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poster for "American Movie" - two white men with long brown hair (Mark Borchardt and Mike Schank) stand facing the camera. Review from Siskel and Ebert says "Terrific! Funny! Inspiring! Two Very Big Thumbs Up!" Text reads: Winner Grand Jury Prize Sundance Film Festival

Hidden GemAha! What a treasure you found. This is a hidden gem: a well-loved recommendation off the beaten path. You should be proud of yourself.

American Movie

Recommended by: Jen Howell

Release Year: 1999

Runtime: 104 min

Genres: Documentary

The Pitch: An ode to indie filmmakers everywhere, "American Movie" follows Mark Borchardt on a journey to finish his horror movie "Coven", so he can make enough money to produce his other film, "Northwestern." A very funny, often poignant picture of Wisconsin in the late 90s and what artists at any level go through to realize their dreams.

Ratings

Funny: Hilarious

Scary: Not Scary

Sadness: Somewhat Morose

Pacing: Moderate

More from Jen Howell

Criterion collection movie cover for "Design for Living" a film by Ernst Lubitsch. Fredric March, Gary Cooper, and Miriam Hopkins lie on the floor, smiling up at the camera, wearing formal clothes. The men are in tuxes with white ties, Miriam Hopkins in a white sparkly dress. The photo is black and white. Their heads are together as they lie facing different directions.

Design For Living

Poster for movie "Xanadu" - Olivia Newton-John's face with blond hair blown back in front of a futuristic-looking set of silver columns.

Xanadu

Poster for the movie "Ninotchka" with tagline "Garbo laughs." Illustration of Greta Garbo in formal yellow dress, with a mirror image of her off to the side shaded in blue with her eyes closed, looking romantic.

Ninotchka

Two men embrace next to a railing at the seaside with a lighthouse in the far background. Poster for the movie "Spoiler Alert."

Spoiler Alert

Drop a message right here.

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