MEMangan Reviews

Esther Newton Made Me Gay (2022)

Important piece of queer history

[8/10 · 1 April 2024]

Queer culture over the centuries has rarely been visible and documented. Esther Newton broke down barriers to make that different now. But it took a toll on her at the time.

What a nice look at someone who pushed the academic frontiers on the studies of queerness and society, from someone who was on the front lines at the most pivotal time in the last decades of progress. Still overshadowed by masculine gay culture, drag and lesbian history needs to have room in the discourse. That is only more apparent today on Trans Day of Visibility, where some understanding of the nature of the people defining their own existence is crucial, as the attacks on these vulnerable groups seem to be escalating.

Besides her important work, learning about Esther as a person and her relationships and hobbies was also humanizing and helpful context for her life.

I didn't know her before, or what to expect when I clicked "play" on Kanopy. But it was worth my time.

Claydream (2021)

What an interesting backstory

[7/10 · 2 December 2023]

I remember the rise of the Raisins and clay stop motion, and always enjoyed it. I had no idea there was a dramatic backstory and this sad arc that played out--first with an early partner and then a later one.

But it does seem like there was a nice peak in the middle where artists did great work and they really changed the face of animation--before computers were able to replace that kind of technique.

It leaves me with mixed feelings about the outcomes. But art was made, impact was had, and all-in-all I suppose it was a good span. I wish Vinton had a better outcome financially... But a fine life.

Keeper of Time (2022)

This is time well spent

[10/10 · 30 September 2023]

If you, like me, adore a conversation with someone who is such a nerdy enthusiast about their topic of interest, this film is for you. Full disclosure: I could listen to anyone who loves their craft/hobby/collection and shares it with the historical and technical and artistry of that field for hours. And although time is not one of my particular interests, this film carried you along with the history and craftspersonship and conservation of clocks and watches. There is historical eye candy, and contemporary art. The engineering is amazing, but layered with the beauty of these pieces.... Remarkable stuff.

But it also touches on the human perceptions of time and the philosophy of time. It's not just precision nerds with loupes. It's the full package.

This film is worth your time.

Beyond the Bolex (2017)

A unique story of an engineering triumph

[9/10 · 5 August 2023]

I am not a camera nerd, but I love to hear about anyone who is so deeply into a niche that they are just all-in. People who are so into one thing that it is everything they are about. This was one of those stories.

Besides learning about this impressive technical feat of Bolex camera development, which endures today, the story of a family that survives in the face of discrimination and upheaval and Nazis was a necessary reminder of the arc of history. And a note that although our technology changes, many features of the human condition persist just as they did in the past.

A well-told story of a family's trajectory, told from inside the family with some special archival treasures. Really a treat.

The Real George Michael: Portrait of an Artist (2023)

I thought I knew this story....

[10/10 · 17 July 2023]

Being the same vintage as George Michael, and knowing about the music that was the soundtrack to my young adulthood, I expected to like this trip down memory lane.

But it was very much more than that. It was a look at the backstory that explained everything about the arc of George's life and career, and the darkness you could always tell was around the edges.

I had forgotten how influential his coming out was. And I was unaware of his deliberate political provocations. I was also completely unaware of this philanthropic nature and the deliberateness of that as well.

I'm sorry that the demons won that battle for his existence--he's someone we could really count on right now in our current battles with the other demons that have been unleashed lately.

I am going to be thinking about this for a long time. It's not a story I'll be able to shake off. I'm glad I watched.

The Human Trial (2022)

Science is hard. Clinical trials are even harder.

[7/10 · 22 April 2023]

The process of science, even at the level of benchwork in the lab, is full of ups and downs. Highs and lows. Things that work. Things that don't work.

But you have to accept that sometimes the things that don't work teach you a lot as well. Success is hard won, and it is not quick.

Adding in the variable of having to test your ideas in actual humans--that's a huge challenge and carries real risk. Yest there are some incredibly brave humans who are willing to take those risks to provide us with knowledge for the future.

