Final weekend SIFF --- MAYA ANGELOU AND STILL I RISE, HOLDING THE MAN, LOVE WITCH, ODDBALL, LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP plus FAVORITE SIFF FILMS------

Final weekend at SIFF ended with a bit of a whimper since I didn't have much left to see, but at least two of them were very good.

MAYA ANGELOU AND STILL I RISE--U.S.A.---Apparently the first documentary on the life and times of poet, actor, singer, dancer and novelist Maya Angelou, whose first novel I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS inspired countless writers to dig deep into their own experiences for naturalistic and truthful tales.  This is everything that a good documentary should be---enlightening, informative and entertaining.  Watch for this to show up on PBS in February.       GRADE------A

HOLDING THE MAN--Australia--Superior technical production and stalwart group of Aussie actors including Kerry Fox, Guy Pierce and Anthony LaPaglia keep this intense dramatic love story, which starts when two young men begin college and stay together until the AIDS epidemic tears them apart 20 years later, fresh and focused and surprisingly unsentimental.  Also helpful is an appropriated music score featuring top hits from the 1980's that follow this gay love story to it's sad ending--when Rufus Wainwright croons a recent new song near the end, there weren't too many dry eyes in the theatre.  Based on the novel by one of the protagonists.              GRADE----------B+

LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP---Ireland/France---Based on the Jane Austin novelette of letters about LADY SUSAN, this stylish film has been "fleshed out" by writer/director Whit Stillman into a mostly satisfying period picture with lovely costumes, magnificent set design, and many laughs.  My main problem is that the dialogue is rapid fire and I missed many witty (I'm sure) lines that others seem to have understood.  It will surely stand up to repeat viewings.           GRADE-------B

ODDBALL---Australia--Another fine Aussie production, this "family" film features an enthusiastic dog who is trained to protect the small penguin community on a small island that foxes have been trying to decimate.  Based on a true story, and set in and filmed in Victoria, Australia, this odd blend of comedy, drama, nature picture and wild animal antics is charming and unique.          GRADE-----------B

 THE LOBSTER--Ireland--The first feature I saw AFTER SIFF has got to be one of the most bizarre feature films I've seen in years.  Set in another reality, people are required to live in pairs, and this hotel is set up to encourage such relationships.  If a single person has NOT met their match within 45 days, then they are transformed into the animal of their choice.  Veering wildly between comedy, drama and satire and science ficton, this film is certainly unique, but the deadpan humor and deadly consequences take away some of the possible fun.            GRADE-----B

THE LOVE WITCH--U.S.A--The costumes and set design were colorful eye popping treats, but this campy story of a woman who "bewitches" men with her love potions and then they die gets long in the tooth very fast.  If you can tolerate camp (perhaps at midnight, stoned or drunk) then you might enjoy this slim effort.  This was a last minute addition to the schedule on the last Saturday, and it felt underwhelming.                 GRADE-------D+        

VIEWED ON TV------------

HARVEY (1950)---U.S.A.--It has been over 20 years since I saw this filmed version of the Mary Chase play and I remember being a bit annoyed at the scenes where Jimmy Stewart is talking to his big invisible pooka (in this case a 6 foot tall white rabbit spirit).  This time though his performance seemed so convincingly sweet that this didn't bother me at all.  Best of all is the supporting case who play their roles with such clever and witty enthusiasm that they nearly steal the show from Stewart.  Josephine Hull is so amusingly distracted by her brother's illusions that I laughed out loud a number of times--she won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for this part and clearly steals her scenes.   The good news or the bad news.......apparently Steven Spielberg is going to direct a remake of HARVEY
and it could be ruined if the rabbit is actually shown..............        GRADE-----------B+ 




SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL RECAP!



