Mansome
If you’ve read my reviews of the past, it should be no secret that I’m a dude. Chili, BBQ, bacon, and boobs are my four basic food groups. I’m not saying I don’t have any depth, but dudes and chicks are clearly different. You can’t change that fact anymore than you can change the color of the sun. In Morgan Spurlock’s latest documentary “Mansome”, we are shown how men try to survive in our everyday modern world. The film mostly focuses on male outward appearances such as facial hair, dealing with going bald, and skin/hair products. The film is divided into sections with Will Arnett and Jason Bateman in a spa segmenting each portion with some comedy relief. The first segment involves moustaches and Spurlock keeps the film focused on himself as he deals with shaving off his own horseshoe. After the first fourth of the film is over however, Morgan kind of disappears for the rest of the film. The camera just focuses on a particular dude in each segment and the film loses some of its personality. There are plenty of interviews spliced in with comedians and experts, but these aren’t enough to save the film from the long drawn out stories that are filmed with a fly-on-the-wall approach.
Another aspect that is shown, but not fully explored, is the correlation with male grooming and women. Sure some opinions from chicks are given, but not enough to examine how much of their influence plays a part in our daily grooming. Men, truth be told, only really clean ourselves up to attract women. We do feel good if we’re cleaned up, but this is a subconscious reaction to our ability to attract sexy chicks. If it wasn’t for women, all men would probably have long beards and still wear hides of killed animals as the latest fashion. 
Different cultures and even individuals have diverse ideas of what is “attractive,” but that doesn’t change the fact that everything is a chase for sex.
My only real issue with this film, beyond the phoned in approach Spurlock took, was the fact that it only focuses on a man’s outward appearance. I expected this film to be broader in its definition of what it means to be a man in the modern world. There is so much more going on in between our ears than grooming that I was surprised that Spurlock could even find an hour and a half of material to put in this film. Though I suppose there are men out there that concern themselves over looks more than I do. And maybe that’s the point of “Mansome.” We’re men, and we have to ask ourselves why we own skin cream but can’t belch the alphabet.
The Grey
There aren’t too many dude films out there. Sure there are plenty of films that are marketed towards guys. Raunchy comedies, action flicks, and pretty much anything with large breasts are good examples. But there aren’t too many films that fully immerse themselves into the male landscape. Females get chick flicks at least once a year, and this severely outweighs the amount of films that emotionally satisfy male core needs. “The Grey” is one of those dude films. It stars our favorite Irishman Liam Neeson and confronts several themes of survival. While it can be said that the film doesn’t reach its full potential, I will say that, as a self-described dude, I liked it.
The first thing you’ll notice throughout “The Grey” is that it’s visually stunning. A very well shot movie, not only in location but in style. The movie properly conveys the depth of what is going on by simply showing you, rather than telling you through unnecessary dialogue. Also, the setting is the Alaskan wilderness, so there are plenty of beautiful backdrops to compliment the movie. How well the movie is shot also helps establish the intense moments of the film, which are plentiful. Anyone who considers themselves to have sensitive minds and/or stomach, should probably avoid “The Grey.” The movie is intense, thrilling, and can be very gruesome. It reflects the heartlessness of nature and that can be very disconcerting for anyone who expects conventional plot devices.
It also showcases a pack of wolves constantly assaulting our band of survivors, which can be off putting for some. The aggressive nature of wolves is exaggerated here, but the script is written well enough that you excuse the exploitation. It also helps to understand that the movie isn’t trying to portray wolves negatively. Wolves are apex predators. Killing other animals is what they do. This movie also contains a great deal of subtext. In “The Grey” the wolves merely serve as the obstacle to survival, and as a deadly force of nature. It’s like a movie with a tornado in it. The tornado isn’t “the villain,” but is just doing what tornadoes do. 
“The Grey” isn’t trying to be mean. It’s trying to be heartless. And yes, there is a difference.
Whether you think this film is good or bad largely depends on what kind of person you are. There are too many aspects of the human mind to generalize what kind of person would like this film, but it’s fair to say that a penis is probably required. The film is very well made regardless of what you think of the content, and I would recommend guys try it out. It spends a great deal of time philosophizing about survival and the ending is very abrupt, but I consider these things to be attributes rather than hindrances. Not for everyone, but something I enjoyed. The only thing I hate is that it’ll be another five years before I see another film that makes me go a whole month without shaving.
Also, in a shameless plug to myself, check out Bruce Osborne on Facebook. I post/link all my stuff there, including chapters on a book I’m working on. Feel free to hit the ‘Like’ button as if you’re an addict.
I also write publish works of fiction on my Bruce Osborne Blog. Feel free to read, follow, or even hate my stuff. I don’t care if people like it, only that they read it.
There are too many movies for me to review in full, so I created a twitter account to give brief opinions on the many movies I view. If you wish to read my smart ass remarks, follow M.O.V.I.E. Reviewer @MutantOpossum.
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