Change Your Image
mikewiebe
Reviews
Julien Donkey-Boy (1999)
Art or complete crap?
I have read a lot of comments calling this film "Art", actually recommending it. There is no "Art" to be found in Julien, just a dizzying waste of my time. The camera work and sound make it pretty much unwatchable, I felt sick at times watching it on a big screen. I get that Harmony Korine did this on purpose to have us feel disorientated, like Julien feels all the time, but he takes it way to far and created a horrible looking mess.
I liked Gummo, it was one of the most disturbing films I have ever seen, so I was very much looking forward to Julien Donkey-Boy, I was very disappointed.
If Julien Donkey-Boy is what is passing for "Art" these days, I am out of touch with society. Everyone who thought this film was actually good, try watching it sober and without the drugs. Hopefully Harmony will get off the smack too when and if he makes another film.
Art or complete crap? If it smells and looks like crap, it probably is crap. At the very best it is extremely crappy art.
Beyond the Seventh Door (1987)
Rockwood Robbed by Oscars
It brought many a tear to my eye to see such a magical performance. Boris, portrayed by Hollywood heartthrob Lazar Rockwood, is perhaps the finest crafted, written and performed character in film history. You completely forget about Lazar's natural good looks, charm and intelligence and only see what he wants you to see, Boris, a second rate thief with a possible drug addiction and severe mental illness. Sometimes you think he's epileptic, sometimes autistic and other times it seems like he was just pulled out of the gutter, given a pack a smokes and told to stand in front of a camera. Lazar's performance was so flawless that during the sex scene in the grungy sewer/basement, I actually felt ill to my stomach, as I'm sure Lazar and the Director intended. I still get a little woozy just thinking about it, truly unbelievable stuff.
1987 - Paul Newman won best actor for Color of Money and best picture went to Platoon. Lazar and Beyond the 7th Door didn't even receive a nomination.
If nothing else the makeup crew should have received a nod for creating a believable "Boris" out of hansom leading man Rockwood.
Keep the faith Lazar, don't get discouraged, performances like this will eventually be recognized for what they are - pure brilliance.