King Corn: Movie Review

I finally got to see the movie, King Corn, on Sunday. It was interesting and had a fair amount of humor. It definitely wasn't boring.

It also wasn't as hard hitting as I expected, nor did it get into all the different derivatives that are made from corn.

It was a rather cursory overview of corn farming and where that corn goes, which I'm certain is quite eye opening to many people across the nation who aren't very in touch with America's corporate farming roots. It also touched on heath issues caused by overindulging in corn, both for humans and animals.

Since I've been researching corn, corn syrup, subsidies, etc for quite a while now, most of the movie was pretty elementary for me.

The one thing I did find educational and highly amusing was the portion of the movie focused on Ian and Curt's attempt to make corn syrup in their kitchen. (Since they couldn't get a film tour of a corn syrup refinery.) Anyone who thinks that corn syrup is "natural" really needs to see that part of the movie. I'm not exactly sure what was added to the corn to make syrup, and maybe Curt and Ian can give us the recipe? A couple of the ingredients they added looked like poison, and the directions for making it were very long and involved. Not exactly what I'd consider "natural".

This movie is still a "must-see" in my book, and something that I plan to buy if it comes out on DVD. I will probably buy several copies and give them out as Christmas gifts. That way my friends and family can have visual proof of the things I've been trying to say for years now. :)

Change isn't going to happen overnight, but with books, movies, and public demand, maybe we can get the ball rolling a little faster.

King Corn

King Corn is coming to a theatre near you (hopefully) so look for it. If its not coming to a theatre near you, pester your local cinema to get it.

I haven't seen the film yet, but it's really bringing a lot of education to the world (USA at least) about the overuse of corn in our diets. (Yeah!!!)

The makers of King Corn are also doing a "Corn-Free Challenge" for the month of November, which I enourage everyone to at least attempt to do as much as they can.

Its not an easy feat, but it will definitely be a good experience, not to mention the health benefits.. because you can't really do corn-free and eat junkfood.

Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss

I have just finished watching what has to be the best film I’ve seen in a long while. While the film is predominantly gay, with its token straight couple, it’s overriding theme about the search for the love of your life is applicable to everyone.

The film Billy’s Hollywood Screen Kiss has one fantastically accurately truthfully beautifully captured scene which has prompted me to write this post.

The scene is a scene that most of us have probably had in our lives at least once, if not numerous times. But never before in film have I ever seen this scene so accurately portrayed.

The scene is two friends with possible sexual chemistry, due to reasons which they both agree are valid (whether they really are or not), end up sharing a bed for a night.

It is a very captivating scene. Where there is so much tension, as they both are unsure whether or not the other shares their interest and each are afraid of ruining the friendship.

So the subtle dance begins.

Since they’re both chicken, they pretend to be asleep. One sleepingly pretends to change position and “happens” to touch the other letting their body rest in that position for a bit, waiting to see what the other one does. When nothing happens, he pulls his arm away and waits, giving up hope. But then the other, sleepingly adjusts his position so they’re touching again. Unsure if this is intentional, or a sleeping move, he snuggles in a bit to test the waters. Then the other moves into the snuggle a bit.

It is a very slow, tension-filled dance that brought back so many memories for me. I had forgotten how that intense timidity felt, but the movie brings it all back to life and lets the viewer share this intimate moment as if you’re there in it. It has to be the most touching scene in a movie that I have seen in a long long time.

There is a similar themed scene in “Just Friends”, but Billy’s Hollywood Screen Kiss captures it much better with more heart and less cheesiness.

Honestly, even if you’re homophobic, it’s worth watching this movie if only just for that scene.