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| Movie Review: Hugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist and Rebel Alternate Title: The Man Behind the Ears
Story: As a former bra burning,
placard carrying, uber-feminist I was not sure that I wanted to see
this film but I am glad that I did. This one-sided homage to Hugh
Hefner was written and directed by Brigitte Berman.
We meet the 84 year old Hugh Hefner
as he attempts (pretty successfully) to redefine his legacy. He wants
us to remember him as a social activist, civil rights promoter, philosopher
and ardent supporter of the first amendment. I admit that I did not
know any of the things he was proudly discussing, but the on-target
file footage gave proof of what he was purporting to have done. The first third of the film is very interesting.
It shows how he started his Playboy Magazine in 1953
and how he was the right man at the right time and with his controlling
nature successfully built a huge empire. His Playboy After Dark and
Playboy Clubs broke color barriers which at the time, were forbidden.
This file footage was especially entertaining and enlightening. His magazine promoted writers like Ray
Bradbury, Hunter Thompson and Alex Haley. Yes, indeed, the
magazine was not bought for the literature but the literature existed
and many people read the stories and the progressive Playboy philosophy. The talking heads include Bill Maher,
Dick Cavett, Dick Gregory, Mike Wallace, Jenny McCarthy and
sadly, Gene Simmons of Kiss. His presence did nothing
to promote what the movie was trying to portray. The only anti-Hefner
talking heads were Susan Brownmiller and Pat
Boone. Sadly, she came off terribly and Pat Boone was just
plain silly. The jiggly, giggly part of the film was boring
and seemed very tame by today's standards. Should you see it? For the
sake of history, why not? Check out the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kjNupDYiuU Acting: A documentary disqualifies the 'acting' category. Trivia: Brigitte Berman won an Oscar for Best Documentary,
Feature Predilection: None. My houseguest was interested
in seeing this and I said 'why not'?
Critters: St Bernard puppy
Sex Spectrum: Lots of boobs, tails and talk of sex
- but none was seen on the screen.
Soundtrack: Some fine tunes.
Theater Audience: A handful of old bunnies like us.
I told the ticket taker we were retired fromer bunnies. She laughed.
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: 0
Drift Factor: It was too long at a bit over two hours.
I started to think about lunch.
Oscar Worthy: No
Big Screen or Rental: Rental would be fine.
Length: A splash over two hours.
LOBO HOWLS: 7 |