This film offers a look at what that process is like from the clinical trial patient's perspectives. And it shows that their efforts are just as important at those of the researchers--maybe even more.

Huge respect to those who take the chances to help us learn things and move forward. It really is a brave choice. Thank you.

Judy Blume Forever (2023)

A timely look back on a ground-breaking life

[9/10 · 15 April 2023]

"I sell banned books" is the sign in her Florida bookstore today.

This story of the arc of the life of a woman who broke the barriers to the topics in children's literature couldn't be more relevant today. Her trajectory from suburban mom, through her success in connecting with kids around the world, is a lovely and genuine story of a butterfly emerging from her cocoon.

Her run-ins with book banning moral panic in the 1980s has crucial parallels with today's same exact drama. And we can learn a lot from her response--nevertheless, she persisted.

Besides her life story, we get to see the impact she had on her readers and her touching responses to them.

Blume is a gem, and has been a quiet force for good for decades. Her timeless books will also be relevant for decades to come.

The Last of the Winthrops (2022)

Nature vs Nurture from a surprising perspective

[7/10 · 29 January 2023]

Wowsa. I didn't know what to expect from this film. And I would NEVER have predicted how The Last Winthrop would morph from that British lineage to...well, --SPOILERS-- so you have to watch yourself.

DNA vs family vs culture vs place. Or is it all of the above? Again, those #Ancestry tests pull back the veils in surprising ways.

But I sort of love that the storied Winthrop lineage path leads to a very unexpected branch point. I'm trying to imagine what John Winthrop would think of this, and if he could have even imagined it.

Funny twist: I am writing this from John Winthrop's settled land, his Ten Hills property area. I have a Winthrop family map of my neighborhood in my living room. I think a lot about the history and place where I live. And the weight of the legacy, mixed with the drive to make the future better.

Small world, really.

Swan Song (II) (2021)

An OG hairdresser queen with a long memory

[9/10 · 9 January 2023]

Back in the day, the hairdresser queen was the only tolerable kind of gay in the conservative small towns. And they did hear all the town secrets from the chair--but they knew how and why to keep secrets.

But there were limits, and there were wounds.

Our queen is asked for a favor to come out of retirement, and with no mucks left to give, plus some old scores to settle, he heads across town.

This is a rare story of aging gay subculture, subtly told with flashy rings and aching flashbacks, and great performances. A remarkable story of an ordinary life.

I'm smitten with Pat. You go, girl. And I'll come and see you sometimes.

Laurel Canyon (2020)

A moment in time, with magical power

[8/10 · 17 July 2022]

This is a very compelling look at a place and time that was remarkably influential. It has the nostalgia of being the soundtrack that I grew up with, listening on the OTA radio. But I never knew about the fascinating collection of people all living in this one small area because celebrity culture at the time wasn't all on Insta all day long.

It really seems like it must have been a special Brigadoonish place, that can't be replicated and must emerge on its own, rarely. And the right people need to find it.

That said, it's almost an entirely white male story, and certainly wasn't the only thing going on in the world. But it was an interesting capture of the lightning in a bottle of the late 60s with great photos, sounds, and film. Very worthwhile.

Deep Time History (2016– )

Stretching further back in time than most programs....

[7/10 · 4 July 2022]

As someone who loved "Connections" and is highly tolerant of the simplified leaps from one discovery/advance/situation to another, I think it was a bit of a stretch sometimes to tie something like teosinte to the big bang.

And I laughed out loud at the idea that colonial conquest was due to pesticides. I don't dispute the facts of the spice trade getting us here, but the way it was presented did give me a chuckle.

It did make me think about how uneven distribution of the planet's features and bugs set up a lock-in that only permitted certain outcomes. And how that continues to play out, and will for the deep future as well. And I imagine that was the point.

I thought it was well done and enjoyable, as well as provocative.

