Documentaries (Films 106, 107, and 108)
It's well-known amongst my crew that I have never been a fan of puppets. In fact, they are probably tied with spiders for my Number One Fear! And it stems from childhood, ironically enough, it was Jim Henson's creatures in "Labyrinth" and "The Dark Crystal" (as well as Mr. Rogers) that fed my fear.
"Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey"
Kevin Clash was Elmo, completely. He brought Elmo to life, well as much as a muppet/puppet could be brought to life, I suppose. He defined Elmo's personality. He came up with the distinct voice that has also seemingly defined Elmo. The preceding puppeteer gave Elmo a deep, husky voice that just didn't work. We get the firsthand account of how the original puppeteer was frustrated with the character of Elmo and how he threw him at Clash one day in one of the rehearsal rooms and said, "See what you can do with it." And see he did. Clash created the Elmo that became a beloved Muppet with millions and millions of dollars attached to products like "Tickle Me Elmo" (which I even had, and I think I was in high school at the time of its arrival in stores). Elmo became a cultural phenomenon, thanks to Kevin Clash's love to puppeteering.
Kevin Clash's life seemed to be defined by luck and happenstance, as well as knowing the right people; and even though he was a shy, introverted person, he seemed to know when to talk and whom to speak with in order to get at his life's goal, because ultimately, Clash wanted to make puppets and bring them to life. That was his mission in life.
This documentary is literally a closer look into Clash's life-long journey into getting what he wanted. And you cheer for him along the way. You smile, too, because he also seems to embody Elmo's personality. Kevin Clash was born into an upper-middle class African-American family that lived in the suburbs of Baltimore. And just think, if he'd lived in the section of Baltimore that was so well-defined by the HBO series "The Wire" perhaps he wouldn't have been able to have the same experiences. He was a quiet and shy boy who, one day, decided he wanted to make puppets so he went into his parent's bedroom and coat up his father's coat. Where lower-class kids would've probably experienced a lashing of words, at least, and in the worst case scenario, a beating...Kevin's father did not get upset, instead he was encouraging and only said, "Next time, ask." This is rather telling of the divide between upper-middle and lower classes. Kids are given opportunities and thrive on parental involvement in middle classes, whereas creativity is rather stifled in lower class homes. They do not have opportunities. It cannot be denied that Kevin Clash's life has been a happy one.
This is clearly a story of a boy with a dream who was given or made every opportunity to pursue that dream. We get an in depth look at Kevin Clash's rise to the top of the "Puppet/Muppet" world, from his beginning gigs in his backyard, to local cable television shows, to a call up from "Captain Kangaroo" and finally his professional pinnacle working alongside Jim Henson on several projects, which culminated with his work on "Sesame Street" where he eventually became the director of puppeteers as well as executive producer of the show. Again, Clash's life was happy.
The only time we see or hear about Clash encountering tragedy in his life happened when Jim Henson died so suddenly and unexpectedly after experiencing simple flu-like symptoms that developed into something far more severe and shut down on his organs. But, only that is touched upon briefly, even though it seemed to have affected Clash greatly, since Henson was the man he looked up to so much. He was also married and had a daughter (whom he did not seem to have much of a relationship with, since she even sent him a letter when she was about to turn 16 years old, basically begging for her father to attempt some kind of relationship with her, which led to one of the more endearing moments in the film where he clearly goes out of his way to make his daughter's Sweet 16 very memorable, by creating a video of celebrities that had stopped by Sesame Street all wishing his daughter a Happy Birthday! I guess we can say, she too has had a life of opportunity). Nothing is really said of his marriage, but we know now thanks to the controversy that came out and surrounded Kevin Clash in 2012, that he is now divorced and apparently gay, since there were several young man who came out accusing Clash of improper sexual conduct (to which he has denied, instead stating that any relationships were among consenting adults). Although, he resigned from all his duties on "Sesame Street" when the allegations came out and shit started hitting the fan. Who knows if the man behind the puppet has a darker side, because this documentary did not even come close to presenting him as anything other than a warm-hearted person who only wanted "to love and be loved in return. And to hug."
