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gordonzolaI was kinda sick so I watched a bunch of movies last week. Here are some very short reviews:
The Nomi Song is playing at the Castro and you should all go see it, if just so more people will understand when I mention him pop-culturally. Klaus Nomi was a German, classically-trained singer with and amazing falsetto (is that the same thing as a counter tenor?) who was around in the New York early ‘80s world of New Wave. Go look at the website if that doesn’t ring any bells. He painted his face white with lots of makeup, wore angular outfits including a custom-built PVC tuxedo top that had like 4 foot wide shoulders. He’s best known for singing "Total Eclipse" and for being one of the first semi-well known people to die of AIDS.
The documentary is definitely of the everyone-has-an-axe-to-grind variety. Since by all accounts, Klaus was a very lonely man, no one is really there to give his point of view. Everyone gives him credit for an amazing singing voice but after a while the jabs build up ("He would scrawl an idea on a napkin and it was my job to figure out how to make it work",* "I got a band together and wrote all the music"). This gets undercut beautifully, however, when all the interviewees complain about getting fired for real studio musicians. The clip with the new "band", from Urgh, a Music War"** sounds so much better than anything previously, that it’s hard to take their whining that seriously anymore. Nomi’s legacy is once more up in the air.
Don’t get me wrong, it is really fucked up to get a recording contract then fire all your friends who helped you get there. But we never get to hear Klaus’s side of the story. I was one of the few people in the world to A) actually own a copy of the soundtrack to "Urgh, a Music War" and B) owned it before I saw the movie. Even without the visual weirdness, "Total Eclipse" stopped me in my tracks.
The movie leaves lots of questions unanswered. They mention a hugely successful Midwest tour but don’t elaborate at all. A disastrous opening gig for Twisted Sister is alluded to ("Klaus wouldn’t talk to me for a week after that show") but no details are given. Maybe it’s because he died so young, but the question of whether his act really was just a novelty or whether he would have been an amazing artist is left hanging. I mean honestly, his catalogue, like most new wave, is almost completely disposable.
But this is also an AIDS movie. The grief on the faces of his friends is palpable as they recount being scared to touch him or visit him at the hospital because they didn’t know if they would catch the "gay cancer". What was supposed to be just the beginning of his US career was his last show. The loss of his talent just when he was going to become a star is a metaphor for all the talent, vision, and lives lost in the ‘80s, all the potential that never really had a chance.
But, given some of the undercutting and back-biting of the interviewers ("He always wanted to be my boyfriend. He slept over once and when I woke up I was like, ‘what am I doing?’") one is also left to wonder about how many can also use that cover to justify leaving him alone on his death bed. They all seem to regret it now, but since at times they still seem angry 20 years later at the minutia of the time, probably rightfully, it’s impossible to separate out the personal drama from the historical details of the period.
Oh and since they were all a bunch of self-involved artists of the Andy Warhol school, there is a lot more archival footage than you would expect. Go see this in the theater while you have the chance.
"Baadasssss!" I assume you all know the details on this one. Mario Van Peebles makes a movie about his father making "Sweet Sweetback’s Bad Asssss Song". I was sickest when I saw this so my critical faculties may have been down but I thought it was totally great. The ending was a little too Hollywood, but that was probably a nod to the whole Black-man-gets-to-kill-a-cop-and-live theme of the original. Among other things, it’s about the birth of independent cinema. I was interested in the connections between Melvin Van Peebles and the Black Panthers, who organized people to see the film, but in this version it was told as accidental rather than planned. I kinda doubt that and wonder why Mario VP chose to tell it that way. But hell, maybe it was. Not everything is according to plan.
"Trekkies 2" Incredibly boring. It almost plays as an apology for the excesses of the original. A parallel for the gay community would be if the first movie showed only leather daddies and drag queens and the second was all about the "respectable" members of the community. Lip service is paid to the boringest argument ever: "Trekkies" vs. "Trekkers", the filk people get to show their "best" side, and the internal debate of "Can Trekkies(ers) go too far is examined in the dullest way possible. Plus whatever-her-name-is who played that security officer in TNG, narrates the interview of Trekkies all over the (white) world like it’s her own personal travel show on PBS.
