This distribution case study of American: The Bill Hicks Story has been previously posted at Indiewire, and when it went up, I quickly scanned it and tweeted their link. But now I’ve actually had time to read it carefully, and it’s a very useful document that deserves its own place on the blog. A Powerpoint presentation prepared for a panel at this year’s SXSW moderated by Orly Ravid, the document walks you through the filmmaker’s Diy theatrical and various VOD and digital distribution deals. There are revenue numbers here, and not just for American, but also other movies released by the panel’s participants, who include Magnolia’s Eammon Bowles, Gravitas’s Nolan Gallagher and Variance’s Dylan Marchetti. And that’s not all: there’s a discussion of the film’s marketing and publicity, selection of poster and ad slick design, and a stern set...
- 3/25/2012
- by Scott Macaulay
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
SXSW 2012 film review
complete coverage of SXSW Film 2012
Wonder Women! The Untold Story of American Superheroines
Director: Kristy Guevara-Flanagan
This documentary examines the fascinating evolution and legacy of Wonder Woman and introduces audiences to a dynamic group of real life superheroes who continue to fight the good fight both on and off the screen.
(World Premiere)
Film Synopsis (from SXSW.com)
Who’S It For?: All movie fans, and comic book fans. You don’t have to be a big Wonder Woman fan before going in.
Overall
This documentary has a great structure, in which it uses the DC Comics superhero Wonder Woman as its central example of how important heroines can be to their followers, and also how said heroines are still powerless to image-conscious writers who manipulate their creations to better align with current cultural images. First and foremost, it provides a thoughtful background on the surprising history of Wonder Woman,...
complete coverage of SXSW Film 2012
Wonder Women! The Untold Story of American Superheroines
Director: Kristy Guevara-Flanagan
This documentary examines the fascinating evolution and legacy of Wonder Woman and introduces audiences to a dynamic group of real life superheroes who continue to fight the good fight both on and off the screen.
(World Premiere)
Film Synopsis (from SXSW.com)
Who’S It For?: All movie fans, and comic book fans. You don’t have to be a big Wonder Woman fan before going in.
Overall
This documentary has a great structure, in which it uses the DC Comics superhero Wonder Woman as its central example of how important heroines can be to their followers, and also how said heroines are still powerless to image-conscious writers who manipulate their creations to better align with current cultural images. First and foremost, it provides a thoughtful background on the surprising history of Wonder Woman,...
- 3/22/2012
- by Nick Allen
- The Scorecard Review
Chicago – Does it say something about the current market of Blu-rays that nine of our top ten releases of the year (and, honestly, most of the runner-ups considered) are for catalog releases and special editions instead of films produced in the current era? More and more often, modern releases seem kind of lackluster. Throw on a featurette, maybe a deleted scene or two, and put it on the shelf.
More often, it is the anniversary editions, special release, and, of course, The Criterion Collection that lives up to the true potential of the format. Critics Matt Fagerholm and Brian Tallerico have assembled their ten best of 2011, all of which should be added to your collection as soon as possible. Or ask Santa if you think you’ve been good enough this year.
Matt Fagerholm’s Five Best Blu-rays of 2011
5. “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”
Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Photo credit: Paramount...
More often, it is the anniversary editions, special release, and, of course, The Criterion Collection that lives up to the true potential of the format. Critics Matt Fagerholm and Brian Tallerico have assembled their ten best of 2011, all of which should be added to your collection as soon as possible. Or ask Santa if you think you’ve been good enough this year.
Matt Fagerholm’s Five Best Blu-rays of 2011
5. “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”
Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Photo credit: Paramount...
- 12/7/2011
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Welcome to our weekly round-up of featured giveaways here at Fred. Every week, we’ll present a new clutch of DVDs, books, and other cool stuff you can take a shot at winning. All you have to do is click on the graphics below to be taken to their respective contest pages. And good luck!
In conjunction with Adult Swim Home Video, we’re giving away two (2) copies each of Robot Chicken Star Wars: Episode 3 on both Blu-Ray & DVD.
In conjunction with BBC Home Video, we’re giving away two (2) copies each of American: The Bill Hicks Story on both Blu-Ray & DVD.
In conjunction with BBC Home Video, we’re giving away two (2) copies each of Madagascar on both Blu-Ray & DVD.
In conjunction with BBC Home Video, we’re giving away two (2) copies of Doctor Who: The Gunfighters on DVD.
In conjunction with BBC Home Video, we’re giving...
In conjunction with Adult Swim Home Video, we’re giving away two (2) copies each of Robot Chicken Star Wars: Episode 3 on both Blu-Ray & DVD.
In conjunction with BBC Home Video, we’re giving away two (2) copies each of American: The Bill Hicks Story on both Blu-Ray & DVD.
In conjunction with BBC Home Video, we’re giving away two (2) copies each of Madagascar on both Blu-Ray & DVD.
In conjunction with BBC Home Video, we’re giving away two (2) copies of Doctor Who: The Gunfighters on DVD.
In conjunction with BBC Home Video, we’re giving...
- 7/14/2011
- by UncaScroogeMcD
In conjunction with BBC Home Video, we’re giving away two (2) copies each of American: The Bill Hicks Story on both Blu-Ray & DVD.
Contest ends at 11:59pm Est on Wednesday, August 10th.
Enter the contest! Email: First name: Last name: Street Address: Address Line 2 (if needed): City: State/Province/Whatever: Zip Code/Postal Code: Country: Birth Month: JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember Birth Day: 12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031 Birth Year:
Official Rules
No member of Fred Entertainment or their immediate families may enter.
No Purchase necessary to win.
Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.
One entry per day, per person.
All submitted entries must be received by 11:59pm Est on Wednesday, August 10th.
The winner must allow 4-6 weeks after notification of win to receive the product.
Contest ends at 11:59pm Est on Wednesday, August 10th.
Enter the contest! Email: First name: Last name: Street Address: Address Line 2 (if needed): City: State/Province/Whatever: Zip Code/Postal Code: Country: Birth Month: JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember Birth Day: 12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031 Birth Year:
Official Rules
No member of Fred Entertainment or their immediate families may enter.
No Purchase necessary to win.
Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.
One entry per day, per person.
All submitted entries must be received by 11:59pm Est on Wednesday, August 10th.
The winner must allow 4-6 weeks after notification of win to receive the product.
- 7/14/2011
- by UncaScroogeMcD
In life, there are figures that are underappreciated legends, and all too often it is those who are most underappreciated who are taken from us far too soon. Comedian Bill Hicks was one of those figures. He died at the young age of 32 from pancreatic cancer, and it wasn’t until years after his death that his brand of comedy truly became appreciated. American: The Bill Hicks Story details his incredibly compelling, yet far too brief life.