There's lots of old film footage of Kevin Clash throughout his years as he slowly climbed the ranks in the puppeteer world, as well as pictures from the old days. I wonder if his parents where as handy with cameras and videos as Kevin was in his adult life, knowing that he would eventually become famous, and thus provided the documentary with the footage.
Elmo is a popular culture icon, thanks to Kevin Clash's (re)invention of the character. Kevin Clash is an endearing and caring man who seemed to prove that you can make your dreams a reality if you push yourself.
"All he wanted was to love and be loved. And hug you."
I enjoyed this documentary.
......................................................................
"Exit Through the Gift Shop"
Here is a documentary that I struggled to understand, at first, but then, once I got the apparent "joke" I fully appreciated it as a piece of art.
With acclaimed graffiti artist Banksy apparently in the director's chair of this documentary it is at times very funny, completely believable, but most importantly tackles the ultimate question of "What is art?" and then you realize that Banksy's joke is on you. But who is the joke laughing at? I think he is taking a joking stab at hipsters and so-called art aficionados.
There's a couple of great scenes involving art auctions and a female art collector commenting on the pieces she's collected throughout the years. Clearly, she's a woman who is only familiar with art when it has been spoken of by others, since she has in her collection a very large Banksy original, but it seems so out of place in her home and I don't think she understands it and had only bought it because she believes she has to own at least one. Perhaps that's Banksy's commentary with this documentary though: that art is undefinable and that it is understandable on many different levels. Art is art in the eye of the beholder. But, as a judgmental person, I don't want this woman to own one! Sorry!
Then when the original filmmaker, Thierry Guetta is encouraged by Banksy to become an artist, the joke becomes rather transparent. Guetta dubs his artistic personality, Mr. Brainwash (hello, subtext!) and he begins to "rip off" old pieces of pop culture art (in the vein of Andy Warhol), but simply splattering paints on the "original duplications" thus giving them a street-graffiti feel to them, and thus creating a social commentary that I don't think Guetta (as a man) is capable of knowing exactly what he is doing. But, that's part of the joke. Part of the art, with this documentary. And then, when his art is completed, Mr. Brainwash decides to rent a former CBS television studio where he will have his inaugural art exhibition show. A campaign for the showcase is done all over the city promoting Mr. Brainwash and his upcoming art exhibition. People, by the hundreds, line up down the street waiting for the opening to begin. And several people pay thousands of dollars for his "original" pieces. Great clips of some people commenting on his art further push the point Banksy is making- that people don't understand art, but will stop at nothing to seem like they know what they are talking about. Little do they know, they're just digesting the hype. Art is hype. Hype is art. "Exit Through the Gift Shop" certainly hammers down that point.
I'm not convinced that Thierry Guetta is/was an actual person. I think he is/was a character created by Banksy, and thus played masterfully by the actor assigned the role.
I love the end of the film perhaps the most, when a shadowed and voice-disguised Banksy reveals that he's never encouraged and helped someone become an artist and he will never do it again! HA!
This is definitely an entertaining film/documentary. You must watch it. I hope it didn't give too much away and ruin it for you because it's an enjoyable ride.
..........................................
"After Porn Ends"
Here is another documentary about the porn industry. This one attempts to shed light on an industry that ultimately chews and spits out its people like pits found in cherries. The director wants to show us the human side behind the porn stars once they have left the industry and the uphill battle they ultimately have to climb because of decisions they made on their own. Whoever goes into the porn industry not expecting to be used must be quite a naive individual. And the same goes for anyone who looks at the people in porn as anything other than people who are obviously carrying some form/amount of hurt in the lives. I don't believe anyone who is in the industry who claims to have had a decent, picture-perfect upbringing- much like the young rabbi (?) commenting throughout the documentary states, "these are people filling a void for some sort of absence they were faced with in their childhoods."
The director wants to hammer home the point that the porn industry can and will make a person's life horrible once they have left it. And many who say they are "Retired" from the business actually end up returning to it, only for the financial benefits (and given the hard times we have been facing since about 2004, it is no wonder many many girls, specifically, have turned to some form of pornography in order to make ends meet). Does that make them horrible people? I guess, that's the question somewhat posed with this film (but not really, because ultimately this film wants to just get on its soapbox and tell you the porn industry will ruin lives). It focuses on the tragedies of these tortured souls.