However, it’s worth watching the last 10 minutes for the performances of the Sacto Star Trek bands. Klingon death metal? Its time has come. Also the Belgrade Trekkies section is a little intense if only because of that area’s recent history of Civil War. Of course, it begged for someone to ask some real questions like "What is the ethnic makeup of the group(s) involved?" and "Are you really the only people in this country that have hope for the future like you claim?" and "What are the political limits of Star Trek philosophy in a country torn by ethnic warfare?"
*All quotes approximate. I wasn’t taking notes.
**This movie is impossible to find. It’s like 150 minutes of live performances of new wave and punk bands (mostly new wave) with some amazing clips. In my memory the Dead Kennedys, Au Pairs and Klaus Nomi’s performance are the amazing ones. If you are local, I can tell you how to rent it via backchannel.
The Nomi Song is playing at the Castro and you should all go see it, if just so more people will understand when I mention him pop-culturally. Klaus Nomi was a German, classically-trained singer with and amazing falsetto (is that the same thing as a counter tenor?) who was around in the New York early ‘80s world of New Wave. Go look at the website if that doesn’t ring any bells. He painted his face white with lots of makeup, wore angular outfits including a custom-built PVC tuxedo top that had like 4 foot wide shoulders. He’s best known for singing "Total Eclipse" and for being one of the first semi-well known people to die of AIDS.
The documentary is definitely of the everyone-has-an-axe-to-grind variety. Since by all accounts, Klaus was a very lonely man, no one is really there to give his point of view. Everyone gives him credit for an amazing singing voice but after a while the jabs build up ("He would scrawl an idea on a napkin and it was my job to figure out how to make it work",* "I got a band together and wrote all the music"). This gets undercut beautifully, however, when all the interviewees complain about getting fired for real studio musicians. The clip with the new "band", from Urgh, a Music War"** sounds so much better than anything previously, that it’s hard to take their whining that seriously anymore. Nomi’s legacy is once more up in the air.
Don’t get me wrong, it is really fucked up to get a recording contract then fire all your friends who helped you get there. But we never get to hear Klaus’s side of the story. I was one of the few people in the world to A) actually own a copy of the soundtrack to "Urgh, a Music War" and B) owned it before I saw the movie. Even without the visual weirdness, "Total Eclipse" stopped me in my tracks.
The movie leaves lots of questions unanswered. They mention a hugely successful Midwest tour but don’t elaborate at all. A disastrous opening gig for Twisted Sister is alluded to ("Klaus wouldn’t talk to me for a week after that show") but no details are given. Maybe it’s because he died so young, but the question of whether his act really was just a novelty or whether he would have been an amazing artist is left hanging. I mean honestly, his catalogue, like most new wave, is almost completely disposable.
But this is also an AIDS movie. The grief on the faces of his friends is palpable as they recount being scared to touch him or visit him at the hospital because they didn’t know if they would catch the "gay cancer". What was supposed to be just the beginning of his US career was his last show. The loss of his talent just when he was going to become a star is a metaphor for all the talent, vision, and lives lost in the ‘80s, all the potential that never really had a chance.
But, given some of the undercutting and back-biting of the interviewers ("He always wanted to be my boyfriend. He slept over once and when I woke up I was like, ‘what am I doing?’") one is also left to wonder about how many can also use that cover to justify leaving him alone on his death bed. They all seem to regret it now, but since at times they still seem angry 20 years later at the minutia of the time, probably rightfully, it’s impossible to separate out the personal drama from the historical details of the period.
Oh and since they were all a bunch of self-involved artists of the Andy Warhol school, there is a lot more archival footage than you would expect. Go see this in the theater while you have the chance.
