The Mystery of Picasso

Rating:
Summary: The Eye Molds the Canvas
Review: A Fabulous film showing how an artist- in this case Picasso- takes a blank sheet of paper or canvas and transforms it into a work of art. Thru a special process that lets the inks bleed thru to the wrong side of the canvas where a camera captures the developement of a drawing from the first placement of a brush stroke to the final completed drawing/painting. Sometimes it is truly amazing to see what comes forth from the humble beginnings. We also are able to follow the developement of paintings as well with the aide of stop motion photography. I wish I were an art teacher so I could share this with my students! An enjoyable film for anyone with an interest in art!

Rating:
Summary: Unforgettable
Review: I once saw this film on television, late at night. This was at least ten years ago, and despite having seen it only once, many of the images are still fresh in my mind. Along with Alex Cox's "Vincent", an extraordinary documentary about the life of Vincent Van Gogh, this is probably the best portrait of the work and life of an artist. Worth every penny.

Rating:
Summary: Unforgettable
Review: I once saw this film on television, late at night. This was at least ten years ago, and despite having seen it only once, many of the images are still fresh in my mind. Along with Paul Cox's "Vincent", an extraordinary documentary about the life of Vincent Van Gogh, this is probably the best portrait of the work and life of an artist. Worth every penny.

Rating:
Summary: Brought Life To My Eyes
Review: I was completely awestruck by the absolute wondrous way in which Picasso constructed his paintings. It was one of the most beautiful essays of an artist on film. I still can't believe the magic that Picasso weaved with his brush, transforming the painting from one image into another. Funnily enough, I saw "Surviving Picasso" a week ago, and this made that film seem completely and utterly ridiculous. I am so thankful that a film such as this, is available. Just imagine having a movie of Da Vinci or Raphael, well this is it! The true genius of the twentieth century in all of his glory. I was just blown away by his astounding confidence yet there was none of the ego-maniacal ways that I have read about. This puts that all to rest. This is a lasting testament to a mans greatness. Thank you Picasso!

Rating:
Summary: Boring Picasso
Review: Picasso is one of the giants in the history of Art and surely THE artistic genious of the 20th Century, but this renders him boring and repetitive. It was done while he was alive, and has him "painting" little cartoon-like "works" that were done only for this DVD...one...after...the....other ad nauseum. This is Picasso as celebrity entertainer cartoonist, not the edgy artist genius of Les Demoiselles d'Avignon and Guernica. It looks as if he's painting with magic markers on screen and the action is speeded up so it looks like a cartoonist at work. I turned it off after 30+ interminable minutes. Fortunately I rented it on Netflix, which I'd recommend, rather than buying it.

Rating:
Summary: MASTERFUL!
Review: This film is a real treat, as gives us an insight into the work of Picasso by literally allowing us to see the master at work and how his simple brush strokes incredibly evolve into masterpieces, in some instances even metamorphosing before our eyes from a figurative piece in to a cubist expression of the same. This is a film that I was pleasantly surprised to see my 5-year-old son sit through shearing my amazement as Picasso worked for the camera. It's a definite "must have" for those that like Picasso and who, after viewing this movie, will appreciate his work even more!

Rating:
Summary: Facsinating Film on Picasso
Review: This is a nice DVD edition. The images are clear and the color is rich and natural. The commentaries are also quite good. Peggy Parsons talks about the film as a film and about Picasso's showmanship, and the commentary by Archie Rand analyzes the paintings and is quite insightful. His commentary is a bit dry, and since he is a professor, he's a little too into himself and his big words. One annoying aspect to his commentary is his constant reference to Picasso's "courage" in the act of creating art. No, sorry! Someone suffering from cancer and living through hellish treatments shows courage, not a wealthly perfectly healthy artist in a studio making a painting! But overall I found both commentaries insightful and added to my understanding and appreciation of this film and Picasso.

Rating:
Summary: Facsinating Film on Picasso
Review: This is a nice DVD edition. The images are clear and the color is rich and natural. The commentaries are also quite good. Peggy Parsons talks about the film as a film and about Picasso's showmanship, and the commentary by Archie Rand analyzes the paintings and is quite insightful. His commentary is a bit dry, and since he is a professor, he's a little too into himself and his big words. One annoying aspect to his commentary is his constant reference to Picasso's "courage" in the act of creating art. No, sorry! Someone suffering from cancer and living through hellish treatments shows courage, not a wealthly perfectly healthy artist in a studio making a painting! But overall I found both commentaries insightful and added to my understanding and appreciation of this film and Picasso.