Read more on Blu-ray Review: American: The Bill Hicks Story...
Read more on Blu-ray Review: American: The Bill Hicks Story...
- 6/15/2011
- by J.C. De Leon
- GordonandtheWhale
Plastic Paper is Winnipeg’s celebration of animation, illustration and puppet films, organized by the Big Smash! filmmaking collective. Their second annual event will be held on May 4-8 at the Park Theatre.
The big score for this year’s edition is a special screening of Ralph Bakshi’s 1981 feature-length musical opus American Pop with the filmmaker in attendance for a post-screening Q&A. For this groundbreaking work, Bakshi utilized the innovative technique of mixing rotoscoping, water colors, computer graphics, live action shots, and archival footage. This screening and discussion will be a real treat for animation junkies.
But that’s not to say that the rest of the festival isn’t also filled with other amazing films.
Because, speaking of groundbreaking work, the fest kicks off with Brent Green’s simply astounding film Gravity Was Everywhere Back Then, the first full-length film utilizing real-life actors in amazing stop-motion animation.
The big score for this year’s edition is a special screening of Ralph Bakshi’s 1981 feature-length musical opus American Pop with the filmmaker in attendance for a post-screening Q&A. For this groundbreaking work, Bakshi utilized the innovative technique of mixing rotoscoping, water colors, computer graphics, live action shots, and archival footage. This screening and discussion will be a real treat for animation junkies.
But that’s not to say that the rest of the festival isn’t also filled with other amazing films.
Because, speaking of groundbreaking work, the fest kicks off with Brent Green’s simply astounding film Gravity Was Everywhere Back Then, the first full-length film utilizing real-life actors in amazing stop-motion animation.
- 4/30/2011
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
Ok, so Bill Hicks isn’t exactly back – though if he were, he would have a lot of big game to go after.
Unfortunately, the great comic, social commentator and sane man Bill Hicks is still dead. But the definitive Bill Hicks movie, American: The Bill Hicks Story is here at last, playing select showtimes at the Alamo South Lamar and Village. No matter how giant a Bill Hicks fan you may be, you have never seen his words and art presented in such scope before. American was three years in the making and draws upon a large variety of primary source material in making Hicks (nearly) come to life again. Through a judicious use of animation (the Austin Chronicle called it “Ken Burns by way of Terry Gilliam”), it all flows together beautifully to create a brilliantly detailed portrait of a man who’s been a hero to many of us.
Unfortunately, the great comic, social commentator and sane man Bill Hicks is still dead. But the definitive Bill Hicks movie, American: The Bill Hicks Story is here at last, playing select showtimes at the Alamo South Lamar and Village. No matter how giant a Bill Hicks fan you may be, you have never seen his words and art presented in such scope before. American was three years in the making and draws upon a large variety of primary source material in making Hicks (nearly) come to life again. Through a judicious use of animation (the Austin Chronicle called it “Ken Burns by way of Terry Gilliam”), it all flows together beautifully to create a brilliantly detailed portrait of a man who’s been a hero to many of us.
- 4/22/2011
- by Lars Nilsen
- OriginalAlamo.com
American: The Bill Hicks Story is a documentary along the lines of Richard Pryor: I Ain.T Dead Yet, #*%$#@!! or Sam Kinison: Why Did We Laugh? All three films take a look at great comics, travelling back in time to try and better understand the life of the artist, what made them tick and why their brand of humor was so well received by audiences.
Bill Hicks was just a kid from Houston who, like so many teenagers, felt the need to rebel and do something different. So, instead of going to college like the rest of his family, Hicks knew at an early age he wanted to be a comedian. His career started at the tender age of 15 when he performed with popularity at a comedy club in Houston, Texas.
Before long, Bill Hicks found himself becoming a potential star, but that.s also about the time...
Bill Hicks was just a kid from Houston who, like so many teenagers, felt the need to rebel and do something different. So, instead of going to college like the rest of his family, Hicks knew at an early age he wanted to be a comedian. His career started at the tender age of 15 when he performed with popularity at a comedy club in Houston, Texas.
Before long, Bill Hicks found himself becoming a potential star, but that.s also about the time...
- 4/22/2011
- by Travis Keune
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
This week on “Movie B.S. with Bayer and Snider,” Jeff Bayer is still wherever the hell he is, but he and Eric D. Snider pre-taped reviews of “Super” and “Rubber” for your listening pleasure, along with a round of Pitch Me. So there’s plenty of Bayer! Eric also talks about “Rio,” “The Conspirator,” and “American: The BIll Hicks Story.” And then, live via satellite, horror maven Scott Weinberg talks to Eric about the “Scream” series, including a review of “Scream 4.” Scott’s cat Jones makes a silent cameo.
email – moviebspdx@gmail.com
facebook – facebook.com/moviebspdx
twitter – @moviebs
Listen Here
Go to the Movie B.S. webpage
Subscribe (and vote) for Movie B.S. on iTunes
About the show …
Movie B.S. with Bayer and Snider
Jeff Bayer and Eric D. Snider are movie critics, but not the stuffy,
elitist kind. They’re not the idiotic fanboy kind either.
email – moviebspdx@gmail.com
facebook – facebook.com/moviebspdx
twitter – @moviebs
Listen Here
Go to the Movie B.S. webpage
Subscribe (and vote) for Movie B.S. on iTunes
About the show …
Movie B.S. with Bayer and Snider
Jeff Bayer and Eric D. Snider are movie critics, but not the stuffy,
elitist kind. They’re not the idiotic fanboy kind either.
- 4/18/2011
- by Jeff Bayer
- The Scorecard Review
This Week in Reviews
Scream 4
Rio
American: The Bill Hicks Story
In a Day (Netflix Instant)
Scream
The 10 Most Popular Posts of the Week
10 Straight to DVD Sequels You Probably Didn't Know Existed
The 10 Most Egregious Instances of Actors Sh*tting on their Own Films
Dispelling the Hollywood Myth that All Men Age Better than Their Contemporaries
Hey Girls, Don't Like Icky Sword Fighting? The Nyt Says There's Enough Sex In "Game Of Thrones" To Keep Our Teeny Female Brains Entertained.
Are You Pretty? I Can't Tell Under All That F*cking Slap: Five "Dewy-Faced" Starlets In Need Of A Makeup Intervention.
The Stars of Our Youth Who've Aged Most Impressively (As Seen at The TV Land Awards, in Descending Order)
Seriously, Tom Cruise, A Fat Suit? 14 Recent Supporting Characters I'd Rather See Get Their Own Film.
