I'm a big documentary fan. If I feel I'm learning something from a movie, I'll sit still and take notes. Give me a good retrospective on electronic music and I'll be happy for the next two hours. Just not so many talking heads. I'm not reviewing the documentary on Kraftwerk because there were too many damn interviews.
Which brings us to Not Quite Hollywood. Now here is the right way to make a film about film. First, pick an interesting subject matter (exploitation films in the 70's) that hasn't been beat to death (Australia). Show some mainstream interest (George Miller) and match it with cool animation. Add tons of film clips, mix with amusing, but short, interviews. Spin for two hours. Presto! You have a great documentary.
Featuring (but not too many) cameos by American cinema stars, NQH, tells the story of Australian Drive-In cinema. Seems the land down under had it's own Drive-In culture at the same time we had one in the states. With screens desperate for movies which would appeal to their car culture, it didn't take the Aussies long to start making their own. Most of the best would make their way to the US, even if they ended up as one week wonders or in video stores. Mad Max, which was dubbed into American English, was one of the rare Oz flicks to get a big release in the states.
What makes this movie a must-see is the producer's love for his subject matter. There are countless interviews with the stars and directors of the films from this era. Turkey Shoot, which I saw in the early 80's under a different title in the States, is one of the films featured. Even if most of the actors felt the producers had gambled away the production money, you can easily tell they had a great time doing the movie.
Many of the films examined have faded into the past. I recall seeing Alvin Purple in countless video stores twenty years ago, but never bothered to watch it. I did see The Man From Hong Kong in a theater in 1976, but wasn't impressed. Chain Reaction I remember from a cable viewing, and it was quite good.
Do see this movie if you have the opportunity.
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