D.C. MOVIE GUYS

MOVIE REVIEW:”FACTOTUM”

There is a certain noble anger in the work of poet and author Charles Bukowski. The thoughts and tales he shares with readers take them to the edge of civilized society, to a place where people are just barely getting by from day to day. Not because of prejudice or ill health or bad breaks. They’re in that shadowy place largely because they choose to be there, reveling in the pain and despair.

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The Mostly Unfabulous Social Life of Ethan Green
Directed by George Bamber
Coming out in select theatres 8/11/2006

When I worked in the city, I used to routinely pick up the Washington Blade, the District’s gay weekly (OK, Seinfeld fans on the count of three: one-two-three-”Not that there’s anything wrong with it.”). It had two things that I generally like in a publication: it was free and it had a lot of news, features, etc. not found elsewhere. The Blade and I came to a parting of the ways over the whole price thing, when they felt I should start paying for their paper and I preferred our relationship under the already-established parameters. One of the things I missed the most were the comics especially the two regular features Dykes to Watch Out For and The Mostly Unfabulous Social Life of Ethan Green (TMUSLOEG-my fingers get tired even typing the acronym). The latter of these has been turned into a funny feature film as enjoyable as the comic in its rendering of the gay community.

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MOVIE REVIEW: WORLD TRADE CENTER

The events of September 11, 2001 will live with all those who were alive and sentient at the time for as long as they live. There has been much comment offered in the public media, asking whether popular culture in general and cinema in particular should attempt to re-create the events with an eye towards offering some understanding. Hollywood has never been expert at bringing meaning to historic traumas, but the just released “World Trade Center, ” stands as a significant and welcome exception to that rule.

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World Trade Center
Directed by Oliver Stone
Rolling out nationwide 8/9/2006

“Too soon,” an unidentified heckler yelled out when Gilbert Gottfried tried to tell a 9-11 joke at Hugh Hefner’s fall 2001 comedy roast (thus initiating The Aristocrats). Too soon, people explained away the paltry interest in the movie adaptation of The Guys and Spike Lee’s 25th Hour which added a 9-11 subtext to David Benioff’s picaresque novel. And “too soon?” people are asking with this year’s release of big screen docudramas United 93 and Oliver Stone’s World Trade Center. The question not being asked that should is: Are they good enough to be worthy of their subject matter? Paul Greengrass’ United 93 has already proven its merit. Thankfully, Oliver Stone’s look at rescuing the rescuers is every bit the master filmmaker at his very best.

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