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Reviews
Dark Star (1974)
great movie that separates the mensch's from the tea partiers
Dark Star is a classic. Its a cult classic only because it hasn't been appreciated by the many, only the few. It requires tolerance, intelligence, and a sense of humor to get, so maybe that's why its only appreciated by the few. Its a definite precursor to Alien (same writer) with a 180 degree take on many of the same themes. Isn't it interesting that the horror version is so much more popular than the comedy version. Maybe if we switched the characters of Ripley (or is it Ridley?) for Pinback and had a hot chick in her underwear in Dark Star, things would have been different. Besides Alien (the alien, the disappearing crew), it references 2001 (the anti-Hal computer,the communications with home) and Star Trek (instead of saving Alien civilizations, usually from themselves, Dark Star goes around blowing up planets, hopefully uninhabited, but who's to know?). And in addition, it contains unique parts, never duplicated. The acting is perfect. It doesn't seem like acting. Just a few good ole boys on a road trip. BTW, If you don't know what a mensch is then you aren't one.
College Confidential (1960)
So bad its good
I agree with the "defies expectations" label. This film gets high marks from me because it is so bizarre. It seems to have a point, although its insanely portrayed. Sex was then and is still now a taboo that is beyond the capability of a large fraction of Americans to deal with. Want proof of that? Just look what happens when sexual peccadilloes of celebrities including politicians are made public. All other interests come to a standstill until that story is taken to its chilling cornclusion. As Oscar Wilde said, he would rather crawl to the North Pole on his knees than have the public know about his sex life. This movie doesn't really confront this issue but does show a nice depiction of the a low-key mob mentality. Why the real people consented to do this movie is a puzzle, but its good they did.
Boudu sauvé des eaux (1932)
Drowning
No one, including the critics on the Criterion supplements, remarks on the fact that Boudou is saved from drowning. But more than that, from suicide. The obvious clashes between, free-spirits and bourgeoisie, Apollo & Dionysus, order and chaos, are there of course. But doesn't Boudou's attempt at suicide..in the title after all..deserve some notice. The fact that he seems happy at the end, may mean that after viewing the way the other half (or is it the other 90%) lives, he realizes his original life wasn't too bad after all. Meaning a clear winner, or does it? None of the bourgeoisie are so unhappy they think to snuff it.
Hallelujah I'm a Bum (1933)
Depression era pathos
Only one person mentions the "sacrifice" that the Al Jolson character Bumper makes in the story. I think this is the central item of the movie that shows that being a bum is not at all positive and even a sweet, honest, charitable guy like Bumper loses Angel to the suspicious, vindictive, sharp Hizzonor (the mayor) who is gainfully employed. Yes, the movie throughout sugarcoats what it means to be jobless and homeless. Imagine that living in Central Park (even during the non-winter months) could be pleasant. Although it is fascinating to see what that part of New York (even an idealized, movie version) looks like in 1933. The mayor played by Frank Morgan is a nuanced character. He does quite a few favors for Bumper but he treats Angel poorly. It takes until the end of the story for the point to be made that being a bum is definitely a negative. The bums made a positive out of the necessity of being jobless and homeless during another of our society's financial "adjustments."
The Astronaut Farmer (2006)
Two Overriding Horrible Flaws
1. The theme of "never give up, follow your dream" is tried and true. But why pick the topic of space travel done impossibly? You can't fool mother nature, and the physics and engineering in this movie tries to convince you that you can. The reason it costs billions of dollars to get into space is not because of waste and paperwork--even if that accounted for 90%, it will still cost $100 million plus. The reason is that it is excruciatingly hard to safely control an explosion of that magnitude and get into orbit without killing the passengers and everyone in the surrounding town.
2. The government is not trying to suppress private enterprise in space. Over the past few years private people have won prizes for getting into space and Branson, the Virgin Air guy, is selling tickets there. Its typical movie-making to invent a villain, but don't these filmmakers pay attention to current events?