D A Reviews

Head Over Heels (2001)

Pure drek

[1/10 · 3 June 2002]

Just embarassingly bad. I know that every film has at least one person out there that thinks it is one of the best films ever, but please, wise up on this one. Plot surprises that are of the Ed Wood school of logic can be fun in the right context, but not here. I sat through this one with my wife out of sheer amazement. Point blank, I did not like this movie.

Funhouse (1986 TV Special)

One Man Theatre at its best

[8/10 · 14 May 2002]

This is one of those great performances that made Bogosian look like the new "Edge" actors in the 80's. The performances are all top caliber. This is a live show, but many of the scenes also appeared in a somewhat superior episode of the "Alive from Off Center" series hosted by Laurie Anderson in the 80's. If you can find that recording, some of these scenes are much more frightening. Calling this a comedy is a disservice to Mr. Bogosian. Laughs come from an uneasy feeling, not from a feel good humor. Dark material that deserves your attention. Bogosian deserves to be seen in better fare than he has received. This is a good place to begin.

Icky Flix (the Residents) (2001 Video)

More Than a Best of, Practically an all inclusive

[10/10 · 22 April 2002]

As other reviews have stated, there are a few missing videos from this collection, but what is on this disc is overwhelming. There are two separate soundtracks, an original recording and a completely redone new performance version. Any new music from the Residents is welcome, and I suppose for a first time listener, the new version may be more ear-friendly, but I prefer the original recordings (probably simply because they are "the originals". Production of this DVD is amazing, new and old videos are all interesting, with live performance videos probably the least interesting of what is offered (although the snippets of live recordings hidden as easter eggs are extremely welcome). This is not a renter, this is a must own collection. Enjoy.

Diary of a Young Comic (1979 TV Movie)

Not typical Richard Lewis

[6/10 · 17 April 2002]

I really like Richard Lewis, more as a concept than the actual performance. This movie is not autobiographical, the character he plays is much less neurotic than his stand up performances. It stands up okay as made-for-TV fair, I remember first seeing it during the summer when Saturday Night Live took its vacation. Basic story is a young stand-up tries to figure out how he should perform.. He tries all the different styles, impressionist, prop comic, insulting comic, but in the end finds out he should just be himself. Cameos by old school comics don't do a whole lot, and the Marilyn Monroe look a like girlfriend goes nowhere. Not bad, just TV fare. I give it a 6.

The Amazing Mister Bickford (1987 Video)

Don't expect Gumby.

[6/10 · 1 November 2000]

This clay animation is violent, sexually explicit and disturbing. No wonder Frank Zappa found it interesting. Some of this animation has been seen before in Zappa's "Baby Snakes" and "Dub Room Special". The rest is previously unreleased. Zappa's music provides an eerie accompaniment to Bickford's images. This tape is currently out of print, let's hope that Gail re-releases it on DVD when the videos start coming out again. At just shy of an hour, any more would be overwhelming.

Ancient Alien (1998 Video)

Not that impressive

[5/10 · 31 October 2000]

After the previous Mind's Eye computer animation videos, including the dazzling Luminous Visions, I was disappointed by this release. The animation is not as well realized as in earlier releases, and the music does not complement the visuals as well. If you are interested in any and all computer animation, go ahead and get it, but if you are looking for an amazing visual journey, stay with the earlier Mind's Eye releases.

Fire and Ice (1983)

Great art, Great director, Great voice talent, what happened?

[6/10 · 18 May 1999]

The idea was great. Bakshi was coming off of his Lord of the Rings production and with sword and sorcery at a early 80's pinnacle, teamed up with master artist Frank Frazetta. Many of the frames seem to be direct copies of Frank's art, but the remainder of the movie looks like an attempt to link those frames. The in between work just doesn't make it, and the rushed pencil/photo copy effect doesn't hold up to good old ink and paint. Still, any Bakshi worth making is worth watching.

American Tickler (1977)

Joe Piscopo is the best thing about this film.

[2/10 · 18 May 1999]

Okay, I like Piscopo, and have most of his videos, but this truly dredges the bottom. Chuck Vincent attempts to direct this sketch comedy compilation that never quite makes you laugh. There is not enough gratuitous nudity to make up for the lame routines. Piscopo appears in only two bits, "King Dong" and a Steven Spielberg sendup, "Jews". Just not funny.

Hail (1972)

Had to buy a used video after seeing on cable

[8/10 · 27 October 1998]

Great use of actors you've seen plenty of places before, but never in starring roles. The disclaimer / warning at the beginning seems a bit heavy handed, but as a whole, the film works on a great anti-establishmentarian level. Richard Schulla and Gary Sandy (WKRP) are stand outs.