You know how movies get those critic's one-word comments/quotes and they're splashed on the poster or DVD cover? Here's my SHORT list for Tarnation.
Real. Raw. Gritty. Gripping. Shocking. Amazing. Psychedelic. Original. Perfect. Masterpiece.
Again, this is a SHORT list on the emotions I had for this excellent film.
I've seen dozens upon dozens of documentaries. Never, EVER, before have I've seen one about someone's life that I experienced their entire life from before birth to present day. Everything, everything, all in 90 minutes. I seriously felt, I had the beginning, middle, nowadays and even way before he was even a glimmer in his father's eye.
Obviously, there's a lot of details/events left out. But, I truly felt I got the full story leading up to his current position. And the multiple reasons why.
The film begins in the present tense, with filmmaker/creator (Jonathan Caouette) of Tarnation worried about his mother's condition on the phone. He's in NYC and she's out of town. The movie moves to many scenes/words of the grandparents of Caouette and the birth and almost immediate downfall of his mother with the abuse the parents gave her. Watch the movie to see how much unfortunate terror she experienced.
Most of the excellently edited documentary shows the rise and life of Caouette and his relationships and love for his very disturbed mother. In addition, his concern of becoming like her.
Here's my official opinion of the film: It is the best documentary I've ever seen. And it's due to me getting to know all the real characters in real situations with real reactions. You will see multi-generations and what people can/probably will become. It is shown in a literal kaleidoscope of screen action that's pleasing and interesting; enough to move you from scene one to the end. You will see a true drama-(queen)-star, a product of his ancestors (the ones you see, that is) who will remind you of that horrid "Britney Spears You Tube" yet becomes real enough for you to side with him.
You will also get to see what he grew up with – 1980 and 1990s musical/movie/TV references. In addition, this movie had an excellent soundtrack and score – both mostly original music made for the movie. It's depressing, interesting and uplifting all at the same time. Though it's part Party Monster and even though that's based on true events, this one feels 1000% true and real, above that Culkin feature.
I would HIGHLY recommend this movie. In fact, I have to rethink my top 20 or 10 movies of all time list to include this. If you are a parent you will solely rethink some of the decisions you will make for your descendants after watching this. Even the small, seemingly remote actions can have enormous future consequences. Also, any psychologist would have a field day with this feature. There has to be dozens of issues just in these 90 minutes that could be studied for better research. This movie will open your mind to the absolute WHY things are the way they are in today's time and why people act the way they do.
Side Note: This movie was an absolute fluke for me. Sure, I've heard it about it, years ago. But today, after work, 35 days following Christmas 2009, I was buying something at a neighboring store and saw a Blockbuster Video – a place I used to frequent with great interest – weekly, but not within the past year or so. I had previously received a Christmas gift ($10 Blockbuster gift card) from my supervisor, paid out of his own pocket. I decided to go in and see what to spend it on. Since I am a member of Netflix, I had no interest in renting. So after a complete (and almost 1 hour) scan of the joint, I settled on 4 bargain DVDs (The Order, Tarnation, Cowboys & Angels, Evil) and they all fit (get this) within that $10 gift card. (3 @ $1.99 and 1 @ $3.99.) Believe it or not, Tarnation was one of the $1.99 films. Who (or especially me, or my boss who purchased the card) would ever know this would be one of my all-time favorite films.
Lesson: don't ever give up on independent films you "happen to stumble upon" in video or book stores or online. They are the ones with the most heart. The ones that don't care about box-office. The ones that care about art; about creativity. I'm glad I found this, without ever having seen it before, and I truly feel I am stealing from Caouette for just paying $1.99. Okay, okay, I'll send him an email thanks. And you will do the same.
Real. Raw. Gritty. Gripping. Shocking. Amazing. Psychedelic. Original. Perfect. Masterpiece.
Again, this is a SHORT list on the emotions I had for this excellent film.
I've seen dozens upon dozens of documentaries. Never, EVER, before have I've seen one about someone's life that I experienced their entire life from before birth to present day. Everything, everything, all in 90 minutes. I seriously felt, I had the beginning, middle, nowadays and even way before he was even a glimmer in his father's eye.
Obviously, there's a lot of details/events left out. But, I truly felt I got the full story leading up to his current position. And the multiple reasons why.
The film begins in the present tense, with filmmaker/creator (Jonathan Caouette) of Tarnation worried about his mother's condition on the phone. He's in NYC and she's out of town. The movie moves to many scenes/words of the grandparents of Caouette and the birth and almost immediate downfall of his mother with the abuse the parents gave her. Watch the movie to see how much unfortunate terror she experienced.
Most of the excellently edited documentary shows the rise and life of Caouette and his relationships and love for his very disturbed mother. In addition, his concern of becoming like her.
Here's my official opinion of the film: It is the best documentary I've ever seen. And it's due to me getting to know all the real characters in real situations with real reactions. You will see multi-generations and what people can/probably will become. It is shown in a literal kaleidoscope of screen action that's pleasing and interesting; enough to move you from scene one to the end. You will see a true drama-(queen)-star, a product of his ancestors (the ones you see, that is) who will remind you of that horrid "Britney Spears You Tube" yet becomes real enough for you to side with him.
You will also get to see what he grew up with – 1980 and 1990s musical/movie/TV references. In addition, this movie had an excellent soundtrack and score – both mostly original music made for the movie. It's depressing, interesting and uplifting all at the same time. Though it's part Party Monster and even though that's based on true events, this one feels 1000% true and real, above that Culkin feature.
I would HIGHLY recommend this movie. In fact, I have to rethink my top 20 or 10 movies of all time list to include this. If you are a parent you will solely rethink some of the decisions you will make for your descendants after watching this. Even the small, seemingly remote actions can have enormous future consequences. Also, any psychologist would have a field day with this feature. There has to be dozens of issues just in these 90 minutes that could be studied for better research. This movie will open your mind to the absolute WHY things are the way they are in today's time and why people act the way they do.
Side Note: This movie was an absolute fluke for me. Sure, I've heard it about it, years ago. But today, after work, 35 days following Christmas 2009, I was buying something at a neighboring store and saw a Blockbuster Video – a place I used to frequent with great interest – weekly, but not within the past year or so. I had previously received a Christmas gift ($10 Blockbuster gift card) from my supervisor, paid out of his own pocket. I decided to go in and see what to spend it on. Since I am a member of Netflix, I had no interest in renting. So after a complete (and almost 1 hour) scan of the joint, I settled on 4 bargain DVDs (The Order, Tarnation, Cowboys & Angels, Evil) and they all fit (get this) within that $10 gift card. (3 @ $1.99 and 1 @ $3.99.) Believe it or not, Tarnation was one of the $1.99 films. Who (or especially me, or my boss who purchased the card) would ever know this would be one of my all-time favorite films.
Lesson: don't ever give up on independent films you "happen to stumble upon" in video or book stores or online. They are the ones with the most heart. The ones that don't care about box-office. The ones that care about art; about creativity. I'm glad I found this, without ever having seen it before, and I truly feel I am stealing from Caouette for just paying $1.99. Okay, okay, I'll send him an email thanks. And you will do the same.