For example, Asia Carrera (the first Asian-American porn star to rise in the ranks) has gained 40 pounds since leaving the industry, has 2 kids, is a widow and a struggling alcoholic. But, the kicker is that she is a member of the highly coveted Mensa Group (meaning, she is a certified Genius, with a very High I.Q.). So why is she struggling so hard in life-after-porn?
Randy West is one of the prominent male accidentally porn stars who could never seem to find love. He is shown alone in his home, often re-watching old porn movies he was in, reliving his "glory days." Too bad Bruce Springsteen's eponymous song couldn't be played as Mr. West's theme song. It seems so fitting.
Houston, a definitively used-up porn star known for breaking the record of the World's Largest Gangbang for her film "Houston 500" (the name says it all, and I don't think I have to explain further), is shown on the verge of tears every time she is on film recounting her days and her story. She was diagnosed with skin cancer (which she fought and beat, thankfully). She is a Nursing School graduate with a 4.0 which again begs the question, if these women are so smart why do they enter a business that they should know better to or at least know they will be used mercilessly by it?
Crissy Moran is perhaps the most sympathetic porn actress because she retells her career as the most uncomfortable experience anyone could have. She cried on set, often needing to hide the tears when scenes were completed. She left the industry become religiously devoted as well as an advocate for speaking out against the porn industry.
Mary Carey is depicted as rather stupid and very narrow-minded about the industry. She is very self-centered and narcissistic, which are perhaps reasons why she seems to have survived the business unscathed. She actually uses the industry in return for it using her (much like Jenna Jameson has done). She even talks about her ridiculous run for governor of the state of California and is proud of the fact that she came in 10 out of 134 candidates. Yes, an accomplishment, but it really speaks to the fact that perhaps ANYONE can run for office (at least in California)!
There are a few other women that recount their rise in the porn industry and its inevitable damage, as well as a couple of other male performers, but it's not worth bringing up each person's story. It's too depressing. They male performers look back on their time in the porn industry with nostalgia, but isn't that to be expected and does that not perhaps say something for the major difference between genders and their treated while in the porn industry?
"Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey"
Kevin Clash was Elmo, completely. He brought Elmo to life, well as much as a muppet/puppet could be brought to life, I suppose. He defined Elmo's personality. He came up with the distinct voice that has also seemingly defined Elmo. The preceding puppeteer gave Elmo a deep, husky voice that just didn't work. We get the firsthand account of how the original puppeteer was frustrated with the character of Elmo and how he threw him at Clash one day in one of the rehearsal rooms and said, "See what you can do with it." And see he did. Clash created the Elmo that became a beloved Muppet with millions and millions of dollars attached to products like "Tickle Me Elmo" (which I even had, and I think I was in high school at the time of its arrival in stores). Elmo became a cultural phenomenon, thanks to Kevin Clash's love to puppeteering.
Kevin Clash's life seemed to be defined by luck and happenstance, as well as knowing the right people; and even though he was a shy, introverted person, he seemed to know when to talk and whom to speak with in order to get at his life's goal, because ultimately, Clash wanted to make puppets and bring them to life. That was his mission in life.
This documentary is literally a closer look into Clash's life-long journey into getting what he wanted. And you cheer for him along the way. You smile, too, because he also seems to embody Elmo's personality. Kevin Clash was born into an upper-middle class African-American family that lived in the suburbs of Baltimore. And just think, if he'd lived in the section of Baltimore that was so well-defined by the HBO series "The Wire" perhaps he wouldn't have been able to have the same experiences. He was a quiet and shy boy who, one day, decided he wanted to make puppets so he went into his parent's bedroom and coat up his father's coat. Where lower-class kids would've probably experienced a lashing of words, at least, and in the worst case scenario, a beating...Kevin's father did not get upset, instead he was encouraging and only said, "Next time, ask." This is rather telling of the divide between upper-middle and lower classes. Kids are given opportunities and thrive on parental involvement in middle classes, whereas creativity is rather stifled in lower class homes. They do not have opportunities. It cannot be denied that Kevin Clash's life has been a happy one.
