Pan Left Productions

Dear Movie Diary,

In light of my new sensitivity, I got 3 comedies on my video plan for this weekend. Last night I started watching THE SOLOMON BROTHERS and had to stop it 1/4 way through because it was just not funny. End of story!

Then I started watching the SIMPSON'S MOVIE. I actually found it somewhat disturbing. (Maybe because I accidently psyched myself up by watching the latest consipiracy theory video online. I gotta stop doing that.) But when I think about it now, the movie was quite bold in taking jabs at how our government is listening in on phone conversations and how heartless the EPA may be. I have not watched the Simpson's TV show in many years and was startled at the tone of the movie. It definitely had funny stuff, but I found the satiric jabs very dark. I also became quite aware of Homer's abusive parenting. No wonder Bart turned out the way he did! And I wondered how Marge had never considered divorcing Homer in all these years. But thinking about it afterwards, I found the movie to be either a bold satiric statement on the state of things right now or total fear-based propaganda disguised as satire. FILMMAKING COMMENT: If the Simpsons Movie were not animated, it would have great cinematography. The shots were very majestic and film-like, even though annimated.

I was going to tell you about the films I saw at the Loft Cinema last weekend. I went to the free showing of LONGSHOT, which used to be named, "Snappers" and was filmed in Tucson in March '07. I PA'ed for 2 days on that shoot and wanted to see my name in the credits and to see how good the film turned out to be. Before the film showed, it was announced that it was a rough cut and we were given survey forms to fill out at the end of the film. All in all, I thought the film was pleasant and enjoyable, and the acting very good. It would be a good movie to see on video. It was an uplifting (based on a true) story of the guy (who lives in Tucson and wrote the script) who invented the talking bottle opener. I like stories about entrepreneurs and money. Nice relationship scenes which will make for a good date movie. FILMMAKING COMMENTS: There was an abundance of handheld shots which I thought were unnecesary and the editing was a bit choppy. I thought the movie went a little too fast and I didn't understand the end, although it looked interesting. Since this was a rough cut, I am hoping these problems will be addressed and that my name will be included in the credits along with anyone else (extras and PA's) who were left out.

Then I decided to watch THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO, which was playing right after LONGSHOT. THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO, is a documentary on how the Bible is misinterpreted today to show homosexuality as an abomination. It was interesting to see that alot of what is taken as gospel from the Bible are actually cultural codes of conduct from ancient times when the Bible was written. There is no mention of homosexuality being an abomination in the New Testiment, only in the Old Testiment. Included in the passage, that tells homosexuality as an abomination, are eating shrimp, and wearing linen with wool, among other things as abominations. Go figure! (The last time I read the Bible was when I was depressed as a teenager and I read the Old Testiment and was thoroughly horrified at the heartlessness and cruelty portrayed in many of the Bible stories. I had to put it down.) What I got out of this documentary was how today's religions create guilt trips and brainwash innocent parishoners to the extent that they reject their gay children. An issue that gets brought up for me is the need and hope for unconditional love from family for who you really are. It was beautiful and highly emotional for me to see various parents struggling with the acceptance of their gay children. Some had no problem with expressing unconditional love for their kids while others went through a great character arc or journey in getting to the point of recognizing the beauty of their children and learning what unconditional love really is. Others never accepted their children.

That documentary reminded me of another I saw at the Loft called, RED WITHOUT BLUE. It is on DVD now and is about two twin young men; one is gay, but the other wants to become a woman. It follows them through the process of acceptance by their parents and acceptance of each other. Their mother has the most trouble, but their stepfather is the most compassionate. It was really moving for me to see what all members of the family went through. And on top of that, the twins were with the director at the film showing and Q & A. They seemed like they had been through a lot, but also seemed very mature and compassionate while fielding questions from the audience. I highly recommend both documentaries.

Cyndi Lauper sang a thrillingly uplifting song during the credits of THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO. I am so impressed at her heartfelt singing and the choices of songs she sings. She also sang an incredibly uplifing song in the documentary FOLLOW MY VOICE, which is about the making of the soundtrack to HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH. The soundtrack was created to raise money for a safe school in New York for harrased and abused gay high school kids. Not all of the kids in the school are gay. It is a safe haven for any high school kids who are trying to escape bullying. I think this is such an enlightened concept for a school. The music is performed by numerous artists who were not associated with the original soundtrack of HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH. I totally recommend this documentary even though I have never seen "Hedwig and the Angry Inch"

Well that's all for now. More to come.

Jean