I saw this movie right before I moved from Tennessee to Wisconsin, and it did give me pause, but it also delighted me that my future adopted home state could produce and nurture someone like Mark. I love the opening line from Roger Ebert's review: "If you've ever wanted to make a movie, see 'American Movie,' a documentary about someone who wants to make a movie more than you do."
Caught this one night on TV, having no idea what it was about and never having heard anything about the making of the film, or the subjects, or, well, I went into this entirely clueless about what it was. And after about 15 minutes, it completely won me over. At one point it's a comedy, at others its touching and emotionally resonant, and it gets you, especially the relationship between Mark and his uncle Bill. No matter how troubled the film is, he just never seems to let the issues get to him, and I only wish I could grasp some of that. It 'It's alright, it's okay, Jesus told me so....' Love that line, and uncle Bill may be a non actor when he says it, but the guy says it as he lived it.. :) I recommend this film to anyone who has not seen it.
I saw this movie as a kid, shortly after it was released to home video. It's still one of my favorite movies, and I still watch it on a pretty regular basis.
Gotta agree with Mr. West here - got this on a screener VHS back in early 2000 when I was working at a Blockbuster video. This is prob the best documentary on a non-serious subject I've ever seen! But it's the people in the film, not the film itself, that is so endearing - You gotta see this! Get the DVD for the deleted scenes and commentary track!
DeputyAndy1 I watched it blind one night on Channel 4 in the uk about 15 years ago and found it to be one of the most fascinating films of all time. Pure Americana.
When I first watched American Movie in 1999, it was eerie to watch because of the similarities between what Mark was going through and what I was going through making a film around the same time he was making Coven in 1996. I used a camera similar to what Mark was using. His looks like a CP-16. Mine was a Frezzolini LW-16 which is basically the same camera different brand (same movement, same Mitchell magazine). I, too, used a cassette recorder for sound (Sony TCD-5M) and had an older actor with a gray beard in the film as well. Not to mention I shot in 16mm black and white and I had long hair like Mark. Never had long hair like that before nor since. The only difference is that Mark is much funnier and more outgoing and interesting than I am.
Hilarious, and particularly poignant for anyone that has tried to make a movie - particularly on film. Shooting and editing digitally is like being on holiday. Shooting and editing film is a soul-crushing, exasperating experience.
Amazing film. I'd rate Stephen Earnhart's "Mule Skinner Blues" documentary right up there with "American Movie" for inspired regional horror filmmaking tribulations.
This would be more charming if Mark Borchardt was not such an obnoxious a-hole. It's hard to root for him when he's just being such a creep. Now that I've seen the "films" of Neil Breen, James Nguyen, and Tommy Wiseau it's not hard to find a place among these auteurs for Mr. Borchardt. All have the common misconception that they have talent and hopelessly (and hilariously) oblivious to the reality. I watched Cöven as an extra feature on the DVD and found it hysterically inept. When I watch the early films of Kubrick or Scorcese I can see a talent in its beginning stages, Cöven looks like a prolonged purging of some personal demons by its director. I do enjoy the documentary to a great extent despite my dislike of its subject and think it'd make a good double bill with Overnight about another unlikable "director" who at made one semi competent movie before burning all his bridges.
I liked the movie but I did not find Borchardt likable or sympathetic in any way, if anything he came across to me as pathetic and a complete waste of talent.
I saw this movie right before I moved from Tennessee to Wisconsin, and it did give me pause, but it also delighted me that my future adopted home state could produce and nurture someone like Mark. I love the opening line from Roger Ebert's review: "If you've ever wanted to make a movie, see 'American Movie,' a documentary about someone who wants to make a movie more than you do."
When they're standing in front of that fence in the snow and he talks about calling the Hotel Tangiers in Casablanca. MIke's face kills me everytime.
Caught this one night on TV, having no idea what it was about and never having heard anything about the making of the film, or the subjects, or, well, I went into this entirely clueless about what it was.
