Rating: 
Summary: Very well made
Review: I saw this many times on a movie channel(will probably buy it on dvd)This is not for everyone.Certainly if you want to make movies(like me) it's a very interesting piece.When i first saw this,I thought Mark was loser.I don't particularly care for the subject of "Coven" and "nortwestern" but i do take my hat off to mark for completing Coven... We get a look in on stuff we normally wouldn't see...People with dreams are often laughed at and this is no exception..His family(with some help) don't really believe and he is surrounded by all the wrong people seemingly...Like Mike..(a true inspiration...Just say no Mike lol) but they get the job done through many trials and tribulations. It should not be overlooked,especially if you have a dream,a set goal or anything you been wishing for for that matter. If/When i do get this dvd,I will check out coven. While reading these reviews..All of them are good...think to yourself...."if people write reviews with such extreme opposites,then there must be something to this." Either you like it or hate it. A.P.L
Rating: 
Summary: Sublime. You can't write this stuff.
Review: This film was at once hillarious, depressing, tragic, inspirational, absurd and poingnant. I'm usually pretty careful about treading on other's opinions. Once again, it's that good.
Rating:
Summary: "I see great cinema in this."
Review: This is truly a great documentary; funny, heart-warming, and crude all at the same time. Just give it a chance, and don't turn it off within the first few minutes - I promise you'll like it. The cast is lovable because of their sincerity. IT's just an honest portrayal - just really well done.
Rating:
Summary: I can't believe it's not a mockumentary
Review: Real life story of a ... alcoholic dude named Mark Borchardt who lives to make movies. It's heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time, just like life. The movie reminded me of accounts I read about Raymond Carver or Franz Kafka who were compelled to write, even though at times, their prospects of success seemed non-existent. So it is a film more about the artistic impulse than anything else. I think the strength of the film is that you could feel the genuine affection and understanding the filmmaker of "American Movie" had for the filmmaker of "Coven" and vice versa. I think this is why Borchardt allowed his flaws and incompetencies to be shown. And his friend Mike Schank, a recovering substance abuser, is an absolute hoot everytime he's on screen! A uniquely bizarre person I found much empathy for as well. You know how good this movie is? At the end of the film, my friend thought this was a 'mockumentary' a la "This is Spinal Tap".
Rating: 
Summary: It was OK
Review: Well I couldn't really get into this one, I think I bought it because of the hype around it, I'll learn not to do that again!
Rating:
Summary: It's Every Budding Director's Fear...
Review: "...is this who I am?" Am I going to go into debt and max out my credit cards and [tick] off my parents and never move out and fall flat on my face with nothing to show for it ending up as a thirty year-old paperboy with kids to provide for and no prospects? Mark didn't. With big dreams and a big mouth, Mark succeeded where everyone, including his family and some of his closest friends (are they REALLY friends?) thought he would fail. Mark's dream for a feature-length movie "Northwestern" is chronicled by two skilled interviewers over a period of 2 years as Mark and his colorful band of Wisconsin bar hounds and local thespians switch gears from the financially troubled film to the occult-themed short film "Coven." The documentary of Mark's efforts also explains a lot of what drives a man to make a film and shows, in long painful shots, how unglamorous it can be for someone to pull it all off. At the same time I first watched this movie, I was making my own High-8 movie and let me tell you - it hurt sometimes to watch Mark let it all hang out on camera, trumpeting my own Id and my fears. If you're thinking about making a movie, or if you wonder what's underneath the posturing, stylized and naive arrogance that is the average film student - watch this movie. Then as only the Limited Edition DVD provides - view the fruit of Mark's efforts in the provided copy of "Coven". In any event - I want Mike Schank to play guitar at my next party and tell of his ... experiences all night. He is a hoot. You'll know why when you watch this movie.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome!
Review: I loved this movie! I enjoyed getting to know everyone in the movie personally. I especially loved "Uncle Bill"! This movie reminds me a lot of my husbands early endeavors to make a movie, involving everyone from friends to family of friends and beyond!
Rating:
Summary: america the beautiful
Review: i thought this movie was a refreshing change from the norm of hollywood. youll like it best i guess if you can relate to it, for instance if you had alot of good times with you old pals. it reminded me alot of me and my best friend. i plan on buying the dvd as a difinitive movie for all american partyers with determination and spirit.
Rating:
Summary: I'd give it ten stars if I could
Review: I've seen lots of Amazon reviews here that mention a feeling of guilt about this film as though the stars weren't throroughly aware of the fact that they are being filmed. Smith and Price weren't exactly sneaking around their subjects with hidden cameras and subterfuge, right? Right. I'm sure whatever humliation the documentary heaped on Mark was (1) no worse than anything he'd already experienced in life from nay-sayers (like his own mother for crying out loud!) and (2) not so bad, considering the end of the film which, in my mind, is one of the most triumphant moments in recent cinema (or cinnamon, if you're asking Uncle Bill). After watching this movie, take a moment and think about your own life. If you could go after your dream with Mark's white-hot intensity, wouldn't you? I would. We all should. The guy's a hero. If you've ever tried to get something 'artsy-fartsy' done in your lifetime. If you've ever thrown away everything else in the pursuit of your one lofty goal in life then you'll love Mark. If you've been gliding through life on someone else's tab or your life revolves around your house, your car and your lawnmower, you'll probably think Mark is a 'loser' without having looked in the mirror lately. Good luck with 'Northwestern' Mark!
Rating:
Summary: EXCELLENT
Review: This was an AWESOME movie/documentry in the style of Roger and me. I LOVED it!
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