Be Natural: The Untold Story of Alice Guy-Blaché (2018)

Compelling exploration of a forgotten pioneer

[9/10 · 2 July 2022]

This is a fast-paced film through the long life of a remarkable woman. A pioneer of early cinema, Alice Guy was uncredited and overlooked, sometimes deliberately, and her foundational work was ignored for a long time.

Even by the film industry, who should have cherished her.

But besides that, it's an interesting journey through the process of finding her. Archives have some things, but finding great items in family attics and boxes was wonderful to see. It gives me hope that the stories of other hidden figures will continue to come out over time as people begin to look harder for women's stories.

Wonderful treasure. I had no idea going in to this film how it would pull me in.

Cured (2020)

Important history, and lessons in activism

[9/10 · 18 June 2022]

This documentary covers a piece of history that I was aware of, but did fully grasp the machinations about. The pressure on the American Psychological Association to re-categorize homosexuality from "illness" and "disorder" status was crucial for all the later gay rights progress that was made. And gay activists recognized this and shrewdly targeted the APA and made slow but steady progress towards "curing" the APA of this problem. The details were remarkable to have and compelling to watch.

It was really a terrific look at how it played out, and how effective dedicated activism can be.

It's also a cautionary tale about where we'll be if we lose progress. And here's a tip: just because you force gay people to marry doesn't make them straight, it seems. You cannot pray the gay away. And going back there would be awful.

The Book Keepers (2020)

A story told with affection, reverence, and care.

[7/10 · 27 May 2022]

This is a remarkable film. It's a sentimental story of a life-long love and painful loss, and an enduring relationship. But it manages to be told in unsentimental and un-syrupy ways.

It's a clear-eyed look at a life well lived, and a legacy carried forward. With persistence, and with hope.

A story told with affection, reverence, and care, as Carol would want.

Science Friction (2022)

What they are hiding from you...?

[8/10 · 17 April 2022]

A lot of people claim they are "doing their own research" and using low-quality documentaries to do so. Scientists and scholars have often tried to help out some films and TV shows, only to find that their facts have been cut and spliced to represent something else entirely.

This was an interesting look at how so many legitimate researchers have been misled and misrepresented, ultimately wasting their time trying to help set the record straight.

It's in many fields--archaeology to physics to biology--all of them.

People who think that documentaries are providing secrets that THEY don't want you to know should see what it is that, in fact, THEY don't want you to know. It's kind of enlightening.

For the Left Hand (2021)

A triumph of spirit

[8/10 · 26 February 2022]

This is a sweet story of a man who overcomes tremendous barriers to follow a passion, and along the way shares his strength with students who needed a beacon of hope.

He never gives up, and even in his retirement he's moving and shaking the music world with his drive and his talent.

And he succeeds beyond his wildest imagination. It was a gem.

Little Satchmo (2021)

This movie still feels like a secret

[6/10 · 13 November 2021]

It's a tiny thing--and it hasn't got a lot of action. It rolls along like your aunt sitting on the porch and telling a family tale on a slow summer day. She takes out old photos, reads bits of old letters. While some great music drifts along in the background.

But it is a curious look at another time and another place, and you do get a sense of learning something you didn't know. And you wonder if it had to be that way.

I didn't know what to expect about this story at all. But I think it's going to haunt me now.

Hannah Gadsby's Nakedy Nudes (2018)

Not your grandfather's Art History show

[7/10 · 10 October 2021]

This was a very updated take on the history of the nude as an art form, with contemporary takes on it from artists who are demolishing the old concepts.

It was nice to hear from voices who are not the white Christian heterosexual males who created the old framework, but instead a range of people who still celebrate the natural form but also push the boundaries of the gaze and the representation.

Now streaming in the US on Kanopy where I was able to see it.

The Cook of Castamar (2021)

Lovely period costumes for an 18th century soap opera

[7/10 · 20 September 2021]

I got sucked into this because of everyone dripping with lace. I'm a lacemaker, and love to see this textile in use on people. There were many good costume choices, including many women's caps, which are often neglected in these stories. I tip my 18th century cap to the costume designers for your research; I know what you were referencing. Well done.

