RickyLee-2 Reviews

Made in Britain (1982 TV Movie)

Outstanding Social Realist Film; Great Ensemble Performances.

[17 May 2000]

Tim Roth is wonderful in this early film in his career. However, its the ensemble acting in this great piece of social-realism film-making, that gives it fire. Shot in the over-the-shoulder documentary style of Frederick Wiseman and Pennebaker, the look is gritty and dirty. The passionate acting are what makes this film great. Sadly, the writers chose to make Roth's skin-head rebel into and example for social change instead of a man with a destiny, which is what Roth portrayed. We are left at the end of the film with the feeling the British conservatives want us to feel- skinheads are freaks and must conform. I think the writers should have re-read "Clockwork Orange" again. Still, an excellent 70 minutes of cinema. Well worth your time, and not just for Tim Roth

Manson (1973)

Well-shot period documentary with extensive footage of Manson and his "Family"

[7/10 · 12 August 1999]

This is one of the best documentaries made on Manson and his cult "Family". There is extensive footage of the most important cult members talking about "the Family" and life with Charlie. In addition, the film includes fascinating footage that the family members apparently took of themselves as they lived communally on the Spahn ranch. The most chilling sections involve 3 young women (Lynette Fromme,Sandra Good, Mary Bruner) who explain their views of Charlie and the Tate/La Bianca murders while each one cradles a rifle and passes a snake between them. This film also has very creative cinematography making extensive use of three-panel screens and bold primary colors saturating the frames. Since the documentary Woodstock was shot in 1970, this film seems to have been influenced by it in the use of quick cutting and the tri-panel screens. As part of the sound track there are many "trippy" folk songs (good .wav material) sung by two ex-Manson family members -Brooks Poston and Paul Watkins. While some of the narration by Pearson and Bugliosi is creaky and dated, the bulk of the documentary, especially the extensive interviews, is disturbing and fascinating at the same time. A very good film.