People, Let Me Tell You About My Best Friend: Television's Greatest Pals...
Scream 4
Rio
American: The Bill Hicks Story
In a Day (Netflix Instant)
Scream
The 10 Most Popular Posts of the Week
10 Straight to DVD Sequels You Probably Didn't Know Existed
The 10 Most Egregious Instances of Actors Sh*tting on their Own Films
Dispelling the Hollywood Myth that All Men Age Better than Their Contemporaries
Hey Girls, Don't Like Icky Sword Fighting? The Nyt Says There's Enough Sex In "Game Of Thrones" To Keep Our Teeny Female Brains Entertained.
Are You Pretty? I Can't Tell Under All That F*cking Slap: Five "Dewy-Faced" Starlets In Need Of A Makeup Intervention.
The Stars of Our Youth Who've Aged Most Impressively (As Seen at The TV Land Awards, in Descending Order)
Seriously, Tom Cruise, A Fat Suit? 14 Recent Supporting Characters I'd Rather See Get Their Own Film.
People, Let Me Tell You About My Best Friend: Television's Greatest Pals...
- 4/17/2011
- by Dustin Rowles
How does one document a legend, especially one as controversial and influential as comedian Bill Hicks? Throughout his career, he was labeled a rebel, a saint, someone who looked out for the best of America, and someone who was the embodiment of everything wrong with America. Instead of making the film an indictment or tribute to a comic that transcended telling jokes, directors Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas use their film American: The Bill Hicks Story to simply tell the story of the man himself.
There doesn’t seem to be anything revolutionary in the idea, but the truly riveting aspect is how the filmmakers tell the story through animating a wealth of photos accompanied with current voice over of the people who knew his story the best, including his family, his closest friends, and fellow comedians. This style, somewhere between cut-out dolls and Pixar movies, allows us to see...
There doesn’t seem to be anything revolutionary in the idea, but the truly riveting aspect is how the filmmakers tell the story through animating a wealth of photos accompanied with current voice over of the people who knew his story the best, including his family, his closest friends, and fellow comedians. This style, somewhere between cut-out dolls and Pixar movies, allows us to see...
- 4/15/2011
- by Mike Anton
- The Film Stage
There's not a lot to say about this documentary ,which is now available on iTunes (it's also in limited release). If you liked Bill Hicks, you'll like the documentary. If you didn't like Bill Hicks, kill yourself (also, you won't like this documentary). And if you have no idea who Bill Hicks is, check out these clips (no, really, they are fucking hilarious and true and awesome in every sense of the word). If you like them, I'd recommend American: The Bill Hicks Story as a decent primer on his material, since half of the documentary consists of clips of his stand-up routine:
On Rick Astley:
Rick Astley? Have you seen this banal incubus at work? Boy, if this guy isn't heralding Satan's imminent approach to Earth, huh. "Don't ever wanna make you cry, never wanna make you sigh ... never gonna break your heart" ... oh, I wouldn't worry about that without a dick,...
On Rick Astley:
Rick Astley? Have you seen this banal incubus at work? Boy, if this guy isn't heralding Satan's imminent approach to Earth, huh. "Don't ever wanna make you cry, never wanna make you sigh ... never gonna break your heart" ... oh, I wouldn't worry about that without a dick,...
- 4/13/2011
- by Dustin Rowles
After numerous weekends of consistent growth, things began to slow down for Jane Eyre and Win Win. Playing at 247 locations (up 67 from last weekend), Jane Eyre was down five percent to $1.16 million, while Win Win inched up a percent to $1.15 million at 226 locations (an increase of 77 over last weekend). The movies have so far made $5.15 million and $3.43 million, respectively, and their chances of reaching nationwide release dimmed.Warner Bros.'s latest IMAX movie Born to Be Wild opened to $856,133 at 206 locations. That's over twice as much as the studio's previous IMAX release, Hubble 3D, though that only debuted at 39 theaters. No Eres Tu, Soy Yo, Lionsgate's latest attempt to reach out to Hispanic audiences, grossed $588,938 at 226 theaters in its first weekend. That's way off from their last Latino-focused movie, From Prada to Nada, which opened to $1.12 million in January. Prada had more recognizable leads, a (mostly) English-language title and a wide-reaching marketing campaign,...
- 4/11/2011
- by Ray Subers <mail@boxofficemojo.com>
- Box Office Mojo
Coming off a disappointing frame last weekend , the specialty box office also didn't have any significant breakouts debut this weekend. A slew of limited openings included Kelly Reichardt epic indie Western "Meek's Cutoff," Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas' doc "American: The Bill Hicks Story," Keanu Reeves-Vera Farmiga starrer, "Henry's Crime," "No Wave" documentary, "Blank City," and "Meet Monica Velour," which features Kim Cattrall as an aging porn star. Among ...
- 4/10/2011
- Indiewire
Russell Brand stars in a new movie for the second weekend in a row as the remake of Arthur hits theatres and goes up against last weekend's box office winner Hop. There are plenty of other major releases in the hunt as well, including the fantasy comedy Your Highness starring James Franco and Danny McBride, Soul Surfer starring AnnaSophia Robb, and Joe Wright's spy thriller Hanna. We also have quite a few interesting movies hitting select theatres including Meek's Cutoff starring Michelle Williams, Max Winkler's Ceremony, and the IMAX 3-D documentary Born to Be Wild narrated by (who else?) Morgan Freeman. What will you be watching this weekend? Arthur [1] Hanna [2] Your Highness [3] Soul Surfer [4] Born to Be Wild (IMAX) [5] (limited) Meek's Cutoff [6] (limited) Henry's Crime [7] (limited) Ceremony [8] (limited) American: The Bill Hicks Story [9] (limited) Blank City [10] (limited) Meet Monica Velour [11] (limited) Meeting Spencer [12] (limited Evil Bong 3-D [13] (limited) [1] http://www.
- 4/8/2011
- by Sean
- FilmJunk
Some say that real humor is usually fueled by strong emotions. That may help explain why Bill Hicks was one of the best comedians our country’s ever seen, since at his best his comedy was fueled by his rage, ripping apart a world he saw as full of inescapable stupidity and laziness. One of the main questions being asked by American: The Bill Hicks Story is how exactly Hicks became so angry, not to mention how much of the anger was an act and how much was genuinely who he was.
