dragonthunderent Reviews

The Left Side of My Brain (1992)

An artistic journey that is smart, hip, funny and bold.

[28 March 2003]

"The Left Side of My Brain" is a wondrous film that brings it's viewer into a sixteen year journey of a naive artist named Raymond Salzburg. Shot on location in Manhattan and Boston, this film was a start-up for many of today's contemporary young artists and actors. Raymond Salzburg is portrayed perfectly by Gary Wortzel (a real life peace activist and artist). The ensemble cast includes Cliff Travers (one of the last people to interview legendary gay rights activist Quentin Crisp), who portrays Phillip James, the artists representative. Also featured are Judith Kaufman (who Produced the film) as the artists wife with a secret dilemma. A very young Melanie Vessey in her screen debut (who went on to co-star with Jim Carrey in "Man on the Moon"), portrays the love interest of director Jonathan Morrill's supporting actor, punk-rocker character, JB. The supporting cast is amazing as well, and includes David Bishop (from the "Monsterland" series), Beverly Crosby (of Broadways "Black and Blue"), and Clyde Shelby (who penned the song "Joanna" for Kool and the Gang). Aside from the many topics and social issues this film addresses (overpopulation, "what is art?", artist misrepresentation, drug/alcohol abuse, homophobia) is the brilliant structure of the story. It starts where it ends, and in between takes the viewer into flashbacks, dreams, and inner thoughts of the characters. The most dynamic on-screen performance are that of Wortzel and Morrill themselves, as they transform from young, rebellious teen-agers, to thirty something, jaded adults. The locations are beautiful, the artwork (much of it original works of Wortzel) is brilliant, and the dialog spans the spectrum of ridiculous to sublime. It appears that this must have been quite a fun production to have worked on. The film premiered to general acclaim at Manhattan's Anthology Film Archives. There is an original music score that features an eclectic variety of styles, from tribal to metal. Look for cameo appearances from 'The Flying Nuetrinos' and "The Boston Hot Dog Man'. The movie received rave reviews in 'Psychotronic Film Magazine", and reportedly a DVD is soon to be released, featuring lots of extras on the making of this remarkable piece of work. The ending isn't so uplifting, in fact, it hits quite hard, but it is really worth a look. This is a thinking persons art film, and HIGHLY RECOMMENDED VIEWING for all individuals out there who ever wanted to chase a dream.

The Young and the Dead (2000)

An insightful documentary on a unique place run by strange people.

[25 March 2003]

All of the elements are here to what could have been a great film about the Hollywood Forever Cemetery and it's resurrection by Mr. Tyler Cassity. The Young and the Dead is still a good film, but it could have been made better. How? By featuring more of the aura of the resting place of so many legendary silent and Golden Age silver screen stars. It achieves this during a segment on Rudolph Valentino. In particular when eerie music sets in, and slow dissolves reveal a intense, Rasputin-like artist (Jonathan Morrill), painting in a crumbling mausoleum, an oversized portrait of the Sheik. A little more of a historical tour for the viewer, and little less of the banter of a portly pubescent Valentino groupie would have helped. Why wasn't Tom Demille, the cemetery's excellent , knowledgeable, and charismatic tour guide used to take the viewer through this movie? Or at least part of it? We once were given an amazing and thoroughly enjoyable tour of Hollywood Forever by Tom Demille, and it was brilliant. I was hoping he'd be featured in it more than just by chance in the background. The movie would have been much more entertaining and informative with him in it. That's not to say that Mr. Tyler Cassity is hard to look at, he certainly isn't. Mr. Tyler Cassity, without whom there would be no Hollywood Forever Cemetery, brings to this documentary, all of the spirit and good energy that he possesses in life, and as much as can be transcended onto film. There are genuinely funny moments with Tyler, such as reviewing potential voice talents for the cemetery's answering machine. As well there are revealing thoughtful and caring moment's from Mr. Cassity and his dedicated staff. One can imagine that many occur in the business of death. This also could have been revealed to the viewer a little more in-depth. After all, isn't the attraction to find out more about, and honor, our lost idols and fallen heros? Anyhow, this is still a good movie, hats off to anyone who can finish a film. Knowing how much better this could have been made, had a little more resources been used, I can't call it a great film, but it's still a good one.

Sibha kham doan sib ed (2002)

Beautifully shot and wonderfully entertaining.

[23 March 2003]

I quite enjoyed watching Full Moon Party on an imported DVD from Thailand. I was surprised to see independent film director and movie star, Jonathan Morrill (The Left Side of My Brain, The Brides of Johnny in Monsterland) make a cameo appearance in the film eating grasshoppers! That is just one more little accolade to this truely unique film, which tells the tale of the annual full moon party, and the celebration of the illusive payanak. The director of photography was certainly on top of his craft, as one capitivating scene is followed continuously by another. Funny, spiritual, and universally humanistic, this wonderful film is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED VIEWING for anyone who has a heart and a conscience. Congratulations to the cast and crew of this artful, insightful, and just plain entertaining piece of art from beautiful Thailand.