Rating: 
Summary: CREMASTERPIECE
Review: As an artist the name Matthew Barney was one that I had heard but was not terribly familiar with. The only exposure I had to his work had been a few photogrpahs in magazines and art books. However, last summer, a weekend trip to New York solidified my knowledge of this artist. Last spring The Guggenheim Museum was host to the entire Matthew Barney Cremaster Cycle, and fortunately, I just happened to stumble upon this retrospective exhibition merely by chance. The exhibition showcased all four of the Cremaster films, mostly all of the sculpture,as well as numerous photographs and drawings. The experience was rather overwhelming, however,I may be so bold as to say it was a life-changing experience. And, since experiencing the show at the Guggenheim I have researched this artist extensively and I have discovered the logic, themes, and motivation behind this impressive collection of artwork and the fascinating man that creates it.
I felt compelled to write a review here after reading some of the negative things said about this excerpt DVD of Cremaster 3. It is truly impossible to pass judgement on this excperpt if one has not seen all of the films together, and especially if one watches this DVD without knowing what the series is about, or if one has not first read anything regarding the artist or the themes of the films. The negative reviews here are uninformed and unfounded. The Cremaster films are not meant to be art that is accesible or understood by everyone, hence, if one does not understand what is going on in the films it is because the story does not make sense unless one has a general knowledge of the themes. While inside the Guggenheim, I myself had trouble understanding just exactly what was going on. However, when I returned home,I read about these films extensively and I began to understand the concepts.
In this series of films, Barney examines mostly the concepts of sex(the word "Cremaster" references a muscle in the gonads stimulated by the embryonic process at the moment of sexual differentiation), also ascension, decension,birth,etc. As a graduate student, Barney explored the process of climbing, fashioning numerous climbing apperatti in his studio. This is the reason for Barney climbing inside of the Guggenheim, inside the Chrysler Building,etc. He is exploring ascension and sexual arousal. He refernces different themes and mythologies, intertwining these into a complex series of metaphors, (Gary Gilmore claimed to be a descendant of Harry Houdini, Gilmore rang Johhny Cash the night before his execution, Gilmore rode bulls while incarcerated,etc,etc). Barney brilliantly links all of these seemingly disjointed themes by creating characters that relate to the myths as well as portraying the real-life characters involved in these stories.
Luckily, if one has an appreciation of good film, one can appreciate the beautiful cinematic qualities of these movies regardless if one does not understand what the movies are about.Barney is involved in every detail including make-up and prosthetics, set design, lighting,cinematography and of course, music. This is truly film as art. And, in the Guggenheim retrospective, this concept was pushed to the extreme. The entire museum was "transformed" into a "venue" as seen in Cremaster 3, wherein Barney transforms the museum into a sort of futuristic Roman Forum.
It would be impossible to expalin every detail here. My suggestion is that before you buy or rent this excerpt from Cremaster 3, go to your local library and check out the books published on the films. These books explain the themes and the imagery. The DVD may then make more sense, however, it is unfortunate that it is only a portion of the film. This is the reason that it seems disjointed, pretentious, and pointless. One must remember that these films are Matthew Barney's art, just as Picasso's painting were his art. There were many misunderstood themes and metaphors behind Picasso's paintings, but like with any good art it is not easy to understand at first glance. Good art takes time to appreciate. Matthew Barney is truly an artist for the 21st century and one experiences something new everytime one sees one of his films. He is definitely worth exploring. But remember to approach Matthew Barney in the context of an artist first, then as a filmmaker.
Rating: 
Summary: Trash Du Jour!
Review: A complete waste of money AND time. Barney is a complete narcissist and the folks at the Guggenheim that gave him funds for this film--are IDIOTS! Next time my cat defecates I will film it, add some naked women, insert a false meaning and voila--Cremaster 3.5!!
Rating:
Summary: Hey, who wants a banana?
Review: Alright, maybe the DVD could use an instructional manual . . . then again, maybe you could do what I did and just mash the angle button, the setup/enter key, or anything else you can get your vaseline covered hands on! I did just that, I mashed the hell out of any and all buttons on my remote, and boom 15 minutes of tap-tap-tap "Rainbow Girls" . . . more Agnostic Front/Murphy's Law than any adult should endure!!! So c'mon, be like that lab monkey wacking the hell out of a buzzer in search of a banana. . . . as for the Barney's work. I saw and enjoyed the entire CREMASTER CYCLE in some artsy-fartsy theatre . . . and sure you could waste your time looking for meaning, or you can do what I did and "dumb-it-down" and enjoy incredibly unique visuals. In conclusion, if you like movies . . . no wait, that's terrible, let me start again. In conclusion, if you have seen any of the CREMASTER films, and you'd like to have the privilege of owning a very affordable work of art, buy it. Even if you don't want to waste your time mashing keys to access the extra footage, the 31:05 ORDER is worth the price. . . . now, who wants a banana!
