By ARNIE WISHNICK ‘KINSEY’ ”Even today, the name ‘Alfred Kinsey’ sparks controversy. First thing to ask oneself after seeing a biopic: Do I now know more about the main subject than when I walked into the theater? The answer in this case is…definitely yes! You will learn more about Dr. Kinsey than you’ll ever need to know (if you know what I mean). Writer and director Bill Condon (‘Gods and Monsters’) recreates the emotional shock in the late ’40s that people felt reading Kinsey’s report about male and female sexuality. His degree was in zoology specializing in gall wasps. Soon he was lecturing about marriage at Indiana University when he discovered how ignorant students were about human sexuality. Liam Neeson is superb in the title role. The beautiful Laura Linney (made-up to look as frumpy as possible) is Mrs. Dr. K. Others in the cast include Peter Sarsgaard as everyone’s favorite bisexual assistant. Alfred’s dad, and almost recreating his role as the same kind of father in ‘Footloose,’ except without the dancing, is John Lithgow. Chris O’Donnell, Oliver Platt, Timothy Hutton and (try to find her) Lynn Redgrave are also featured. With plenty of clinical descriptions of the human body and some nudity (photos and otherwise), the movie is like a walk through a clinic. We know that it’s important stuff we’re seeing and hearing, but it’s still kinda dull. Yet ‘Kinsey’ is a fine recreation of the world of almost 60 years ago. Today we’re more mature with less trepidation. Yes, nowadays we can talk openly about s-e-x. Out of 5 Palm Trees, ‘Kinsey’ gets 3 Palm Trees. ‘BIRTH’ The title of this movie is ‘Birth,’ but it should be called ‘Pregnant.’ As in pregnant pause. I’d love to see the script that was co-written and directed by Jonathan Glazer: Speak your line’ then wait 30-60 seconds for response’repeat. ‘Lights! Camera! No Action!’ While jogging, Anna’s husband Sean, drops dead in Central Park. Ten years later Anna (Nicole Kidman) and Joseph (Danny Huston) announce their engagement. Showing up at the engagement party is 10-year-old Sean who claims to be Anna’s reincarnated husband. No one believes him except Anna, who still grieves. There are lots of things young Sean knows but loads of things Anna never asks him. ‘Birth’ is a mess. However, there are some good things worth mentioning. First, another magnificent performance by Miss Kidman. There is a scene during a concert that just focuses on her beautiful face and you know exactly what she’s thinking. (When you see ‘Vera Drake’ there is a similar scene of Vera’s face when she is arrested.) Next, the beautiful music by Alexandre Desplat. Then, there’s the one tidbit of information that Anna does not know, but the audience knows. And, finally there’s a touching last scene of Anna trying to cast off her long-term bereavement. There are so many unanswered questions about this movie. I only wish I could have seen it seated next to Shirley MacLaine. Out of 5 Palm Trees ‘Birth’ gets 3 Palm Trees.
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