CINEMA SEEN - "Hugging Back!"
By William Margold

     An interesting thing happened to me on the way to creating this serving of Cinema Seen…I got “re-famili-tized!
     A few columns ago I discussed the somewhat suspicious circumstances surrounding my birth, and was delighted to have that column mentioned in www.adultfyi.com---an affable website fueled by the wit of Gene Ross, a sardonic veteran of the XXX wars for many, many years. Gene and I have had our differences over the past two decades, but for the most part, bound by “the brotherhood of man”---we have served each other well and swell, bantering back and forth about the good times (many) and the bad times (few), and the good people (few) and the bad people (MANY) that have passed through our lives in the blink of the mind’s eye that is over 20 years.
     Having never had a real family until I entered the Adult Entertainment Industry as a journalist seeking to report a first hand (as well as other appendages) account of XXX in 1971, I quickly adopted myself into the warm, wet, writhing world, and in turn was adopted by it, becoming to some, a friend (and more), and to others, a foe (and lots more).
     In 1974, I was fortunate to meet a completely natural wonder named Serena. It was “like at first sight” for me, and from the first moment we hugged, and I felt her being genuinely satisfied (and comforted) by that action, I knew that we were going to be “family” for ever. And in the symbiotic relative way of things, it was Serena who began to adoringly call me “Brother Bill.” Years later, the spectacular Porsche Lynn would lovingly label me “Uncle Bill.” And as I began to surrogate new “kids” into “The Family of X”---my patriarchal status, plus an endless supply of teddy bears being heaped upon me, finally led to my most popular and pleasant nick name---“Papa Bear.”
     I hadn’t heard from Serena (who is pictured with me on this page in a shot from 1978 that speaks volumes about our mutual feelings), since 1989, but I had always kept her memory burning brightly, patiently waiting for her to “make contact.” And so it was that a few weeks ago, a phone message, then an e-mail, then a box with a card, and of course, some teddy bears, re-ignited all the warmth that bonds soul mates in families that don’t need to be linked by bloodlines.
     And so it was, with my symbiotic “Sister” (checkout her website: www.classicpornserena) returned to me, at least telephonically, that I went off to see the pair of family-based films discussed on this page.
     THE FAMILY STONE---Richly rewarding, simplistically sly, extremely smart study of how a family copes…with various situations…ranging from humorous to painfully human. Writer-director Thomas Bezucha liltingly sets us down in the middle of a New England winter, and makes life downright wonderful with a cast that includes Sarah Jessica Parker, Claire Danes, Rachel McAdams, Dermot Mulroney, Craig T. Nelson, Luke Wilson, and an especially evocative Diane Keaton, who should be nominated for Best Supporting Actress. If ever using the term “tears of joy” were justified, it would be for the expending of a steady stream of them, as I watched Bezucha’s cinematic gem reel by. This one will be a heart-and-hearth-warmer for many years to come.
     RUMOR HAS IT---Amusing effort from director Rob Reiner---“speculating” about the circumstances surrounding many of the characters that were first featured in “The Graduate”---then…and almost now. Jennifer Anniston gets caught up in the very furry tale of who may have seduced whom, and who just might be related to whom, and who could be still laying claim to the stuff of legend. It’s pretty cute and coy stuff, perhaps a little too cute and too coy, in fact, for its own good, and therefore sort of “who cares” in its exposition. But thanks to the rascality of the eternally impish Shirley MacLaine, and the gracefully aging presence of Kevin Costner, the film is simple, slightly soulful fun in sort of the dirty little secret way of things that were…and that may still be…in the crumbling upper crust of families in Pasadena, California.
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     NOTE: Originally published in LA Xpress, January 5, 2006, issue.

