Defending "CALIGULA"
DVD Review 
I've seen lots of pornography in my time and I'll hardly call this pornography as most would. This
film was very beautiful, artistic and quite an ambitious project for
its time. Yes, it is a film with lots of nudity and sex but nothing different from what you'd see on showtime or HBO. This film does, however, have accurate historical elements. If all you
see is porn or all you want to see it porn here, you must be looking for
pornography and I suggest you rent porn. This is a cinematic achievement. The
sets, the acting, the story, make up- all in all- a good product. Over religious raised who are themselves puritans, would see this as porn for they have no sense of what
artistic expression really involves. If there is nudity, it must be porn, right?
wrong! Sex, nudity, the human naked or nude body, aroused or not, and all that
encompasses it can be quite artistic and it is shown here with various degrees
of visual artistry. If you want to rent this film because you'd like to see porn
for sexual stimulation then why not rent a real porn that has no story or
artistic value. Pornography's ultimate goal is to stimulate you to
orgasm. I hardly think that was the point of Caligula. So please, be less
intolerant for there is some history going on here both for its
time, 1979, and as a period piece from pagan Rome.
Duncan Roy's "The Picture of Dorian Gray" stars David Gallagher ("7th Heaven") as a young handsome elite gentleman who has everything but eternal youth until his friend. "The Picture of Dorian Gray" is the classic tale of vanity written by Oscar Wilde updated and adapted by Duncan Roy. Artist Basil Hallward has become obsessed with Dorian Gray whose beauty is the focus of a new portrait/installation. When the young Dorian sees the installation for the first time he resents the portrait wishing it would grow old and ugly instead of him. Henry is the cynical, intellectual friend and agent of Basil Hallward who befriends Dorian in spite of his friendship with Basil. Henry is responsible for Dorian's transformation from angel to devil.The film was eloquent,lyrical, poetic and very artistic. I saw and loved
Duncan's previous work AKA and thoroughly enjoyed it. I have seen several
versions of Dorian Gray and found this one to be original, entertaining and
disturbing. I applaud the filmmaker for his innovative choices and I know, not
hope, that this film will get distribution and released in theatres soon for everyone to enjoy. I look
forward to Duncan's future great works. "Dorian Grey" is still screening in the festival circuit.