Change Your Image
Nameless_Numberhead_Man
Reviews
Occupation: Dreamland (2005)
fair
Considering all its accolades on the documentary festival circuit, I had big hopes for Occupation: Dreamland, but ultimately it's not that much different from the embedded-era episodes of "Nightline" et al in the spring of 2003. Which is not at all to say it's unenjoyable -- the soldiers are endearing to a man, but so are most people once they're known on an intimate level. It's doubtful that Occupation: Dreamland will change many opinions toward the war itself, as the film is refreshingly even-handed, but the film certainly could help to correct one's misconception of soldiers in war-time. Ernie Pyle would probably approve.
Ramones Raw (2004)
short attention span theater
Hadn't listened to the Ramones in 10 years, but caught this on Trio -- definitely made for Ramones fetishists. To call Ramones Raw "well-edited" is awfully generous ... aside from the endearing sequence dealing with Joey's death, it's a formless cut-and-splice collage. Home video footage was given a sham MTV-treatment; scenes seem to average about five seconds each. I wished they'd let more clips ride for a while, get some context for the scenes (exception -- the many mob scenes where they're trying to ditch manic fans last forever). Raw seems stingy with the performances too -- twenty-five years of touring and we see songs from only about five concerts? But if this is what Marky wanted to make, so be it -- more power to him. You definitely get to cozy up to the band.
The Restless Ones (1965)
The 'Reefer Madness' of Christianity
Hilarious, totally campy Christian gem produced by the Rev. Billy Graham himself -- I can't believe this isn't a classic. Like a tract committed to celluloid. The Wintons praying in the car has to be among cinema's most unintentionally hilarious scenes.