Daily Archives: April 30, 2010

by Jesse Ventura

American

 

Earlier this month, Jesse Ventura was on CNN asking why so few in the mainstream media were reviewing his new book, American Conspiracies.  Now that I’ve read it, I’m wondering the same thing.  Ventura raises too many provocative questions, and offers too much documentation, to have his book dismissed as the work of a “conspiracy nut.”

The book has failings – sloppy editing, and so many allegations that the book becomes a fact-checker’s nightmare (which could explain the lack of reviews; it requires hard research to prove or disprove his theories) – but his overall message is clear:  You’re not paranoid if they really are out to get you.  The kind of assaults on our cherished institutions that Ventura outlines, covering everything from Lincoln’s assassination to the Wall Street bailout, are not pleasant, so it’s easier to go into denial than to acknowledge that some of his allegations might be true.

 

© 2010-2024 grouchyeditor.com (text only)

Share

Imbued1

 

Director Rob Nilsson made the mistake of taking audience questions after a screening tonight of his new drama, Imbued.  Nilsson had just explained his directorial intention to not spell everything out in the film, to make viewers draw their own conclusions.  What did the screening audience think of his movie?, Nilsson asked.

A woman in the back piped up and asked him why the main actors (Stacy Keach and Liz Sklar) had to be naked at the end of the film.  Why, she wanted to know, had Nilsson made his movie from the “typical” male point of view?  Since we never actually see Keach’s nudity, but the camera does linger on a fully nude Sklar, I assumed the woman was taking issue with the objectification of the young actress. Nilsson, clearly taken aback by her question, said something about trying to show the “beauty” of both characters.

Imbued is all about characters — just the two of them.  Keach plays Donatello, an aging bookie who through chance winds up spending the night with Lydia (Sklar), a high-end call girl.  (Here’s a separate issue the lady in the audience could have objected to:  yet another greying actor — Keach is 69 — romantically paired with a much younger actress.)  Donatello and Lydia verbally joust, push emotional buttons, and eventually bare more than just their bodies.

The proceedings aren’t as dull as that description might suggest.  The story, set against some stunning skyline shots of San Francisco at night, unfolds at a leisurely pace, but this is an actors’ movie, and Keach and Sklar are absorbing throughout.  With or without their clothes.         Grade:  B-

 

ImbuedNew1

 


Director:  Rob Nilsson  Cast:  Stacy Keach, Liz Sklar, Michelle Anton Allen, Nancy Bower  Release:  2010

 

No Trailer Available

 

© 2010-2024 grouchyeditor.com (text only)

Share