Genres

Visitors Review

Joe Kucharski 2012-05-25 23:59:27

Ken Burns' latest docu: goes great with ice and a twist of lime

Daniel Okrent's "Last Call: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition" and KenBurns and Lynn Novick's "Prohibition" mini-series were two similarprojects that began together resulting in two different end products.Together, both provide a rather detailed account not only ofProhibition's place in American history, but the events leading up tosuch, the results of repeal and the long-lasting societal impact of theentire matter. Separate, both are still strong, informative andentertaining yet each tend to focus on different themes that sometimesdo not intermingle and the result is noticeable.Ken Burns, in his trademarked fashion, intermingles fantastically-original photos and video with colorful interviews from subject-matterexperts and first-hand histories over-laced with celebrity voice-overs,makes learning hip and brings about a passion for a dark, butnecessary, time in American history. Burns' documentary was too lightin certain instances where a deeper look at American history would havebenefited the story. Okrent's novel definitely fills in such detailsthat Burns either ignored or edited out but was definitely too heavy attimes with whole sections coming across as a historical text bookrather than an entertaining narrative.Burns, and Okrent as well, enlighten 21st-Century audiences to the factthat Prohibition, what can be now considered a silly arrangement, wasnot only responsible for the rise of Jazz, the introduction of mixeddrinks and the invention of speed boats but also led to very beginningsof the Civil Rights Movement and the outright success of Women'sSuffrage. Naturally, Burns provides much attention to that of the gangsters ofthe era, particularly Chicago's Al Capone. But again, he provides justenough details for a satisfactory display of information yet fails toget deeper. Similarly, this occurs when discussing the role of theChurch and the Prohibition movement. Dry Congressmen and Senators knewhow to convince their Baptist and Methodist ministers to use the pulpitto condemn the evils of alcohol, particularly in the Mid-West states. Likewise, Prohibition was an outcry not just against alcohol but alsoagainst the rise of poor immigrants filling America's urban centers.The Irish, the Germans, the Italians, all known for enjoying wine andspirits, and all Catholics, became a scary threat for "decent,Protestant country folks". Cutting off immigrants from their alcoholwas a way to ensure that these new Americans were productive members ofsociety, not a burden of filthy drunkards. Burns did not spend too muchtime on these ideals. However, Burns attention to detail and crafting of a narrative tale isshown in his vision and with what is presented. He does keepentertainment at the forefront of his documentary, much like what hehas done in the past, especially with his must-see Baseball series.Some indirect humor is presented with history playing the comedian to amore naïve time. Burns does get political with some of his views, butat no time are such views sobering enough to prevent the viewer fromseeking out a drink.

verbusen 2012-05-25 13:30:13

Interesting Topic, But It Gets the Biased PBS Treatment

You know, it's OBVIOUS, that this was done by PBS. Within the first 5minutes the term spousal RAPE is used! Hey I came here to learn aboutprohibition, sheesh! All the people contributing in the first episodeare all liberals. I mean can we get some freaking balance in this stuffwith PBS? They hurt themselves by being so liberal. Cases in point.They talk about all the political sides who supported temperance butthey never use the word "liberal" and never use the word "communist" Imean you know what part I am talking about when they say "progressive"and "radical".Also, the old drunk looking dude makes the sly comment that now Jesuswould be put in jail for turning water into wine. Hey smart guy, Jesusdid not SELL the wine. Why did they have to go there? Looking at thecredits while typing this John Lithgow, Tom Hanks, Sam Waterston, thisprogram is loaded with liberals, are there any non liberal contributorsin this? Look up Noah Feldman's wiki page, he is in most of thisepisode as a commentator expert, that guy is a poster child leadingelitist liberal.For full disclosure, I am a drinker, non evangelical, and I happen tolive in a Muslim country thats dry and break it's laws in much hazardto myself because I want a drink. I'm only putting this review out hereto raise the case that PBS is not the unbiased network it has alwayssaid it is. It would serve it's own purposes better if it was trulyopen minded. Stop with the NPR "all things considered" treatment,talking down to us, you wont convince us that you are correct anymore.Interesting material, definitely done to entertain a liberal viewershipwhich I guess is all PBS has left, it's a shame that all things wereNOT considered. 6 of 10, I learned that the bible thumpers got us anincome tax in an alliance with "progressives".I have about zero trust that this series will cover all bases or justfocus on the lower class's drinks like beer. Lets see where they gowith wine and hard liquor which the rich enjoy now. They mentionKennedy's (JFK) grandfather but lets see them mention his father JoeSr, frankly I cannot see how they could NOT mention him, but it IS PBSso anything is possible when liberals write their own history.