Katy Otto

I Had an Abortion

admin — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 00:53:00 +0000

This documentary cuts to the core of reproductive freedom—to the stories of women's lives as told by ten women themselves. Distributed by Women Make Movies, the film features detailed accounts from a number of women, ages twenty-one to eighty-five, from different socioeconomic and racial backgrounds who had abortions under different circumstances and at different points in their lives. Their stories are complicated and grounding - from a woman who had an abortion as a Mormon high school student in Utah, to a woman who had one at forty-four, married and with children. Prominent activists featured include Loretta Ross, Gloria Steinem, and Amy Richards. Interestingly enough, many of them talked about how many other women confided in them about their own abortions once they themselves had broken the silence that often shrouds the experience.

This documentary is a part of that movement to speak out through a tradition of truth-telling that activist Jennifer Baumgardner (co-producer of the film) launched with the same name as the film. This includes the controversial "I Had An Abortion" t-shirt that many women donned on the cover of Ms. Magazine several months ago. By speaking out, these women put a face to the issue of a woman's right to choose.

Written by: Katy Otto, August 29th 2007

New York City Secrets / Secrets of Early U.S. History

admin — Sat, 12 May 2007 17:20:00 +0000

By MS 131

Working Playground

I would have appreciated a one sheet of sorts to go along with New York City Secrets, as I wasn't really sure what it was about. It appears to be a short film with young people singing a rap song about different kinds of facts, secrets and things to do in New York City. There were some interesting graphics and information, but I am left wondering who the intended audience for this is. It was strange because I wasn't quite sure why they made it. It seems to be part of an educational series, but I wondered where it would screen, how it was funded and what the young people creating it got out of it.

Secrets of Early U.S. History was in the same style as New York City Secrets. The music is good and the facts are interesting, but they are just snippets of information followed one after another. That concerned me because I don't know how much audiences will absorb from the messages about people and events in history. I think the best result this film could have with audiences is to incite interest in exploring history and to get people excited about learning more. The computer animated graphics were engaging and fun. The students who worked on this did an excellent job with the parameters they had in terms of length and format.

Written by: Katy Otto, May 12th 2007

Poor Aim: Love Songs

admin — Sat, 12 May 2007 12:46:00 +0000

By The Blow

K Records

I got agitated with the first song on this album. Might be the mood I am in – I just didn't feel like hearing the lyrics, "I waited for days. I can't believe you didn't call me." This song is called "Hey Boy." I had heard of this music before, and I am a fan of K Records, but I wasn't into this. There are a lot of remixes here of songs that didn't interest me much in the first place. Insipid lyrics and electronic blips are the bulk of this. I did enjoy the song "Hock It," maybe because it had what I considered to be a healthy dose of bitterness and aggression. Could be that this just tells you where I'm at. There is one remix that has stringed instruments that I enjoyed also. The song asking where all her friends are is just tiresome.

Written by: Katy Otto, May 12th 2007

All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone

admin — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 02:54:00 +0000

By Explosions in the Sky

Temporary Residence

I have always been fascinated by this band because of the people who are interested in them, as well as their name. Listening to Explosions in the Sky for this review was my first experience of them. I have to admit, I pretty much fell in love at first listen. The simultaneous wash and wall of sound is incredibly emotional, which is enormously challenging for an instrumental band. More and more, I am fascinated by Temporary Residence's releases, as Envy, labelmates of Explosions in the Sky, is my favorite live band.

In "The Birth and the Death of the Day," the first song on this release, the timing of the drums coming in full force is completely breathtaking. I definitely felt like this record needed more than one listen to fully grasp, and I felt like being on a bit of a journey with its creators. I was excited to read in their one-sheet that this band has avoided jumping to a major label despite offers, and has opted not to play LiveNation/Clear Channel venues as much as possible. I get inspired by bands, whose genre would often presuppose such decisions, that make alternate ones.

The record was produced by John Congleton (The Roots, The Mountain Goats) and is worth a listen for the brilliant engineering alone. I was particularly impressed with the incorporation of the piano on "What Do You Go Home To?." It is prominent and crisp, sitting tastefully in the mix of the other instruments. This is a great record to have when you want to lie in bed and think unadulterated thoughts; it almost feels meditative. I hope to catch them live really soon and would be interested to see how they pull it off.

Written by: Katy Otto, April 8th 2007