Full Tilt Boogie

"Full Tilt Boogie" does not provide any great insight into the making of "From Dusk 'Til Dawn", nor does it really glimpse in depth into the world of Quentin Tarantino or Robert Rodriguez. It does, however, showcase how calm & humble George Clooney remains in a karaoke bar despite being hounded by women and hangers-on. The film serves more as an episodic confessional for a non-union film crew; explaining how they feel about their work (few consider themselves in a creative light, they are all unabashedly in it "for the money"), why they're in the film business (money or avoidance of the 9-to-5 routine), the best perks available (free beer, getting to watch movie stars eat), and how the crew spends their time off (getting "sloppy drunk" & playing a lot of guitar). There's a minor story involving union protests over the use of non-union crew members, but it unfolds without any real interest. Rodriguez & Tarantino give a brief interview where they share some funny thoughts on the work of Stephen King, there are also short moments with Clooney, as well as a playful Juliette Lewis; and Harvey Keitel gives a brief, bizarre and distant interview to Tarantino towards the end of the documentary (sorry fellas, no Salma to be found here).

I enjoyed "Full Tilt Boogie" because I got to know what it's like to work on a film set, albeit not on the set of "From Dusk 'Til Dawn". But ultimately, the film didn't really end up telling me much about the people featured in it. And it didn't follow up on some items. For example, they didn't reveal who won the "Best Butt" contest? Oh well, I guess this film is for the hardcore fans.

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

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.

This is a really good and informative feature length documentary on the making of From Dusk Till Dawn. It covers most aspects of the film making process...Interviews with all of the cast and crew, following them around during filming and off hours from start to finish. Having to deal with issues like unions, paparazzi, weather, long hours, and unexpected fires...yet they all seem to love what they're doing.

*** (Out of 4)

The idea of watching a documentary about the making of From Dusk Till Dawn that's almost as long as From Dusk Till Dawn was intriguing, and I'd say that for about an hour, it was really good. It wore out its welcome after a while, though, and I got a bit tired of how it rambled on throughout the final half-hour or so. It might not help that it starts in such a ridiculous and fun way, and then doesn't quite keep that level of energy up. It also ignores certain people involved with the movie in a way that felt a bit odd, and there's also not much consistency in what it chooses to go in-depth on. Some parts are super interesting, while other parts of the documentary prove repetitive.

It's an odd beast of a making-of-documentary. A lot of it's close to very good, but other parts wore me down a bit.