MY FAVORITE SIFF FIMS--Fiction (alphabetical)

AMAMA: WHEN A TREE FALLS 
BEING 17
THE BACCHUS LADY
INDIGNATION
THE INNOCENTS
LAST CAB TO DARWIN
PATHS OF THE SOUL
SCENT OF MANDARIN
SOUTHSIDE WITH YOU
SUMMERTIME

plus (alphabetical)

CLOSET MONSTER
COME WHAT MAY
DEMON
DON'T THINK TWICE
HOLDING THE MAN
HUNT FOR WILDERPEOPLE
HOW MOST THINGS WORK
LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP
A MAN CALLED OVE
MUSIC OF STRANGERS: YO YO MA AND SILK ROAD...
PEOPLE VS FRITZ BAUER
SANDSTORM 
SLASH
SPY TIME
SPARROWS
THERAPY FOR A VAMPIRE
WHERE HAVE ALL THE GOOD MEN GONE


FAVORITE SIFF FILMS--Documentary

TOWER
MAYA ANGELOU AND STILL I RISE
LIFE, ANIMATED
WOMEN HE'S UNDRESSED
MIDSUMMER IN NEWTOWN
CONCERTO: BEETHOVEN JOURNEY
WEINER


FAVORITE GUILTY PLEASURES!!!!!

SCANDAL IN PARIS (revival)
DRAGON INN (revival)
SPY TIME
CARNAGE PARK 
THE MIDDLE MAN
HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE 
THE FINAL MASTER


REALLY DISLIKED

COMPLETE UNKNOWN
THE PRETTY ONES
MUCH LOVED
ZOOM



Two prominent themes  were abundant this year at SIFF-----the first were films that featured DEATH and DYING as the major "activity" or plot of the film.   These included (with ** meaning they were better than average):

BETWEEN LAND AND SEA**
BIG SONIA**
BRAND NEW TESTAMENT**
BURN BURN BURN**
CARNAGE PARK**
COCONUT HERO
THE COOP
THE GREASY STRANGLER
LAST CAB TO DARWIN**
MAMA**
THE MIDDLE MAN**
OTHER PEOPLE**
PAUL A QUEBEC**
TOWER**
TRUMAN**
YOU'LL NEVER BE ALONE

The other theme was the film that featured DOGS (and other animals) as key plot devices, including;
AMAMA: WHEN A TREE FALLS**
BELLE AND SEBASTIAN: ADVENTURE CONTINUES**
BRAND NEW TESTAMENT**(gorilla!)
FAMILY FILM**
THE FREE WORLD
HOW MOST THINGS WORK**
KEDI** (cats)
NEWS FROM PLANET MARS**
ODDBALL** (dog and penguins)
SCENT OF MADARIN**(horses)
TRUMAN**


 OVERALL, I loved more than 85 films (out of 115) viewed this year, rating them a "B-" or better grade.  There were only one dozen that I rated poor--the rest were average, and of course, you can find some film goers that would be happy to defend those that I rated poorly.  For example, some films that I disliked---- DAWN, ALL THE BIRDS HAVE FLOWN SOUTH, COMPLETE UNKNOWN, THE GREASY STRANGLER, MUCH LOVED and ZOOM have many admirers!!!!!!  I do not like agressive hand held camera work, and many of my average films got lowered ratings because of that, especially SANDSTORM which is a superior film in many other ways--I gave it a B but if it had been easier to watch it would deserve an A-........

I will try to note in my cinematicallyjeff blog when a film is opening theatrically.  Some of the above SIFF films are already playing---LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP, WEINER, SUNSET SONG, CHEVALIER, THE FINAL MASTER are out NOW.

Promised soon for this summer are INDIGNATION, CHIMES AT MIDNIGHT, HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE, MUSIC OF STRANGERS, the popular (fan favorite SIFF Golden Space Needle award winner) CAPTAIN FANTASTIC, MAMA, TICKLED, LIFE ANIMATED, OUR KIND OF TRAITOR, DON'T THINK TWICE, CAFE SOCIETY and SOUTHSIDE WITH YOU (which imagines a first date 20 years ago with Barack and Michelle!).  Release dates are always subject to change.

My personal favorites this year include: the shocking INDIGNATION, based on a Philip Roth novel and directed by James Shamus, a frequent Ang Lee collaborater,  AMAMA: WHEN A TREE FALLS--a film set in Basque, about conflicts and changes at an old family run farm, TOWER--a stunning documentary done mainly in animation, but with film clips, interviews and news reels showing courage and bravery when a sniper takes over the University of Texas in 1967, THE INNOCENTS--a supersized CALL THE MIDWIFE type story about abused, inpregnated nuns near the end of WWII, SCENT OF MANDARIN--a melodramatic, nearly over the top French film about love between a handicapped man and his nurse during the Great War in the early 1900's, and MIDSUMMER AT NEWTOWN--a non political film that should be required viewing for every single politian who questions gun control issues in this country.

