Jim VanBebber's "The Manson Family" is finally available on DVD after 15-years in the making. But, the wait was more than worth it! VanBebber not only directs, but acts in the movie as well (playing Bobby Beausoleil) delivering nothing short of a masterpiece in the telling of the true story of the Manson family. Although the film was made on a shoestring budget, it almost has a B-movie feel to it. However, the overall imagery of the film has a very '60s feel to it-in the vein of EASY RIDER or THE TRIP, which really enhances its effectiveness. VanBebber actually weaves two storylines into his film: the tale of the Family (with both '60s 'footage', newsreels and modern day confessions of Family members) and the tale of the "new" cult of Manson (showing the long-lasting effect of Manson on youth even today). VanBebber holds nothing back in the film, showing the acid trips, the orgies, psuedo crucifixions, ceremonial sacrifices of dogs, the rape of a member and of course the murders. And by the murders, I don't mean just the "Tate/LaBianca" murders - Bugliosi would have you think that those were the beginning and the end of the story. VanBebber pretty much avoids the "Helter Skelter" theory, to follow a more down-to-earth plausible one: that the murders were actually a snowballing of a couple of drug-deals-gone-bad along with 'copycat' murders to spring incarcerated Family member Bobby Beausoleil. While some critics might say that the murder scenes are pure, gratuitous violence, I beg to differ. This film does NOT glorify the murders, but gives an accurate and factual depiction (as close as can be expected on this film's budget) of the murders. Overall, I found the film fascinating, mesmerizing AND disturbing. But that's what the whole Manson Family mythos entails. While the film sometimes borders on a B-movie classification, it does more to truly explain the Manson Family than the many higher-budget films that have come before. Truly a pop culture masterpiece!
Note: This is a condensed version of the review - for the extensive review of "The Manson Family" DVD Click here
This month Rhino releases its long-awaited Brian Wilson Presents Smile DVD, a two-disc package featuring David Leaf’s Beautiful Dreamer documentary, a live performance of Smile, and several extras including recording outtakes, extra interviews, performances, a photo gallery, and a music video. Fans have been waiting for this since they saw cameras filming early shows on the tour, including the Royal Festival Hall premiere. The set is a very worthy companion to the CD and vinyl releases. Leaf’s documentary, while offering few new pieces of information, is an engrossing piece of work that is probably the perfect single introduction to the entire Smile story. While other films, like Don Was’ I Just Wasn’t Made for These Times and The Beach Boys: An American Band offer some tantalizing fragments regarding the story, Beautiful Dreamer covers much more than those documentaries while also featuring new interviews with key players. Leaf managed to talk to Lorren Schwartz, Van Dyke and Durrie Parks, David Anderle, Danny Hutton, and of course Brian. Al, Bruce, and Mike are absent, which is a shame, but understandable. The only person I wish Leaf had spoken to out of the potentially willing was Marilyn, as she witnessed the creation of much of this music in her own home. To make up for missing persons, though, the extra interviews provide a nice tangent from the proper documentary, particularly Van Dyke Parks’ interview of Brian. They discuss Brian’s favorite part of Smile, their songwriting and social history, and Van gets Brian to discuss his feelings regarding a return to the material as well as play parts of several songs. The other major portion of this set, the live show, is a gift for fans unable to see the show in person. Brian appears happy, energetic and proud of his 37 years of work. And he should be. The only weakness with the show is the fluctuating volume. Perhaps the live experience is similar, but some parts were very quiet while others were very loud, partly killing the mood. The filmed studio sessions provide a nice elaboration of the live experience, though. We get to see the band working on “Mrs. O’Leary’s Cow,” “Heroes and Villains,” “In Blue Hawaii,” and “Good Vibrations,” among other bits. Aside from the sound issues mentioned above, and the fact that the set seems to focus on “Heroes and Villains” and “Good Vibrations” over other songs, it is as perfect an encapsulation of the Smile phenomenon as is available. New fans will be able to easily get wrapped up in the story, which for once portrays the music in a positive light. Old fans will enjoy looking at the work in the studio, the partnership of Brian and Van, and Brian’s ultimate triumph. Watching him move, speak, and act is like witnessing the 24 year-old living through his golden era all over again. This is a set that will impress on first viewing and easily grow with time.
Note: This is a condensed version of the review - for the extensive reviews of "Brian Wilson Presents SMiLE" DVD Click here
Although it only clocks in at 10-1/2 minutes, THE OLD NEGRO SPACE PROGRAM is the funniest parody I have seen in a long time! In 2004, this short won the Best Film Award at the First Sundays Film Festival. It was also an official selection at the HBO Aspen Comedy Festival and the Calgary International Film Festival. The film follows the "documentary" style based on the Ken Burns CIVIL WAR series on PBS, complete with similar violin music. The film even has a disclaimer at the beginning of the film, which states, "A film not by Ken Burns". The film combines 'contemporary' interviews with such Negro astronauts as Wallace "Suitcase" Jefferson who says, "It started over a girl..." This lady didn't want to be with anyone that didn't have a job, so he tried to sign on with NASA. Unfortunately, NASA was segregated in the '50s, so they started their own version - NASSA (the Negro America Space Society of Astronauts). When he told her he had a job he "got laid that very night!". With uniforms made by hand and the rockets cobbled together from NASA discards they were ready to try their hand at space. Complete with hilarious photos and CIVIL WAR-type 'letters' home from space ("Sara...It sure is fucking cold up here! Space is one cold mother fucker.") the story follows the 'blackstronauts' as they surpassed NASA in the 'space race', Of course NASA's official line is that it "didn't happen". The U.S. government launches a "black blackout", in which Washington prevents the media from telling all the successes of NASSA. When NASSA made a 1966 moon landing (in a modified Cadillac Coup Deville) three years before the 'official' NASA landing, the story was officially buried. NASSA disbanded. Even if you aren't familiar with the Ken Burns series (I always seemed to fall asleep during these.) you are going to love this clever independent film! And the best thing is that you can see it for free by going to the website.
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"The Manson Family"
"Brian Wilson Presents SMiLE"
"The Old Negro Space Program"