"Baadasssss!" I assume you all know the details on this one. Mario Van Peebles makes a movie about his father making "Sweet Sweetback’s Bad Asssss Song". I was sickest when I saw this so my critical faculties may have been down but I thought it was totally great. The ending was a little too Hollywood, but that was probably a nod to the whole Black-man-gets-to-kill-a-cop-and-live theme of the original. Among other things, it’s about the birth of independent cinema. I was interested in the connections between Melvin Van Peebles and the Black Panthers, who organized people to see the film, but in this version it was told as accidental rather than planned. I kinda doubt that and wonder why Mario VP chose to tell it that way. But hell, maybe it was. Not everything is according to plan.
"Trekkies 2" Incredibly boring. It almost plays as an apology for the excesses of the original. A parallel for the gay community would be if the first movie showed only leather daddies and drag queens and the second was all about the "respectable" members of the community. Lip service is paid to the boringest argument ever: "Trekkies" vs. "Trekkers", the filk people get to show their "best" side, and the internal debate of "Can Trekkies(ers) go too far is examined in the dullest way possible. Plus whatever-her-name-is who played that security officer in TNG, narrates the interview of Trekkies all over the (white) world like it’s her own personal travel show on PBS.
However, it’s worth watching the last 10 minutes for the performances of the Sacto Star Trek bands. Klingon death metal? Its time has come. Also the Belgrade Trekkies section is a little intense if only because of that area’s recent history of Civil War. Of course, it begged for someone to ask some real questions like "What is the ethnic makeup of the group(s) involved?" and "Are you really the only people in this country that have hope for the future like you claim?" and "What are the political limits of Star Trek philosophy in a country torn by ethnic warfare?"
*All quotes approximate. I wasn’t taking notes.
**This movie is impossible to find. It’s like 150 minutes of live performances of new wave and punk bands (mostly new wave) with some amazing clips. In my memory the Dead Kennedys, Au Pairs and Klaus Nomi’s performance are the amazing ones. If you are local, I can tell you how to rent it via backchannel.
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no subject
Date: 2005-02-22 05:59 pm (UTC)A disastrous opening gig for Twisted Sister...
Whose brilliant idea was this?
I have only seen the first ten minutes of Sweet Sweetback's Badasss Song and need to finish it when I'm not in a room full of people who are horrified. I've decided that the documentary may possibly be the only good thing Mario has ever done.
no subject
Date: 2005-02-22 06:04 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-02-22 06:08 pm (UTC)So...he's done TWO good things.
no subject
Date: 2005-02-22 06:22 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-02-22 06:28 pm (UTC)*cringe*
when i'm down and out, i will comfort myself with the following knowledge:
Date: 2005-02-22 05:59 pm (UTC)Re: when i'm down and out, i will comfort myself with the following knowledge:
Date: 2005-02-22 06:04 pm (UTC)Re: when i'm down and out, i will comfort myself with the following knowledge:
Date: 2005-02-23 08:50 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-02-22 06:12 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-02-22 06:23 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-02-22 06:20 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-02-23 06:36 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-02-22 06:56 pm (UTC)The best part of URGH was the disgusted glance that Gary Numan gave the crowd while driving around in his car
no subject
Date: 2005-02-22 07:08 pm (UTC)I haven't heard any Klaus Nomi in f o r e v e r, like at least 15 years or so. Thank you for jogging my memory, again.
I *need* a copy of the film you mentioned. If you know a local place to buy it let me know.
no subject
Date: 2005-02-22 08:47 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-02-22 07:28 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-02-23 06:36 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-02-22 07:37 pm (UTC)I have a cheese question for you.
no subject
Date: 2005-02-22 08:45 pm (UTC)and what is your cheese question?
no subject
Date: 2005-02-22 08:52 pm (UTC)Cheese:
I have a bit of money to my name for once, and I want to go down to one of the local cheesemongers and pick up a piece of something special. I like all cheeses, though the super fancy fruity stuff doesn't really interest me. I want to spent around $10 and have something substantial to show for it. Which is to say, I'll be staying away from the really, really expensive stuff. I don't need anything fancy; I'd be happy with a nice smoked provolone or some other variation on a more-or-less normal theme.
