Hey folks, Harry here with Loony Toon's look at the Hughes Brothers' documentary... AMERICAN PIMP. From the sound of it I chose poorly with my selection tonight, and Loony Toon was doing it right. Though he should have stuck around for DARK DAYS instead of running off to a party! hehe.. Anyway, the news on FROM HELL at the end is pretty friggin cool! Read on....
Hello All.
SXSW continues. It keeps getting better and better. Tonight I saw American Pimp by the Hughes Brothers and got to speak with them. First a review of American Pimp.
American Pimp is a documentary about pimping. There are no two ways about it, we all know what a pimp is and what a pimp does. He slaps ho's and sells drugs and is a basically immoral disfunctional detriment to society. Or is he? You see, we all have some kind of image in our head of what a pimp is. But, we may be wrong. This film not only shows us what a pimp is, but how individuals became pimps and to what ends they hope to meet.
Most of the film is told through a series of interviews. Most of the interviewed pimps are retired, due to possibility of incrimination by working pimps. Some of these characters are clownish, some are charismatic, some are repulsive, but all follow the same rules.
It seem that there is a game to be played in teh pimping industry and these rules are followed to a T by these pimping purists. Things like, "Bitches better not do drugs on the Track", or, settle things with your mouth not a weapon. A fairly Don Corleone attitude. I won't go too much into the info, it would spoil the film.
Basically this film fills in the gaps in our mind as to what it actually is that a pimp does. Answers all the questions such as: Why does a ho need a pimp? And, Are all Pimps drug addicts? The film tactfully allows you to identify and begin to somewhat understand these men.
It is an addictive film. The more exposed to a pimp you are, the more you want to know about the individual. It humanizes these super-villians of our mind.
We are taken coast to coast to find out which tracks are most profitable for pimps. We see legal pimps,(only in Nevada), who actually prove to be intensly more despicable than the illegal sort.
I can't say enough about this super cool film. It's hard to review a documentary on any basis but pure enjoyment and the sheer explosion of information given. I believe this film succeeds in both areas.
Now, I have a scoop on The Hughes brothers next feature, From Hell.
Based on the popular comic book of the same title, From Hell is the story of an Opium addicted detective on the heels of Jack the Ripper.
SPOILER!!!!
Johnny Depp is official as the reporter. Although it hit the trades about a week ago, it was not confirmed. The Hughes bros confirmed this casting with me this evening. Secondly the bigger scoop is the casting of Nigel Hawthorne as the Killer. supercool. They also mentioned the possibility of a role for Terrence Stamp. Most other roles will be filled by british unknowns. The Film will be shot in Prague with production to start in June. This is going to be one kick-ass film.
Thats all for now.
See you in the funny papers,
Loony Toon Out.
