Full Tilt Boogie

I just purchased the Collector's Edition of "From Dusk Till Dawn" about a week ago, and last night finally got around to viewing the "Full Tilt Boogie" documentary, which details the making of the project from conception to post-production. Star/writer Quentin Tarantino, director Robert Rodriguez, stars George Clooney and Harvey Keitel and producer Lawrence Bender all give their insight into the making of one of the '90s' most "cult"-heavy flicks.

Personally I'm not a huge fan of the movie, I think it's good because it's unique - something that doesn't really come out of Hollywood very often: a movie where you don't know what is going to happen next, and when you think you do...you're wrong.

It's a thriller in the vein of "Pulp Fiction" that suddenly shifts into comedy, then into slapstick, then back into crime thriller, then into horror, then into comedy... it never stops and really is an original film.

The documentary details the making of the film and opens at a comic book convention (Fangoria) where Rodriguez and Tarantino are being interviewed about their upcoming project.

From then it starts back at the beginning and goes through the entire process.

It's not a great documentary but it is a good one with insightful interviews and a comprehensive scope. I don't really think the film as a whole warrants any kind of "classic" treatment - the DVD is worthy of a finer picture some might say - but considering some of the awful five-minute HBO making-ofs that are on TV all the time nowadays, "Full Tilt Boogie" is a return to form.

When Sarah Kelly asked Quentin Tarantino for a project, he gave her an opportunity to document the making of "From Dusk Till Dawn" the South of the Border-Vampire flick in which he starred with George Clooney, directed by his pal Robert Rodriguez.

What we get is a frank, behind the scenes, none of that prepackaged, smooth-edged stuff you see in the press packs, or on ET.

Pace yourself. For in today's world of sound and media bytes, 97 minutes may seem an eternity, but this is a well- paced, fun from start to finish feature. And don't look for Harvey Keitel, he's camera-shy when it comes to these things.

This film comes included with the From Dusk Till Dawn Collectors Series DVD and it is quite a find. This isn't just about how someone did this or blah blah blah did that, this film is a real tribute to the entire crew of the film and the comradry that forms between them all on the set as well as off it. The film is basically a journey through the production of From Dusk Till Dawn from problems with the unions to sandstorms and burning sets to dealing with George and Quintin on set, which I might add, make one crazy pair (God I love that opening scene). Will you learn anything important about film-making? I'd say it's hard not to walk away from this a little more knowledgeable about the sheer heart and determination put in by people who's names you'd probably never give a second glance to but they deserve more than just a crawl by mention in the end credits and that's what this film gives them. So if you liked From Dusk Till Dawn... that doesn't necessarily mean you'll like this, BUT if you like going behind the scenes and hanging out with a film crew as they get drunk by a pool, I say you can't do any better than to go for the Full Tilt Boogie.

On the surface a documentary about the making of From Dusk Till Dawn, 'Full Tilt Boogie' is a frank, revealing, and ultimately informative look at independent filmmaking in today's Hollywood. Be warned, however, that if you're expecting yet another neat, polished "making of" documentary, you'll likely be disappointed. `Full Tilt Boogie' has none of the glitz or big budget finish, none of the behind the scenes looks at special visual and makeup effects. While it still delivers the obligatory interviews with cast and crew members, this is largely a film about the unsung heroes behind the actors, directors, and SFX maestros, about the legions of everyday men and women who help bring the movies to life. While this unorthodox approach to the `making of' documentary may not be to everyone's liking, (it's 90-plus minute running time especially may try the patience of the average viewer) `Full Tilt Boogie' is a must for any student of filmmaking, or anyone who has ever considered a career in the industry

Well, not physically in it, but I'm there in spirit. The brief clip they show of Tarantino and Robert R. at the 1995 Fangoria Convention was the part where I should have been seen in. I was in the front row to the right of the stage, just outta camera range dangit!

But I digress, this is an amusing trifle of a movie. It's a documentary about the making of the flick From Dust Till Dawn. It has some amusing bits like the opening scene with Tarantino and Clooney doing a badass walk to the movie set and being besieged by fans. I also liked the brief interview with my fave blaxploitation movie star, Fred Williamson. But to be honest this film has a pretty thin premise. To be brutally honest this film is based on a thinner premise than a movie based on a Saturday Night Live sketch. Ouch!

The filmmakers needed to take a few tips from the makers of Truth Or Dare on how to liven up a documentary. Later once again alligator...