s_p_r_6 Reviews

The Hardly Boys in Hardly Gold (1995)

My favorite Wegman Weimaraner film!!

[10/10 · 9 July 2008]

For starters, the Wegman Weimaraner films are "different", to say the least. Yes, they can be enjoyed by children of all ages, however if your child is primarily used to the mind-numbing antics of say, tele-tubbies or the Wiggles, then perhaps s/he may lack interest in this well-crafted, albeit unconventional film. Hardly Boys is intelligent, hilarious, beautifully shot and entirely entertaining.

My five year old cousin adored this film and even went on to fall in love with Alphabet Soup and Fay's Twelve Days of Christmas. Additionally, Wegman's wry sense of humor and bizarre narrative technique offer several nuggets of tongue-in-cheek comedy for the grown ups as well. So if you and your child have an appreciation for wildly non-traditional children's films and of course a love for those goofy dogs, then this is the film for you.

Catching Out (2003)

living, breathing and thinking...outside the box

[10/10 · 9 July 2008]

I've watched this film twice: the first time because it was recommended to me, and the second because i wished to revisit the carefree quest for freedom that the film promotes. I do not feel that it suggests that people go trainhopping or break any laws. I do feel however, that it does a fine job of reminding those of us that live with the self-appointed boundaries of "normal" life that seeking freedom and self-expression should be a daily activity rather than a rare and infrequent one. I found the characters to be diverse and extremely eloquent, and their musings to be insightful humorous and inspirational. So if you're looking for a film that condemns alternative lifestyles and unconventional thinking, then this is not the film for you. However, if you wish to be witness to something truly liberating, consider watching Catching Out. Highly recommended.

Art City 1: Making It in Manhattan (1996)

Excellent series on contemporary art

[10/10 · 9 July 2008]

I found this whole series (discs 1-3) to be a keen introspective into the personal lives of many of today's most pertinent contemporary artists. See Robert Williams discuss his comic book-esquire, sexually charged socio-political horrorscapes, Amy Adler explore the multi-dimensional quest for reinvented individuality of the over-saturated urbanite, John Baldessari explain his semi-post-modernist reconstructive dissection of our media-rich universe and much, much more. I disagree with those that say that this series is appealing only to those that have a pre-existing or fanatical affinity for the highlighted artists. In fact, I'd say these DVDs serve as an excellent introduction to contemporary art as a whole, and even go to promote a general sense of approachability not only to specific artistic content, but also to the creators themselves. Highly recommended.

Future by Design (2006)

A Fresconian Future

[10/10 · 9 July 2008]

This film is an intimate look at the inimitable and controversial musings of Jacque Fresco. Future by Design presents a uniquely Fresconian future where many of our current concerns and apprehensions are addressed and creatively dealt with. Fascinating and provocative. I agree with my fellow reviewer that this film deserves to be more closely examined and widely released, especially given the fact that much of what Fresco theorized has already come to pass. Future by Design is a well-made, insightful and prophetic documentary, as well as yet another example of a small film that delivers a big message.

Highly recommended.