Art is... the Permanent Revolution

Quiet Contemplation Of The Artistic Process: Two Narrative Threads That Never Quite Fit Together
As a movie experience, "Art is...The Permanent Revolution" is a bit more modest in scope than its title may imply. This incredibly low-key effort is undoubtedly a must-see for any artist that toils in anonymity hoping to take the world by storm. In many ways, though, it is two films in one. In the primary narrative, we are introduced to contemporary artists who are each working on a piece. One is a wood engraving, one is an etching, and one is a lithograph. The film starts these works at the beginning and as the film proceeds, we get an up close look at the process that brings the final products to fruition. Over it all, the artists lend a gentle commentary about any number of topics. Everyone is genial enough, but at times it seemed to lack focus. Interspersed with these interview segments are montages of artwork (from famous masters and/or uncredited artists) that generally unite in some social or political theme. Although there are occasional ninety second history...

Resurfacing the Centuries-Old Power of Protest Prints
"Has a work of art ever stopped a bullet?" we are asked in the opening scenes of the fascinating documentary Art is... The Permanent Revolution. Then, printmaker Sigmund Abeles poses his question another way: "Guernica is an incredible painting but did it stop a single bullet? I'm not sure." In fact, this thought-provoking film isn't about the entire range of the fine arts as the title suggests. Manfred Kirchheimer's documentary focuses specifically on the last 500 years of print making as protest. While that may sound like a very narrow topic, the 82-minute film branches off into religious and spiritual themes at every turn.

Here are just some of the provocative branches the film unfolds ...

Were you in the crowds who flocked to see the Rembrandt and the Face of Jesus exhibition that has been touring the U.S. over the past year? The printmakers we meet in The Permanent Revolution open up new perspectives on Rembrandt's vocation by paying more attention to his...



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The Callers

This three-generation family can auction (almost) anything!
Being a longtime attendee of "country" and "estate" auctions in Eastern Pennsylvania (especially in Lancaster and Berks County, where more such auctions take place), I was particularly interested in seeing this new film. It was filmed in these two counties and concentrates - mostly - on the Zettlemoyer Auction Company outside of Allentown, PA where the three generations of Zettlemoyer men are still going strong with weekly (sometimes more) auctions. There are other area auctioneers featured but the Zettlemoyers seem to get most of the screen time.

With all the interest in "what is stuff worth?" reality TV shows (Antiques Roadshow, Pawn Stars, Storage Wars, etc), this DVD release is very timely. And, if you like those reality shows, you'll probably enjoy this. I will warn you that the director has a habit of not carrying the filming of the auctioning of a unique item to the conclusion so that you will hear what it went for. This is particularly annoying in the coverage of...

A Glimpse Into The Past: Dedicating Your Life To The Art Of The Sale
With all the interest in shows like American Restoration, Storage Wars, and Pawn Stars (among others), the timing of Susan Sfarra's documentary feature "The Callers" seems well placed. Set largely within the rural areas of Pennsylvania, the film details the lives of professional auctioneers. I wasn't particularly familiar that this subculture was still so prevalent, so "The Callers" was a fascinating glimpse at an ancient art form and one that may be facing its dying days. Many of the subjects interviewed have the business in their blood and it has been an occupation passed on through the generations. The movie follows several well established individuals and gives us a bit of insight into the allure of the auction. We hear anecdotes from both the professionals and by some who love to participate as customers. Truthfully, there's nothing too deep presented in "The Callers" and much of the film is left to observe auctions in actions. And yet, I still felt the presentation was...



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Leave It on the Floor

More than what I expected
I have seen this movie/musical twice on LOGO. I must admit at first viewing I was not expecting it to be a musical. However, I watched it and thought it was just OK. When I was able to catch it a second time, my perspective changed. There was a lot of talent and a few stand outs in this performance piece. There was some comic one liners, spotlight performances, and a few surprises like a performance by Ledisi @ the funeral scene. The contrast/comparison likens this to the documentary of Paris is Burning but this is so much more. It's still "theatre" but more contemporary with relevant topics beyond the ballroom scene. I mos def plan to support by purchasing a copy.

"Sexy, Sexy, Sexy, all righ now. Sexy,sexy,sexy"
I love this movie. My fav character is Princess and I believe Justin is going to call. If Justin doesn't call then I think Princess should walk as a sex siren.

Pleasantly Surprised!
I found this movie at my local Gay Film Festival and had seen the trailer many times. I was blown away when I arrived at the theater and it was by FAR the best movie I saw the entire festival. I laughed, cried and had a blast.
This movie so well illustrates Ballroom culture in a tangible way that was a pleasure from start to finish!
Also, the music and dance numbers are absolutely amazing! I wish there were a soundtrack for this :(

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4 Wedding Planners

lovely Hawaiian romantic comedy
sweet family dramedy in a beautiful setting with charming performances. felt like you got to see s slice of the real hawaii. well worth watching!!!

Fun Premise. Worth A Watch
The 411 by Maria:

Ahhh...very sweet movie. Not too sappy which is what I expected with the title. The 4 Wedding Planners are Miriam, Lily, Twinny and Hoku a single mom and her three girls

My favorite part is the beginning where we see the story during the credits of how this eclectic family came to be showing how Miriam ended up with 3 daughters and 3 different fathers in a serious of funny little cartoon animations.

Lily is very independent and is pretty much the anti "marriage" daughter so when her boyfriend proposes she runs. She takes a plane and comes home to her wedding planning family after many years. They are not planning her wedding, they literally plan weddings for others.

