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Reviews
Charlie & Co. (1985)
Funniest line was delivered on the Carson show.
I had to watch at least the first episode after seeing Flip Wilson promote the show.
Think about that point in tv history - Cosby was seriously big time. Rumor was Cos was going to buy NBC. Flip Wilson appeared on the Tonight Show promoting his new show, Charlie & Co. ("on another network.")
Thet spent about four minutes on generic catching up conversation, then Flip introduced his new show and the obligatory fillm clip. Following the clip Johnny Carson gently fielded the idea of the inevitable comparisons to The Cosby Show.
Flip responded the comparisons wouldn't be a problem..."Our show is about a Black family."
I thought Johnny would hurt himself cringing and laughing at the same time.
Too bad the funniest line from C&Co was delivered on the Carson show.
Strapped (2010)
A must for your collection.
Having never heard of this film or any of the actors, I was hesitant to sit through another "gay hustler" story. I'm thankful I did.
Ditto on all the adjectives used by the other reviewers who enjoyed Strapped. This film is fresh. I knocked off 1 star because of a few technical flaws, though they don't detract from the story. This is a definite DVD purchase for my library.
I don't believe they were, but I question whether or not the themes may have been too Americanized. Our esteemed reviewer from Russia doesn't share my opinion and I accept that people are looking for different things from the movie experience.
Abel Raises Cain (2005)
The Guardian Spirit of the Absurd
As a viewer, you're drawn into the story almost as if you're a distant cousin who dropped in unannounced, and is now being told the story of why everyone in the family always refers to him as "your crazy Uncle Alan!"
A wonderful film from a very personal point of view. Jenny Abel and Jeff Hockett shine a light on her father, Alan Abel, the guardian spirit of the absurd - and the base motivation for all his public antics.
The film's low-budget, documentary feel only adds to the intimacy. Jenny doesn't attempt to glamorize or justify her father's actions. The family history is presented, and then the stories behind many of the media hoaxes he created, up to and including his death in Utah. We're kept laughing at the absurdity of the reporters being led by the nose into Alan Abel's web of baloney.{sic}
His groundbreaking work paved the way for today's public hoaxes and fake news: Improv Everywhere, Jerry Springer, The Daily Show, and the gang who gave us "Spinal Tap" et al. (Fox News, too. Does anyone take them seriously?)
As a testament to pre-interview research and fact checking, this quality film should be part of the Journalism curriculum at every university. I can't stand when a "reporter" sticks a mic in someone's face and says, "Tell us what happened." If that ever happens to me, you can expect a healthy dose of "Abelistic" answers on that newscast!