Circus of Books

Though this at times feels unfocused, it manages to tell this fascinating story while both keeping an eye on the larger picture (without feeling like a retread) and getting personal with this endearing family.

I feel like there's a more interesting documentary about this subject in there somewhere... but what we get is still a fairly fascinating look at an incredibly unique family and business.

I watched this documentary becasue I saw Alaska on the Netflix preview and I was happy that I did. It must be difficult to make a documentary about the people you love while they are still around to critique your work, sometimes even on film. I fell in love with the Mason's. The loving, brash, and powerful mother, the adorable, aloof, and steadfast father, and the children who had no idea their parents were porn purveyors. I went through a lot watching this movie but it was a nice ride.

Loving and engaging tribute by Mason of her decidedly eccentric parents works best in its first half, coasting on the amusing notion of a middle-class "nice" couple as the proprietors of a queer pornography store; meanders and loses focus and track of itself in the second half, trying for an in-depth look at the world created (and sponsored) by the Masons but coming up a little short. Amusing note in such a "liberal" film that we never see Thunderfuck's full name on screen!

The Masons might just be the most interesting family in America. Even if the documentary isn't the cleanest-edited or most focused, their story, and the broader story of the LA gay community and porn industry are too fascinating to make this a boring film.

What a family, and what a story. Although, it leaves you with a feeling that there could be more.. The parents are just amazingly interesting people, especially Karen's development is great to watch, but still, not enough. A very interesting story though.