Nooshin_Navidi_MUSE Reviews

Doug Stanhope: No Refunds (2007 TV Special)

Raw, Perceptive & Brilliantly Funny

[8/10 · 6 June 2014]

Don't be fooled by Doug Stanhope's onstage chain-smoking and beer guzzling. With an act filled with very funny and astute observations and dead-on social commentary; Stanhope's neither an aging frat-boy nor a redneck. He's a thinker, and a good one at that.

Note of Caution: this act is NOT for the politically-correct, faint-of-heart or the easily-offended. He spares no one and calls just about everyone on the carpet. Far from being a copycat comic, Stanhope has his own unique stage presence and style, which is at once confident and self-deprecating. As with other irreverent-but-brilliant comics of his kind, Stanhope hits the nail on the head in one acerbic punchline after another with many laugh-out-loud moments throughout, and turns what might have been cringeworthy topics in less capable hands into pure comedic gold.

This Emotional Life (2010– )

Engaging & Insightful

[8/10 · 6 June 2014]

An informative and well-researched documentary about the nature and meaning of happiness, emotional connection, relationships and the human condition. It's packed with many poignant insights from a variety of sources and case studies, as well as interviews with a few well-known personalities who share their first-hand experiences and personal/emotional challenges without any trace of their 'celebrity' personae peeking through.

This is a must-see film as it covers a rich and colorful array of insights and scientific data without ever becoming self-important, preachy, cheesy or trite.

I really enjoyed the arc of the series and found myself completely engaged in every moment of each spirited episode.

Strange Culture (2007)

Chilling story w/ so-so production value, but a must-see nevertheless

[7/10 · 6 June 2014]

I gave this documentary high marks only because of its chilling story and message and not necessarily for its production value (though it was still engaging.) In the tradition of other films in the genre like Erin Brokovich, Silkwood, Norma Rae, etc., this is another disturbing account of innocent lives destroyed by corporate greed and corrupt motives. Only in this case, art, education and the First Amendment are on trial along with the victim. Respected science teacher and artist, Steve Kurtz, wakes up one morning to find his wife, (dramatization played by the great Tilda Swinton) dead next to him in bed, with the cause of death quickly determined to be heart failure. The paramedics who arrive on the scene notice the art-show-related chemicals and science-lab paraphernalia and alert the FBI which leads to Kurtz being arrested for "bio-terrorism". It's a surreal nightmare for Kurtz who never even gets a chance to properly grieve the sudden loss of his wife. But things don't end once the "terrorist" charge is cleared due to insufficient evidence. Since his art show was conceived as an exposé to educate/inform the public about genetically-modified food, the powers that be (industry/companies) must make it go away. Helped by an ambitious prosecutor in search of career advancement and fame, the charge is swiftly changed to something that would stick: Mail fraud. Absurd? Not when powerful industry is involved and would stop at nothing to protect their interests.

Tilda Swinton is wonderful here in the few dramatization scenes she's in. This is a film that was missed by many, but should be seen by all.

Trumbo (2007)

Should be on the high school required-reading list (be sure to read the *closing credits*)

[9/10 · 6 June 2014]

For those of us not quite old enough to remember first-hand the evils of that horrid period in American history known as McCarthyism and the rampant loss of freedom and justice during its barbaric witch-hunts, this is a profoundly important film to watch.

At a time when terms like "patriot" are increasingly misused, abused and bastardized, the story of writer, Dalton Trumbo, and others like him who suffered grave injustices in the hands of their own fellow countrymen, needs to be heard far and wide and especially by the youth in this country. I wished they would add this film and others like it to every high-school history-class curriculum, as they are just as relevant today.

An immensely moving and heartbreaking story and an absolute must-see (be sure to read the closing credits.)

Downloading Nancy (2008)

Very dark but well-made & worth watching for Maria Bello's performance

[5/10 · 6 June 2014]

None of the reviews I read (on Netflix) before seeing the film hand mentioned this movie being based on true events-- a noteworthy fact given the disturbing storyline... Either way, this film is definitely not for everyone. It's about deeply troubled people. It's VERY dark & very cold, made even more so by the meticulous art direction, camera work and editing.