Lily and her sisters are all very different. Twinny is pregnant "often" and the baby, Hoku just wants to be in love and is with Lily's former boyfriend.

The movie is fun, light and sweet. I love Illeana Doughlas as Miriam the mom who is running a...

I loved the actors, i liked that there was no dirty language, loved the hawaii location and theme, it was funny and we could wat
I loved the actors, i liked that there was no dirty language, loved the hawaii location and theme, it was funny and we could watch it as a family. The end was okay but could have been better. I wouldn't mind a sequel.

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Jaws 2 [HD]

No Masterpiece, But Still Worthwhile...
To believe that any effort to make a 'Jaws' sequel could compare with the impact of Steven Spielberg's original was a doomed notion even in 1978: the original was and is a cinematic classic of the highest order (despite having spent much of the '90s in almost-infinite rerun on the Turner networks), so much so that no sequel would ever have been able to measure up to its legacy. What happened basically is this: Universal execs saw the budget and schedule for 'Jaws' balloon so badly because of all its production troubles that they told Spielberg he'd never work in Hollywood again, UNTIL the movie was released and broke every box-office record imaginable. As they are wont to do in the face of staggering profit, these moneymongers quickly turned keel and told Spielberg they were behind him 100 percent the whole time and they wanted to know when he was planning to start shooting 'Jaws 2'. Spielberg, being smart, said 'No thanks', so the execs decided to go ahead with 'Jaws 2' without...

A very solid sequel
I was only 4 when the original groundbreaking film Jaws was first released in 1975. In 1978, I was old enough to see Jaws 2. A film, that while it pales in comparison to Spielberg's classic, it's still an exciting and enjoyable action thriller.

The story takes place several years later and focuses on Martin Brody's (Roy Scheider) two sons and their group of teenaged friends. The summer resort island of Amity is once again facing a threat from a great white shark. After several mysterious deaths Brody is convinced that a another shark is lurking in the waters. The Mayor and town council think otherwise. Brody's two sons and a large group of their friends take off in their sailboats and big trouble ensues. Acting alone, it's up to Brody to come to the rescue.

While lacking the intial shock and surprise Jaws generated, this sequel manages to capture a couple of nice surprises. The film's big climax is geniunely exciting. Roy Scheider delivers a first rate performance. The...

Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water...
Jaws II DVD

Roy Scheider returns as the police chief of Amity, a resort town somewhere in New England, which has been terrorized by a Great white Shark (GWS)

Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water, he's back.

The excellent music composed by John Williams will always make me think of JAWS.

Watch out for the seabirds, they'll know when the GWS is around.

The parasailing shown reminded me of using a bobber while fishing or fly fishing for trout... The skier was like trolling for marlin. When the ski boat blows up there is no direct evidence of what happened and of course the mayor and the city council don't want to believe. The police chief is fired. He didn't help himself when he cleared the beach and shot at a school of blue fish.

Throughout the movie the GWS is anthropomorphized so that we / the movie makers give him almost human intelligence.

Not recommended for anyone who wants to...

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Master Qi and the Monkey King

Interviews, History And Dazzling Performance Bring The Peking Opera To Life
I have never seen the Peking Opera in person although it is something that has always fascinated me. I have seen it represented in many fictional films, however, and thought that Alan Govenar's new documentary "Master Qi and the Monkey King" might be the perfect way to get a closer look. And I was not disappointed. Combining dance, music, storytelling, acrobatics, and martial arts--the Peking Opera is a feast for the senses. This film tells the story a troupe in New York City led by a stage legend (Master Qi) who emigrated from China to bring this art form to a wider audience. (Quick note: Although set in the United States, the film is almost entirely in subtitles). It's an interesting juxtaposition. In China, Master Qi was famous throughout the land. Here, though, she and her husband live in moderation while financing everything very personally. This shows a real fortitude and commitment that you can't help but respect in the unassuming Qi (she seems much less bold when not...





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Peppa Pig: Muddy Puddles and other stories

God Save the BBC!
OK, I clearly should have lived in England. Maybe I will someday... Charlie and Lola, Maisy, Connie the Cow, Peppa Pig... All loved by my family and me.

If you are an appreciator of things from abroad, and even if not, you've got to get this DVD. HOLY COW, funny and adorable. ALL I CAN SAY IS -- WATCH THE POLLY PARROT EPISODE. If you don't crack a smile there's something VERY wrong.

Peppa Pig was introduced to us through Noggin, a spin-off channel for preschoolers from the beloved Nickelodeon. When I first saw a Peppa Pig short with my daughter I was immediately smitten. If you are hesitant to purchase this DVD, maybe you can catch an episode on one of these channels if you have cable. Otherwise, maybe you could go to the Peppa Pig website and view one there.

Unfortunately, there are not many products (toys) available in the USA yet from this series unless you want to pay heaps of money to have it shipped from the UK. Hopefully that will...

Cute and Entertaining Video for Kids (and Parents!)
We ordered this video for our kids (ages 4 and 2 1/2) after seeing the shorts of the Peppa Pig show on TV. This video is excellent. It contains 10 short stories that focus on sibling relationships, families, manners and plain old fun. Our favorite is the "Polly Parrot" one. It's hilarious. The pigs are very cute and, in addition to talking with one another in fantastic English accents, they also snort!!! You can't help but laugh. I would recommend this to kids and parents of all ages!

Works in US! YAY!
My daughter loves Peppa Pig so we have been looking for a DVD that works with the DVD players sold in the United States. This is it! The episodes are great and the DVD plays beautifully. Finally!

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