Marjoe, Thoth

Jesse: This DVD double release fascinates in it documenting of two very inneresting fellows. Marjoe, child preacher and struggling human being; and Thoth, performance artist and struggling human being indicate the tremendously constraining tendency in society (Yes, even ours) and effects. 4/5

Beth: Thoth, our friend. I'd heard him before at Central Park, an echoing operatic falsetto. I think he's very close to where everyone rollerskates. A good revealing of the humanity behind even the strangest being. Marjoe was a bit silly, but maybe because i feel like i grew up in that falsity and pretense, and so it just seemed, well, common. But maybe not for you, kind reader. Overall, a thumbs up!

Sound of the Sea

Boobs and a Virgil quotin' Ulysses. Then more boobs. That's about it.
2.1/5

Manito

Jesse: Inspired, fervent, fullsome! And also well done. Ah, memories of New York! 4.3/5

Beth: I like documentaries. Even fake documentaries. mockumentaries. I like mockumentaries and documentaries like this one that are true to life and all its cruelties, weaknesses and injustices. And which star people who look like normal people. Three cheers for getting out of new york!

Not a documentary!

Ordinary People

Jesse: Missed this one when it came out over twenty five years ago, cause I was eight and could'nt see the movie while my parents were separating. Ordinary People won best picture for that year, and there's little wonder why. Super performances from four actors. A great script. Really strips down uppermiddleclass sleepwalking and human, well Ordinary-ness. Pretty fine! 4.75/5

Beth: Oh, what a great movie. It deserved every award it got. The virtuosity that pervaded this flick helped me overcome the fact that the main characters were named Bucky and Conrad. Ew.

Grizzly Man

Jesse: Wow. The profane of this, the modern human and the natural world whump! together in Alaska. I've heard that's been the case up north for years, but Werner goes up there and digs it out. Sorts through hours and hours of a grown man cooing and cuddling Grizzleys, lays out a good soundtrack, etc. Despite the fact that he gives more airtime to a star-child ex-girlfriend (and founding member of the"Grizzly People") and an imaginative coroner than he does rather more sane outdoorsmen types--or is it because of it?!?
Don't watch it to learn anything you don't already know about bears! 4.6/5

Beth: Documentaries kick ass. This here documentary starred the silliest of people in our "Grizzly Man." Some say he got what he deserved. I hope he was reincarnated as a bear, bless his fancy littly heart.

Kontroll

Beth: Dark and somewhat disturbing. The highpoint was a nice girl who went everywhere in a bear costume. Where was the ending? Did I fall asleep? I don't recall the answer to either.

Jesse: This is why I watch independents! First time director Nimrod Antal wrote Kontrol, and filmed it in the Budapest subway system. Funny and gritty. 4/5

Enron. The Smartest Guys in the Room

Beth: I liked what I saw of it before sleep kicked in, about 1/2 way through. But really, how much reality can we stand? We're americans, goddamit. Losing my ignorance is bothersome.

Jesse: Good. Manages to make accounting and corporate business practices fascinating. Leaves one feeling icky at the idolizing of corporate privateers. The curtain is lifted, Oz! Western civ., as explored by the U.S., teeters in shrill denial on the edge of self destruction!
Required viewing for those not currently too busy pillaging. 4.2/5

Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress

Jesse: Subtle, tender look inside a "Re-Education" camp for youth in '70's Red China. Nothing outstanding, though good performances from the lot and effective for it's representation on their lives. Bawdy songs and Scenery are fantastic! 3.9/5

Beth: ok, so I know I fell asleep once to this, but the second time around we got through the whole thing, and it was just eh. Really nice setting, and maybe even worth it for that. But otherwise: eh.

Far From Heaven

Jesse: 50's conformity directed with a wide angle. Themes we've seen quite alot of already, though Julianne Moore is affecting. 2.6/5

Beth: This felt more like a musical theatre production without the singing and dancing. If there was singing and dancing I might have enjoyed it more. Without that, we're left with a well played-out theme and a rather egregious (sp?) script. Whathisname who once starred in a porn film was more believable than I thought he'd be. And I don't know what Julianne Moore was thinking, signing up here.

Oldboy

Jesse: F'ed up. Really good. Visual, funny, skewed, tongue in cheek. And a great single shot fight scene, minus the anima-graphic POW! claptrap we're growing used to. And F'ed up
4.7/5

Beth: This reminded me of one of my favorite all-time movies: Kung Fu Hustle. I was surprised to find out that the director was not the same. This film is full of alarmingly witty moments, lovely surreal visuals, and hilarious scenes. There is also some gruesome violence that i had to close my eyes for. you could say this movie brought it all on. two hours well spent.

Aristocrats

Jesse: Tests our ability to absorb profanity and the 'worlds greatest dirty joke'. Anyone left ?!?
Ok. Really funny. A coupla dozen of the funniest people in the last generation plainly talking about this silly joke. Some giants demur, and others fill in the gaps. With plenty extra laughs!
4/5

Beth: I have no idea how these people can take so much joy in such a predictable joke, but they do. Every living comic I've ever heard of had a say in this movie, and so filled out what Jesse says was about 2 hours, but what I think was more like 7 hours, since I fell asleep and woke up numerous times, and each time the cursed thing was still on. I just don't know.

Balseros

Jesse: Good stuff. Cuba has been so politicized, and therefore de-humanized for us here 90 miles away. This documentary films and follows the lives of a half dozen 'balseros' in their dreams of opportunity in usa. What I found fascinating was that the viewer witnessed not only dreams/ingenuity/mortal peril/success but what that did to them. Utterly, stupifyingly strange?!
4.7/5

Beth: I love this type of movie, that puts us in touch with the darker side of America, and brings us back to the pursuit of the american dream, that continues to go on, whether we realize it or not. Also, with Jesse and my plans to move overseas, it's a fine reminder of how hard it is to integrate into a new country, and to make a living when starting over. I would watch a movie like this every week.