Crumb [DVD videorecording] / Janus Films ; director, Terry Zwigoff.

Title :

Crumb

Format:

DVD

Summary:

Fullscreen. An intimate documentary portrait of underground artist Robert Crumb, whose unique drawing style and sexually and racially provocative subject matter have made him a household name in popular American art. Zwigoff candidly and colorfully delves into the details of Crumb's incredible career, as well as his past, including his family of reclusive eccentrics, some of the most remarkable people ever seen on-screen.

Language:

English

Language Note:

English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing.

ISBN - ISSN:

9781604653106

UPC/EAN:

715515061414

Physical Description:

1 videodisc (120 min.) : sound, color ; 4 3/4 in. + 1 booklet.

General Note:

Title from web page.

Originally released in 1995.

Special features: audio commentary with Zwigoff; audio commentary with Zwigoff and critic Roger Ebert from 2006; 50 min. of unused footage (outtakes and deleted scenes); stills gallery.

Accompanying booklet includes essay by critic Jonathan Rosenbaum and artwork by Charles, Jesse, Maxon, and Robert Crumb.

Subject:

Cartoonists -- United States -- Biography.

Video recordings for the hearing impaired.

Documentary films.

Biographical films.

Crumb, R.

Series:

Criterion collection (DVD videodiscs)

First Title value, for Searching:

Crumb [DVD videorecording] / Janus Films ; director, Terry Zwigoff.

Holds: Copies:

Available:*

Library	Audience	Home Location	Material Type	Shelf Number	Status
Searching... Ring	Adult	Media	DVD	741.5973 C956	Searching... Unknown

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Summary

So well-regarded was the documentary Crumb (1994) that the failure of it and of the same year's equally acclaimed Hoop Dreams (1994) to result in Oscar nominations caused a media furor which forced the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to revamp its documentary nomination process. Robert Crumb is a respected but controversial underground comic book artist and writer whose creations include the popular "Keep on Truckin'" and Fritz the Cat (1972). Crumb's adult subject matter includes weird sexual obsessions, social criticism, and personal, confessional observations about abnormal human psychology. The genesis and meaning of Crumb's work is explained through a series of interviews with his colleagues, former lovers, and especially family members, which reveal a horrific upbringing that has crippled both Crumb and his siblings -- but has also fueled the artist's groundbreaking work. A long-time friend of the film's subject, director Terry Zwigoff followed Crumb (1994) with another comic book-related project, Ghost World (2000), a drama based on a story from the anthology series "Eightball" by Daniel Clowes. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Reviews (1)

Library Journal Review

Finally, the definitive video release of Zwigoff's classic 1995 chronicle of the life and work of American underground artist/cartoonist R. Crumb (b.1943). Crumb reigns as the modern gold standard for warts-and-all documentary biographies, an unflinching look at how the creative impulse can emanate from unfortunate circumstances-in Crumb's case, extreme familial dysfunction and an unhappy childhood. Much has been made of Crumb's often shocking, sometimes arguably sophomoric work and how his drawing enabled him to escape a miserable fate, but let this reissue remind us that artistic skills afford no guarantees, nor does life. Crumb also introduces us to Crumb's gifted, damaged brother, Charles, who committed suicide prior to the film's release. Picture and audio quality are fine if unspectacular; profanity and sexual themes make it suitable for mature audiences. Bonus features include two commentary tracks, deleted scenes, and stills. Essential for all AV collections. Also available is the long-awaited DVD release of Zwigoff's beloved 1985 debut, "Louie Bluie," about another singular artist, the late Howard Armstrong (1909-2003). Rescued from decaying film stock and out of print on videotape for years, "Louie Bluie" has returned from obscurity, but some have already grumbled that its brief running time should have made it an extra on the Crumb program. Regardless, an hour spent in the company of a force of nature like Armstrong won't feel like enough, as his enthusiasm and energy threaten to fly off the screen. His prowess as a storyteller, a country-blues musician, an accomplished visual artist (watch the reactions to his graphic history of pornography), and an all-around showman transcend the evident technical limitations of the low-budget production. The digital transfer makes the film look and sound as good as it ever has; the soundtrack alone would constitute a great audiobook or radio show. Suggested for mature viewers owing to some profanity and "blue" content. Highly recommended for all AV collections; essential for collections with a focus on music.-J. Osicki, Saint John Free P.L., NB (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.