karlpall

This is not a conventional documentary, but it's not a conventional subject. The world of "Kurt & Courtney" is a complex and tragic place, where dynamic personalities vie to present their image in the best possible light. After all, rock 'n' roll is nothing if not image.

Nick Broomfield is a pioneer in a new form of documentary. Any pretense at objectivity is thrown out the window, and this is perhaps a more honest approach than the way many other documentaries are presented ("Waco: The Rule of Engagement" comes to mind). By taking us through the reporting process, Broomfield shows us how agonizing it is to attempt to discover "THE TRUTH," which is always a subjective matter anyway.

Some complain that his technique is poor filmmaking, but by showing the interview process (instead of editing things down to easily digested sound bites) we can come to our on conclusions whether to believe the source's statement. In life, there are no easy answers, and Broomfield shows this by butting interview against interview, presenting each person's conflicting point of view. We are allowed to see that each person has their own agenda, and their presentation of "THE FACTS" is designed to further their own goals.

Anyone who's ever listened closely to Nirvana's music knows that Kurt Cobain was a tortured soul, full of insecurities. A lonely man crying out for attention, and when he achieves more fame than he could have ever have hoped for, his own self-doubt prevented him from enjoying it, turning success into a nightmare. Courtney on the other hand, merely saw Kurt as the means to get her the fame she wanted. She was able to latch on to Cobain's rising star, fully aware of what the effect it was having on him. Broomfield shows that while Courtney didn't pull the trigger (or hire someone to pull it), she threw gasoline on the flames that led to Kurt's burnout.

There's a lot to like about this film, namely Milos Forman and Woody Harrelson. But there's one major flaw: Courtney Love. I haven't figured out why she's been given such great reviews for her performance. She plays a drug-addicted slut locked into a destructive, co-dependent relationship, sucking whatever fame and glory she can from her successful husband. That wasn't much of a stretch for her acting-wise, now was it?

I was looking forward to Forman's "Man in the Moon" until I heard Courtney was going to be in it. Check out Nick Broomfield's fabulous documentary "Kurt & Courtney" if you want to see super bitch in all her glory.

"Ishtar" has the reputation of being the worst film ever made, and I have to agree. While "Plan 9 From Outer Space" and other similar stinkers have their charm that makes them good for a chuckle or two (the "so bad, it's good" syndrome), this is perhaps the most painful thing I've ever watched. While I try not to be overly PC, I felt that the racism against the Arabs was unbearable, and the swipes at Islam were totally misinformed and uncalled for. I walked out on this one - and I was watching it on video.