This is clearly a story of a boy with a dream who was given or made every opportunity to pursue that dream. We get an in depth look at Kevin Clash's rise to the top of the "Puppet/Muppet" world, from his beginning gigs in his backyard, to local cable television shows, to a call up from "Captain Kangaroo" and finally his professional pinnacle working alongside Jim Henson on several projects, which culminated with his work on "Sesame Street" where he eventually became the director of puppeteers as well as executive producer of the show. Again, Clash's life was happy.
The only time we see or hear about Clash encountering tragedy in his life happened when Jim Henson died so suddenly and unexpectedly after experiencing simple flu-like symptoms that developed into something far more severe and shut down on his organs. But, only that is touched upon briefly, even though it seemed to have affected Clash greatly, since Henson was the man he looked up to so much. He was also married and had a daughter (whom he did not seem to have much of a relationship with, since she even sent him a letter when she was about to turn 16 years old, basically begging for her father to attempt some kind of relationship with her, which led to one of the more endearing moments in the film where he clearly goes out of his way to make his daughter's Sweet 16 very memorable, by creating a video of celebrities that had stopped by Sesame Street all wishing his daughter a Happy Birthday! I guess we can say, she too has had a life of opportunity). Nothing is really said of his marriage, but we know now thanks to the controversy that came out and surrounded Kevin Clash in 2012, that he is now divorced and apparently gay, since there were several young man who came out accusing Clash of improper sexual conduct (to which he has denied, instead stating that any relationships were among consenting adults). Although, he resigned from all his duties on "Sesame Street" when the allegations came out and shit started hitting the fan. Who knows if the man behind the puppet has a darker side, because this documentary did not even come close to presenting him as anything other than a warm-hearted person who only wanted "to love and be loved in return. And to hug."
There's lots of old film footage of Kevin Clash throughout his years as he slowly climbed the ranks in the puppeteer world, as well as pictures from the old days. I wonder if his parents where as handy with cameras and videos as Kevin was in his adult life, knowing that he would eventually become famous, and thus provided the documentary with the footage.
Elmo is a popular culture icon, thanks to Kevin Clash's (re)invention of the character. Kevin Clash is an endearing and caring man who seemed to prove that you can make your dreams a reality if you push yourself.
"All he wanted was to love and be loved. And hug you."
I enjoyed this documentary.
......................................................................
"Exit Through the Gift Shop"
Here is a documentary that I struggled to understand, at first, but then, once I got the apparent "joke" I fully appreciated it as a piece of art.
With acclaimed graffiti artist Banksy apparently in the director's chair of this documentary it is at times very funny, completely believable, but most importantly tackles the ultimate question of "What is art?" and then you realize that Banksy's joke is on you. But who is the joke laughing at? I think he is taking a joking stab at hipsters and so-called art aficionados.
There's a couple of great scenes involving art auctions and a female art collector commenting on the pieces she's collected throughout the years. Clearly, she's a woman who is only familiar with art when it has been spoken of by others, since she has in her collection a very large Banksy original, but it seems so out of place in her home and I don't think she understands it and had only bought it because she believes she has to own at least one. Perhaps that's Banksy's commentary with this documentary though: that art is undefinable and that it is understandable on many different levels. Art is art in the eye of the beholder. But, as a judgmental person, I don't want this woman to own one! Sorry!
Then when the original filmmaker, Thierry Guetta is encouraged by Banksy to become an artist, the joke becomes rather transparent. Guetta dubs his artistic personality, Mr. Brainwash (hello, subtext!) and he begins to "rip off" old pieces of pop culture art (in the vein of Andy Warhol), but simply splattering paints on the "original duplications" thus giving them a street-graffiti feel to them, and thus creating a social commentary that I don't think Guetta (as a man) is capable of knowing exactly what he is doing. But, that's part of the joke. Part of the art, with this documentary. And then, when his art is completed, Mr. Brainwash decides to rent a former CBS television studio where he will have his inaugural art exhibition show. A campaign for the showcase is done all over the city promoting Mr. Brainwash and his upcoming art exhibition. People, by the hundreds, line up down the street waiting for the opening to begin. And several people pay thousands of dollars for his "original" pieces. Great clips of some people commenting on his art further push the point Banksy is making- that people don't understand art, but will stop at nothing to seem like they know what they are talking about. Little do they know, they're just digesting the hype. Art is hype. Hype is art. "Exit Through the Gift Shop" certainly hammers down that point.
