Speaking as the grandson of a long time truck driver, “Ice Road Truckers” is an accurate depiction not just of truck drivers who make the trek across dangerous snowy and icey terrain, but of the dangers truckers facer in general. Set amidst the cold wastelands, “Ice Road Truckers” spotlights the endless journeys of various truck drivers as they take on the harrowing tasks of driving across country, through snow, ice, sleet, and lands without signs or safeguards.
Tag Archives: Documentary
Horror Business (2005)
I love horror movies. I love them so much that it hurts me. I love them so much I feel an ache in the pit of my stomach whenever I just think about coming upon a brand new horror film waiting to be watched. And Garetano loves them, too. But he also has a cynical sense of humor about making horror films. Being a film critic for almost ten years now has educated me. Every film I’ve been sent from aspiring filmmakers who make a horror film and fail to entertain, I hold a deep sense of sympathy for them. Because making films and making horror films aren’t easy. “Horror Business” is a great horror movie documentary about making horror movies.
And it’s about how making horror movies can suck the life out of you. Garetano spotlights some of the most relentless independent horror filmmakers, including the director of one of my personal favorites, “Zombie Honeymoon.” What Garetano conveys is that horror filmmaking, while being essentially filmmaking, is a completely different art form. It’s difficult to scare people, and be a unique voice in the genre, and Garetano explores the feelings and frustrations of these filmmakers as they try to make a film that they believe will be great. And these men have a lot of insight to shed for the audience, as they discuss their thoughts on why we love horror films, and why horror films are so popular these days.
Filmmaking, like writing, is a way of life for these individuals who seek to release all aggression and express themselves, and it’s easy to connect to their desires to want to be seen and heard. And even appreciated. Hell, Garetano even touches upon these filmmakers basic frustrations that horror fans have been singing for years. Why remake a movie when you have thousands of great filmmakers waiting to express their own unique voice? Remakes are for money purposes, and the directors here talk of their inability to be pleased by anything new in the modern film era. The feeling is well expressed among many horror fans these days.
The best way to gain a perspective of film, talk to the actual struggling filmmakers and Garetano really shows how many people will die for their love of horror films, and filmmaking. Film, like any artistic medium can ruin its creator, and “Horror Business” explores that statement perfectly. Garetano really exemplifies the filmmaker’s struggles in film, and creates what is one of the best horror documentaries I’ve ever seen. You can’t receive proper insight about filmmaking unless you talk to actual struggling filmmakers, and Garetano gets it right; “Horror Business” is a film you have to see if you’re a horror buff, or someone thinking about making a serious horror movie.
Flock of Dodos: The Evolution-Intelligent Design Circus (2006)
As an atheist and proponent of evolution, it really chaps my hide that a ludicrous fictional tale such as Intelligent Design would be created, and attempt to be accepted. What intelligent design is by sheer proof is the cowardice of Creationists. It’s a “theory” that was built to seem like science when really all it is, is creationism with a few pretty science terms thrown in for respectability. And what’s humorous is that creationists who shun science and evolution would invent a “theory” that reverts to science immediately. It all comes back to science.
Star Wars: The Legacy Revealed
Star Wars. There’s really nothing I can say here that you probably haven’t already heard in a thousand other sites. And I can bet that those other folks have said it better and more poetically. Everything has been said about “Star Wars” by thousands of people all over the world.
But the real question I asked was, can “The Legacy Revealed” give us something new about Star Wars? Perhaps they’d divulge an unknown tidbit, or perhaps they’d share some insight that others haven’t caught yet? It’s possible. But also it’s pretty much impossible these days. Many documentaries just tread over the same old territory. “Star Wars: The Legacy” doesn’t really tell us anything new or groundbreaking.
No One's Watching: An Alien Abductee's Story (2006)
It’s funny that in my own website, I’ve become truly feared by filmmakers. Even filmmakers who happen to be buddies of mine. Why is that? I’m not sure. But if you send me a film, expect an honest opinion. You have to either have to accept that, or don’t send anything at all. I’m glad director Jeremy Vaeni for “No One’s Watching” seems to know and appreciate that, as he sent his film to me with the letter stating that whether I love or hate it, he would love a review. I’m honest, and that’s just what’s what.
Awesome; I Fuckin' Shot That! (2006)
In 2004, the Beastie Boys handed different hardcore fans Hi-8 Cameras to walk around the audience shooting the concert and offering up their own view of the concert taking place in Madison Square Garden. And my first thought was: Did any of them steal the camera? I can imagine one of them just making a break for the door with this great camera in hand. But I digress, “Awesome;” is for the hardcore fans only.
Who's Ma Ma! Joe Ma Ma! (2007)
Sean J.S. Jourdan seems to have a knack for perfectly pinning humanity in all its chinks and warts, and that’s a true talent. Not many directors can properly capture the human tragedy and when it comes along, it has to be appreciated. “Who’s Ma Ma!” is a short documentary about a simple family of men who have endured horrible tragedies in their lives and yet—they still stagger on.