Normally I'd lament the loss of an art-punk rocker to the realm of cinema, but in this case it is clear that Michel Gondry belongs in the director's chair, rather than behind a set of drums.
Throughout the overlong dual-sided disc, Gondry repeatedly lays traps to tromp l'oeil. He is French, you know. I actually had rented the Spike Jonze film from this series after getting jazzed by the previews for all three. But that one ended up putting me off a bit... It was only after seeing the remarkable "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" that I felt compelled to rent this. I should say I had also seen "Human Nature" which had its charm, but technically felt more akin to the cinematography of a Porky's sequel than to a renegade auteur.
But based on reviewing this, and again "Eternal" I do see remarkable promise for Monsieur Gondry. On this film, we get a glimpse of just how bad "Eternal" could have been thanks to a sixty second slice of "Pecan Pie" and Carrey's patented jim-nastic facial work-out. A lot o' yucks, and not the funny kind. David Cross however was the "bomb" in his scatalogical sketch. Even when Cross is not working blue, nor brown as in this case, he is scathingly funny.
The videos alone here radiate creativity. The center of Gondry's solipsistic solar system is childhood (dreams, puppy loves, memories of school dances). I sense that there's enough stardust to mine for quite some time. Even if Gondry does ever turn 13, at some time he may be able to tap into his own progeny for production. Although the brief boat-by shooting of film indicates that his son might be an enfant and perhaps terrible as well, but perhaps no "enfant terrible."
Anyways the videos are captivating, rarely do I come across a music video that as soon as it is done, I'm ready to watch it again. Or see it backwards. Remember that, all you folks old enough to have had home movies on super 8 and such?
Speaking of home movies, the longest section on this film is split in two, and does trace much of Gondry's connection to his family. I found this decently engaging, especially when we see the construction of a zoetrope, discussion of flipbooks and early films. Plus his grandfather created the clavioline! Though I'm more of an Oskar Sala guy myself, that's still pretty cool...I think Sun Ra played one.
I get the feeling Gondry will choose some significant challenges over the course of a long film career, but fortunately he was born with gigantic hands despite the fact that he's so tiny...so tiny...so tiny.
While this is not essential viewing, I enjoyed it, even though at times I was paying to watch commercials, very imaginative ones nonetheless. My young kids really dug some of this videos, as did my wife and I.
6.5/10
Throughout the overlong dual-sided disc, Gondry repeatedly lays traps to tromp l'oeil. He is French, you know. I actually had rented the Spike Jonze film from this series after getting jazzed by the previews for all three. But that one ended up putting me off a bit... It was only after seeing the remarkable "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" that I felt compelled to rent this. I should say I had also seen "Human Nature" which had its charm, but technically felt more akin to the cinematography of a Porky's sequel than to a renegade auteur.
But based on reviewing this, and again "Eternal" I do see remarkable promise for Monsieur Gondry. On this film, we get a glimpse of just how bad "Eternal" could have been thanks to a sixty second slice of "Pecan Pie" and Carrey's patented jim-nastic facial work-out. A lot o' yucks, and not the funny kind. David Cross however was the "bomb" in his scatalogical sketch. Even when Cross is not working blue, nor brown as in this case, he is scathingly funny.
The videos alone here radiate creativity. The center of Gondry's solipsistic solar system is childhood (dreams, puppy loves, memories of school dances). I sense that there's enough stardust to mine for quite some time. Even if Gondry does ever turn 13, at some time he may be able to tap into his own progeny for production. Although the brief boat-by shooting of film indicates that his son might be an enfant and perhaps terrible as well, but perhaps no "enfant terrible."
Anyways the videos are captivating, rarely do I come across a music video that as soon as it is done, I'm ready to watch it again. Or see it backwards. Remember that, all you folks old enough to have had home movies on super 8 and such?
Speaking of home movies, the longest section on this film is split in two, and does trace much of Gondry's connection to his family. I found this decently engaging, especially when we see the construction of a zoetrope, discussion of flipbooks and early films. Plus his grandfather created the clavioline! Though I'm more of an Oskar Sala guy myself, that's still pretty cool...I think Sun Ra played one.
I get the feeling Gondry will choose some significant challenges over the course of a long film career, but fortunately he was born with gigantic hands despite the fact that he's so tiny...so tiny...so tiny.
While this is not essential viewing, I enjoyed it, even though at times I was paying to watch commercials, very imaginative ones nonetheless. My young kids really dug some of this videos, as did my wife and I.
6.5/10