CENSORSH*T!

Hello avid followers of my blog.

This weekend I was off work so I finally have something to comment upon.

On Saturday I was dragged alone to see Kevin Smith's latest muck-stirrer "Zack and Miri Make a Porno". My friend whom persuaded me into seeing the film is quite literally obsessed with Mr Smith, possibly to an unhealthy level. So my criticisms of the film will be more rational than a man who greets Smith's forthcoming films with a degree of anticipation that a resurrected Jesus would find embarrassed.

I have never been the biggest fan of Smith's work, I just don't find many of his film very funny (although Clerks* and it's sequel I do enjoy). I think Smith is a fine writer but an adequate director. Many of his films would work better as a comedy album and a motion picture.

The basic plot of Z&MMAP is as follows. Slacker Zack (Seth Rogan) has an implausibly platonic relationship with gorgeous Miri (Elizabeth Banks), they desperately need money to pay the rent and so decide to make a pornographic film.

The problem, as with all of Smith's weaker films, is that the balance between sweetness and vulgarity doesn't gel. There are a few great jokes (especially Justin Long's cameo as a gay porn star), and I did find myself chuckling along. But overall it's a rather forgettable film. It also seems as if Smith has jumped on the more successful Judd Apatow bang-wagon in his casting of Seth Rogan and various other bit-parters who featured in previous Apatow productions.

For me, sex & relationships= funny, porn= not so funny.

**out of 5.

Smith also featured in Kirby Dick's enlightening and funny documentary "This Film is Not Yet Rated". The film looks at the MPAA and film censorship in America. In the film Dick hires a private investigator to track down the elusive 'ordinary folk' who make up the MPAA and thus have control over the destiny of a film. The film focuses on why American censorship are so concerned with sexuality (with the dreaded NC-17 rating) and not with on-screen violence. It has some great interviews with film-makers who have suffered at the hands of this unregulated and secretive board. This entertaining film comes highly recommended.

On a related subject check out this article from last Friday's Guardian newspaper on the role that the CIA have played in film censorship.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2008/nov/14/thriller-ridley-scott

To end on a lighter note, I have possibly discovered the creepiest television theme tune every made.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=wO9RzlWS5fM

Mr E.


*[Pronounced 'clarks' in this country]