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CINEMA SEEN - "Family (Un)Ties!"
By William Margold

     The circumstances surrounding my birth are highly suspect.
     And how's that for a way to start a Cinema Seen column? But…because of the "mothered" nature of the three films that will be featured here, I figured that NOW was as good a time as any to reveal something that has been gnawing on my sensibilities for over 20 years.
     I was born in Washington D.C. on Oct. 2 1943. My parents "supposedly" were Nathan Ross Margold and Gertrude Weiner Margold. The word "supposedly" is used here, because shortly after my father, a highly regarded civil rights activist-cum-lawyer-cum-jurist died from heart attack in Dec. 1947, I was told that I had been adopted. Of course, I don't remember how I took the news, but over the years that ensued, it may well have driven a wedge between the matriarchal figure in my life and me. Gertrude (who understandably changed her first name to the much softer Gene) was a very intelligent lady, with a passion for writing that was never realized. She was always the best student in every writing class that she took, but she was never professionally published. It frustrated her. And I'm sure that it inspired me to get published. And currently, and quite proudly, I very much consider creating a weekly column for The LA XPRESS "being published."
     When Gertrude (Gene) and I could no longer "get along" (which was more often than not) she would send me off to various highly respected military schools and highly regarded boarding schools, where, while I hated the "authority" of my surroundings, I was provided with a high intensity education, which certainly got me high grades, and lots of attention, if not love, from my teachers.
     I also spent some time with Gertrude's (Gene's) sister, a pleasant lady named Mindy, who, although easily aggravated by my constant rebellion, really went out of her way to make sure that I knew she cared about me.
     Gertrude (Gene) refused to have anything to do with me, when, in 1972, I became involved, on all levels, including writing, in the burgeoning Adult Entertainment Industry.
     13 years later, around the 1985 Thanksgiving holidays, for some restless reason, I felt that my youngest daughter (Goldie-Bear…that middle name is on her birth certificate) should get to meet her grandmother. So I tracked Mindy down. She was shocked to see me. But then matter-of-factly told me that Gertrude (Gene) had died five years earlier, I winced (slightly), and then matter-of-factly asked Mindy "are you my mother?" You see, I figured that because Nathan Ross was pretty powerful, he had, with Gertrude's full understanding, and perhaps because she couldn't conceive, impregnated my aunt (Mindy), and then manipulated the paperwork of my birth certificate because on it, my mother is listed as Gertrude. Would that qualify as my "being adopted?" Hmmm. But imagine my surprise when Mindy quite matter-of-factly responded---"I won't answer that question." Bigger "hmmm."
     20 years later, I am still "hmmm-ing." Which brings me to discussing the movies on this page…all of which deal, in varying degrees of insight and intensity, with "fractured families."
     THE SQUID AND THE WHALE---This is one of those "to be taken VERY seriously" little films that sort of makes you feel guilty if you don't find more to it than there really is. Nevertheless, writer-director Noah Baumbach has crafted a pretty cathartic experience featuring quality performances from perpetually underrated Jeff Daniels and the always-superb Laura Linney whose marriage is going down the drain while their multi-conflicted sons (as well as their cat) strive to survive in the whirlpool.
     THE CHUMSCRUBBER---I've long believed that neglectful parents have been creating generations of potential serial killers by loading their offspring up on anti-depressants that are then counter-effected by depressants which in turn lead to the taking of more anti-depressants which leads to…! Glassy-eyed and internally seething---these "children of the dim" are the focus of an uncomfortably amusing creation from writer Zac Stanford and director Arie Posin that features what appear to be "community service" appearances by the likes of Glenn Close, Ralph Fiennes, Allison Janney, Carrie Ann-Moss and Rita Wilson.
     FINDING HOME---Some movies were not meant for the BIG screen---particularly during the "holidaze." And this VERY earnest effort from director Lawrence David Foldes, wherein burning emotions are overwhelmed by a seemingly desperate yearning to be appreciated---is most certainly one of those productions. Indeed, despite, or perhaps because of the antique presence of Louise Fletcher and Genevieve Bujold---the tale of bloodlines discovered in a remote part of Maine would have been much better served by flickering its tale out on the TV set in your family's living room while you are being comforted by the warmth of a fire place, and even an occasional hug.
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     NOTE: Originally published in LA Xpress, December 22, 2005, issue.

