American Movie

Rating:
Summary: Coven (not pronounced like oven)
Review: Anything that gets this extreme a reaction, good or bad, is worth checking out. I loved it. I really felt for this guy's struggle -- there are no flat "characters" in this film. Something about it reminds me of "Brother's Keeper" (another must see)- the sincerity of the people in front of the camera and behind. I strongly recommend this film. I apologize in advance to those of you to whom this film will be unbearable and must turn it off. Hey, I have been convinced to see some pretty horrible movies by friends and I am still here to tell the tale - it is all subjective - do what you feel. I "feel" you should check this one out even for the sole purpose of to hate something new :^)

Rating:
Summary: This is real world unlike the stupid shows.
Review: This is the way much art is created, it is not the dream life everyone thinks it is..just everyday people with a greater vision and the things they go through to get it seen.

Rating:
Summary: Laugh out loud, buy this now!
Review: This was one of the funniest movie to come out in 1999, and it was a documentary. For those who were not lucky enough to experience the movie in the theatre, the DVD version is a great option. Not only is the original movie on it, but also the film COVEN which is part of the mvoie shown being made in the documentary, after watching "american movie' you will want to see it. THe 20+ cut scene's are the most for any DVD i have seen yet, and add to an already great movie. If you are in the mood for something different and feel like a good laugh go get this now.

Rating:
Summary: Weird and sad!
Review: This is a sad, funny and weird documentary about a man namned Mark whose only goal in life is to make a horrendous movies. One of these turkeys is called Coven. The short is so bad and it gets even worst when the director cannot pronounce the title. In fact, the main character is a despicable person, whom in a way gets what he deserves. He has no life, no education; he is dumb as a rock and keeps stealing money from his parents for his looser projects. However, if you feel like your life is going nowhere; then watch this movie and suddenly you realize that compared to this guy, you are noble prizewinner.

Rating:
Summary: Best Movie I've seen in a long, long, LONG time.
Review: I've been waiting for a movie lke this for a long time. To be honest I didn't see this movie for a long time, even after hearing about how great it was. And when I rented it, I didn't give it much of a chance. I couldn't have been more wrong about a movie in my entire life. I don't want to spoil this masterpiece for you, but it is one of the best movies I honestly have ever seen. Oh yeah, and the DVD extras are pretty cool too.

Rating:
Summary: A genuine inspiration`
Review: If it wasn't for this documentary,there is no doubt you would never have heard of Mark Borshadt.A struggling,alcoholic,chronically broke,delusional,29 year old,newspaper delivering,aspiring filmmaker.At least he didn't resort to waiting tables(no offense to waiters).It's just that this is as far from Hollywood as you can get.At first the "hero"of the story comes across as a spoiled,whining,immature,man-child who still lives in his parents basement.But as you learn more,you begin to realize that he's a real person with a real dream to make a film which he believes can be his masterpiece.Everyone in this documentary from friends to family are genuine characters,and they all lend a hand in an attempt to make his dream come true.The dvd contains tons of extras including a short called "The Coven",which this doc is centered around.The short is horrendous,but it doesn't matter,just the fact that it was even completed is an accomplishment.This film is at times funny and equally depressing.After learning that this doc took 4 plus years to complete i have to wonder who was more driven,the subject or the 2 documentarians.It seems as though they inspired each other and developed a symbiotic relationship.They were each others muse.My only complaint is that Borshadt seems to belittle people who have traditional careers, and the fact that at 29 he's still borrowing money from friends and family.He makes up for it with the commentary on the dvd and he explains himself more thoroughly.One character that has to be mentioned is his Uncle.He's the funniest and most sympathetic person,you can tell he's all heart.To steal one of his quotes:"It's alright,it's okay,there's something to live for,Jesus told me so".Don't worry it's not a movie about religion,it just happens to be the funniest sequence in the film.Ultimately M.Borshadt comes across as a poor man's JR Bookwalter(Dead Next Door)with almost as much talent and an overbearing,ambitious personality,and limited means.You should see this film if you have any interest in how films get made,and what people go through to get them made.Or if you aspire to make one yourself,like i do.

Rating:
Summary: A balanced approach
Review: The trailer for this film did make it seem a lot funnier than it really was, but I was not disappointed by the film. Mark Borchardt's drive and confidence will amaze you and, most likely, annoy you, as well. He seems like the guy you'd love to meet at a party, but would hate to have as a neighbor. A lesser documentarian would have limited this film to Mark's manic creative drive and not shown us how he is often a burden to his parents, siblings, friends, and children.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best movies of the year
Review: When the general public thinks of documentary films they usually get the mental picture of a man with a monotone voice talking about the mating patterns of dung beetles. It's a shame. American Movie quite possibly was the best movie of 1999 and still waddles in relative obscurity. The film tells the tale of Mark Borchardt a blue-collar dreamer and his quest to make the great American film and his strange friends that he takes along for the ride. The movie's tone is so wonderfully honest that it's one of the few movies that can actually make you experience great feelings of joy, sorrow, and hope. And just for all those who are interested Mark has sold over 3000 copies of coven so the story has a (semi) happy ending.

Rating:
Summary: Moving and Fun - I laughed Out Loud
Review: We just watched this movie - I thought it was fantastic. A funny, warm, driven bunch of people. This is a must-see.

Rating:
Summary: A must have for anyone who buys Movies
Review: A story about human life. You don't need to spend months looking for intresting people (MTV real world) everyone's story is intresting if told correctly. Real life is never boring. This is a really entertaining documentary. Definetely a slice of life.