Cleanflix is a documentary about CleanFlicks and the re-edited video stores and the film sanitization industry, particularly in Utah.
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| Music by | Chris Ohran |
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Running time | 92 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Themes and discussion
editThe film mainly talks about CleanFlicks, the re-edited DVD business, how it was started, the Mormons moral beliefs on the editing of Hollywood movies, filmmakers' stances on the idea of re-edited films, and the lawsuits between CleanFlicks and the Directors Guild of America.[1][2] It also shows some of the video stores in Utah Valley that sold them and the business owners and the sexual misconduct of edited video store owner, Daniel Thompson.
Release
editThe film premiered at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival.[3] For about a year and a half, while the creators looked for a distribution company, it played at different film festivals. In 2012, they found their distributor who gave the film a limited theatrical release. Within that year, it was given a physical release on DVD and went onto streaming services such as Netflix (for three years), Amazon Prime Video,[4] Vudu,[5] YouTube, Hulu, and iTunes.[6]
Reception
editThe review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 71% approval rating with an average rating of 6.25/10 based on 7 reviews.[7]
Joe Leydon of Variety said, "Pic is undeniably amusing when focused on extreme measures by self-appointed censors, but there's only a token effort made to seriously examine central questions."[8] Peter Sciretta of SlashFilm gave the film 7.5/10 stars, and called it, "the most interesting topical documentary about movies since This [Film] Is Not Yet Rated," but criticized the shift in focus on Danny Thompson during the film.[9] Noel Murray of The A.V. Club gave the film a rating of B, praising the showcase of Daniel Thompson's story and criticizing the repetitiveness of the central subject.[10] Cynthia Fuchs of PopMatters gave the film 7/10 stars, and stated, "[It] doesn't pretend to resolve the many questions it asks. Instead, [it] focuses on a particular, especially fervid period for the clean movement."[11] Merrick of Ain't It Cool News claimed, "I doubt edited-video supporters will really enjoy the film, but the rest of us should have a pretty darn good time."[12] MetroActive.com called the film, "...a terrific tale..."[13] The Orlando Sentinel gave the film 3/4 stars and said, "...these 'censorship' issues are still with us and as [it] points out, both sides have a point."[14] Greig Dymond of CBC News called the film, "compelling," and said, "that [the film] deserves to find an audience beyond the festival circuit."[15] Jimmy Martin of SLUG Magazine described the film as, "...a powerful, poignant and balanced exploration..."[16]
Accolades
edit| Ceremony | Award | Date of ceremony | Result | Ref(s) |
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| New York United Film Festival | Best Documentary | Won | [17] |
References
edit- ^ The Auteurs Daily: Toronto. Reel to Real on Notebook|MUBI
- ^ Tubi
- ^ TIFF Movie Review: CleanFlix|/Film
- ^ Prime Video
- ^ Vudu
- ^ Andrew James - Film Independent
- ^ "Cleanflix (2009)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
- ^ Leydon, Joe (28 September 2009). "Cleanflix". Variety. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
- ^ Sciretta, Peter (19 September 2009). "TIFF Movie Review: CleanFlix". SlashFilm. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
- ^ Murray, Noel; Tobias, Scott (13 September 2009). "Toronto Film Festival '09: Day 3". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
- ^ Fuchs, Cynthia (26 April 2010). "Cleanflix". PopMatters. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
- ^ Merrick (14 September 2009). "CARTUNA REPORTING - TIFF DAY FOUR (Part One) - DAYBREAKERS, CLEANFLIX, UNDER THE MOUNTAIN, MALL GIRLS, And More!!". Ain't It Cool News. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
- ^ "Cinequest 2010 Movie Guide". MetroActive.com. 24 February 2010. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
- ^ "FFF Movie Review: Cleanflix". Orlando Sentinel. 2 April 2010. Archived from the original on 1 May 2012. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
- ^ Dymond, Greig (18 September 2009). "Cleanflix: One way to sanitize Hollywood movies". CBC News. Archived from the original on 5 October 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
- ^ Martin, Jimmy (18 August 2010). "Festival Coverage - Cleanflix". SLUG Magazine. Archived from the original on 1 October 2016. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
- ^ Official website