MUSIC AND FILM REVIEWS
Inside Deep Throat
Directed by: Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato
It is hardly imaginable that a film titled, “Inside Deep Throat” would not become a well recognized documentary for it’s true predecessor and subject, “Deep Throat” is claimed to be the most profitable, let me say that again, profitable, independent film of all time. Oh yeah, it’s a porno in case you didn’t already know. The possibility that such a documentary could or would exploit such said title is pointless for “Inside Deep Throat” captures the viewer from first start as it takes you through the rise and fall of Linda Lovelace and company with a laughter only to end in a reflection of melancholy.
While Fenton Bailey’s and Randy Barbato’s previous projects, such as “Party Monster” (both the narrative and the documentary) and “The Eyes of Tammy Faye” have been a little, how would you say, under the radar (or weather for some critics), “Inside Deep Throat” definitely had me laughing out loud and sympathizing for many of the characters involved. Maybe it is because I am a closet bleeding heart liberal, or the film was plain propaganda, but it definitely increased my hatred for ultra right-wing Southerners and absurdity of the early 1970’s Nixon era. I’m sure it is due in fact because of the support “Deep Throat” received from such Hollywood celebrities as Jack Nicholson, Hugh Hefner, and John Waters that any non-conservative could find themselves not only the side of the creators of “Deep Throat,” but rallying against the censorship of speech that crosses American laws everyday.
Even though my favorite parts involved Lenny Camp’s inadvertent lectures on how to use the word “shit,” it definitely left me wondering how such a relatively new country as the United States could be so culturally behind the rest of the world. Such examples in the film make Larry Parish and Charles Keating into moral buffoons at best while Gerard Damiano is made to be the martyr and an artist that set to break new grounds. Though I am naturally inclined to commend Damiano and curse the others, I do admit Bailey and Barbato attempt to tip-top their way around the partial viewer documenters often take, but still leave the ever-destined hint of prejudice.
Michael Moore may have set a new precedent by which documentaries, at least on the political front, must take to gain international recognition, but “Inside Deep Throat” does take a stab, per se, at a fair attack against right wing agenda while capturing the intensity of the lives of Harry Reems, Linda Lovelace, and the all other parties involved.
8 out of 10
-Gary
400 Blows
Hemlock Tavern, San Francisco, CA
Feb. 20, 2005
It has been a couple of years since I last saw 400 Blows and all I can say is they definitely spent those couple of years becoming one, if not the most, tightest and hardest punk bands in the last 10 years. Granted that is a bold statement considering I have seen some great bands in my day, but the explosion of sound from their one guitar player (Christian) coupled with Ferdinand’s steady and syncopated beats create such a wall of sound that rips through the crowd’s respective asses and blows out the back wall of a venue.
While Skot’s vocals were drowned out at times, the inflection and pitches of his tell us a story without ever hearing a word. “Electric Wilderness” and “The Root of Our Nature” were definitely my favorite pair of songs for the evening, but the band still maintained their dominance in their though their rarely played “Mortar and Pestle.” An outsider might say this band is an act bearing military uniforms, I say they are more of an experience that understands technical aspects of punk rock. If you haven’t seen these guys, you are missing out on the redefinition of a power trio.
Rating: See them as soon as possible.
-G
Directed by: Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato
It is hardly imaginable that a film titled, “Inside Deep Throat” would not become a well recognized documentary for it’s true predecessor and subject, “Deep Throat” is claimed to be the most profitable, let me say that again, profitable, independent film of all time. Oh yeah, it’s a porno in case you didn’t already know. The possibility that such a documentary could or would exploit such said title is pointless for “Inside Deep Throat” captures the viewer from first start as it takes you through the rise and fall of Linda Lovelace and company with a laughter only to end in a reflection of melancholy.
While Fenton Bailey’s and Randy Barbato’s previous projects, such as “Party Monster” (both the narrative and the documentary) and “The Eyes of Tammy Faye” have been a little, how would you say, under the radar (or weather for some critics), “Inside Deep Throat” definitely had me laughing out loud and sympathizing for many of the characters involved. Maybe it is because I am a closet bleeding heart liberal, or the film was plain propaganda, but it definitely increased my hatred for ultra right-wing Southerners and absurdity of the early 1970’s Nixon era. I’m sure it is due in fact because of the support “Deep Throat” received from such Hollywood celebrities as Jack Nicholson, Hugh Hefner, and John Waters that any non-conservative could find themselves not only the side of the creators of “Deep Throat,” but rallying against the censorship of speech that crosses American laws everyday.
Even though my favorite parts involved Lenny Camp’s inadvertent lectures on how to use the word “shit,” it definitely left me wondering how such a relatively new country as the United States could be so culturally behind the rest of the world. Such examples in the film make Larry Parish and Charles Keating into moral buffoons at best while Gerard Damiano is made to be the martyr and an artist that set to break new grounds. Though I am naturally inclined to commend Damiano and curse the others, I do admit Bailey and Barbato attempt to tip-top their way around the partial viewer documenters often take, but still leave the ever-destined hint of prejudice.
Michael Moore may have set a new precedent by which documentaries, at least on the political front, must take to gain international recognition, but “Inside Deep Throat” does take a stab, per se, at a fair attack against right wing agenda while capturing the intensity of the lives of Harry Reems, Linda Lovelace, and the all other parties involved.
8 out of 10
-Gary
400 Blows
Hemlock Tavern, San Francisco, CA
Feb. 20, 2005
It has been a couple of years since I last saw 400 Blows and all I can say is they definitely spent those couple of years becoming one, if not the most, tightest and hardest punk bands in the last 10 years. Granted that is a bold statement considering I have seen some great bands in my day, but the explosion of sound from their one guitar player (Christian) coupled with Ferdinand’s steady and syncopated beats create such a wall of sound that rips through the crowd’s respective asses and blows out the back wall of a venue.
While Skot’s vocals were drowned out at times, the inflection and pitches of his tell us a story without ever hearing a word. “Electric Wilderness” and “The Root of Our Nature” were definitely my favorite pair of songs for the evening, but the band still maintained their dominance in their though their rarely played “Mortar and Pestle.” An outsider might say this band is an act bearing military uniforms, I say they are more of an experience that understands technical aspects of punk rock. If you haven’t seen these guys, you are missing out on the redefinition of a power trio.
Rating: See them as soon as possible.
-G
posted by Gary Martinez at 1:53 PM
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