Short Attention Span Review - Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse (1991)

Short Attention Span Review - Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse (1991)

If you love the cinema, you have probably seen Apocalypse Now and heard a little about the making of this visionary masterpiece.  Apocalypse Now is one of those rare feats in the industry, a stupendous achievement where tales surrounding the lengths that the artists went to create something are almost as intriguing as the work itself.  In 1991, Fax Bahr and George Hickenlooper put together this documentary that offers tremendous insight into that storied production.  Deftly combining interviews with most of the key players and raw footage captured on set, Bahr and Hickenlooper allow us to feel like the proverbial fly on the wall while an audacious undertaking threatens to unravel at every turn.  Not only that, but the cast and crew threaten to unravel as well, making this a gripping tale in and of itself.  Hearts of Darkness is about people testing their boundaries.  It's also a battle against the elements and a test of endurance.  It's about faith and conviction, and it is also about desperation, and perhaps even madness.  It's one thing to ponder a director who had taken the industry by storm dragging his cast and crew into the jungle to shoot a sprawling epic while in search of an appropriate conclusion.  It's yet another to see the various challenges unfold, to listen in as Francis Ford Coppola struggles to find himself as much as he struggled to find that ending that would make the journey worthwhile.  It is an inspiring peak behind the curtain that shows us an odyssey that could have yielded disastrous results, and it is both a tribute to passion and sheer lunacy that something so prolific was born of this fury and fire.  Luck may have played a role as well.  Regardless, Hearts of Darkness is a vivid documentary that is both enlightening and entertaining.  It is surely must-see viewing for those who recognize Apocalypse Now as one of the boldest and most riveting movies ever made, but even someone who had never heard of that grim saga would probably enjoy Hearts of Darkness.  

Final Grade: A

An unparalleled look at the making of a genuine classic, this documentary is a profound exploration of art on a grand scale.

Short Attention Span Review: This is Spinal Tap (1984)

Surprisingly, This is Spinal Tap merely enjoyed modest success during its theatrical run before landing a cult following on home video.  Over time, it has become an iconic parody and the make believe band of the title has actually sold a lot of records and played a lot of shows.  The film hasn't lost its power to amuse thanks to all the keen wit on display, and the music industry has only grown more and more absurd, so the picture remains timely.  Rob Reiner's actual direction of this mockumentary and his performance as director Marty DiBergi are both rock solid, but the leads (Michael McKeen as lead singer David St. Hubbins, Christopher Guest as guitarist Nigel Tufnel, and Harry Shearer as bassist Derek Smalls) are so superb that I have to give them the lion's share of the credit for the movie's success.  All three are capable musicians and they are beyond perfect choices for the film--it's an adequate tribute to their efforts that this ridiculous comedy led to genuine confusion among many fans as to whether or not Spinal Tap was a real band.  This is Spinal Tap is so awesome that it is damn near impossible to pick the funniest part.  Is it the amp that goes to 11?  Is it Derek getting trapped in his pod?  Is it the Stonehenge set?  Is it being billed second to the puppets?  What about the woeful legacy of the band's drummers?  I'm sure that every fan has a favorite part, mine just might be that perspective-laden trip to Graceland, though I'm also rather fond of the big show at the military base.  In fact, there are so many amusing sequences that This is Spinal Tap never seems to fall flat, and even the few bits that don't work are often saved by one of the brilliant performances.  I'm a fan of silly comedies and rock and roll, so my affection for this one should come as no surprise.  Still, I think it is fair to say that That This is Spinal Tap's greatness extends well beyond any niche or niches--it's not just a good comedy, it's a remarkable comedy.

Final Grade: 11 (A+)

This is Spinal Tap is one of the best comedies ever, and it is
a must-see for anyone who enjoys a good laugh or rock and roll.

Short Attention Span Review: Milius (2013)

As documentaries about filmmakers go, it is hard to imagine any subject being more prolific or intriguing than writer and director John Milius.  It should come as no surprise then that Milius is such a spectacle.  Even as a fan of this gifted filmmaker and his larger-than-life personality, I was surprised to see just how broad his impact on the film industry has been.  Those who aren't as familiar with John's body of work will likely be flabbergasted to learn that one man played such a pivotal role in so many iconic pictures and performances over the years.  His contributions to movies like Jaws and Dirty Harry are discussed along with movies he scripted (Apocalypse Now and Jeremiah Johnson, among others) and directed (films like Dillinger, The Wind and the Lion, and Conan the Barbarian).  Professional accomplishments aside, the stories about his larger-than-life antics and his brazen disregard for going with the flow are wildly compelling.  This documentary also benefits from more than just a wealth of intriguing material; the number of famed participants who share their thoughts on John's work and persona throughout the picture is positively mind-boggling.  It is entirely possible that it would be easier to list the major actors, directors, and producers who weren't in this documentary than it would be to name everyone who appeared in the picture.  Milius offers far more than reflection on the cinema and funny stories about a brazen individual, touching on politics and delving into some truly emotional territory in the closing reel.  As a fan, I was totally captivated, but I imagine that those who aren't as familiar with the subject--and perhaps even those who don't like John's filmography--will be entertained by this documentary.  It is bold, colorful, and surprisingly nuanced, much like John Milius himself.

Final Grade: A