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The Aristocrats (2005) --> A joke starts: "A man walks into a talent agent's office and says, "I have this great act you gotta see!" The talent agent replies, "What is it about?"" The joke continues by having the man describe the most grotesque, vile and disgusting performance you could ever imagine until the guy finishes and the talent agent asks what the name of the act is called. The man answers, "The Aristocrats!"

This joke is the centerpiece to Paul Provenza new documentary aptly named after the joke's punch line. Provenza interviews a multitude of comedians to find out the history of the joke (told mainly between comedians only) and have them recite their adaptation of it. You will see Bob Saget, Whoppi Goldberg, Robin Williams, George Carlin, Drew Carey, and many others perform but it was the mime that had me splitting my gut. A comic must see, The Aristocrats is one of the best funny movies of 2005.


Full Spectrum Staff

Transamerica (2005) --> What happens when a man who is waiting for a sex change operation finds out he has a teenage son and in order for his psychiatrist to consent to the operation he must meet and get to know the unknown progeny? You have the makings of a Neil Jordan-ish family drama that could be electric with the possibilities of conflicts and resolutions.

Felicity Huffman won a Golden Globe for her portrayal of Bree Osbourne (the male lead). She was a woman playing a man dressed up as a woman - the intricacies are almost Shakespearian - and she pulls it off beautifully. The dialogue wasn't bad either!


Full Spectrum Staff

Santa's Slay (2005) --> This direct to video presentation stars Bill Goldberg as the man in red who is actually a demon rather than the nice and lovable St. Nick we heard about in stories. It seems he lost a bet with an angel and as punishment had to give out presents to children. When the bet expires, he goes on a rampage to make up for lost time. With the caliber of direct to video movies being so low, Santa's Slay is not a bad watch. It is devilishly funny at times and seeing one of the world's pristine icons maim and murder is refreshing in a sick sort of way.


Scott D. Brown

Behind the Green Door (1972) --> The first mainstream art-porn film, Behind the Green Door tells the story of a woman (Marilyn Chambers) who his kidnapped and brought to a theatre where she is forced to perform, in various sexual acts, with men, women and for an audience that becomes increasingly aroused as the show progresses. The film, along with Deep Throat brought porn to mainstream America.

The Mitchell brothers (directors) tried to bring art to the industry with elaborate costumes, unconventional and controversial visual scenes and interesting film techniques. You see a very large woman masturbate, black men perform sexually on a white woman (and vice-versa), and cum-shots filmed in slow-motion to name a few highlights.

But what put this film over the top was its main character. Before starring in Behind the Green Door, Marilyn Chambers was the model for Ivory Snow detergent. Her pristine picture was on all the boxes. Proctor & Gamble recalled the entire product line which added to the film's notoriety.


Full Spectrum Staff

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