Chappaqua

Rating:
Summary: Not Normal
Review: Buy it if you can, steal it if you must - this film is not normal!

Music is very much a part of this 1966 film. One of its many credits is to one "Phil Glass."

Rating:
Summary: Psychedelic classic of struggle against addictions.
Review: CHAPPAQUA, winner of the 1966 Venice Silver Lion, is a cinematic slice of '60's avant-garde, with director Conrad Rooks in the main role of this semi-autobiographical tale told mostly in dramatic, shifting, cinema verite images with sparse dialogue. Such famous figures as William S. Burroughs(addict-author of NAKED LUNCH), poet Allen Ginsberg, guru Swami Satchidanda, et al, drift in & out of the planes of consciousness depicted in this struggle for escape from the torments of alcoholism and drug experimentation & addiction. I actually bought this video for the soundtrack, which came out on vinyl in 1968 with great fanfare but has not yet been released on CD. Most of the music was composed and played by Ravi Shankar, who also appears in the movie. The score is an excellent fusion of Indian ragas and talas with Western jazz. Others heard and seen in the movie (that are not on the original LP) include Ornette Coleman and the Fugs. The cinematography is excellent, extremely imaginative and varied, with international, on-location shots of many of the popular hip & religious spots of 1965-66. Much of the style in CHAPPAQUA, particularly the way that numerous philosophical and dramatic ideas are presented visually, original in its day, was later emulated by other directors, such as Roger Corman (THE TRIP)and Peter Fonda (EASY RIDER). CHAPPAQUA is a definitive weird ride through a wild time in history played out in psychological drama with few words. If you experienced that era (as I did), you'll see it like it was. If you didn't, this is the next best thing to being there -- and a whole lot safer. But fasten your seatbelt anyway...

Rating:
Summary: Chappaqua intense insight to 1966 sub-culture world
Review: Didn't know what to make of this one, first time I saw it. I knew it was something special, but didn't understand it fully, and wasn't sure I even liked it. After the third or fourth viewing, it became my all-time favorite movie. What many people who saw this film don't realize is the motivation behind it. America provides rediculous methods of help for people for whom the drug world becomes hell. This film tried to show the alternative possible when an addict is treated as an important individual. The hallucination/dream sequences are blurred with reality incredibly well to show the wonder and terror of drug-reality. I highly recommend this classic to any thinking person who appreciates beat culture or is sick of market-researched, formula mainstream movies.

Rating:
Summary: Watch it on LSD
Review: Excellent music by Ravi shankar and a very nonlinear, trippy filmmaking style coupled with the spiritual journey theme of an addict, definitely condusive to the psychedelic experience.

Rating:
Summary: Bad Trip
Review: I was ready for a wild ride of visual hallucinations according to other reviews and felt this film really came up short. I was enticed by the fact that Burroughs and Ginsberg made appearences but I'd call them cameos. Burroughs' character is boring and Ginsberg and boyfriend Peter are jamming in Central Park singing Shamalama Ding Dong for about 30 seconds. The mythology of Peyote is touched on with Native American narrative but, come on, must the story be acted out with a woman in a Maxi dress walking along the banks of a river? She is supposed to be the mother of a trancendant mystical magical mind guide drug and it comes off more like a Dippity Do TV ad from 1967. The music by Shankar is great. I will give the film that. I spent way too much money on this DVD. A classic by no means. Not anymore anyways. Save your money for a nickel bag.

Rating:
Summary: AN INTENSE VIEWING EXPERIENCE
Review: It isn't often that such a RARE treat comes along. Conrad Rooks really NAILED it with this one. If it isn't VISUALLY stimulating, than perhaps the story will TAKE YOU...IF you can follow then it will be BOTH. The main character takes you on a journy through his DOWN TIME fighting addiction--living in EXCESS. The story takes you to SWEDEN where our main character is in the hands of the SWISS CURE FOR ADDICTION. Into INSANITY--and--ALL THE WAY BACK...WILLIAM B. will leave a lasting effect. If you can FOLLOW...(like I said)...then I am sure this will BLOW YOU AWAY!

Rating:
Summary: AN INTENSE VIEWING EXPERIENCE
Review: It isn't often that such a RARE treat comes along. Conrad Rooks really NAILED it with this one. If it isn't VISUALLY stimulating, than perhaps the story will TAKE YOU...IF you can follow then it will be BOTH. The main character takes you on a journy through his DOWN TIME fighting addiction--living in EXCESS. The story takes you to SWEDEN where our main character is in the hands of the SWISS CURE FOR ADDICTION. Into INSANITY--and--ALL THE WAY BACK...WILLIAM B. will leave a lasting effect. If you can FOLLOW...(like I said)...then I am sure this will BLOW YOU AWAY!

Rating:
Summary: Watch it on LSD
Review: The film follows the mental journey of an addict as he checks himself into a drug rehab clinic in europe to overcome his dependence on drugs and alcohol. The film is basically one hallucination after another which may appeal to those who enjoy this sort of thing. The film is, in parts, fascinating to watch, especially the 'vampire' sequence. The appearance of Allen Ginsberg and William S. Burroughs add to the 'sixties drug addict' feel of the film as well. Recommended to those who enjoy something different.

Rating:
Summary: Cult film with bizarre visuals-nothing more
Review: The film follows the mental journey of an addict as he checks himself into a drug rehab clinic in europe to overcome his dependence on drugs and alcohol. The film is basically one hallucination after another which may appeal to those who enjoy this sort of thing. The film is, in parts, fascinating to watch, especially the 'vampire' sequence. The appearance of Allen Ginsberg and William S. Burroughs add to the 'sixties drug addict' feel of the film as well. Recommended to those who enjoy something different.