With this post, I'm stepping into uncharted territory for filmbrats. I'm reviewing a film that has two versions playing in theaters. But more importantly, I'm stepping into the pornographic film fray. Sex in cinema is changing rapidly. Not just how it's perceived, but also how it's performed by the actors. Joe has a nice editorial on the subject called "Doing It" that you all should read. But there'll come a point where the two industries won't be quite as different as they once were. "Deep Throat" was something of a forerunner in this movement and its director foresaw this trend twenty-odd years ago. Hopefully, you all agree that my reviewing this film is legitimate and warranted in terms of film study an dcriticism. And if not, well...then just don't read it and I'll see you next time.




Steamboy
Review by Jon Waterman

***

Note: There are two versions of the film circulating in theaters. One is the English dubbed version and one is the Japanese original language track version. The subtitled version runs a half-hour longer than the dubbed. This review is for the longer, subtitled version.

The Steam family is working on something big for the World Expo. They hope to unveil something that is sure to be a turning point in 19th century civilization. It’s an invention that everybody’s looking for. He who controls the ball holds all the power. It’s up to the youngest Steam boy, Ray, to keep the device away from the clutches of evil. The only problem is knowing who can be trusted, even within his own family. Ray soon realizes that something must be done quickly, because the problem is escalating with every second.

Speaking of metal balls, it must have taken some to pitch this movie. “I want to make a period piece about steam engines and their potential in the late nineteenth century. I’m going to set it in the United Kingdom, but released theatrically in Japan. Oh, and it’ll cost more than any other animated film we’ve done so far.” If I were an executive, I would have hid my massive bag of money (complete with yen sign printed on the side) as if it were a coveted steam ball. It’s hard to imagine audiences of any type really buying into this concept or becoming invested in the film. I can only imagine that the names Katsuhiro Ôtomo (Director of “Akira” and writer of “Metropolis”) and Sadayuki Murai (writer for the “Cowboy Bebop” series and the film “Perfect Blue”) got this project off the ground. Anyone that knows anime just got a semi.

Unfortunately, the movie takes an extraordinary long time to really get rolling. There’s a lot of drab exposition, that’s relatively essential (but still dull), during the first half hour or so. After the engine warms up, and all the cylinders start pumping, it’ll pull you back in. The momentum builds, so if you can hold out for a little bit, it’ll be worth it. For such a story, there’s a great amount of futuristic devices and portents of doom to go around. The climactic battle is one of the most fascinating and engaging to be projected in years.

The acting is predictably and typically bad, as Japanese voice acting is prone to over the top, cartoony performances. The animation looks pretty good and gives a great example of how standard cels and computer generated images can work together, instead of competing for attention. The scenery isn’t anything too spectacular (England’s not known for its beautiful landscapes), but the inventions and technology presented look really cool (especially in action). What the movie lacks in subtlety (if you can’t tell the anti-corporation, big business and government logic I don’t know what to tell you. But more importantly, their last name is Steam for cryin’ out loud! A smidge of tact would be nice) it makes up for with a fun, exciting adventure…eventually.


++++++++


Deep Throat
Review by Jon Waterman

**1/2

Note: This review is for a hardcore, pornographic production. Some language within this text may not be appropriate for younger readers.

This is the story of a young woman who just isn’t satisfied in bed. Sure, she enjoys it to some extent, but there’s just nothing magical going on. There are no bells ringing or rockets exploding or whatever you want to call it. So, she goes to the doctor to see if something’s physically wrong with her. He discovers that for some reason, her clitoris is located in the back of her throat, rather than down below in the normal place. If she wants to experience any type of orgasm, she’ll have to take the man’s organ all the way in so that she can be stimulated.

Written and directed by Jerry Gerard, “Deep Throat” is a surprisingly accessible pornographic movie. It seems to be less about turning people on than it is about creating a goofball picture that includes sexual activity. Some of the one-liners are groan-inducing and of course the actors that deliver them have no idea how to do so. Yet, there’s a strange charm in the whole thing that makes it slightly funny anyway.

Sometimes I think his desire to be taken as a legitimate filmmaker overshadows his abilities. For instance, during Linda Lovelace’s first deep throat experience, he edits in all those bells ringing and rockets exploding to show us that she’s finally hit her sexual high note. It’s an unwelcome dash of pretentiousness that just sort of explodes in your face. Not only that, but to start the film off, we’re treated to a credits sequence longer than any of the male genitalia you’ll see in the picture. We see Linda driving along the streets, returning home, for what seems like half the hour-long movie. We don’t need a cool down right at the start.

But who really cares about plot and the direction and all that stuff. This is porn we’re talking about. How’s the action? Well…the actors don’t look all that great. One of the main women is pretty mature (not pretty and mature). And ladies, I hope you like mustaches on your men, because there are some bushy ones to be found here. What really throws it all off, though is inconsistencies with the plot. I know that sounds weird, but let me explain. Earlier in the film, they show Linda getting bizzay with some dudes as part of this orgy thing. She looks perfectly happy and quite into it. I think it would have been much better to see her bored out of her mind, stiff as a board, wishing something would happen. Especially, since to contrast this, while giving the deep throats, she looks like she’s in pain. I don’t see any enjoyment in her face at all. Speaking of her face, some of the saliva mixed with whatever is smeared underneath her nose in a couple scenes, which makes it look like she’s got some snot action going on. Not exactly attractive.

Overall, the film is an interesting concept. It works as a quirky fun movie that you could take your friends to see to make fun of. It seems like it wants that. As a pornographic feature, it could use work and doesn’t really provide anything too exciting or boiling hot. Essentially, the film falls victim to its own intentions.