There were 187 voting FOOL SERIOUS (full series) pass holders this year (of which I am a member) and their favorite films were CAPTAIN FANTASTIC, OUR LITTLE SISTER, THE INNOCENTS, BATTLE OF SEVASTOPOL, A MAN CALLED OVE, SPY TIME,  HOLDING THE MAN, 13 MINUTES, LAST CAB TO DARWIN, THE BACCHUS LADY, HUNT FOR WILDERPEOPLE, AMAMA: WHEN A TREE FALLS,  BETWEEN SEA AND LAND, LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP and documentaries TOWER, MAYA ANGELOU, WOMEN HE'S UNDRESSED, THE WEEKEND SAILOR.




 

SIFF SCREENINGS Wednesday June 8 through Friday June 10----TOP FILMS----BEING 17, SCENT OF MANDARIN, BACCHUS LADY, CHICKEN PEOPLE and King Hu's DRAGON INN (1967)

Here's what I viewed 8-10 June.....

SCENT OF MANDARIN---France---A bodice ripper set in the early 1900's has a nurse with an illegitimate daughter being hired by a one legged military officer--forced into retirement due to his injury.  She has a feminist sensibility, and as their relationship grows, they finally decide to marry, with a major prenuptial agreement (sex on Tuesdays only!) and other restrictions.  Scarred by war (she lost her lover and daughter's father to the Great War, too) the two manage to find some semblance of love and happiness while struggling through their personal demons.  This film has "passion" as it's theme, along with humor, drama, suspense, infidelity and a sumptuous setting with great music and photography.             GRADE-------  A-

BEING 17---France---Marred only by some hand held camera segments in the first half hour, this splendid coming of age drama features two teen boys who cannot stand each other when they first meet, and spend most of the first year fighting, literaly, while being forced to share time together as one lives far from school in the country and his mother is frail with a pregnancy and in the hospital.  His mother's doctor is the other teen's mother, so it is decided that both boys will live with her in the city.  The doctor and her son must deal with the absence of their husband/father, away in the military.  The tensions between the teens slowly melt, and as the old saying goes, there is a thin line between love and hate. This subtle, refreshingly honest and intelligent portrait seems to trandcend subject matter, and is one of the strongest films (visually and dramatically ) at SIFF this year.            GRADE------A-

THE BACCHUS LADY---South Korea--Actress Youn Yuh-jung gives an heroic portrayal as a mature prostitute trying to make ends meet in her golden years.  Along with her efforts to find a young boys mother, and taking care of her neighbors, she finds that along with sexual services, there is a growing need for another type of service among her older male clients, which she handles with respect and dignity.  The final shot of the film is sadly shocking, a reminder that those living on the fringes of society, despite having lived a purposeful life, are doomed to lonliness and soon forgotten.            GRADE------B+


DRAGON INN--Taiwan---1967---One of director King Hu's early successes as he combines fine storytelling with exciting martial arts sequences.  This one doesn't depend so much on special efforts like flying through the air or gigantic leaps (although there is a bit of that by one character) but is more grounded in reality, and became for me a terrific entertainment.      GRADE------B+

CHICKEN PEOPLE---U.S.A----An unlikely crowd pleaser, this documentry about chickens and the people who breed them with the hope of winning Best of Show awards at chicken competions, was informative and exciting and entertaining.  Did you know that there are over 150 different types of chickens in the world, and many of them are gorgeous creatures.           GRADE-------B

AWAITING--aka LA ADOPCION--Spain/Lithuania--A fine story of a Spanish couple who travel to Lithuania to adopt a healthy child, and are greeted along the way with missing baggage, changes to their wish list, corrupt and lying officials, language barriers, and personal stresses.  Having been involved in the process, and knowing several couples who have gone through the experience, I can plainly state that this film hits the nail squarely on the head, although it could have used some artistic flourishes to put over the tensions, since it almost feels filmed like a documentary, which it is not.                  GRADE-----B

