Picture Windows (1995) from Tuna
Picture Windows (1995) is an obscure mini-series suggested by a Funhouse reader.
It consists of three short stories. Supposedly, paintings come to life to reveal the stories.

The first episode is loosely based on Pagliacci, and is about a clown in a tragic love affair. It is beautifully filmed, and was nominated by American Society of Cinematographers for best achievement in a mini series.  It was directed by Norman Jewison.

NUDITY REPORT
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The second episode, Song of Songs was far and away my favorite, and contained clear topless from Sally Kirkland. George Segal plays a middle-aged baker who works with his wife in a neighborhood bakery. Sally Kirkland opens a lingerie shop across the street. George disapproves, until he meets Sally, who instantly becomes the love of his life. When he finally has the "I've fallen in love with someone else" talk with his wife, he gets more than one surprise. Directed by Peter Bogdanovich, this is a very clever romantic comedy, with more than a little pathos. It is reminiscent of an O'Henry short story.

DVD info from Amazon.

  • fullscreeen only, no widescreen, no special features
The third episode, Language of the Heart, tells the story of a ballerina, and the young street musician who captured her heart. It won an Emmy for the music.

Soir Blue was a little arty even for me. Language of the Heart was a sentimental but unremarkable tribute to the power of love, but Song of Songs is a real unknown gem. There is literally no information to be found on line -- not even 5 votes at IMDB.

The Critics Vote

  • none online

The People Vote ...

  • With their votes ... IMDB summary: insufficient votes for a rating
IMDb guideline: 7.5 usually indicates a level of excellence, about like three and a half stars from the critics. 6.0 usually indicates lukewarm watchability, about like two and a half stars from the critics. The fives are generally not worthwhile unless they are really your kind of material, about like two stars from the critics. Films under five are generally awful even if you like that kind of film, equivalent to about one and a half stars from the critics or less, depending on just how far below five the rating is.

My own guideline: A means the movie is so good it will appeal to you even if you hate the genre. B means the movie is not good enough to win you over if you hate the genre, but is good enough to do so if you have an open mind about this type of film. C means it will only appeal to genre addicts, and has no crossover appeal. D means you'll hate it even if you like the genre. E means that you'll hate it even if you love the genre. F means that the film is not only unappealing across-the-board, but technically inept as well.

Based on this, I rate the whole DVD a C+, but Song of Songs a B.

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