Suggestions?
no subject
Date: 2005-02-23 06:42 am (UTC)If you came into our store I'd give you samples of things to see what you'd like. Guessing wildy, I'd ask 'em if they have any Basque sheep cheese. Settle for Petit Basque, but ask 'em if there's anything more interesting. Or Just get a huge hunk of smoked provolone. It's a hard question to answer because prices vary wildly in different regions of the country. And the dollar sucks right now so everything imported is super pricey.
Or maybe just $10 worth of quark?
no subject
Date: 2005-02-23 07:04 am (UTC)I'll probably end up down in South Philly, which is all Italian, at least when it comes to cheese shops. Last time we were down there, my housemate came out with a nice hunk of fancy provolone. I'd like something a bit more interesting. I know I can probably find your recommendation at the local farmers' market, but it'll be expensive and besides, that place feels like a cop-out.
Or maybe I'll take your advice and just get a $10 bag of quack!
no subject
Date: 2005-02-23 07:15 am (UTC)Even though I don't like Crimethinc I almost jumped in on their side because they were so outmatched. you were totally shooting those hippie fish in a barrel. How's this?
Crimethinc is actually a sophisticated plan for empowerment of low income communitites. One the upper middle class youth are convinced that parasitism is revolutionary, the ruling class will be forced to hire more working class people into positions of power. This will help working class communitites develop skills they will need to run the future post-revolutionary society. This, combined with the intesification of class hatred fueled by holier-than-thou revolutionary dumpesterism, sharpen the dialectics, bringing about a potentially revolutionary situation.
no subject
Date: 2005-02-23 08:37 am (UTC)And: :-o Oh my. That shit is _deep_.
I double dog dare you to hop on this right here. I'm far too crass to say anything except the obvious.
no subject
Date: 2005-02-23 03:10 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-02-23 08:25 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-02-23 08:37 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-02-24 07:17 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-02-24 07:23 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-02-22 08:18 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-02-23 01:23 am (UTC)The weirdest thing is that his tenor voice is pretty darn ordinary. It's just the falsetto that's so insane.
no subject
Date: 2005-02-23 06:43 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-02-22 08:58 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-02-23 06:44 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-02-23 01:33 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-02-23 06:45 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-02-23 02:43 am (UTC)urgh! a music war available locally? pray tell! i havent seen that in forever, and id watch it again.
i think my housemate owns "the fabulous stains" on vhs, or maybe taped off night flight or whatever. man there was some crazy stuff on usa now that i reflect on it...
i think the soundtrack to urgh! was one of those i always figured id buy later, because there always seemed to be plenty of them around - but then i never did. hmm.
no subject
Date: 2005-02-23 06:46 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-02-23 07:02 am (UTC)URGH
Date: 2005-02-23 03:01 am (UTC)I have a copy of it that I recorded off of IFC or something a couple years ago, but confusingly, the Gary Numan segment was missing! I very distinctly remember him doing "Cars" while driving around the stage in a little bumper-car like thing when I first saw the movie way back when. It was Deep Weirdness, and now it is gone.
Re: URGH
Date: 2005-02-23 06:45 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-02-23 03:00 pm (UTC)Hoffman's album & is a criminally neglected gem, wonderful ornate pop songs written in collaboration with a bunch of interesting folk (Stew, Ann Magnuson, Anna Waronker, Russell Mael, Rufus Wainwright, Van Dyke Parks, Maria McKee, Michael Quercio, Paul Reubens, Lydia Lunch, etc).
no subject
Date: 2005-02-23 03:07 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-02-23 03:12 pm (UTC)I'm sure this movie plays differently to New Yorkers too, especially ones either 1. around then or 2 in the music world.