Saw Gasland and Exit... this weekend. Really liked Exit, but I do have to join those who wonder how much of the second half of the film is "documentary" and how much is "performance art, documented." Gasland was appropriately shocking, good agitprop. That said, let's just say I think Fox didn't always make the best choices in presenting his case, and on a technical level I didn't think it was as well made as Exit. Really, really want to see the other three nominees.
Like Adam C., I also watched Exit and Gasland this week.
I think Gasland was a good piece of advocacy and had a very clear point of view, but I'm not sure that it was a great film. A great example of film as a medium for advocacy, and a refershingly direct film, but I'm not sure it was the best documentary film of the year. (That said, I've also been interested in limiting fracking in the Catskills watershed region, and may be more sympathetic.)
I'd like to watch Exit Through the Gift Shop again, because it definitely feels like there's a point where it shifts from <span>"documentary" to "performance art, documented."</span>
Restrepo is also next up for me, since, like Exit Through the Gift Shop, it's on Netflix Instant.
Andrew, for various reasons I too could be said to be sympathetic to Gasland's viewpoint. All the more reason that some of the filmmaker's choices disconcert (and, as the news moderators say, "We'll have to leave it there."). But those issues aside, as a viewer I preferred Exit.
I've enjoyed discussing Exit Through The Gift Shop more than I enjoyed watching it - it felt pretty clear to me that everyone involved in Exit was in on the joke (don't want to be more specific for those who haven't seen) and since that was obvious (for me) about 20 minutes in, watching 70 more minutes of movie got old. Apparently "Mr Brainwash" is a fixture at several LA hangouts I frequent so I'm hoping to run into him at some point (and my money's on him to show up at the Oscars instead of Banksy...though there's a longer conversation to be had about if Banksy is actually one person or a collective...).
I wasn't surprised about the Tillman Story being excluded from nominations - I actually was surprised it didn't delve deeper. I felt like I already knew everything in the doc from various news articles and profiles - Bar Lev (whose doc My Kid Could Paint That is my favorite documentary ever - check it out if you haven't seen - fascinating in the way Bar Lev ends up getting inserted into the story somewhat unwillingly) is so talented that I thought he'd bring something new to light (or express a surprising point of view somehow).
Have heard that Waiting For Superman's exclusion was partially due to one of the scenes being staged, which interested me - it didn't seem to make a huge difference in the film and the story it told (though, that said, it didn't add much for me story-wise - why bother including it?), but I do understand the desire to keep documentaries pure - it's a slippery slope.
Liked Restrepo but can't quite forgive it for being on-site with all the key participants with cameras at the battle that won Giunta the MOH, yet, somehow, missing all of it in its final edit.
Related: Has anyone seen "If a Tree Falls"? I'm interested in the topic, and thought that "Street Fight" was excellent, so I'm looking forward to seeing that.
Watched EXIT last weekend on Netflix instant watch and fell asleep <span>twice</span>! I'm at a loss to understand the reason for its nomination. The only other doc I've seen so far is INSIDE JOB, which I saw in a theater. Hope to get to the others before the awards are announced.
Saw Gasland and Exit... this weekend. Really liked Exit, but I do have to join those who wonder how much of the second half of the film is "documentary" and how much is "performance art, documented." Gasland was appropriately shocking, good agitprop. That said, let's just say I think Fox didn't always make the best choices in presenting his case, and on a technical level I didn't think it was as well made as Exit. Really, really want to see the other three nominees.
ReplyDeleteLike Adam C., I also watched Exit and Gasland this week.
ReplyDeleteI think Gasland was a good piece of advocacy and had a very clear point of view, but I'm not sure that it was a great film. A great example of film as a medium for advocacy, and a refershingly direct film, but I'm not sure it was the best documentary film of the year. (That said, I've also been interested in limiting fracking in the Catskills watershed region, and may be more sympathetic.)
I'd like to watch Exit Through the Gift Shop again, because it definitely feels like there's a point where it shifts from <span>"documentary" to "performance art, documented."</span>
Restrepo is also next up for me, since, like Exit Through the Gift Shop, it's on Netflix Instant.
Andrew, for various reasons I too could be said to be sympathetic to Gasland's viewpoint. All the more reason that some of the filmmaker's choices disconcert (and, as the news moderators say, "We'll have to leave it there."). But those issues aside, as a viewer I preferred Exit.
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed discussing Exit Through The Gift Shop more than I enjoyed watching it - it felt pretty clear to me that everyone involved in Exit was in on the joke (don't want to be more specific for those who haven't seen) and since that was obvious (for me) about 20 minutes in, watching 70 more minutes of movie got old. Apparently "Mr Brainwash" is a fixture at several LA hangouts I frequent so I'm hoping to run into him at some point (and my money's on him to show up at the Oscars instead of Banksy...though there's a longer conversation to be had about if Banksy is actually one person or a collective...).
ReplyDeleteI wasn't surprised about the Tillman Story being excluded from nominations - I actually was surprised it didn't delve deeper. I felt like I already knew everything in the doc from various news articles and profiles - Bar Lev (whose doc My Kid Could Paint That is my favorite documentary ever - check it out if you haven't seen - fascinating in the way Bar Lev ends up getting inserted into the story somewhat unwillingly) is so talented that I thought he'd bring something new to light (or express a surprising point of view somehow).
Have heard that Waiting For Superman's exclusion was partially due to one of the scenes being staged, which interested me - it didn't seem to make a huge difference in the film and the story it told (though, that said, it didn't add much for me story-wise - why bother including it?), but I do understand the desire to keep documentaries pure - it's a slippery slope.
Haven't seen Gasland yet - eager to.
Liked Restrepo but can't quite forgive it for being on-site with all the key participants with cameras at the battle that won Giunta the MOH, yet, somehow, missing all of it in its final edit.
ReplyDeleteI know war is confusing and all that, but...
Related: Has anyone seen "If a Tree Falls"? I'm interested in the topic, and thought that "Street Fight" was excellent, so I'm looking forward to seeing that.
ReplyDeleteWatched EXIT last weekend on Netflix instant watch and fell asleep <span>twice</span>! I'm at a loss to understand the reason for its nomination. The only other doc I've seen so far is INSIDE JOB, which I saw in a theater. Hope to get to the others before the awards are announced.
ReplyDelete