- 4/7/2011
- Pastemagazine.com
Bill Hicks used to be considered merely one of the greatest stand-up comics in the world. That was a long time ago. After his death in 1994 at age 32, he became a comedy martyr. Then he became a comedy saint. That wasn’t enough posthumous validation, however, so the new documentary American: The Bill Hicks Story essentially posits Hicks as a comedy messiah who died for our sins and will someday return to save us from Carlos Mencia, Gallagher, and Dane Cook. American represents the height of the posthumous deification of Hicks, which has transformed him into a principled ...
- 4/7/2011
- avclub.com
Even if you don't know who Bill Hicks is (technically a dead comedian), American: The Bill Hicks Story is as good of a place to start as any. British filmmakers Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas have painstakingly assembled a loving portrait of a man who was too smart, too funny and too completely ahead of his time to make a solid impact in his country of origin, the good old U.S. of A. Matt and Paul were kind enough to give me a slice of their time on Monday, and the ensuing dialogue was nothing short of fascinating. Matt actually took charge and asked me the first question for a change.
Matt - Did you know Bill quite well before hand?
read more...
Matt - Did you know Bill quite well before hand?
read more...
- 4/6/2011
- by Benny Gammerman
- Filmology
Until a few weeks ago, I’d never heard of the Texas stand-up comedian Bill Hicks, who died in 1994 at age 32, having found resounding success overseas and little more than professional respect at home. Since then, I’ve devoured several hours of his comedy specials on my Netflix Instant account, marveling at the way this artist managed to blend blisteringly caustic commentaries on sex, politics, rock music, religion, and drug addiction with a weirdly humane, almost holistic philosophy of life. Stand-up comedy in any form is not normally my thing, but I’ve become rather attached to The World According to Hicks.
Heir to Lenny Bruce and Richard Pryor, Hicks was a hard-working club habitué who built his material from life experience — he was raised in a strict Southern Baptist home in Houston and was transformed head to toe by an experience with psychedelic mushrooms before he ever touched a drop of alcohol.
Heir to Lenny Bruce and Richard Pryor, Hicks was a hard-working club habitué who built his material from life experience — he was raised in a strict Southern Baptist home in Houston and was transformed head to toe by an experience with psychedelic mushrooms before he ever touched a drop of alcohol.
- 4/6/2011
- by Damon Smith
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
A stand-up comedian's job is to make people laugh. But the more you learn about stand-ups, the more you see how unfunny their own lives often are. Many of the best comedians are forged in the darkest places. Comedian Bill Hicks struggled with substance abuse for years and then just as he got himself clean and his career started to take off, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at the age of 31. He was dead by the time he was 32.
Funny as it is, "American: The Bill Hicks Story" is a deeply moving tragedy about the miserable luck of an absolute genius. And I don't use the word "genius" lightly here. Hicks was like the stand-up comedian version of a five-tool baseball player. He could do it all. He had great timing. He did great impressions. He had amazing physical gifts. His humor came from a distinctive and really unique perspective.
Funny as it is, "American: The Bill Hicks Story" is a deeply moving tragedy about the miserable luck of an absolute genius. And I don't use the word "genius" lightly here. Hicks was like the stand-up comedian version of a five-tool baseball player. He could do it all. He had great timing. He did great impressions. He had amazing physical gifts. His humor came from a distinctive and really unique perspective.
- 4/6/2011
- by Matt Singer
- ifc.com
Will anyone watch "Your Highness" this weekend and think to themselves, "Danny McBride and James Franco really remind me of me and my brother?" Will anyone be identifying with the sibling relationships in "Soul Surfer" or the documentary "American: The Bill Hicks Story"? I have no idea, but I am surprised that many people I know don't have a favorite group of cinematic siblings they relate to. I have always responded particularly to representations of fraternal trios in movies, and I thought this was common. So given that this coming Sunday (April 10) is something called National Siblings Day (brothers,…...
- 4/5/2011
- Spout
Reviewed by Randee Dawn
(from the 2010 South by Southwest Film Festival)
Directed/Produced by: Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas
To comics, Bill Hicks was known as “the comedian’s comedian.” A tireless stand-up who got his start as a teenager, sneaking out of his parents’ home to sneak into Houston open-mic nights, Hicks virtually burst out of the gate as a professional, with a fully formed sense of how to make people laugh.
Yet outside the insular world of comedians, Hicks is largely known to audiences in the form of grainy Nth-generation copies of his stand-up; seen piecemeal like this it’s hard to appreciate his particular brand of genius. And today Hicks, who died of cancer in 1994, isn’t around to prove why he’s worth remembering.
“American: The Bill Hicks Story” is an inventively crafted, if occasionally myopic, look at the comic, making extensive use of those Nth-generation stand-up copies,...
(from the 2010 South by Southwest Film Festival)
Directed/Produced by: Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas
To comics, Bill Hicks was known as “the comedian’s comedian.” A tireless stand-up who got his start as a teenager, sneaking out of his parents’ home to sneak into Houston open-mic nights, Hicks virtually burst out of the gate as a professional, with a fully formed sense of how to make people laugh.
Yet outside the insular world of comedians, Hicks is largely known to audiences in the form of grainy Nth-generation copies of his stand-up; seen piecemeal like this it’s hard to appreciate his particular brand of genius. And today Hicks, who died of cancer in 1994, isn’t around to prove why he’s worth remembering.
“American: The Bill Hicks Story” is an inventively crafted, if occasionally myopic, look at the comic, making extensive use of those Nth-generation stand-up copies,...
- 4/4/2011
- by admin
- Moving Pictures Network
Reviewed by Randee Dawn
(from the 2010 South by Southwest Film Festival)
Directed/Produced by: Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas
To comics, Bill Hicks was known as “the comedian’s comedian.” A tireless stand-up who got his start as a teenager, sneaking out of his parents’ home to sneak into Houston open-mic nights, Hicks virtually burst out of the gate as a professional, with a fully formed sense of how to make people laugh.
Yet outside the insular world of comedians, Hicks is largely known to audiences in the form of grainy Nth-generation copies of his stand-up; seen piecemeal like this it’s hard to appreciate his particular brand of genius. And today Hicks, who died of cancer in 1994, isn’t around to prove why he’s worth remembering.
“American: The Bill Hicks Story” is an inventively crafted, if occasionally myopic, look at the comic, making extensive use of those Nth-generation stand-up copies,...
(from the 2010 South by Southwest Film Festival)
Directed/Produced by: Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas
To comics, Bill Hicks was known as “the comedian’s comedian.” A tireless stand-up who got his start as a teenager, sneaking out of his parents’ home to sneak into Houston open-mic nights, Hicks virtually burst out of the gate as a professional, with a fully formed sense of how to make people laugh.
