|
Silver Screen
by Eddie Armani
As most of you know by now, the 25th anniversary of John
Water's PINK FLAMINGOS is upon us, and to commemorate this
auspicious occasion the film is currently in re-release around
the country (doing it's Cleveland stint at the Cedar Lee
Theater). This is the film which launched Harris Glenn
Milstead's character Divine well on her way to becoming the
pop culture icon that we know and love, as well as setting off
a storm of controversy wherever it played. This newly
re-mastered print (which features additional footage and an
address from John Waters himself) is still every bit as much
of an endurance test now as it was when it first premiered.
And naturally, Water's fans are more than up to the task.
However, those of you with delicate sensibilities will
probably appreciate being spared the gory details of the plot,
as the whole point of this film is to contain something for
everyone (to be offended by!) For the purposes of this
article, the premise alone: two families fighting for the
dubious honor of "filthiest people alive" will have to
suffice. The list of subjects this movie depicts reads like a
list you would expect to find in an abnormal psychology
textbook or law enforcement agency!
Although Water's early work is notorious for it's shock
value, fans prefer to regard it as hilariously over the top
camp. Gradually his films did become more palatable to the
mainstream. He tackled the topics of racism and segregation in
the politically correct HAIRSPRAY. He also explored our
cultures fascination with celebrity and murder in SERIAL MOM
with more style and humor than Gus Van Sant's TO DIE FOR ever
did. But beware, like Debbie Harry of Blondie, John Water's
roots are dark!
On a lighter note, THE FIFTH ELEMENT is much more than
another action-packed sci-fi save the world adventure. It's a
vivid, nonstop barrage of colorful and exciting surprises sure
to take you on an unpredictable joyride. This film easily
contains enough clever ideas depicting the Earth of the future
for two films, and is a real testament to the creativity and
inventiveness that Hollywood is capable of when it really puts
forth the effort.
Basically, the bulk of the plot centers around a desperate
struggle to gain possession of four stones, representing air,
fire, earth, and water. When used in conjunction with the
fifth element, a force is created powerful enough to protect
the earth from pending destruction. Bruce Willis and
exquisitely beautiful Milla Jovovich play the ones fighting to
overcome all odds and win the race against time.
Those odds include a renegade team of monstrous soldiers
and a corporate super villain brought to life by highly
capable Gary Oldman. The folksy charm that this character
exudes suggests an evil Ross Perot. The struggle culminates at
a charity ball aboard a luxury pleasure craft flying
|