MIDDLEMAN---U.S.A.---We are in dark, comedic Coen brothers here---think BLOOD SIMPLE, FARGO and NO PLACE FOR OLD MEN, although I'd say Coen light would be more appropiate.  A devoted  middle aged son, his mother recently dead, takes to the road toward stand up heavan, specifically Las Vegas, but is detoured in a small town about 100 miles away, where he gets involved in murder, bodies, blood and horror.  I enjoyed the (sometimes sick) humor and the plot is at times clever, although the pacing felt a bit slow, and the believability factor waivers from right on to no
 way at times.               GRADE-------B-

THE FITS---U.S.A.--Set in a community center, a young black teen age girl joins a dance group of older peers, but strangely, one by one, these girls come down with seisures while practicing, something like an epileptic fit.  Poisoned water from the pipes is blamed, but the mystery remains.  I enjoyed watching these frenetic dances, and the young lead is terrific, but the film feels under developed and the story is slight.            GRADE-----------C+


THE COOP--Turkey--A woman with three children--one an infant--is diagnosed with tuberculosis and told she has not long to live, so she begs her husband to marry a healthy woman to raise her kids.  He does so, but a few months later she recovers and comes back to live in the house, where naturally tensions arise between the two women.  The film is OK but a bit underwhelming.       GRADE----C+

ARIANNA--Italy---We are told at the beginning of this film that Arianna was "reborn" three times.   First as a boy, then three years later as a girl, and another rebirth before turning 20.  She is discovering that she is different from other girls, and uses this summer vacation (at a lovely summer home) to try sex, and ultimately learns about her body.  Intersexuality is an important and interesting subject, but in this film, the discussions are oblique and the really important scenes like the medical discovery moment are NOT in the film.  The viewer is left to ponder discussions that never take place, and we seem to already know what Arianna does not.  Unfortunately, a bit of a bore.           GRADE--------C

ALL THE BIRDS HAVE FLOWN SOUTH---U.S.A---If you see the trailer for this film, you will have seen the whole film.  A peeping Tom pervert fantasizes about a white trash, drug addicted, married waitress, and insinuates himself into their lives.  The film is unpleasant to watch, partly because there is no one to root for, and partly because the characters themselves are so disgusting--the sick husband is abusive, and has weeping sores on his feet.  The wife snuffs drugs in every other scene, then snuffs her nose continuously in other scenes.   Camera work and actors are fine, but ----Yuck.        GRADE-----------D+

DAWN--Stunning black and white photography and creative camera tricks cannot save this chaotic, hysterical story of a young boy who turns in his father for murdering his mother.  Sound good?  The first 30 minutes consists of a constantly screaming baby in the back ground, the drunken father smashing all the dishes in the commune, beating his housemates and son, and then there is a lot of running and screaming through fields, into mud, climbing mountains, all the while screaming slogans denouncing communism, praising the "collective farm commune" about a dozen times, and there are literly hundreds of people in these scenes, running and screaming every which way.  At that point I fled the theatre for some sunshine.          GRADE-------D 

MUCH LOVED--Morocco/France--A group of whining prostitutes live together and complain about sex, men, clients, and life.  Most of the men in the film are brutal abusers and pigs, yet these women continue to service them at drug induces parties and on the street.  There is no hope, answers, enlightenment or solutions here.  Worst of all is the continuous and obnixous hand held camera work that is miserable to watch.          GRADE-------D           

SIFF SCREENINGS Saturday 4 JUNE through Tuesday 7 JUNE------TOP FILMS----AMAMA: WHEN A TREE FALLS, SPY TIME, BETWEEN SEA AND LAND, NEWS FROM PLANET MARS, NUTS!

Here's what I saw from 4 Jun through 7 Jun,  starting with a terrific AMAMA

AMAMA: WHEN A TREE FALLS----Spain---This could be the surprise hit of SIFF---A basque family farm is headed for major change, as the eldest son has no interest in taking over the farm--he's already left the country.  The middle daughter, an artist,  is indifferent and challenges her father.  The younger son is considered "lazy" by the father.  This film is stunningly poetic, artistic and dramatic, and works on nearly every emotional level.              GRADE---------A

NEWS FROM PLANET MARS--France--Dry, extremely drool comedy of single father trying to steer through the daily grind with two precocious teens and a nut job co-worker.  The final 20 minutes looses some sting, but for the most part the film is a spot on look at the insanity of normality.       GRADE---------B+