I'm not convinced that Thierry Guetta is/was an actual person. I think he is/was a character created by Banksy, and thus played masterfully by the actor assigned the role.
I love the end of the film perhaps the most, when a shadowed and voice-disguised Banksy reveals that he's never encouraged and helped someone become an artist and he will never do it again! HA!
This is definitely an entertaining film/documentary. You must watch it. I hope it didn't give too much away and ruin it for you because it's an enjoyable ride.
..........................................
"After Porn Ends"
Here is another documentary about the porn industry. This one attempts to shed light on an industry that ultimately chews and spits out its people like pits found in cherries. The director wants to show us the human side behind the porn stars once they have left the industry and the uphill battle they ultimately have to climb because of decisions they made on their own. Whoever goes into the porn industry not expecting to be used must be quite a naive individual. And the same goes for anyone who looks at the people in porn as anything other than people who are obviously carrying some form/amount of hurt in the lives. I don't believe anyone who is in the industry who claims to have had a decent, picture-perfect upbringing- much like the young rabbi (?) commenting throughout the documentary states, "these are people filling a void for some sort of absence they were faced with in their childhoods."
The director wants to hammer home the point that the porn industry can and will make a person's life horrible once they have left it. And many who say they are "Retired" from the business actually end up returning to it, only for the financial benefits (and given the hard times we have been facing since about 2004, it is no wonder many many girls, specifically, have turned to some form of pornography in order to make ends meet). Does that make them horrible people? I guess, that's the question somewhat posed with this film (but not really, because ultimately this film wants to just get on its soapbox and tell you the porn industry will ruin lives). It focuses on the tragedies of these tortured souls.
For example, Asia Carrera (the first Asian-American porn star to rise in the ranks) has gained 40 pounds since leaving the industry, has 2 kids, is a widow and a struggling alcoholic. But, the kicker is that she is a member of the highly coveted Mensa Group (meaning, she is a certified Genius, with a very High I.Q.). So why is she struggling so hard in life-after-porn?
Randy West is one of the prominent male accidentally porn stars who could never seem to find love. He is shown alone in his home, often re-watching old porn movies he was in, reliving his "glory days." Too bad Bruce Springsteen's eponymous song couldn't be played as Mr. West's theme song. It seems so fitting.
Houston, a definitively used-up porn star known for breaking the record of the World's Largest Gangbang for her film "Houston 500" (the name says it all, and I don't think I have to explain further), is shown on the verge of tears every time she is on film recounting her days and her story. She was diagnosed with skin cancer (which she fought and beat, thankfully). She is a Nursing School graduate with a 4.0 which again begs the question, if these women are so smart why do they enter a business that they should know better to or at least know they will be used mercilessly by it?
Crissy Moran is perhaps the most sympathetic porn actress because she retells her career as the most uncomfortable experience anyone could have. She cried on set, often needing to hide the tears when scenes were completed. She left the industry become religiously devoted as well as an advocate for speaking out against the porn industry.
Mary Carey is depicted as rather stupid and very narrow-minded about the industry. She is very self-centered and narcissistic, which are perhaps reasons why she seems to have survived the business unscathed. She actually uses the industry in return for it using her (much like Jenna Jameson has done). She even talks about her ridiculous run for governor of the state of California and is proud of the fact that she came in 10 out of 134 candidates. Yes, an accomplishment, but it really speaks to the fact that perhaps ANYONE can run for office (at least in California)!
There are a few other women that recount their rise in the porn industry and its inevitable damage, as well as a couple of other male performers, but it's not worth bringing up each person's story. It's too depressing. They male performers look back on their time in the porn industry with nostalgia, but isn't that to be expected and does that not perhaps say something for the major difference between genders and their treated while in the porn industry?
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