And that's what it is, it's an intellectual analysis of a film, so if that doesn't sound interesting to you then you wont like it.
Indeed, it appears many reviewers have totally missed that point. The documentary doesn't spoon feed the audience clear-cut answers, or claim some kind of ultimate meaning, it's simply an observation on a great film which achieves two aims.
1. It opens up our minds to engaging symbolisms and metaphors which are thought provoking and penetrating.
2. It teaches us how to look at films. Literally, it's an exercise in Film Studies.
For these reasons this documentary was never going to be popular. It's just a shame that people have got so used to the fast-food documentary style that a visual seminar, intellectually rich as it is, is so lost on the majority.
That said, I'll give it to you, The Shining, the film to which this movie relates, was actually full of continuity errors and it seems likely that some of the views presented in this documentary make meaningful connections out of nothing. But that in itself is interesting as it shows the human minds need to create cohesion and meaning out of disorder.
The film does not claim objectivity, it's intended to make you think. But beyond this there are certainly some very intriguing views here and I think many of today's directors who churn out meaningless films for millions of dollars (here's looking at you Boone) would do well to learn from this documentary. Both in terms of what a good film is, and also in how to be brave and original in your style, despite the risk of not being popular, just like Rodney Ascher has done here.
If you like participating in your viewing then you may well enjoy this one.
Indeed, it appears many reviewers have totally missed that point. The documentary doesn't spoon feed the audience clear-cut answers, or claim some kind of ultimate meaning, it's simply an observation on a great film which achieves two aims.
1. It opens up our minds to engaging symbolisms and metaphors which are thought provoking and penetrating.
2. It teaches us how to look at films. Literally, it's an exercise in Film Studies.
For these reasons this documentary was never going to be popular. It's just a shame that people have got so used to the fast-food documentary style that a visual seminar, intellectually rich as it is, is so lost on the majority.
That said, I'll give it to you, The Shining, the film to which this movie relates, was actually full of continuity errors and it seems likely that some of the views presented in this documentary make meaningful connections out of nothing. But that in itself is interesting as it shows the human minds need to create cohesion and meaning out of disorder.
The film does not claim objectivity, it's intended to make you think. But beyond this there are certainly some very intriguing views here and I think many of today's directors who churn out meaningless films for millions of dollars (here's looking at you Boone) would do well to learn from this documentary. Both in terms of what a good film is, and also in how to be brave and original in your style, despite the risk of not being popular, just like Rodney Ascher has done here.
If you like participating in your viewing then you may well enjoy this one.