And after about 15 minutes, it completely won me over. At one point it's a comedy, at others its touching and emotionally resonant, and it gets you, especially the relationship between Mark and his uncle Bill.
No matter how troubled the film is, he just never seems to let the issues get to him, and I only wish I could grasp some of that. It
'It's alright, it's okay, Jesus told me so....'
Love that line, and uncle Bill may be a non actor when he says it, but the guy says it as he lived it.. :)
I recommend this film to anyone who has not seen it.
I saw this movie as a kid, shortly after it was released to home video. It's still one of my favorite movies, and I still watch it on a pretty regular basis.
I haven't seen this movie in years. I'm hoping it gets re-released on Blu Ray. I love this movie....
Mike was the star of this. His blindfolded guitar playing is incredible
Gotta agree with Mr. West here - got this on a screener VHS back in early 2000 when I was working at a Blockbuster video. This is prob the best documentary on a non-serious subject I've ever seen! But it's the people in the film, not the film itself, that is so endearing - You gotta see this! Get the DVD for the deleted scenes and commentary track!
I thought it was a mockumentury first time I saw it
DeputyAndy1 I watched it blind one night on Channel 4 in the uk about 15 years ago and found it to be one of the most fascinating films of all time. Pure Americana.
Still waiting for a Blu-Ray Criterion Release of this movie. Ti West needs to make more movies...
I took note of the "It's got a good taste" line in X
I love this movie and yes Ti West make more movies please
When I first watched American Movie in 1999, it was eerie to watch because of the similarities between what Mark was going through and what I was going through making a film around the same time he was making Coven in 1996. I used a camera similar to what Mark was using. His looks like a CP-16. Mine was a Frezzolini LW-16 which is basically the same camera different brand (same movement, same Mitchell magazine). I, too, used a cassette recorder for sound (Sony TCD-5M) and had an older actor with a gray beard in the film as well. Not to mention I shot in 16mm black and white and I had long hair like Mark. Never had long hair like that before nor since. The only difference is that Mark is much funnier and more outgoing and interesting than I am.
Ti West needs to make more movies.
The Sacrament is fucking great....whatchoo talkin' 'bout Willis???
this aged well
Thats his blue belt from Karate wrapped around his head!!!! He mentions it in the commentary on this movie, which is fcking incredible btw.
Such a great film. Really, all of Chris Smith's films are pretty excellent.
What was the name of the film Ti cast Mark in called?
Hilarious, and particularly poignant for anyone that has tried to make a movie - particularly on film. Shooting and editing digitally is like being on holiday. Shooting and editing film is a soul-crushing, exasperating experience.
Amazing film. I'd rate Stephen Earnhart's "Mule Skinner Blues" documentary right up there with "American Movie" for inspired regional horror filmmaking tribulations.
I believe he's talking about Cabin Fever 2, the film he cast Mark in. Which I thought was better than the 1st.
RIP Mike Schank. 1969-2022
Ti West is the best horror director since John Carpenter.
Among other accolades this movie is hilarious.
great movie for anyone that creates on their own, for the sake of creating.
I can dig it!
It's okay, it's alright, you've got something to live for! Jesus told me sooooooooo!
This would be more charming if Mark Borchardt was not such an obnoxious a-hole. It's hard to root for him when he's just being such a creep. Now that I've seen the "films" of Neil Breen, James Nguyen, and Tommy Wiseau it's not hard to find a place among these auteurs for Mr. Borchardt. All have the common misconception that they have talent and hopelessly (and hilariously) oblivious to the reality. I watched Cöven as an extra feature on the DVD and found it hysterically inept. When I watch the early films of Kubrick or Scorcese I can see a talent in its beginning stages, Cöven looks like a prolonged purging of some personal demons by its director. I do enjoy the documentary to a great extent despite my dislike of its subject and think it'd make a good double bill with Overnight about another unlikable "director" who at made one semi competent movie before burning all his bridges.
avgn
I liked the movie but I did not find Borchardt likable or sympathetic in any way, if anything he came across to me as pathetic and a complete waste of talent.