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CynthBage
Reviews
The Elephant Man (1980)
Despite historical inaccuracies, this is one fine film
If you check out the Wikipedia entry on this film, you will find out that there are some stunning historical accuracies in 'The Elephant Man'. For one, his real first name is Joseph, not John. Secondly, Merrick went to Dr. Treves on his own accord. Thirdly, the character of Bytes is completely fictional and mostly based on a similar character from 'Oliver Twist'.
Despite all this, this film is a wonderful work of all the contributors of cinematic arts. As art, it is beautiful and it stands on its own as a cultural force to be reckoned with. I really wish it would have won at the Oscars instead of 'Raging Bull'. John Hurt was a much better actor than De Niro, IMHO.
Vidiosyncrasy (2006)
Just Odd Enough to be Cool
This is something you have to see to believe. With solo music performances strung together with spoken word non-sequiter poetry, this short film (directed by Jesse Dylan) certainly qualifies as odd yet cool. When Burnett's wry, cynical drawl seethes the vocals of "Earlier Baghdad (The Bounce)", "Shaken Rattled and Rolled" and especially "An Acquired Past", I was moved in such a way as to see the pathos and humor of those songs.
The setting of the video--The Magic Castle nightclub--has a bordello feel to it, mimicking the underlying theme of unrepentant human ills to such a degree as to make it Vidiosyncracy a work of satire rather than a concert film. The Tiki Man at the end is too funny, but I love weirdness and can find the humor in such kiztch. This may not be for everybody, but repeated viewings offer delights once you get past the surface tension.
Down Among the Z Men (1952)
Inspired lunacy
Since I never grew up watching the Goons, I know of them peripherally from my old vinyl finds of their work released back in the 70's. I found this gem oddly enough at a 99¢ store, and I actually enjoyed it. For older fans of the Goons, it is probably a letdown, but to my fresh eyes, it is rather silly and enjoyable.
To see Sirs Secombe and Sellers and the not-so-sir Milligan in top music hall form was just the sort of tonic to get me through a rather serious bout of the flu. I love the manic performance of Milligan as well as the deadpan of Sellars and of course straight man Secombe did not fail to disappoint. As a fan of old, obscure video, I think of Down Among the Z Men as the bargain video find of the first decade of the 21st Century.
Tenspeed and Brown Shoe (1980)
Loved this show
Man, I loved Tenspeed and Brownshoe so much when it came out. Jeff Goldblum was awesome and cute in portraying his character's naiveté while Vereen showed his comic side very well with the witty dialog all the actors were blessed to perform . I really enjoyed the counter-play between Vereen's character and his parole officer. Lots of comedic tension there.
My favorite episode was a spoof on Treasure of the Sierra Madre and there were plenty of winks in the direction of Looney Tunes with the tossing around of the lit dynamite. That was one of the funniest moments of that show.
There seriously needs to be a DVD release of this sadly underrated show. I think the time is right for it to find a new audience.