Yet outside the insular world of comedians, Hicks is largely known to audiences in the form of grainy Nth-generation copies of his stand-up; seen piecemeal like this it’s hard to appreciate his particular brand of genius. And today Hicks, who died of cancer in 1994, isn’t around to prove why he’s worth remembering.
“American: The Bill Hicks Story” is an inventively crafted, if occasionally myopic, look at the comic, making extensive use of those Nth-generation stand-up copies,...
- 4/4/2011
- by admin
- Moving Pictures Magazine
Directors: Matt Harlock, Paul Thomas There is a bloody good reason that this documentary by co-directors Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas is titled American: The Bill Hicks Story. Harlock and Thomas are British BBC veterans -- and we all know how much the Brits love the American comic Bill Hicks. In 2010 he was voted the 4th on the UK's Channel 4's 100 Greatest Stand-Ups; and, though an American, he is certainly not held in the same esteem by most Americans. That is not to say that Hicks did not develop a dedicated cult audience in the U.S., especially after his premature death at the age of 32. (Note: Hicks did not die from drugs, alcohol or cigarettes -- though he certainly indulged enough for death by overindulgence to be a possibility -- he died from pancreatic cancer.) Hicks' dedicated fans claim that he is the most influential comedian since Lenny Bruce; and like Bruce,...
- 4/4/2011
- by Don Simpson
- SmellsLikeScreenSpirit
On June 7, Warner Home Video will release the DVD and Blu-ray of American: The Bill Hicks Story, a biographical documentary on the life — too short life — of controversial comedian/social commentator Bill Hicks, who died of pancreatic cancer in 1994 at the age of 32.
American: The Bill Hicks Story looks at the controversial funnyman's life and career.
Produced and directed for the BBC in 2009 by British filmmakers Paul Thomas and Matt Harlock, American: The Bill Hicks Story notably applies a unique cut-and-paste animation technique to a number of still pictures of Hicks — who once described himself as “Chomsky with dick jokes” — to document his life and career. The film also includes archival footage, as well as interviews with Hicks’ family and friends, including Kevin Booth, an American filmmaker and musician who was one of Hicks’ frequent collaborators.
The movie was well-received at Stateside film festivals and during its run in theaters last year in England,...
American: The Bill Hicks Story looks at the controversial funnyman's life and career.
Produced and directed for the BBC in 2009 by British filmmakers Paul Thomas and Matt Harlock, American: The Bill Hicks Story notably applies a unique cut-and-paste animation technique to a number of still pictures of Hicks — who once described himself as “Chomsky with dick jokes” — to document his life and career. The film also includes archival footage, as well as interviews with Hicks’ family and friends, including Kevin Booth, an American filmmaker and musician who was one of Hicks’ frequent collaborators.
The movie was well-received at Stateside film festivals and during its run in theaters last year in England,...
- 3/24/2011
- by Laurence
- Disc Dish
I have been a fan of Bill Hicks’ unique brand of stand-up comedy for years, preaching the proverbial gospel to those who have yet to experience the man’s genius for themselves. As such, I’ve been closely following Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas’ Hicks-oriented documentary “American: The Bill Hicks Story” for a while now. The film was released theatrically in the UK last year, much to the dismay of North American fans who have been waiting patiently for the picture to arrive in our neck of the woods. That wait, as they say, is over. “American” is set to open in New York on April 8th, with more dates to follow. Needless to say, I’m anxious to see this puppy on the big screen, and I’ve got my fingers crossed that it will play somewhere around here. If you missed the trailer when I covered the flick last year,...
- 3/21/2011
- by Todd Rigney
- Beyond Hollywood
Finally! After hitting UK screens in May of last year, the Us is getting American: The Bill Hicks story! The documentary about the revolutionary and controversial stand-up comedian is opening in New York on April 8th and will spread to other cities in limited release afterward. Directed by Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas, the doc is full of archival footage as well as interviews with family and friends. If you're not familiar with the life and work of Hicks, now is your chance to rectify that grievous wrong and if you're already a fan, rejoice!
- 3/19/2011
- 24framespersecond.net
Finally! After hitting UK screens in May of last year, the Us is getting American: The Bill Hicks story! The documentary about the revolutionary and controversial stand-up comedian is opening in New York on April 8th and will spread to other cities in limited release afterward. Directed by Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas, the doc is full of archival footage as well as interviews with family and friends. If you're not familiar with the life and work of Hicks, now is your chance to rectify that grievous wrong and if you're already a fan, rejoice!
- 3/19/2011
- 24framespersecond.net
Finally! After hitting UK screens in May of last year, the Us is getting American: The Bill Hicks story! The documentary about the revolutionary and controversial stand-up comedian is opening in New York on April 8th and will spread to other cities in limited release afterward. Directed by Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas, the doc is full of archival footage as well as interviews with family and friends. If you're not familiar with the life and work of Hicks, now is your chance to rectify that grievous wrong and if you're already a fan, rejoice!
- 3/19/2011
- 24framespersecond.net
Trailers are an under-appreciated art form insofar that many times they’re seen as vehicles for showing footage, explaining films away, or showing their hand about what moviegoers can expect. Foreign, domestic, independent, big budget: I celebrate all levels of trailers and hopefully this column will satisfactorily give you a baseline of what beta wave I’m operating on, because what better way to hone your skills as a thoughtful moviegoer than by deconstructing these little pieces of advertising? Some of the best authors will tell you that writing a short story is a lot harder than writing a long one, that you have to weigh every sentence. What better medium to see how this theory plays itself out beyond that than with movie trailers? The City Dark Trailer Ian Cheney may have something. I never considered the idea about living where the stars are obscured by the blitz of big city light rushing upwards,...
- 3/19/2011
- by Christopher Stipp
- Slash Film
Just the other day, we got a new U.S. poster for American: The Bill Hicks Story, a really phenomenal documentary following the life of one of comedy’s most iconic figures. It follows his ups and his downs, leading up to his untimely and unfortunate death of pancreatic cancer in 1994.
Read more on American: The Bill Hicks Story trailer lands…...
Read more on American: The Bill Hicks Story trailer lands…...
- 3/15/2011
- by John Mulhern
- GordonandtheWhale
15 years after his death, Bill Hicks is now more popular than ever, and is widely seen as one of the best comedian of the modern era. However, in America, where he challenged institutions and accepted ways of thinking, he suffered censorship and was never truly recognized by a wide audience. In the country which enshrines freedom of speech in its constitution his story is truly about what it means to be an American.
