself. I was ready to kill myself by the end of the film. Repetitious, aimless, lackluster, and slipshod. Hardly what we have come to expect from Van Sant's films. The slow pace will annoy many viewers. You have to expect a methodical approach from Van Sant. The film itself unfolds the characters and plot and the slow development is all part of his plan. Don't expect to be spoon-fed on the "point of the movie".

As usual, Van Sant includes a homosexual scene (actually, extending the scene would have added spice against the ennui). Maybe that was exactly what Van Sant was after: why would he kill himself? It was all boring, boring, boring.

The Deep End (2001)

Interesting, but...

[21 June 2003]

I applaud the very nerve of the writer/director/producer for the scenario of a 17-year-old (jail-bait?) with a 30-something. Bravado. But the motivation of mom dragging the body into the lake (pivotal to the plot) was weak. I'd have just called the cops. After all: he just fell on the anchor. It was obvious, even with the piece of sonny-boy's shirt (30-something "clinging" to youth"?) So what?

Of course, AFTER mom drags the body into the lake, we discover there's money to be made by a quasi-serious briber, with a tender heart,--THEN are shown a brief erotic tape of son and 30-something in bed.

I found the movie to be less about suspense and accidental death and more about "oh, no! my son is GAY!"

An interesting plot with competent acting. Too bad Beau got caught.

Taken (2002)

Sir Steven's Half-baked Production

[15 December 2002]

I watched the first half of Taken (10 hours) and experienced what I had always hoped the X-Files would be, vis-a-vis aliens and government conspiracy: tight plotlines, true motivation, in-depth characters, subtle forshadowing. I was exhilarated. The weekend came and I was prepared for a blockbuster concluding 10-hours. Oh, what a disappointment. I distinctly remember asking rhetorically twenty minutes after the first episode: "is there a different writer?". The plot was contrived and hackneyed, characters had become one-dimensional, "little Buddha" was ridiculous (with her oh-so-deep one-liners), and the finale was remarkable only in its absurdity. I think "Sir Steve" was present only during the first half of shooting.

Taken (2002)

Sir Steven's Half-baked Production

[15 December 2002]

I watched the first half of Taken (10 hours) and experienced what I had always hoped the X-Files would be, vis-a-vis aliens and government conspiracy: tight plot lines, true motivation, in-depth characters, subtle foreshadowing. I was exhilarated. The weekend came and I was prepared for a block-buster concluding 10-hours. Oh, what a disappointment. I distinctly remember asking rhetorically twenty minutes after the first episode: "is there a different writer?". The plot was contrived and hackneyed, characters had become one-dimensional, "little Buddha" was ridiculous (with her oh-so-deep one-liners), and the finale was remarkable only in its absurdity. I think "Sir Steve" was present only during the first half of shooting.

Les Misérables (1998)

A masterpiece well done.

[11 September 1999]

Anyone who has read Hugo's entire work will appreciate this undertaking. By the end of the film, I knew I could not have encapsulated the story better. The acting by all is impeccable. A wonderfully romantic endeavor.

Harold and Maude (1971)

Anti-VietNam War Classic

[11 September 1999]

This film, though unappreciated for its true theme, is still a classic today. Colin Higgins wrote the screenplay as an undergraduate--as a lark, and was flatly told it was a flop. It was finally shot during the height of the Vietnam War. When it appeared, it was received by the "Woodstock" generation as an anti-war film. The romance between Harold and Maude is incidental (but definitely the break point for viewers). One must look beneath to see Higgin's focus. If you enjoy it, count yourself lucky that you can see deep meaning where others see disgust. Ruth Gordon said she enjoyed making this film more than all her others.

Last Summer (1969)

A shocking conclusion.

[11 September 1999]

You must see it uncut for the full effect. The conclusion at the beach is the whole point of the film, as Evan Hunter points out in his interview in "The Writer". I was agast the first time I saw it on commercial TV (late night).