Rating:
Summary: Great stuff (and how to work the DVD features)
Review: Beautiful, strange, hilarious, moving, cryptic, amazing: what more can I say about this? Matthew Barney is a genius, and this is a great introduction to the whole cycle. The DVD interface *is* confusing. The "multiangle" feature shows you what is going on (in "real" time) on each level throughout, once the Apprentice has climbed to the first level. So, pick a level from the opening screen and choose "Start". You won't see the individual "degree" intros, but you will see the showgirls introduce the Apprentice. Pressing the "angle" button on your DVD player remote won't do anything until the apprentice reaches level 1 and encounters the tap-dancing lamb-women. Then, you'll get the Cremaster field symbol in the lower right corner of the screen with regions for the different levels--choose the one you want to go to, then enjoy! What you see is what the different characters are doing on each level throughout. The "film version" intersects at various points but otherwise you do get things you don't see and hear in the regular "film version." So it's not a true multiangle feature like on other DVDs--you can't select different angles for different scenes--but I think it's even more interesting the way it is. I especially like the action on level 2 (with the punk bands playing acoustic) and level 3 (Aimee Mullins pacing her turf and later being cheetah-like), okay and level 5 with Richard Serra throwing hot vaseline. You can follow what is going on at each level by the thumbnail movies in the Cremaster field symbol and switch from level to level at will. The director's commentary was harder for me to figure out how to access: using the onscreen interface didn't work for me, but I eventually found it using the sound option on the remote. It is surprisingly dry and factual: merely a summary of the various characters and symbols, with no amusing anecdotes about what must have been an interesting production. And not a trace of the humor that runs through Barney's art! But I guess he has to keep a dead pan over all of this for it to work.
Rating: 
Summary: Multi-Angle Feature???
Review: Figuring out how to activate the so-called "multi-angle feature" on this DVD is harder than figuring out the film itself. Supposedly, one can view all five parts simultaneously with additional footage and audio that you don't get when you watch the 30 min. feature straight through. That'd be a kick, eh? Might even make it worth the cost. Write a review if you know and share the answer.
Rating:
Summary: Not suitable for people with functional cremasters
Review: Go to www.cremaster.net and download the trailer for the full cremaster cycle. . . . then realize how awesome it looks and how much this dvd sucks. I was wondering where the movie was on this DVD, but then realized you only get a 30 minute clip and can watch lots of alternat shots of the same stuff. The minute long trailer on the website is SOOOOO much better.
Highlight: Camera Movement is kool when it moves all slow and stuff.
Rating:
Summary: Wicked Freaky
Review: Hmm, let me start out by saying that I saw the full theatrical release of Cremaster 3 at Sun Dance last year, of which this DVD is short excerpt from. If I were a real reviewer I'd probably cite various long standing references to Matthew Barney's past work, and that oh what a provocative innovative artist he is and isn't he so fabulous, etc, etc... I've heard all the yuppies talk about this cat like he's the God of Art Noir. Where ever he got the cultural acceptance to do what he does in film, is a mystery, this stuff is wierd, man it's WIERD. David Lynch has got nothing on this bloke. The whole of Cremaster 3 centers around a Mason initiation process, uh in the Chrystler building...sort of. Anyway, don't bother with the plot, it's so chaotic, and ridiculous, that it'll make your head hurt. And speaking of film inducing migraines, the entire movie is scored by a cacophony of metal whines and screams, that will leave you banging your head against the tv to make it stop. So what is this movie good for? Style. Man this movie has style. Mr. Barney has a full impact car derby in the lobby of the Chystler building, it's evil. This movie leaves a mark that a doctor can't get rid of. So what is this particular excerpt about? uh, well, this actual excerpt plays like bad Monty Python skit, and it'll leave you wondering what the whole point is. Well? there isn't any ;it's totally pointless. It's eye candy, it's wierd, funny, boring, and bloody. Somebody's got to make this stuff. Right?
Rating: 
Summary: Intriguing as well as confusing.
Review: I did enjoy this piece of work but I am still baffled by one element. That would be how to work the rest of the DVD. I've read many reviews, most agreeing that it's puzzling, but none have helped me find the way.
I watched the 30 minute main part but I can't for the life of me figure out how to work the rest. I would greatly appreciate any help.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing Videographer
Review: I have to say that the videographer was phenomenal. I tried to find his name under the images in that catalogue Nancy Spector put togeather but there was no credit or by-lines given. I guess it would only confuse me.
Rating:
Summary: Matthew Barney is a jack-ass
Review: I saw the Cremaster Cycle, number three in particular, and i thought it was absolutly a waste of time. The order, by and far, has to be the most non sensical part of the entire sequence. The only people who enjoyed it didnt really, and are just saying so to make others feel like they are less. I understand Barney was trying to convey a deeper meaning, but he didnt, what he did do is manage to waste large amounts of money Dont buy this, Matthew Barney is nothing more than a no good psudo-artist, dont let him get his hands on any more of your money.
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