Has anyone seen "American Movie" ? It's a documentary about film-making

[DS1]

and a surprisingly good one at that. I think it's great...

My roommate and psychology professor has seen it six or seven times, and is thinking about using it as part of his course next semester.

[Craig Roberts]

1. funny

I was just thinking about this movie today, which I haven't seen in a long time.

I think it is a great movie too. But it is interesting...it walks a fine line between a sympathetic portrayal of its protagonist and a mocking portrayal.

Mark Borchardt is quite a character (and his buddy Tom is too). I guess you could see the whole thing as making fun of Borchardt, et al., but I think you can make a good case the guy is the classic struggling artist of middling talent. You can't deny the guy is passionate and committed, and charismatic in his goofy way. And at the same time deluded and undisciplined. A fascinating portrait of one of those people who teeters between being some sort of heroic figure and being a complete buffoon.

At least, that was my take on it. But a great movie.

[DS1]

2. I think you nailed it quite well

He's quite the character, so driven to go nowhere. I think the film leans toward portraying him in a good light, rather than mocking him. His buddy is used as comic relief, in its own sad way, but they are selling a lot of copies, and both have their own 'bloggish' part of the website to write updates.

www.americanmovie.com

[Craig Roberts]

4. Thanks for the link

I'm going to have to check that out.

And, even though Tom may be the comic relief, he did have a part in Todd Solondz's Storytelling. And I guess Mark has been in a few movies too (according to imdb.com). And I want a copy of "Coven!" (Not pronounced like "oven," of course. Because that would be stupid)

[DS1]

6. Oh God, Kick-fucking-ass, I got a Master Card. I don't believe it, man.

Life is kinda cool sometimes

[Craig Roberts]

7. LOL

[tcfrogs]

3. The guys from Milwaukee, right?

eom

[DS1]

5. Yeah

Milwaukee

[tcfrogs]

8. Really funny movie

what was the name of the movie they wanted to make - Coven? right?

[DS1]

9. Coven was the movie they ended up finishing, in order to earn cash

to put towards finishing Northwestern, which is Mark's masterpiece-in-the-making.