The cast is terrific, with a heartbreaking performance by Maria Bello who tackles her character with perfect emotional tone and tempo. It's a tough role precisely because it's so disturbing, and if overacted or otherwise played wrong, the character could become unlikeable, maudlin or self-indulgent. Bello manages to be none of these things. I didn't find the sex scenes gratuitous, or as one critic called it, "soft-porn". I felt the scenes were in fact appropriately restrained. And there were many tender moments and much pathos throughout the film, including in some of the S&M scenes.

As for the question of why Nancy simply didn't leave the marriage, she herself explains this when confronted by Louis with the same question. This is not the story of a woman with normal problems, marital or otherwise. This is the story of a woman who as was sexually abused as a child by her uncle, and for a long time. With a mother who only exacerbated that emotional damage by blaming Nancy for the abuse. As is typical of many sexual-abuse victims, Nancy translated the abuse into "being loved", which compelled her to long for it in subsequent relationships. The therapy she finally seeks is too-little/too-late for someone with her type and degree of emotional disturbance.

I was okay with the ending and am glad they didn't decide to lighten things up and make it more commercially viable by going for a "happy ending" and having Nancy live happily ever after with Louis. That would be too Hollywood. The sad truth is that, in real life, some people simply can't overcome the pain of such prolonged and heinous abuse, and some end up choosing death over life as the ultimate release from unbearable pain...

Press for Truth (2006)

To quote the bumpersticker: "If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention"

[9/10 · 6 June 2014]

On August 6, 2001, the White House received an official memo titled: "Bin Laden Determined to Attack within the United States." The title of this memo is casually uttered by Condoleezza Rice in answer to a question during her testimony before the 9/11 commission.

This comes after she poorly & *repeatedly* dodges important questions about this memo and other similar tips given to her and the administration about the threat and why no measures were taken to prevent the 9/11 tragedies. This is only one of many disturbing clips featured in this film, which goes on to expose mounds of damning & documented evidence that the Bush administration not only HAD been warned repeatedly about the threat (and specifically about planes used by terrorists as weapons to blow up several important buildings), but that they had already taken steps to protect themselves and their families during their own travels and stays abroad. Time and time again, Bush, Cheney, Rice, Ashcroft, Fleischer and others in the Bush administration denied ANY knowledge of threats when questioned in interviews & press conferences. The evidence leaves no doubt as to their knowledge and subsequent failure to prevent the attacks.

I'm not really much of a conspiracy-theory type, but seriously, how can anyone learn these facts and still fail to be troubled by them? The warnings could not have been more specific, practically connecting the dots FOR the CIA and the administration. We also learn about researcher, Paul Thompson, and his critical role in exposing the multiple conflicts in media reports (beginning at the 29-minute mark.) His research made it twice as hard to watch clips of the press conferences given at the time by Bush and his officials feigning ignorance when they were more than aware of the threats. The media managed to miss lies and inconsistencies in a number of press conferences and interviews.

We may never know the complete truth behind the horrific events of 9/11, and it would be naive to give the other countries involved a Get-out-of-Jail-Free card, but it's impossible to watch this film and not feel outraged at our own government.

The Last Supper (1995)

A guilty pleasure!

[6/10 · 6 June 2014]

Takes the proverbial "eye for an eye" to a whole new level, with an ending both unexpected and... well... perfect.

This film is dark but delicious albeit a bit (or very!) morbid. I actually found myself getting too angry listening to the first dinner guest and almost stopped watching, but hung in there and soon perked up once his fate became known (terrible, I know, but hey, this was only 2 years after the Bush II era and I was still reeling from the endless atrocities...)

Disturbing plot? Very. But hell, it was therapeutic!

A guilty pleasure for sure (but only for the obvious half of the population. ;)

Walk Don't Run (1966)

A 60s classic that never gets old!

