Movies about making movies

[Alex K. Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Alex K.]

I kept meaning to make a post on this topic. Film buffs and anyone who has tried to make a film has -I think- special feelings for this kind of sub-genre if you want to call it that.

For me, I wanted to be a director back when I was 9 years old and while being inspired by Vampire movies and Warlock: The Armageddon I had the idea to do the ultimate apocalyptic, effects-driven, horror film. The desire to do film has stuck and I've made a few attempts with some help from friends (wink, nudge) but I still want to make at least one BA film and am slowly still working towards that.

The first film about the making of a movie that I remember watching without recalling numerous BTS segments on HBO/Showtime was actually Troma's Terror Firmer. It was just when I was getting into Troma and I lucked out and either Showtime or Cinemax was playing and I was blown away by it. Even now Lloyd's speech where he wants to blow his fucking brains out is still relevant.

Another really good one that I identified with is American Movie. Mark Borchardt is a bad ass and it looks like his first feature is going to be released soon.

[Dom D Spoon! Find all posts View Profile Close Dom D]

Living In Oblivion feels the most like making a film to me. Watching Buscemi juggling the egos while everything falls apart for him is fucking painful to watch for those who have been in the same position. Plus the Brad Pitt impersonation is savage.

And agreed on Terror Firma. Im not a big Troma fan but nobody has more good wisdom to share on the business and the process as Lloyd Kaufmann.

[Paul L Scholar of Sleaze Find all posts View Profile Close Paul L]

Schlesinger's THE DAY OF THE LOCUST is a very good one. I also love Godard's LE MEPRIS, though depending on how you feel about Godard YMMV. I'm less keen on Truffaut's DAY FOR NIGHT but recognise its value as a film. Altman's THE PLAYER is highly regarded, though I wasn't massively keen on it at the time (I prefer 1970s Altman) and haven't revisited it since. SULLIVAN'S TRAVELS is a brilliant one. Then, of course, there's Fellini's 8 1/2.

I remember enjoying Tom DiCillio's LIVING IN OBLIVION. STATE AND MAIN is another 1990s picture that's pretty good. I like the film adaptation of GET SHORTY too. I also remember enjoying THE LAST TYCOON and Eastwood's WHITE HUNTER, BLACK HEART, but I haven't seen either of those in about 20 years now.

I always had a lot of time for MAN BITES DOG, and the HK film YOU SHOOT, I SHOOT is pretty good, imo.

John Waters' CECIL B DEMENTED ain't bad. I always thought that one was underrated.

Of course, PEEPING TOM is a classic, and one of my favourite films.

TWO WEEKS IN ANOTHER TOWN made a big impact on me when I caught it on television during my teens.

If you want to expand your category to include acts of writing films, SUNSET BOULEVARD and IN A LONELY PLACE are superb noirs.

[Barry M Super Fiend Find all posts View Profile Close Barry M]

Movies about making movies about draculas:

SHADOW OF THE VAMPIRE

THE MYSTERY IN DRACULA'S CASTLE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDfC_LklFss

Not about Dracula, but includes Von Stroheim playing a nutsi director, so it'd make a good double bill with SUNSET BOULEVARD: THE LOST SQUADRON.

[paul h. woly boly Find all posts View Profile Close paul h.]

Barton Fink. The Stunt Man. Body Double.

[Barry M Super Fiend Find all posts View Profile Close Barry M]

STUNTS

[Richard--W a straight arrow Find all posts View Profile Close Richard--W]

Billy Wilder's SUNSET BLVD (19500 is a highly regarded film noir which is about a hack screenwriter assigned to work with a egocentric actress who is no longer a star. Kirk Douglas made a similar film called, if I remember correctly, TEN WEEKS IN ANOTHER TOWN.

I have trouble suspending disbelief in movies that are about making movies. The very premise breaks the fourth wall and makes me aware I'm watching a movie. Biopics about movie stars, same thing.

Still, I have a soft spot for DAY FOR NIGHT (1973) but I think that's because I love Francois Truffaut's films.

[Mick Cantone Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mick Cantone]

One film about filmmaking that should be mentioned is Rainer Werner Fassbinder's BEWARE OF A HOLY WHORE.

[paul h. woly boly Find all posts View Profile Close paul h.]

inserts.

[Alex K. Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Alex K.]

I never liked Living in Oblivion. I just found it oddly pretentious.

Another title I like is Big Picture with Kevin Bacon. It opens with a very accurate parody of "art house" films that sweep award shows and we follow Kevin Bacon's character as he slowly sells out for Hollywood.

[Barry M Super Fiend Find all posts View Profile Close Barry M]

THE BAD AND THE BEAUTIFUL. I keep meaning to watch this one.

[Scott Intellectual Carrot Find all posts View Profile Close Scott]

The Stunt Man.

STUNTS

Yes to both, awesome movies!

Frankenstein 1970 (1958)
F/X 1 and 2
Boogie Nights
Wes Craven's New Nightmare

[Paul Casey Frito Bandito Find all posts View Profile Close Paul Casey]

EFFECTS

[Richard--W a straight arrow Find all posts View Profile Close Richard--W]

inserts.

Yeah. Why didn't I think of that John Byrum film.