DVD Corner

American Movie 4K UHD Review

“American Movie” is one of the best documentaries ever made.

Directed by Chris Smith (best known for “Sr.” and “Jim And Andy: The Great Beyond”), “American Movie” is a 1999 documentary film about a Milwaukee indie filmmaker named Mark Borchardt. Mark is quite the character and it’s not hard to see why he was chosen to be the subject of this film. He’s a personable, determined, rambling dreamer who drinks a bit too much and struggles in everyday life. He’s in debt, he has conflicts with the mother of his children, he works odd jobs, and he wants more out of life. His ultimate goal is to make the feature film “Northwestern,” but he can’t afford to do so. Instead he decides to finish his short film “Coven” to potentially raise money for “Northwestern.” In his quest to finish the short, we meet his family (including his pessimistic Uncle Bill), his best friend Mike Schank (a sober former addict turned lottery fanatic and a deeply talented guitarist who actually did the soundtrack), and other friends and locals (many of which appear in Mark’s films). 

Upon first seeing “American Movie” way back in 1999, the documentary floored me. Not only was it a compelling story about a man seeking the American Dream AND the spirit of independent filmmaking, but it was a deeply emotional and human story about a Midwestern man and his family and friends. It really runs the range of emotions from being hilarious and relatable to inspiring and tragic. In other words, it really encapsulates the ups and downs of life in a way most movies or documentaries can’t. 

25 years later, “American Movie” still feels as fresh and quotable as it did in 1999. It’s such a heartfelt and rewarding experience. The movie means even more in retrospect knowing that both “American Movie” and “Coven” have gone on to become beloved cult favorites. Chris Smith could have easily mocked his subjects, but he never does. He simply shows us the world through Mark’s POV (or more specifically the Wisconsin community he inhabits). 

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 1.33:1 2160p With HDR. How does it look? This 4K provides a nice upgrade with sharper image quality.

Audio Track: 2.0 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? “It’s alright! It’s OK!” Actually, it’s more than that. It’s solid!

Extras:
* Theatrical trailer
* “Coven”- Mark Borchardt’s short film in full.
* 37 minutes of deleted scenes.
* Commentary by Chris Smith, Sarah Price, Mark Borchardt and Mike Schank.

November 4, 2024 - Posted by nicklyons1 | 4K UHD Review | 90's Movie, American Movie 4K UHD Review, Chris Smith, Coven, documentary, Mark Borchardt