[7/10 · 6 June 2014]

One of the most charming films of the '60s, this was actually filmed during the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. It's a remake of a 1940s film, but the supersaturated Technicolor and all the other 60s aesthetic sensibilities make it an iconic film in its own right. There's so much that made this movie memorable for me: the dialog, the cast, the location, the music...

This was Cary Grant's last film and he is very amusing as Sir Rutland. The rest of the cast are equally endearing & unforgettable. It was funny how many scenes of this movie were still fresh in my mind after so many years, like Christine's kimono, the two Japanese kids on the stairs, the coffee percolator, the hilarious walking marathon, the Shoji screens (which become their own character in the film!) Pure joy!

Commander in Chief (2005–2006)

Was hoping for another West Wing

[7/10 · 6 June 2014]

I wonder if I would have appreciated this series a little more had I not seen The West Wing in the '90s. But having done so, watching this was a bit like drinking watered-down wine. To me, what made The West Wing so great was a combination of a remarkable cast *and* outstanding writing, which included enough humor and wit to balance its intensity. I felt this show didn't quite manage to do that. With the exception of the formidable Donald Sutherland and a very likable Geena Davis, the cast is completely generic and forgettable. And sadly the writing also falls short. I can see why the show didn't reach the same heights as its predecessor. I'd love to see more shows of this genre, but of the same caliber as The West Wing. House of Cards is definitely one of them.

Marty (1955)

A timeless classic deserving of every award it won

[8/10 · 6 June 2014]

On the surface, 'Marty' appears to be a simple love story about a butcher and a school-teacher, but there are many more layers to this film, which manages to be simultaneously funny & deeply moving without ever getting corny.

There's so much about this film that stands the test of time half a century later. It's no wonder it won so many awards that year (including 4 Oscars.) In her autobiography, Betsy Blair mentions that 'Marty' was the high point of her career; it made her a movie star overnight and she was never again in anything as important (though I thought her performance in 'A Delicate Balance' with Katherine Hepburn years later was even better.) She won the BAFTA for her role here, as did Ernest Borgnine, who deservedly swept every award that year for his role as Marty, including the Oscar and the Golden Globe. Borgnine is flawless in his performance & lovable from the very first scene. Esther Monciotti as his mother also delivers a standout performance. Some of the funniest and most memorable lines in the film belong to her and her on-screen sister. The rest of the supporting cast are also great to watch. The frank dialogue and the humanity of the characters make this a film you want to watch more than once.

This Is It (2009)

Loved it. A great behind-the-scenes glimpse of Jackson as the prolific artist he was...

[7/10 · 6 June 2014]

I didn't expect to like this film as much as I did. There's been some criticism about turning the rehearsal footage into a film, but that's exactly what makes this film so different from anything else we've seen with or about Michael Jackson. What's most engaging about the film is being able to witness Jackson's creative process versus just seeing the final product, and observing how he worked behind the scenes and how he thought, managed and directed his artists and technicians.

While I enjoyed Michael Jackson's work off & on over the years, all the negative press, media frenzy and over-exposure made me lose interest over time. Watching this film obscured the negative for me. Jackson's creative genius, intelligence, humor, depth, dedication, kindness and charisma made him incomparable as an artist. We see an artist who is mature, wise, self-aware, capable, mindful, kind and respectful to everyone around him. Yes, it's irrefutable that Jackson was eccentric and childlike, but he seems neither weird nor wacky here. There have been many brilliant people throughout history who were viewed as "weird" by their contemporaries because they were unusual and different from the pack or purely interested in-- and focused on-- what inspired them. Jackson also appears quite strong and lucid in all the footage and seems completely inspired & energetic. The film also does a great job of showing how much heart, integrity and care went into this tour by everyone involved. How lucky were all those who got to watch the magic up-close, and how lucky his fans are that all this was actually captured on film so thoroughly. The dancers are incredible and the dance routines and sets breathtaking. The concert would have been amazing. But for me, being able to glimpse this magical artist behind the scenes was the real gift.