Stuffed

Effectively blowing the dust off those natural history museum dioramas, Erin Derham's "Stuffed" takes a lively look at contemporary taxidermy in a documentary that's as fascinating as it is freaky.

The idea that taxidermy can be a form of archiving - a way of recording the poses of vanishing species - resurfaces throughout the film.

Stuffed is as rich in visual splendor as it is insight and information about this long-misunderstood art form.

This industry documentary excels at using expectations and subverting 'em.

This movie is bearable, even for sensitive viewers. The filmmaker is definitely interested in making a case for taxidermy as an art, demonstrating its beauty, and how it is valued and refined.

Over and over again, the people featured in Stuffed remind us that taxidermy is a compelling combination of a number of skills, from chemistry and science to artistry and design.

Amusing and undeniably interesting, Stuffed will make you think (and look) again when you're next in the local museum.

'Stuffed' did well at presenting the subject in a respectful and artistic way, and featured interesting and inspiring taxidermists.

Stuffed isn't particularly gruesome. And as the people in the film keep insisting, taxidermists really love animals.

Stuffed is an invaluable resource. That it is very well made, featuring stunning shots of the models and truly engrossing makes all the better.