I’m on an art documentary kick, I suppose. I had been waiting some time to see My Kid Could Paint That and finally saw it last week. Then, I took my friend Neville’s advice and watched Who the #$&% is Jackson Pollock? as an appropriate follow-up. I’m so fascinated and excited that I placed the Oscar-winning biopic Pollock as next on my queue, and am looking to see when we can schedule a visit to the MET or Museum of Modern Art in NYC in the near future.
My Kid Could Paint That is the intriguing and mysterious story of a sweet little four-year-old named Marla who is supposedly a prodigy in abstract painting, making millions for her parents. After an infamous 60-minutes report, though, her “career” takes a turn for the worse. It raises all sorts of really intriguing questions on art, modern art, abstract art, and the art world, not to mention parenting, the power and nature of media, and the human psyche. I found the bonus features just as good as the film itself, with a follow-up documentary capturing reactions and additional commentary, and a really good interview with NY Times art critic Michael Kimmelman. Kimmelman makes excellent points and handles difficult discussions surrounding art very articulately and succinctly. Marla’s still making art (or is she?) and selling it.
Who the #$&% is Jackson Pollock? is the bizarre mystery of a five dollar painting found at a thrift store by a female truck-driver who didn’t know any better. She bought it as a joke for a friend who needed to be cheered up, but when it didn’t fit through the friend’s door, it found it’s way to a garage sale where a local art teacher planted a thought about it being a Pollock. The most amazing juxtaposition of cultures occurs when this feisty trailer-park trucker barges in on the snobbery of the art world, insisting for ten years straight that this painting was indeed a masterpiece worth fifty million dollars. They, of course, wouldn’t give her the time of day. Is she chasing after a wild dream that simply isn’t true? Do the critics ignore her because of who she is or what the painting is? Is she creating evidence or are they ignoring evidence? It’s full of character who are simply too good to be true. It’s a wild and fun ride, but sadly, leaves you more cynical towards the art world than anything else.
The first is a bit better than the second as far as filmmaking goes, but both are full of intriguing characters and raise their fair share of interesting questions and ideas. They are conversation starters for sure. Watching them back-to-back makes for an interesting experience.
Pollock is a wonderful biopic directed and starred in by Ed Harris all about the tragic life of Jackson Pollock, the American artist. Liz and I did another audio review for this one.
Pollock audio review
I must admit I wasn’t really into this movie until I got to the end…and it hit me like a fish in the face. This film is a great example of why you should stick out a movie and see it through because you never know how you’ll feel about it until the credits are rolling.
Paul Rudd stars in this film as Adam along with his two friends, Phil (Fred Weller) and Jenny (Gretchen Mol). Adam meets Evelyn, played by Rachel Weisz, while working at the museum one day and they sort of hit it off. She actually came into the museum to deface a sculpture. She’s an art student, you see, getting her MFA at Mercy College. She kind of fits some of the “artsy” stereotypes and soon starts getting Adam to change some of his ways to make himself more atractive, hip, and cool. At least according to Evelyn. She eventually starts trying to manipulate Adam’s friendships and relationships with other people. In my opinion, she was really starting to get out of hand.
Now we’ve come to the climax of the story - the ending. It pretty much wraps everything up and answers all of those unanswered questions. I sure didn’t see it coming.
This is the much awaited movie-form of Steve Martin’s novella and I’d have to say I really liked it. Martin also wrote the screenplay, directed the movie, and acted in it. Zach Braff anyone?
I remember seeing a trailer for this a little while ago and thought it had potential, but then Liz started telling me all about it because she’s read, and owns a copy of, the book. Apparently this really captures what it’s like to be a 25 year old female. I can’t say I have much experience in that department, but I’m just going to agree.
The other main characters in here are Claire Danes and Jason Schwartzman, son of the unforgettable Talia Shire from Rocky. Schwartzman had a lot of funny lines that were very I Heart Huckabees-ish, yet it wasn’t like he was being typecast here.
The other day I was being asked if this was more of a comedy or a funny drama. I wasn’t really sure what to say. It definitely has that independent film feel to it. You know, the type of movie that doesn’t fit any one cookie-cutter genre type/style so they just call it “independent”.
All I know is that if you get a chance, get yourself down to Castleton Arts before they shut down. I love that place and sadly enough….they’re closing down.
Saw this with Liz, Robby and Sara. It was funny cause I kept falling asleep watching Hero, yet I was so awake for this one. It’s definitely not an action or thriller, but I’d saw it has some good acting and just like Liz’s dad said, there’s some beautiful scenes and things are made to look like paintings. Scarlett Johansson plays ‘the girl’ and does a decent job. She kinda has that same look on her face though that she has through Lost in Translation and Ghost World. I think she’s been getting a little better at the whole actress thing though. Colin Firth did a great job as the painter who’s torn between doing a job to get paid and heeding his wife’s wishes. Cillian Murphy is also in this movie - sporting some awesome hair I might add.
This is another movie I’d say is worth watching. It may not keep you completely engrossed or make it to your top 100 of all time list, but it’s something you should be aware of as a movie watcher.
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