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CINEMA SEEN - "Documented Is As Documented Does"
By William Margold

     I truly believe that Samson, my beyond spoiled and amusingly snobbish Himalayan cat knows more about how my computer works than I do. Invariably when I am banging away on it, he stations his magnificent self in a position so that he can attentively watch what I am doing, and every once in awhile he swipes at the keys with one of his massive paws, causing me to curse him as I delete the damage that he has done. Of course, he couldn’t give a cat’s ass about my plight. The preceding was offered to set-up the fact that in this introduction, for no other reason than I laughed out as it reeled by, I would like to suggest to all LOST (the great TV series that airs on Wednesdays on ABC) fans out there that they quickly go to http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/272811 for a genuine treat. The preceding was also offered because recently a simian-pathy associate of mine called my attention to the fact that some chimps at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago have begun to relate to computers. Hmmm…kitty see…monkey do! And in keeping with this obvious case of letting my mind (or lack of same) wander, I thought that I would divert even further away from the mainstream by presenting an assortment of recent DVD distractions that are related to the considerably more adult side of the screen, and offer up a quartet of productions, that all have one thing in common: an appearance by ME. So…consider that I’m giving myself a non-denominational holiday gift here, and hopefully, you’ll be rewarded as well.
     PORN STAR PETS (www.pornstarpetsthemovie.com)---Although he only makes a very brief appearance, the late and dearly lamented Siamese Pogo (who can be seen laying serenely on my lap at the top of this page), is among the four (and more) footed friends in this all-together wacky look at adult industry entertainers, and how they relate to their pets. Director Margie Schnibbe has rounded up an all-star cast including Brittany Andrews, Kim Chambers, Mr. Marcus, Taylor Wane, Sunset Thomas, Teri Weigel (pictured on the box cover with a couple of her Shelties), and of course, Ron Jeremy (whose nickname is “The Hedgehog”) appear with their comforting creatures, almost all of whom perform for the camera in a manner that strongly suggests that they are fully aware of who is really in charge at home. Indeed, herein, the term “heavy petting” takes on a whole new meaning.
     INSIDE DEEP THROAT (www.universalentertainment.com)---The one that started in all! Way back in 1972, the Gerard Damiano-directed explicit erotic effort helped the making of hardcore films as well going to see hardcore films “sociologically acceptable.” This documentary returns to that era, and feels the pulse (among other things) of many of the people who were involved in helping to carve the letter X into the public psyche. I only appear in an added feature that focuses on the posthumous induction of the film’s star, Linda Lovelace, into ‘The Legends of Erotica” in Las Vegas. But it’s enough time for me to sober the audience with the sentiment: “there is no future if in the present we fail to pay homage to the past.”
     GINGER LYNN THE MOVIE (www.paradisevisuals.com)---Meet the most popular adult actress of all-time. Of course this production really only goes “in-depth” where it counts, but then that is exactly what one should expect when dealing with the consummate carnal creation. Ginger is joined (in more ways than one) by the lusty likes of John Holmes and Harry Reems and Christy Canyon. My involvement came late, when I joined the show as a commentator. But I think that you’ll take many of the points that I make about Ginger, and the times that bred her, to heart…as well as to hard.
     RATED X: A JOURNEY THROUGH PORN(www.pathfinderpictures.com)---At this point, Dag Yngvesson’s slyly self-deprecating, painfully perceptive immersion into the warm, wet, writhing and very worried world of XXX (circa the mid-1990’s), has no equal. Dag’s very personal tale takes him deep (and deeper) into the Valley (San Fernando, of course), where he is whirl-winded by me, in the appropriate role of adult industry gatekeeper, through the lives of many very earnest souls who spend a great deal of their time on their backs and knees, so that they can walk proud among us. Particularly raw are the scenes with the magnificent Jeanna Fine, who continuously fights battles with her various demons…and doesn’t always win them. I’m hoping that this production will eventually transcend its DVD release, and be (at least) midnight screened in bigger venues, as it demands to be seen beyond the limited range of living rooms. And, of course, I’ll be there, proudly introducing the feature with the insights of a person who has proudly spent well over three decades striving each and every day to keep the letter X alive and well in the entertainment alphabet.
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     NOTE: Originally published in LA Xpress, December 15, 2005, issue.

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