Ed's Review Dot Com

IFC Films,  Sundance Selects

Albert Barnes

This is a documentary and is available on NetFlix “Watch Instantly”.  This is an interesting documentary into the treasure of Post-imporessionist paintings collect by Albert Barnes who passed away in 1951.  It included amazing Renoirs, Gaugins, El Grecos, Goyas, Monets, Van Goghs, Picassos and many others.   Dr. Barnes was an inventor and made a fortune from a medicinal solution called Argyrol.  Dr. Barnes died in 1951.  After his death, a group was formed called the “Barnes Foundation”.    Dr. Barnes had a part in his will that stated that the paintings must NEVER be removed from the walls where they are currently hung, and that they should stay there forever.  His other requirement was that they be used for educational purposes.

The house in Lower Marion, Pennsylvania where the art is housed was opened to the public, initally 2 days a week.  Over time it became more accessible, but it still required advanced appointments, and is located in a residential area seriously restricting public access.  There were also some issues with the condition of the property and of course some financial considerations.  A plan was developed to sell some of the works to raise money for the repairs and upkeep, and a plan was developed to send some of the paintings on a world tour.

Finally a plan was developed to move the paintings to a new location in Philadelphia in 2012.  This triggered a backlash of opposition to breaking the will and moving the paintings.

This documentary has it’s bias, but tries to show both sides of the discussion and the problems with leaving the paintings where they are, and moving them to a new location.  No matter which way it goes,  some people will be upset.

This is not a fast past or extremely suspenseful film, but it is a good study of the legal challenges and the backlash against both sides.   It’s available in HD, which makes it a great watch on your PC should you go the Watch Instantly route, as I did, but I’m sure this is occasionally show on the Sundance channel, and through other venues.  It’s not a mainstream film by any means, but if you enjoy fine art, or like documentaries, this is a prety interesting film.  Not as earth shattering as some, but an interesting story just the same.

MGM

John Cusack, Clark Duke, Craig Robinson, Rob Corddry, Sebatian Stan, Lyndsy Fonseca, Crispin Glover, Chevy Chase

This is one of the most monumental films of all time!!!  Ok, no it’s not.

Hot Tub Time Machine is Back to the Future for the rest of us.  I am a sucker for time travel movies, and this one is for the common folk.  These guys are a total mess, and a series of freak happening fueled by vodka and energy drinks sends them back in time.  Not to an interesting time, mind you, but to the 80’s, of all places in time.   But it was a pivotal time in their loser lives, and they have a chance to fix things.  Ah, but no matter what, you just can’t seeem to change the future.  That’s the classic paradox of time travel.  I catorgize this as raunch comedy, and did not check the Science Fiction category because the time travel element is really silly.  This is a vulgar comedy, not a serious movie.  But that’s ok.

So one guy is going to get stuck in the eye with a fork, and another is going to get beat up again and again by the same bully.  But Craig Robinson (Darryl from “The Office” has some fun with his role.  Trying to be faithful to his shrew of a wife back before he even met her is hysterical, and his angry phone call to her when she was 9 years old is really funny.

This is sophmoric, and crude, and really funny in parts.  It wasn’t too bad.  It’s not going to be a very thoughtful or thought provoking movie, but it’s great beer and popcorn, have a few laughs, evening.  It’s a decent rental, but I’m glad I didn’t spend $13.00 to see it.  It’s a good small screen movie, especially if you’re a fan of the 80’s.