SPY TIME--Spain--Goofy satire of spy films, with an older spy trying to protect his numbskull adult son from danger.  The jokes and gags come at a consistent                  rate, and if one doesn't make you laugh, the next one probably will, if you like that sort of thing.            GRADE--------B

BETWEEN SEA AND LAND---Columbia--Strong actors carry this familiar tale of man afflicted by distonia--a disease that degrades muscle tissue and limits movement.  Mother and son are extremely poor, and must deal with loneliness and frustration as they turn to each other for comfort.  Film becomes claustrophobic with extreme close ups and shaking camera by the devastating ending.           GRADE---------B

NUTS!--U.S.A.--Curious and entertaining documentary of life of a doctor in the early 1900's, who starts his surgical career by transplanting goat gonads into the testicles of men as a supposed cure for impotence among other things, then starts the largest radio broadcasting company in the United States, all the while peddling odd medical procedures and medicines.  Film is mix of news paper articles, pictures, video clips and animation.               GRADE----B

WE THE PEOPLE 2.0---U.S.A.---Depressing documentary exploring the death grip that big business and corporations have on the  physical health of all Americans who live in the vicinity of fracking, gas and oil drilling, ash dumping, pollution dumping, and suffer from deceiving political practises.  Well intentioned, but lacking the big push back solution that it needs.        GRADE-------B-

BITTER STEMS--Argentina 1956--Fine revival of film noir mystery looks and sounds excellent, although I will admit to unintentionally sleeping through more than half of it, a very unusual thing for me to do.
GRADE---------B-

BIG SONIA--U.S.A. --Well meaning documentary of one of the last remaining  Holocaust survivors.  She finds meaning working in the tailor shop that was started by her now deceased husband, although she is in her 90's, and spends much time telling her sad story to high school students and other groups including incarcerated men.             GRADE-------B-

 COCONUT HERO--Canada--Suicidal teen can't seem to follow through.  He finally meets his absent father. and a young woman who heads a class to raise his self esteem helps change his mind about living.  The film starts off as a comedy, but works better as a drama as it goes along, but film doesn't really jell completely.               GRADE---------C+

RED GRINGO---Chile--Bio picture of U.S. pop singer who finds a much bigger success in Chile and other oppressive regime countries in the the 1970's, but this lazy documentary is dull, and seems to steal quotes on whole sections of film from earlier films of his career.  We get a lot of political talk, although we learn little of the countries attitude towards the singer, and we learn nothing of his social life until the last two minutes, which briefly and awkwardly talk of his mysterious death in the mid 1980's.             GRADE-----C

TRIVISTA---- Hong Kong/China--The film looks good, but three separate stories told by three different directors, all inter cut together with seemingly no interaction make for a confusing viewing.  There are over 16 middle aged men to keep track of, and since I had no invested interest in these various gangster, I walked out after one hour.           GRADE---------C

YOU'LL NEVER BE ALONE---Chile--Gay teen who likes to dress in drag is beaten to a pulp by three homophobes, at least one of whom is his lover, but no one will come forward with the truth.  His clueless father is left with  major hospital bills and no answers.  This slow moving first film features a "musical score" that consists of single long held chords (up to five minutes), scenes filmed in near darkness and at other times pointing the camera towards light in a darkened room so that all people are back lit---you can't see their faces, and it is also constantly hand held--a major irritation to watch.   Despite a provocative theme (gay bashing) this film provides NO discussion, NO answers, NO context, and contains NO ending that makes any sense--logical or emotional.                GRADE--------D+

SIFF Screenings Wed June 1 thru Friday June 3----------TOWER, SUMMERTIME, LIFE ANIMATED, ROSITA, BURN BURN BURN, SPA NIGHT--all BEST BETS

TOWER---U.S.A.----Possible the most creative documentary of the year, this excellent film blends live action, present day interviews, news clips, TV stories and sophisticated animation to tell the  story of the horror of the first mass shooting that occurred in 1966 at the University of Texas in Austin when a lone gunman climbed the tower and started shooting as a sniper, killing 16 people, and wounding over 30 more before being stopped. The film concentrates on the stories of 7 people who were involved in the shootings and aftermath, and flashes back and forth between them, illuminating heroic action amidst some chaotic horror, resulting in a fascinating, positive, life affirming film.      GRADE--------A

