American Movie

Buy This Item American Movie by Sony Pictures  Available from Amazon  $14.99  on 8-28-2008     Struggling filmmaker Mark Borchardt is the subject of <I>American Movie</I>, and he may also be the most determined man you'll ever meet. The straggly haired, fast-talking, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, native lists his greatest influences as <I>Dawn of the Dead</I>, <I>Night of the Living Dead</I>, and <I>The Texas Chainsaw Massacre</I>. He began making horror movies as a gangly adolescent, and is now set on finishing <I>Coven</I> (which he pronounces like "woven"), the "35-minute direct market thriller" he has worked on for two years. In the process, he steadfastly battles immense debt, the threat of losing his kids, and birds chirping gleefully through scenes set in the dead of winter. His mother would rather do her shopping than be an extra, his brother contends he's best suited for factory work, and his father just wants him to "watch the language."<p> Standing by him through it all is Mark's childhood buddy, Mike Schank, who is the strongest weapon against drug use a task force could ever hope for, and Uncle Bill, begrudging financier of <I>Coven</I>, who appears to be wasting away before our very eyes. In less perceptive hands these two could easily become caricatures--the burnt-out stoner and the crotchety old coot--but through director Chris Smith's lens we see why Mark loves them, why they love Mark, and why each of these stories is uniquely compelling.<p> Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival, the film has been compared to <I>Spinal Tap</I> and <I>Waiting for Guffman</I>--two unquestionably hilarious mock-documentaries--and, indeed, <I>American Movie</I> has plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. But in the spoofs, we feel encouraged to point and giggle at the poor slobs trying to get a piece of the action. Smith, however, offers us a funny and overwhelmingly affectionate portrait; you may sit down expecting to laugh at Mark's pie-in-the-sky hopes, but you soon find yourself bursting with admiration. "The American dream stays with me each and every day," Mark says, and by the end, we want nothing more than for it to come true. (The DVD version includes the complete short film "Coven.") <I>--Brangien Davis</I> Reader Reviews "THEY'RE MAKING A MOCKERY OF MY WORDS!". So laments Mark, the quirky independent film director that wants nothing more in life than finish his horror film. His dream is hindered by so many artistic nightmares--casting, finances, scenery, bill collectors, family issues...geez, it's hilarious! "THEY WERE STILTED PERFORMANCES, AND I DID NOTHING TO RECTIFY THEM!" Mark gets frustrated working with his crew. There are so many pebbles of humor that add up to a landslide avalanche of laughter. Plus there is such a heartfelt warmth resonating through each scene, this is such a fun movie. "LIFE IS KINDA COOL SOMETIMES!". Mark has such an undeniable passion for his craft. American Movie really connects because it's not trying too hard to be funny. It's just a touching portrait of life. It points out the importance of pursuing your dream. Drop the Hatchet and pick up this film immediately!

American Movie Available from Amazon Price: $14.99 Updated on 8-28-2008.

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