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June 2, 2010
Kinsey (2004)
Should I see it?
No.



Short Review: Can't get a biopic of MLK done but this pervert gets lionized. Someone stick a fork in our culture...



Look at the original DVD box above. Liam Neeson peeking through a keyhole with the words "Let's Talk About Sex" underneath. The marketing team thinks showing the main character obviously peeking through a keyhole at others copulating is a selling point. Can we, as a society with hopfully an ounce of self-respect left, please give a collective "ewwww!"

I hope you're not shocked when I tell you that this was unpleasant movie.

I’m not against frank discussions about sexuality. such conversations are needed in a mature, intelligent culture. I believe people should be given information about sexuality and safe sexual practices. I am hardly a prude. What I do have a serious problem with is public discussions of sexuality and sexual practices outside of a moral context. It is one thing to offer biological dissertations on how intercourse occurs, its another to start rambling on about what should be considered normative behaviors with the same cold tone.

The film proposes America was a ignorant place where no one understood human sexuality. In comes Alfred Kinsey with his brave pronouncements of just how depraved we all are and now everyone is better. We all can talk about sex and think about it freely and with an informed attitude. But where is the morality?

People used to have horribly misguided ideas about the biological functions of sexuality (oral sex leads to pregnancy as an example.) But now, in our new enlightened state everyone is informed. Oral sex does not lead to pregnancy – heck even children know this. The problem is that sexuality without morality leads to a new kind of ignorance. We now have a couple of generations who believes oral and anal sex aren’t really sex. Which society is worse off? Which kind of sexual ignorance is more damaging?


Kinsey was a troubled man who did a great deal of damage to the world. To offer him a film honoring his efforts is ignorant and deceptive. To offer grand proclamations about the need for sexual freedom is easy from the high towers of the universities and Hollywood. But there is a deep and serious human cost involved. Look at your society and tell me if this “freedom” is free.

By the way, the film itself was passably done. It was neither a strong production nor a weak one technically speaking. The positives of the film are outweighed by the obtuse message and glaring anti-morality messages in the story. The point of the film is to obviously denigrate anyone who holds a connection between morality and sexuality and praise the free-love types.

This is a blatant reworking of history which means it is propaganda. As far as propaganda is concerned, you can do better than this. Obviously, I do not recommend this film.


Related Reviews:
Liam Neeson movies
Taken (2008)
Excalibur (1981)


Other Critic's Reviews:
Cinema Blend
London Times




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December 17, 2009
Thirteen Days (2000)
Should I see it?
Yes.



This engrossing look at the Cuban Missile Crisis stars Bruce Greenwood (you’ll know him when you see him) as JFK and Steven Culp (you probably won’t know him when you see him) as RFK. Relatively honest, this film doesn’t make the Kennedys out to be saints or geniuses. They are politicians faced with the possible opening acts of WWIII. Unprepared, inexperienced and overwhelmed, they do what they can to keep a lid on the apocalypse.

David Self (The Wolfman) has delivered a well paced and thought provoking script. The screenplay does the actors a number of favors, giving them fully fleshed out scenes to present and developed characters to breathe life into. Greenwood is the standout in this production and manages to upstage Costner consistently.

This is a reliable pick if what you're looking for isnt in. You can find it on the cheap shelves and since its been forgotten, it should be available.


Related Reviews:
Cold War movies
Der Tunnel (2001)
Good Bye Lenin! (2003)


Other Critic's Reviews:
PopMatters
Salon.com





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July 3, 2008
Movie Trailer: Diminished Capacity
I have mixed feelings about this one. This appears to be just another East Coast neurosis flick where the pathetic urbanite is cured by seeing the "real life" out in the sticks. In addition, the presence of Matthew Broderick, and his very limited ability to deliver a line, doesn't help matters. On the other hand, I do like the premise of said pathetic urbanite joining with his Alzheimer's impaired uncle to venture to a collectibles convention to sell a rare baseball card. Simple plots like this can be very successful - then again, movies starring Matthew Broderick aren't. One can hope Virginia Madsen, Alan Alda and Dylan Baker in the supporting roles can give enough charm to the piece to overwhelm Broderick's flat performance style.



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Screenwriters: Sherwood Kiraly and Doug Bost
Director: Terry Kinney
Actors: Matthew Broderick (The Stepford Wives), Virginia Madsen (Sideways), Alan Alda (The Aviator), Dylan Baker (Planes, Trains & Automobiles) and Louis C.K.


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