SUMMERTIME (aka  LA BELLE SAISON)---France--Superior writing, cinematography, music and acting highlight this lush looking story of a gay farm girl who works with her parents.  When she takes a few months off to go to Paris, she falls in with a group of radicalized feminists, and among them is a spirited leader, who falls for her.  When her father suffers a stroke, they return to the farm together to work, but being gay in the country turns out to be harder than it was in Paris.  Set in 1971, some great pop songs and subtle period details make this a stand out dramatic love story.          GRADE----------A-

LIFE, ANIMATED--U.S.A.--Fascinating documentary covering about 20 years, about a father who discovers he can communicate with his autistic son through the dialogue of Walt Disney feature animation films.
  GRADE---------A-

SAND STORM--Israel--Strong film of teen daughter and her mother who try to resist the male domination attitudes of life in a dusty Bedouin village.  Fascinating and disturbing, the film is sabotaged (for me) by constant hand held camera, which lowers the grade (A-) it might have ordinarily received.  I wonder how long, in this age of high tech like cell phones, computers and Internet, that these women will be willing to subjugate their lives to male "tradition" without a massive revolution........         GRADE---------B

BURN BURN BURN--Great Britain--Laura Carmichael, of DOWNTON ABBEY fame, stars as one of two best friend who are bequeathed the remains of their dead best male friend to scatter  at several places around Great Britain.  It becomes a comedy/drama road trip as they discover things about their friend (via a USB key) and each other, and it makes the film moving and memorable.         GRADE--------B 

SPA NIGHT--U.S.A.--In Los Angeles, a Korean-American teen struggles to appease his parents, who have just lost their restaurant, so he takes a job at a Korean spa, which ignites his sexual questioning.        GRADE-------B 

ROSITA----Denmark----She's a mail order bride from the Philippines, but tensions arise when she falls for the son of the older man she's been "assigned" to.      GRADE-------B

NALEDI:  A BABY ELEPHANT TALE----U.S.A./Botswana------It feels like a Disney nature pic in many ways, about the trials and struggles of a motherless calf.  Easy to watch, but sort of sad too, due to overwhelming references to poachers and diminishing herds.        GRADE------B-

UP FOR LOVE-----France----Typical French fluff (.....Judy!)  with amusing premise--single female lawyer, meets and falls for a very short (4 ft 5 inch) man, played by the charming Jean Dujardin (THE ARTIST).  There are some clever moments, but for me the real problem was distraction---I kept trying to figure out how they made the normal sized Dujardin to look the size of Toulouse Lautrec.  The film makers do a good job of it, but darn if that didn't just throw me out of the story believability.  Surely there are some fine short actors in France?!          GRADE-------C+

MORRIS FROM AMERICA---U.S.A/Germany---Smart set up (a single black father moves his young teen son to a mostly white German town because of new job) runs downhill at half way mark, as series of typical  "teens in temptation" scenes and unfunny sexist and racist rapping lyrics coming from the mouth of a 13 year  old, substitute for the plot.  A missed opportunity.             GRADE------C-

THE BRIDE----Spain----Corny romanticized dialogue made me wince and/or giggle as this dull, over familiar "Blood Wedding" type story unfolds.  As the bride runs off with a past married lover on her wedding day, I wanted to shout out rude things to the screen, like "Rip off her bodice!" or  "Show us your _______!"        GRADE---------D+ (for interesting landscapes and photography.)

COMPLETELY UNKNOWN---U.S.A.--This film is like dinner at a fancy restaurant.   A modest hor dourve, but no main course or dessert.  It is all set up with nothing to follow through on.  Boring and frustrating up to the nothing ending.  Rachel Weisz, Michael Shannon, Kathy Bates, Danny Glover are all totally wasted.  I need to trust my gut instinct more:  if I'm not engaged by the 30 minute mark, then I need to bolt from the theatre.  In this case I was not engaged for 90 minutes.       GRADE---------D

THE GREASY STRANGLER---U.S.A.--A dull, tiresome exercise in campy horror and very bad taste, this film makes early John Waters' films feel like masterworks.  This mid-nighter features food dunked in grease buckets, insipid dialogue spoken in monotone, and an ugly lead actor, frequently nude, sporting a very large prosthetic penis.  By the 20 minute mark, I'd seen enough, as had 20 some other movie goers, out of only about 60.    GRADE----- D