Now Bill.s remarkable story is brought to life in American: The Bill Hicks Story, a feature-length documentary which combines live action with a stunning new animation technique manipulating 1,000s of photographs to uniquely immerse the audiences in his world, which is re-told from the point-of-view of the people who shared it with him.
Visit The Official Site Here Become A Fan On Facebook Here...
Now Bill.s remarkable story is brought to life in American: The Bill Hicks Story, a feature-length documentary which combines live action with a stunning new animation technique manipulating 1,000s of photographs to uniquely immerse the audiences in his world, which is re-told from the point-of-view of the people who shared it with him.
Visit The Official Site Here Become A Fan On Facebook Here...
- 3/15/2011
- by Melissa Howland
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
I've heard bits and pieces of Bill Hicks's comedy over the years and only recently heard another bit as Howard Stern played Hicks's take on Jay Leno (hit play just below the poster to the right for a Nsfw listen). However, I've never heard an entire act. I know I should, what I've heard is excellent and I only hope to get a good dose of his work in the upcoming documentary American: The Bill Hicks Story which hits theaters on April 8.
The trailer for the film has just arrived along with the official synopsis: Seventeen years after his death, Bill Hicks has taken a permanent place in the cultural landscape and is widely recognized as one of the greatest American comedians of the modern era. Described as many things - philosopher, social satirist, even preacher - Hicks was ultimately a performer who, for many, changed what comedy could be.
The trailer for the film has just arrived along with the official synopsis: Seventeen years after his death, Bill Hicks has taken a permanent place in the cultural landscape and is widely recognized as one of the greatest American comedians of the modern era. Described as many things - philosopher, social satirist, even preacher - Hicks was ultimately a performer who, for many, changed what comedy could be.
- 3/14/2011
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
We've just passed the seventeenth anniversary of the death of Bill Hicks, and in memoriam I'd like to present the trailer for American: The Bill Hicks Story. This documentary chronicles the life of one of America's most unlikely comedic stars -- Bill Hicks wasn't so much a stand-up comic as a commentator and cultural critic. He pushed stand-up to the point almost of metaphysical inquiry, but could also rant in a way that would teach even the craziest street-corner preacher a thing or two. Watch the trailer after the break. I wasn't introduced to Bill Hicks until after his death from pancreatic cancer in 1994; I discovered his material through the few officially-released recordings and a great many bootlegs. There's a line that points from Lenny Bruce through Richard Pryor and George Carlin, and right to Bill Hicks. As he became more comfortable on stage his act developed into something that...
- 3/14/2011
- by Russ Fischer
- Slash Film
The documentary format is most commonly used to give the public at large an opportunity to see something that they have not gotten a good look at, be it the machinations of war or to better appreciate the salesmen who would knock on your door and bother you during dinner. With American: The Bill Hicks Story, the goal is to gain a better appreciation for one of the most influential and important stand-up comedians of the last twenty years.
Hicks’ biting satire against the American government and the growing apathetic culture within the United States poured out of him like a broken water valve. At a time when the stand-up comedy boom was on its way down in the late 1980s based on over-saturation of the same sort of comics doing the same sort of jokes, Hicks was a breath of fresh air, launching attacks against the establishment with a...
Hicks’ biting satire against the American government and the growing apathetic culture within the United States poured out of him like a broken water valve. At a time when the stand-up comedy boom was on its way down in the late 1980s based on over-saturation of the same sort of comics doing the same sort of jokes, Hicks was a breath of fresh air, launching attacks against the establishment with a...
- 3/10/2011
- by Mike Anton
- The Film Stage
Comedians have long poked fun at society, religion and politics but few have been as successful (and hilarious) as Bill Hicks.
Hicks, the American comedy legend who criticized everything from single-army wars to marketing executives, skyrocketed fame early in his career—only to have that career cut short at the age of 32.
While his confrontational stand-up has been documented in earlier films, his personal philosophies and battles with the establishment have largely been overlooked—until now.
From the looks of its trailer, "American: The Bill Hicks Story" seems to cover far more ground about the comedian, and to delve far deeper into his life off-stage.
Now, the truth is that the quick one-liners could probably carry this trailer themselves (and the doc is probably worth seeing just to hear them), but for some reason the powers-that-be have peppered the film with 3-D style animation and vibrant CGI backgrounds.
Hicks' story...
Hicks, the American comedy legend who criticized everything from single-army wars to marketing executives, skyrocketed fame early in his career—only to have that career cut short at the age of 32.
While his confrontational stand-up has been documented in earlier films, his personal philosophies and battles with the establishment have largely been overlooked—until now.
From the looks of its trailer, "American: The Bill Hicks Story" seems to cover far more ground about the comedian, and to delve far deeper into his life off-stage.
Now, the truth is that the quick one-liners could probably carry this trailer themselves (and the doc is probably worth seeing just to hear them), but for some reason the powers-that-be have peppered the film with 3-D style animation and vibrant CGI backgrounds.
Hicks' story...
- 3/10/2011
- by Elizabeth Durand
- NextMovie
During his short life, Bill Hicks managed to establish himself as one of the most groundbreaking, angry and flat-out hilarious comedians of his generation. His unique, confrontational stand-up has been well-documented in films like Sane Man and Relentless, but it's great to finally see a documentary like American: The Bill Hicks Story that delves deeper into his life, his philosophy and his battles with the establishment. That said, what's with all of the goofy animation here?...
- 3/10/2011
- Movieline
American: The Bill Hicks Story is a fascinating documentary about a man misunderstood. Sure, he had his ups and downs, but by the end of his life many people had a certain idea about him that wasn’t exactly true. In the film, they clear the air a bit, and truly give him the kind of praise and attention that he deserves.
Read more on American: The Bill Hicks Story gets its release plan…...
Read more on American: The Bill Hicks Story gets its release plan…...
- 1/24/2011
- by John Mulhern
- GordonandtheWhale
Gravitas Ventures and Variance Films are teaming for the theatrical day-and-date release of Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas' award-winning documentary “American: The Bill Hicks Story,” which will open simultaneously in theaters and on VOD on April 8 in New York City. "American" will then expand into 25 theaters across the country throughout April and May, while simultaneously being available in over 100 million homes across North America through leading cable, satellite and online providers. "American" is a photo-animated documentary featuring stand-up footage that is narrated by the 10 people who best knew...
- 1/23/2011
- The Wrap
Filed under: Features, Coming Soon, Cinematical, Best and Worst, Festivals
One of the pleasures of attending a film festival is discovering good movies that most people haven't had a chance to see yet, then raving about them to your friends. One of the frustrations, however, is when those good movies don't make it past the festival stage, and the people to whom you've been raving never get a chance to see them. (I'll go out on a limb and guess that this is more frustrating for the filmmakers than it is for me.)
