"Taking Woodstock"
by: Paolo Sardinas

The latest from director Ang Lee is a movie about the people who started the cultural music festival, Woodstock. Yes, its about the people who started it and not necessarily the "party" itself. And yes this is the same guy who directed Brokeback Mountain.

Ang Lee's films tend to deal with mostly sexual themes, "Brokeback Mountain", about two gays or "homosexual" cowboys, "Ice Storm", practically sex in Conneticut, and "Lust Caution", sex in China. Now there's "Woodstock" which was, to say the least, one big drug induced orgy. But nonetheless it was one thing that this movie isn't, fun.

"Taking Woodstock" centers around the story of young gay interior designer who comes home to help his family's motel, El Monaco, from practically falling apart. Elliot (Dimitri Martin), the gay guy New York, organizes a music/arts festival to help out his folks bring in much needed cash. And that's about it. What follows is really a big mess of confusion, drugs, nudity, Liev Schreiber cross dressed, Martin kissing a construction worker, and mud sliding.

One thing, if I had to choose one thing that killed this movie, it would be the acting. With some terrific supporting actors, Eugen Levy and Liev Schreiber, its the script and storyline that falls through. Demitri Martin could have given a much better performance than what he did. Martin, more commonly known for his "Demitri Martin Show", is pretty flat as far as acting goes. He doesn't really convey the whole personality you would expect from someone who was just organizing one of the biggest festivals in history. Also too that nose doesn't help out much either.

Ang Lee falls a bit flat as well with his directing. He focuses more on the kids than anything else, which is pointless. Hell I would've preferred more scenery than a bunch of kids getting high.

The movie makes the festival look like one big excuse. An excuse for teens to hide behind saying its an art/music festival and really just end up going for the boobs and weed. But if you really think about it, was there much else? C