But I found parts of it really jarring. There were some very sudden twists, that were not smooth, that seemed rather forced into place. There were some accommodations to current mores that seemed somewhat strained. I see what you did there. But it really wasn't entirely convincing.

I noticed this sudden shifting throughout the story, but the ending was quite abrupt. In the last 10 minutes, so many threads were snipped that I was confused and had to re-watch it because I missed things. Or maybe I didn't--it was just that sudden and that's all you get.

I would still say I enjoyed it. But maybe what I need to resolve this is in the book....

The Pearson Twins (2019)

DNA is not destiny

[9/10 · 26 April 2021]

This is a very moving and very mystifying situation of two brothers with a dramatically different manifestation of a genetic situation.

But it is an important story and crucial awareness about visible and invisible disability, and a story worth knowing.

Vigée Le Brun: The Queens Painter (2015 TV Movie)

A remarkably influential 18th century woman's life

[8/10 · 28 March 2021]

This documentary was a very nice overview of the life of this remarkable artist. Not only was she talented with a paintbrush, she apparently had other gifts that made her a successful and resilient woman of her time.

As someone interested in historical re-enactment and who seeks out many of the late 18th century portraits of women, it was fascinating to hear more about Vigée Le Brun's techniques, subjects, and strategies. I was unaware of her influence on the late century fashions and styles that have totally colored my understanding of this period.

It was also a remarkable overview of a crucial period in French history, as we follow her through the complex trajectory of her 87 year life.

A visual treat and a historical gem. Worth your time.

Those Awful Hats (1909)

If you like period costumes....

[7/10 · 27 February 2021]

You'll love the hats and the reaction to them in this short film.

Vaxxed: From Cover-Up to Catastrophe (2016)

Repugnant misinformation and cherry-picked claims

[1/10 · 22 January 2021]

This film is an utterly atrocious misrepresentation of reality. If you want the backstory on the bogus claims that are flogged in this polemic, read Brian Deer's book "The Doctor Who Fooled the World". It exposes what Wakefield really did to set all this harmful nonsense into motion. These grifters continue to lie to vulnerable parents, putting kids at risk in many ways--by avoiding vaccinations, and leading parents to harmful and useless "treatments" for autism. Run away form this, get quality information and support from legitimate sources.

A Harlot's Progress (2006 TV Movie)

A rare perspective on this 1730s time period

[8/10 · 4 October 2020]

Most period pieces deal with some royal drama or some military escapade, few look closely at the daily life of the less privileged of the time. But this film tackles that in a couple of ways.

It explores the life of a young woman who had no routes to prosperity, and did what she had to do to survive. It explores the many hazards of her path, from sex work to punishment and consequences of her lifestyle.

But it also attempts to provide a parallel to a man of that time, who has gifts that have yet to gain recognition. But he has more routes than she does. How their paths diverge is quite telling.

It also does a good job of period touches, the clothing and the manners. In fact, I had been aware of this series of prints while doing period clothing research. But I was unaware that there was a film that brought these to life. I sat and looked at the prints as the film played out. I thought it was interesting to have such great story and context for these prints, rather than just the snapshots of the 1730s that they had been to me. The filmmakers integrate the prints into the film and provide interesting historical details with them.

Anyway, it was rough in many ways--but very much worth the time.

The Booksellers (2019)

I cherish books. But not the way these folks do.

[8/10 · 20 September 2020]

This is one of those wonderful films about a small niche with a dedicated group of adherents. It won't be for everyone, but if you are a book lover you will probably appreciate this.

But there was more than just dusty books. There was insight into the business, there was insight into collectors, and there were some wonderful segments about people whose own interests drove them to assemble items around fascinating topics that have real value beyond just monetary mathematics. There are real cultural subsets that deserved to have someone collect the pieces and preserve them for the future.

And I could look at bookshelves all day long.

I found it was a lovely change of pace and a treat to an unusual subject.