It would be neither feasible nor advisable to see every movie at every festival, so this list is incomplete. But of the 80 or so festival movies I saw this year, here are 10 praiseworthy ones that have not yet been released in the United States. Keep your fingers crossed for 2011!
'American: The Bill Hicks Story' | This documentary about the subversive,...
One of the pleasures of attending a film festival is discovering good movies that most people haven't had a chance to see yet, then raving about them to your friends. One of the frustrations, however, is when those good movies don't make it past the festival stage, and the people to whom you've been raving never get a chance to see them. (I'll go out on a limb and guess that this is more frustrating for the filmmakers than it is for me.)
It would be neither feasible nor advisable to see every movie at every festival, so this list is incomplete. But of the 80 or so festival movies I saw this year, here are 10 praiseworthy ones that have not yet been released in the United States. Keep your fingers crossed for 2011!
'American: The Bill Hicks Story' | This documentary about the subversive,...
- 12/30/2010
- by Eric D. Snider
- Moviefone
Filed under: Features, Coming Soon, Cinematical, Best and Worst, Festivals
One of the pleasures of attending a film festival is discovering good movies that most people haven't had a chance to see yet, then raving about them to your friends. One of the frustrations, however, is when those good movies don't make it past the festival stage, and the people to whom you've been raving never get a chance to see them. (I'll go out on a limb and guess that this is more frustrating for the filmmakers than it is for me.)
It would be neither feasible nor advisable to see every movie at every festival, so this list is incomplete. But of the 80 or so festival movies I saw this year, here are 10 praiseworthy ones that have not yet been released in the United States. Keep your fingers crossed for 2011!
'American: The Bill Hicks Story' | This documentary about the subversive,...
One of the pleasures of attending a film festival is discovering good movies that most people haven't had a chance to see yet, then raving about them to your friends. One of the frustrations, however, is when those good movies don't make it past the festival stage, and the people to whom you've been raving never get a chance to see them. (I'll go out on a limb and guess that this is more frustrating for the filmmakers than it is for me.)
It would be neither feasible nor advisable to see every movie at every festival, so this list is incomplete. But of the 80 or so festival movies I saw this year, here are 10 praiseworthy ones that have not yet been released in the United States. Keep your fingers crossed for 2011!
'American: The Bill Hicks Story' | This documentary about the subversive,...
- 12/30/2010
- by Eric D. Snider
- Cinematical
Welcome to the last Underground Film Links post of 2010. I started this feature this year and it quickly became one of the most popular destinations on the site. Keep those great links coming in 2011!
Squeaking in under the wire, Wreck and Salvage’s Aaron Valdez comes up with the quote of the year, perhaps the quote of the century: “Who the f*** is Stan Brakhage compared to Charlie Chainsaw?” I’ve long felt the same thing, but have failed to put it quite so eloquently. Just to be clear: I am 100% absolutely not kidding. A big, special Bad Lit congrats to Andrea Grover, the new curator at the Parrish Art Museum in Sag Harbor, NY! I totally screwed up and forgot to post the news earlier that the always incredibly awesome Ata Film & Video Festival in San Francisco had a special touring program screen all the way over in Hong Kong earlier this month.
Squeaking in under the wire, Wreck and Salvage’s Aaron Valdez comes up with the quote of the year, perhaps the quote of the century: “Who the f*** is Stan Brakhage compared to Charlie Chainsaw?” I’ve long felt the same thing, but have failed to put it quite so eloquently. Just to be clear: I am 100% absolutely not kidding. A big, special Bad Lit congrats to Andrea Grover, the new curator at the Parrish Art Museum in Sag Harbor, NY! I totally screwed up and forgot to post the news earlier that the always incredibly awesome Ata Film & Video Festival in San Francisco had a special touring program screen all the way over in Hong Kong earlier this month.
- 12/26/2010
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
Initially, I could only think of a few real stand-out films of this last year, until I trawled through the UK release list for 2010 and found myself with a long list of twenty-three films, which by my reckoning means that on average, there’s been a great film in cinemas just less than once a fortnight, which seems pretty good going to me.
Here then, are my top ten followed by, in no particular order, a list of thirteen honourable mentions.
1. Bad Lieutenant
When Nicolas Cage met Werner Herzog the result was this bizarre and exciting film, which lit a firework under the arse of the crime genre and ran off giggling manically.
2. Inception
Christopher Nolan delivered yet another cinematic tour de force with this visually rich and debate-starting spectacle.
3. The Secret in Their Eyes
Winner of last year’s Oscar for best foreign feature, this slow-burning, generation-spanning whodunit was captivating and moving.
Here then, are my top ten followed by, in no particular order, a list of thirteen honourable mentions.
1. Bad Lieutenant
When Nicolas Cage met Werner Herzog the result was this bizarre and exciting film, which lit a firework under the arse of the crime genre and ran off giggling manically.
2. Inception
Christopher Nolan delivered yet another cinematic tour de force with this visually rich and debate-starting spectacle.
3. The Secret in Their Eyes
Winner of last year’s Oscar for best foreign feature, this slow-burning, generation-spanning whodunit was captivating and moving.
- 12/20/2010
- by Jack Kirby
- Nerdly
0:00 - Intro / Jay's Trip to Denmark 14:00 - Headlines: Darren Aronofsky to Direct The Wolverine, Jim Carrey Says The Three Stooges are Dead, The Muppets Casting, Best Animated Feature Shortlist 29:20 - Review: Unstoppable 58:55 - Review: Four Lions 1:17:42 - Trailer Trash: Battle: Los Angeles, Green Lantern Preview 1:28:35 - Other Stuff We Watched: Conan, Somewhere, Waste Land, Ride, Rise, Roar, Happy People: A Year in the Taiga, Separado!, American: The Bill Hicks Story, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest, Martin Lawrence: You So Crazy, Harry Potter, Man on Fire, Deja Vu, The Crazies 2:16:12 - Junk Mail: Christmas Glory Hole, Espn 30 for 30, Arnold's Comeback, Podcasts / Joe Rogan / Bryce Dallas Howard, Galaxy Quest 2:30:20 - This Week's DVD Releases 2:34:00 - Outro » Download the MP3 (72 Mb) [1] » View the show notes [2] » Vote for us on Podcast Alley! [3] » Rate us on iTunes!
