The view from here...
Boneshaking film
Sun, February 12, 2006 - 11:12 AM
So as I am wont to do, I read a great deal of reviews on the state of all the current glbt flicks coming out of the major film festivals throughout the year. It is through internet reviews that I started hearing about Mysterious Skin.
I knew the basic gist of the plot and I also knew that Joseph Gordon-Levitt was starring. Being a fan of 3rd Rock and watching this young man tackle more challenging roles (Latter Days was pretty good too), I thought I'd order the film for our Movie Nite club.
So the first big surprise was that TLA Video (btw...TLA Releasing is the distributor for the film) had yanked this dvd from their offerings. I had to order it from Amazon. What's weird about this (other than the fact that TLA is the distributor) is that they had advanced ordering for this before Christmas and when I called to order it they said it was unavailable.
I must first warn anyone that might buy/rent this film to be prepared. It deals with some extremely graphic verbal and physically implied descriptions of child molestation in flashback sequences. Without this element, however, the impact of the gravity of this tale would be completely hollow. It is the very graphic-ness that causes the viewer to react in such a turbulent way.
I have to state here...I know this is the year of Brokeback Mountain...and while I admire, respect, and appreciate every aspect of that film, the performance given by Joseph Gordon-Levitt is one of the most powerful and amazing that I've seen in my nearly 39 years on this earth.
This kid managed to take some incredibly difficult subject material from the written page and translate it into one of the most realistic, believable character portrayals ever brought to the screen.
The emotional, and yes, physical, roller coaster ride that you will experience while viewing this film is testament to the skill of the actors involved and the dedication of Gregg Araki.
We all agreed on this one...DEFINTELY worth a watch!
Sun, February 12, 2006 - 11:12 AM -
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Unsu...
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Sun, February 12, 2006 - 7:49 PM
Mysterious TLA
I had to order it from amazon as well. I wonder why TLA isn't selling it??? Mysterious.... skin....
I toyed with the idea of seeing this film in the theater when it came out, but I had read the book by Scott Heim when it came out, and I loved the book so much that I thought the film would be a typical Hollywood ruination of the book it's based on that I decided not to see the movie. Then after it had left the theaters a lot of people who saw it said it was really good, and it was getting a lot of end-of-the-year critical praise as well. So I bought the DVD from amazon and watched it last month. I'm so glad I did, I have to say that the film is an almost exact version of how I imagined the book to be and feel and look and everything. I think both actors captured their characters extremely well. Thanks for sharing your review, I also give it two thumbs up (a cow's butt). I also recommend the book, even if you already know what happens. And also his second novel, In Awe, which was more difficult to get through (not because of the subject matter, it was just a little darker and murkier) but also a great book. [PS - You're, like, old, or something.] |
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Mon, February 13, 2006 - 3:51 AM
ayeah
Thanks for the book suggestions XnwbX! As soon as I get through the twelve tomes that Red bought me for Xmas I will get both of those! Fortunately I'm taking a week at the shore in April, so I should be able to get through most of those then.
As for your 'old as dirt' comment...don't worry lad, you'll get here soon enough! And lemme tell ya, it is NOT fun! I'm kinda lucky and unfortunate all at the same time. Red, in addition to working with mentally challenged adults, is also a cardiac rehab/PT guy. He keeps on me to stay in shape (though lately I've been an awful slacker). Cheers! |
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Unsu...
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Mon, February 13, 2006 - 10:10 PM
> > >He keeps on me to stay in shape
Yeah, but what do you get out of it?? |
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Tue, February 14, 2006 - 4:11 AM
*yeah, but what do you get out of it*
Energy, fitness, and a strong heart and lungs. If not for his insistence upon exercise I would be enormous. I LOVE food and drink! :( |
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Unsu...
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Tue, February 14, 2006 - 9:10 PM
I don't mean when he's on you to stay in shape, I just mean when he's on you. If you know what I mean.
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Wed, February 15, 2006 - 4:28 AM
Whaddaya you think...I'm no kiss and tell fella!
Lets just say that Red is VERY fit in all areas. ;] Sometimes TOO fit! *yikes* |