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Reviews
Roadside Attractions (2004)
A wild ride!
Can a short film be a director's masterpiece? When CJ Roy is directing it can. CJ has already cut his teeth directing music videos for the bands In Like Sin, Luminar, Never and Soul Asunder. Short films like i Bitch and Human have wowed audiences at filmfests. ROADSIDE ATTRACTIONS combines the all the visual style of a music video with a flair for telling dark, twisted, and humorous tales. In fact, if ROADSIDE ATTRACTIONS was condensed to four minutes it would make a great music video. The story would also make a great comic book.
A quiet stranger enters a diner carrying a crystal ball. The visual metaphor of this object: religion, lifestyle,philosophy, etc. The mullets who make fun of the stranger are the same bullies we've all encountered. They imply that the man must be a psycho, which he is. Yet, the blending of music, performance and visuals allow us to empathise with him. The mullets may be laughing at him, but we are laughing with him. It's not every director who can do that. The music in the film will have you wanting to replay this. So will the visuals. Like Spike Jonze, CJ Roy should have a bright future. Whether he continues doing videos and shorts or can expand this kind of experience to feature length is immaterial.
The Star Wars Holiday Special (1978)
We know what's bad about it, here's what's good...
I may be in the minority here, but I actually liked it. Of course, you should be under the influence of something to enjoy it. I found my copy on DVD at a horror movie convention. The special is certainly a horror of sorts, but not as horrible as many claim. The story about Chewbacca wanting to reunite with his family is so syrupy sweet it may cause some to go into sugar shock. Of everyone who returns from A NEW HOPE, Harrison Ford as Han Solo is the most likable. When he tells the Wookies they are like a family to him, I must admit I had a tear in my eye.Carrie Fisher's singing isn't really as bad as some have said. I was expecting it to be a lot worse. Mark Hamill however looked pretty gay in his quaffed hair and eye makeup.
As for the guest stars, I'm hate to argue, but The Jefferson Starship rocked! Some of the visual effects - like during Diane Carrol's appearance were quite trippy. Art Carney was quite likable. Bea Arthur number isn't so bad -if you happen to be as drunk as those in the cantina scene. And Harvey Corman has never been weirder. If only Tim Conway had joined him, it might have been something.
Of course the best thing is the cartoon introducing The Boba Fett. It alone is worth the price of admission. On the DVD I got there was only one commercial for Kenner Star Wars Toys. Still the others were a blast from the past. So if you get it, my advice is have a party. Just make sure you have plenty of booze and party favors on hand and are prepared to call a cab for your friends when it's over. Otherwise people will want to kill you for making them watch it.
J'irai comme un cheval fou (1973)
WAY AHEAD OF IT'S TIME!
The late 60's/early 70's were a time of experimentation for most filmmakers. In fact filmmakers got away with things back then that few would be able to get away with now. Arrabal and his first two features, VIVA LA MUERTE and this, are no exceptions.
One thing you still can't do without scandal is full frontal male nudity - especially of children. The scene where the little naked boy is gunned down by a firing squad of an Army of Christians could be reinterpreted today as a metaphor for how children always get caught in the crossfire when religions declare war on one another. The nudity symbolizes innocence. The 10 second scene is in no way pornographic but try doing that today and you will be shut down before you can call action.
One scene predate's THE CRYING GAME by 20 years. It's too good to give away. The character of Marvel would be seen now as a Arab stereotype for sheer ignorance of all things western. Political correctness aside, the character is too funny and likable to hate.
Cannibalism, still a taboo topic, is treated by Arrabal here as a mere plot device. No wonder this movie had censorship problems, which Arrabal addresses in the DVD interview segment. My only regret is that he didn't include scene by scene audio commentary as Jodorowsky did for DVD of FANDO & LIS -which is based on the Arrabal play. It would be especially helpful in this particular scene because it looks like they may have used an actual cadaver. This finale even tops the VIVA LA MUERTE finale in which a bull is sacrificed on camera. Unless you're doing the latest installment in the FACES OF DEATH series, you just can't do that kind of stuff in a narrative feature today.
Those who see this now as merely a pretentious art film, forget how shocking it must have been then. That's especially true when you consider that it's a gay love story. One of the most unusual ever filmed. It's unsettling in a way that is stimulating. This movie was buried by the censors in 72. No major studio would green light such a production today. If you think you've seen it all, this is one you've got to go back and see in order to say that. Filmmaking could move forward if filmmakers looked back at the "scandals" the "Panic" movement of Arrabal, Topor and Jodorowsky caused in those days. It's a miracle that a film like this can survive intact. Definately not for all tastes but 10 of 10 anyway.