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Cleanflix
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Wikipedia article
'Cleanflix' is a documentary about CleanFlicks and the re-edited video stores and the film sanitization industry, particularly in Utah.
Themes and discussion
The 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.[https://mubi.com/notebook/posts/the-auteurs-daily-toronto-reel-to-real The Auteurs Daily: Toronto. Reel to Real on Notebook|MUBI][https://tubitv.com/movies/518448/cleanflix Tubi] 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
The film premiered at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival.[https://www.slashfilm.com/505464/tiff-movie-review-cleanflix/ TIFF Movie Review: CleanFlix|/Film] 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,[https://www.amazon.com/Cleanflix-Daniel-Thompson/dp/B007QGNNAU Prime Video] Vudu,[https://www.vudu.com/content/movies/details/Cleanflix/313349 Vudu] YouTube, Hulu,and iTunes.[https://www.filmindependent.org/talent/andrew-james/ Andrew James - Film Independent]
Reception
The review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 71% approval rating with an average rating of 6.25/10 based on 7 reviews.
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." 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|This [Film] Is Not Yet Rated'," but criticized the shift in focus on Danny Thompson during the film. 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. 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." 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." 'MetroActive.com' called the film, "...a terrific tale..." '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." Greig Dymond of 'CBC News' called the film, "compelling," and said, "that [the film] deserves to find an audience beyond the festival circuit." Jimmy Martin of 'SLUG Magazine' described the film as, "...a powerful, poignant and balanced exploration..."
Accolades
References
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