sjohntucson

One thing I've noticed while shuffling through IMDBland is that there are a number of people for whom Plot is King. If a movie doesn't have an engaging plot, then it is of no use for such people. I'm not saying that's a bad thing necessarily, although it does seem to limit appreciation of a big chunk of what's out there. But that's the criteria that a lot of people apparently use to judge films.

These people should avoid this film (and probably Kenneth Anger's other works, and, well, a whole lot more besides). This film is about images and poetry, and, while there is sort of a plot, it's pretty minor and doesn't really contribute a lot to the proceedings. If you are the type of person who enjoys the visual aspect of film, and don't really care so much about whether there is a traditional story being told, then I think you will love this little confection. I did. It has a gorgeous look, with the monochromatic blues pulling it all together, and the use of the Commedia Della Arte (sp?) characters gave it an exotic yet familiar feel.

Oh yeah, and the bunny is cute!

I watched this last night for the first time, on the "Films of Kenneth Anger Vol. 2" DVD, and to me this was probably the most intense of the set. Between the droning, obnoxious score (by Mick Jagger, of all things), and the changing film speeds, this film really did invoke feelings of, if not really a nightmare, then definitely an altered state, and not a real fun one at that.

But the capper for me was the use of Bobby Beausoleil (sp?), who was one of Manson's killers. This footage was apparently shot only a couple of years before Bobby (sorry, not trying to imply too much familiarity, but I'm really sick of typing his last name, it hurts my brain) murdered Gary Hinman. The footage of Bobby, combined with the knowledge of what he's gonna do in a couple of years, just creeped the f**k right out of me.

So, I did like this, and I'd recommend it to folks interested in Anger, or in weird sixties head trips & the dark side of psychedelia, but I'm really glad I didn't watch it under the influence. It probably would have wound up occupying a "special" place in my brain, and I don't mean a good happy place.

I haven't seen this in decades, but recalled it while looking through Madeline Kahn's filmography. This movie, along with "What's Up Doc?" (also featuring Ryan O'Neil & Madeline Kahn, & also directed by Bogdanovich) were my absolute favorite movies when I was a kid. In the years since, I've learned to loathe Ryan O'Neil, but he was in fine form in this movie. His daughter Tatum steals the show, though. It was just so, I dunno, liberating? shocking? I can't say, but it had a huge effect one me, this little girl who swore and smoked and ran cons with this man who may or may not have been her father. This was also one of the earliest appearances on film of Madeline Kahn, and like in so many other movies, her character just steals every scene she's in. It's a lot of fun contrasting the stuffy, repressed neurotic Eunice she played in "What's Up Doc?" the previous year to her character Trixie Delight in this movie, who is, well, anything but repressed.