- 11/16/2010
- by Sean
- FilmJunk
The Cinema Eye Honors, devoted to highlighting the best of the year's nonfiction films, have flipped for Lixin Fan's fantastic "Last Train Home," which follows a family of migrant workers as they struggle to stay connected while living separated by hundreds of miles. "Last Train Home" received the most nominations -- seven -- while Banksy's "Exit Through The Gift Shop" and Afghanistan documentary "Armadillo" each received six. The award ceremony will take place on January 18 at the Museum of the Moving Image in New York, and will be broadcast on the Documentary Channel.
Nonfiction Feature Filmmaking
Armadilllo
Directed by Janus Metz
Produced by Sara Stockmann and Ronnie Fridthjof
Exit Through The Gift Shop
Directed by Banksy
Produced by Jaimie D'Cruz
Last Train Home
Directed by Lixin Fan
Produced by Mila Aung-Thwin and Daniel Cross
Marwencol
Directed by Jeff Malmberg
Produced by Jeff Malmberg, Tom Putnam, Matt Radecki, Chris Shellen...
Nonfiction Feature Filmmaking
Armadilllo
Directed by Janus Metz
Produced by Sara Stockmann and Ronnie Fridthjof
Exit Through The Gift Shop
Directed by Banksy
Produced by Jaimie D'Cruz
Last Train Home
Directed by Lixin Fan
Produced by Mila Aung-Thwin and Daniel Cross
Marwencol
Directed by Jeff Malmberg
Produced by Jeff Malmberg, Tom Putnam, Matt Radecki, Chris Shellen...
- 11/5/2010
- by Alison Willmore
- ifc.com
Bill Hicks is my hero — it’s as simple as that. However, as much as I appreciate the man’s comedy, I am woefully ignorant of him as a person. Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas’ “American: The Bill Hicks Story” will hopefully correct this problem next May, when the acclaimed documentary arrives on North American DVD. If you currently reside in the UK, the film is already available for mass consumption. For more information on the feature and the genius that was the late Bill Hicks, stop by the official website. In the meantime, check out the trailer. function getVideo() { var so = new SWFObject("http://cdn.springboard.gorillanation.com/storage/xplayer/yo033.swf", "mplayer", "590", "375", "8", "#000000"); so.addParam("wmode","transparent"); so.addParam("swliveconnect", "true"); so.addParam("allowscriptaccess", "always"); so.addParam("allowfullscreen", "true"); so.addVariable("pid", "byhw013"); so.addVariable("siteId", "243"); so.addVariable("videoId", "213381"); so.addVariable("autostart", "false"); so.addVariable("file", "http://cms.springboard.
- 11/1/2010
- by Todd Rigney
- Beyond Hollywood
Arizona Bay, Relentless, Counts of the Netherworld, Rant in E Minor, Dangerous – if you’re smiling now, it’s because you already know who Bill Hicks is, and how powerful and influential his comedy was, and is.
Commanding respect from audiences and fellow comedians Hicks’s philosophy and extremely funny stand up routines were inspirational, freeing and hilarious experiences, and no-one has done it better since his death in 1994 at the ridiculously young age of 32.
Telling the story of the life of Hicks has been attempted many times, with Agent of Evolution (written by his friend Kevin Booth) doing it best, intermingling the words of Hicks with those of the people who knew him best. Along with a collection of his stand up routines, Love All the People, the picture which forms is of a man doing what he loved, without any scent of an egotistical agenda, and doing it to encourage people to engage,...
Commanding respect from audiences and fellow comedians Hicks’s philosophy and extremely funny stand up routines were inspirational, freeing and hilarious experiences, and no-one has done it better since his death in 1994 at the ridiculously young age of 32.
Telling the story of the life of Hicks has been attempted many times, with Agent of Evolution (written by his friend Kevin Booth) doing it best, intermingling the words of Hicks with those of the people who knew him best. Along with a collection of his stand up routines, Love All the People, the picture which forms is of a man doing what he loved, without any scent of an egotistical agenda, and doing it to encourage people to engage,...
- 10/4/2010
- by Jon Lyus
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Bill Hicks’ life and career was cruelly cut short by cancer at the age of thirty-two. Since 1994, the year of his death, the man’s standing has rocketed from world-class comedian to almost mythic status. Some argue he was a prophet. Please note he died the same age as Jesus of Nazareth. Hicks thought of himself more as “Chomsky with dick jokes”.
Matthew Harlock and Paul Thomas’ energetic documentary incorporates pain-staking animation and took the film-makers almost three years to complete. More of a celebration than a warts-and-all character study it shines as a brilliant memorial to a completely unique talent.
This two disc DVD release (also on blu-ray) boasts over five hours of additional footage. Everything but the kitchen sink – and then the kitchen sink! American: The Bill Hicks Story offers something for those who idolise him and newcomers. There’s plenty of scenes, too, of the comedian’s...
Matthew Harlock and Paul Thomas’ energetic documentary incorporates pain-staking animation and took the film-makers almost three years to complete. More of a celebration than a warts-and-all character study it shines as a brilliant memorial to a completely unique talent.
This two disc DVD release (also on blu-ray) boasts over five hours of additional footage. Everything but the kitchen sink – and then the kitchen sink! American: The Bill Hicks Story offers something for those who idolise him and newcomers. There’s plenty of scenes, too, of the comedian’s...
- 9/26/2010
- by Martyn Conterio
- FilmShaft.com
The short film Yellow Plastic Raygun directed by Alessandro Cima, which was featured on Bad Lit just a few weeks ago, has won the Best Experimental film award at the Downtown Film Fest Los Angeles that ran Sept. 8-12.
I believe this was the second year for the festival, which was created by the former organizers of the defunct Silver Lake Film Festival in an effort to help promote the formerly neglected, but now popular downtown neighborhood of L.A.
Yellow Plastic Raygun is a mix of found and original footage that creates a retro-futuristic tale of society crumbling. The film also ends with creative shots of the World Trade Center that Cima filmed himself several years ago prior to 9/11. You can watch the film on Bad Lit here.
Another winner of the Dffla include the Matt Harlock and Bill Thomas’ documentary American: The Bill Hicks Story, which also screened Australia twice recently,...
I believe this was the second year for the festival, which was created by the former organizers of the defunct Silver Lake Film Festival in an effort to help promote the formerly neglected, but now popular downtown neighborhood of L.A.
Yellow Plastic Raygun is a mix of found and original footage that creates a retro-futuristic tale of society crumbling. The film also ends with creative shots of the World Trade Center that Cima filmed himself several years ago prior to 9/11. You can watch the film on Bad Lit here.
Another winner of the Dffla include the Matt Harlock and Bill Thomas’ documentary American: The Bill Hicks Story, which also screened Australia twice recently,...
- 9/17/2010
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
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