Sexual Intelligence (Documentary/Kim Cattrall)
Picture: B-
Sound: C+ Extras: C Documentary: B
With all the stupid debate about The Theory of Evolution
and so-called intelligent design, Catherine Annau’s terrific documentary Sexual
Intelligence (2005) is an amazing look at human sexuality through the ages
and how there is much more to sex and sexuality than just raw lust and
intercourse. Beginning with early
sex-based societies and moving forward into the often-disastrous rolling back
of such freedoms and ideas, this work breaks through the lies, myths and misery
that surrounds the lack of sexual discussion and freedom through interviews,
facts and ideas. It is also hosted by
one of the great natural beauties of her (or just about any other) generation,
Kim Cattrall.
There are many images of sex, sexuality, sex organs and
how societies through the millennia have seen the human form. Though some psychology is involved, program
takes its time with thorough detail about all the basic aspects that need to be
addressed in any mature, intelligent, adult discussion of the subject and
succeeds wonderfully. Made with the HBO
Network, the program is terrific, pulls back on very little and is very
diverse. I give credit to the writers
(Jeffrey Kindley, Richard Green and Amy Briamonte) for creating such a kind,
pleasant, humorous, progressive program of the kind we do not see enough on the
subject. As compared to some of the
stupid, crude sex talk series on the air and equivalents in print and on the Internet,
it really hits the target.
The anamorphically enhanced 1.78 X 1 image is decent and
better than usual for a documentary presentation, though much of it is newly
shot interviews, stills and even animation.
With that said, it likely originated in digital High Definition
video. The Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo has
no surrounds, but is very clean and clear considering Dolby’s compression
scheme. Extras include a text biography
on Cattrall, a Music Video and a 22:22 look at how the animation was created
for this special. But the main program
is the strongest point here and is highly recommended.
- Nicholas Sheffo
