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The 1999 Sundance Film Festival breakout documentary American Movie has been released in 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray format in celebration of its 25th anniversary. After taking home the Grand Jury Documentary Prize during its initial screening at the annual festival, the movie has become a celebrated cult favorite.

Officially available as of today, October 15th, the disc is presented in 4K resolution with Dolby Vision and includes director and cast commentary and deleted scenes. It also contains a cut of Coven, the short film that was developed by Mark Borchardt, the eccentric subject of the documentary. Order a copy here.

The thoughtful, intense documentary focuses on Borchardt and his obsession with making movies — despite living in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, and operating on zero budget. Filmed over a stretch of two years, the heartfelt and thought-provoking project is a moving portrait of human ambition in the face of difficulties and vices.

Borchardt...

Mike Schank, a musician best known for his appearance in the cult favorite documentary film American Movie, has died. He was 53. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Schank passed away on Thursday, October 13. His close friend, Jackie Bogenberger, revealed that Schank had been battling cancer in recent months. A celebration of life is set to be held on November 12 at the Milwaukee Alano Club, where Schank volunteered for two decades. Schank was close friends with independent filmmaker Mark Borchardt and helped Borchardt make the 1997 short horror film Coven. He later appeared in the 1999 documentary film about the making of Coven, which showed him acting in and assisting with the production, as well as providing music for the movie. The documentary was a critical success, winning the Sundance Film Festival’s Grand Jury Prize for Documentary in 1999. Schank, in particular, received much praise for his part in the feature. The Boston Globe...

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Musician Mike Schank, best known for his good guy role in the award-winning documentary film American Movie, has died. He was 53.

Schank’s close friend Jackie Bogenberger said he had been battling cancer in recent months and died Thursday.

American Movie won best documentary at the Sundance Film Festival and became a cult favorite over the years. The 1999 film chronicled the making of the horror short Coven by independent filmmaker Mark Borchardt, with Schank — Borchardt’s best friend — shown in the film supporting Borchardt’s filmmaking dream through various challenges.

Schank’s deadpan humor and quiet sweetness in Movie — including his honesty about his struggles with alcoholism and gambling addiction — made him a beloved, unforgettable figure. He hilariously provided a bloodcurdling scream for Coven and also composed its music. The 1999’s documentary’s success led to several opportunities, including a role in the...

Mike Schank, a musician who was featured prominently in American Movie, the cult 1999 documentary that won a big prize at the Sundance Film Festival, has died. He was 53.

His close friend, Jackie Bogenberger, told the Associated Press that Schank died October 13 after a months-long battle with cancer. Several big-name actors and filmmaker mourned Schank on social media; read a sampling below.

Director Chris Smith’s American Movie premiered at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival and won the Grand Jury Prize — the first of several festival and critics’ awards and nominations it would glean. It centered on aspiring filmmaker Mark Borchardt’s attempts to finance his dream project by completing Coven, the low-budget horror short film he’d abandoned years before. Schank co-starred as his best friend since childhood, a guitarist and recovering substance abuser who was among the most reliable members of Borchardt’s crew.

He also provided a much-lauded scream...

When Mike Schank, the unlikely co-star of the cult favorite documentary American Movie, passed away, memorials flooded their way across social media in his honor. Mark Duplass, Taika Waititi, and Edgar Wright were among the many who offered tributes to Schank, with most lauding him as a shining example of what it means to be a true friend. If you’ve seen American Movie, you probably know: Schank was a pivotal and consistent system of support for filmmaker Mark Borchardt throughout the production of his microbudget horror film Coven. As Duplass tweeted in memoriam, one only needed to watch Schank in American Movie to “learn how to be a good friend”.

Mike Schank, the lovable sidekick to Mark Borchardt’s aspiring filmmaker in the 1999 cult classic documentary American Movie, has died. He was 56.

As reported by the Milwaukee Record–Schank and Borchardt were both good ol’ Wisconsin boys–Mike Schank “passed away early this morning [Thursday] in his mother’s arms.”

Although credited as Friend/Musician in American Movie, Mike Schank was an immediate audience favorite, stealing every scene in the movie with his nonchalant delivery, curious perspectives and hellish scream.

Earlier this year, Mike Schank tweeted on the anniversary of his sobriety:

August 3rd was my 27 years clean and sober birthday

— Mike Schank (@schank_mike) August 7, 2022

In American Movie, Mike Schank cathartically reflected on his past abuse. “When you play the lottery, sometimes you win and sometimes you lose… But it better than using drugs or alcohol – Because when you use drugs and alcohol, especially drugs, you always lose.”

Mark Borchardt tweeted,...

Mike Schank, the unlikely star of the cult 1999 documentary American Movie — about two Wisconsin friends making an ultra-low budget horror film — has died at the age of 56.

Schank’s friend Jackie Bogenberger told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel that he had been battling a “super rare” form of cancer in recent months. “It spread quickly everywhere throughout his body in a matter of weeks, touching almost everything except his brain,” Bogenberger said. “He did some chemo and radiation. One of the last things Mike said to me was, ‘Hey Jackie, I feel...

Mike Schank, guitarist, actor, friend and beloved subject of the 1999 documentary “American Movie,” died on Thursday morning, according to the Milwaukee Record. He was 56.

The exceedingly gifted screamer was a highlight from the cult classic directed by Chris Smith.

The film followed Wisconsin director Mark Borchardt as he attempted to film his fraught horror movie “Coven.” With a crew made up of friends and family members, just about every part of the production process fell apart, except for Schank, who was always there for his friend. Schank appeared as an extra, assistant, edit bay buddy and epic storyteller.

Schank was also a guitarist and even recorded music for the soundtrack to the documentary. Besides acting in “Coven,” he would also appear in the 2001 film “Storytelling,” the 2014 pic “Hamlet A.D.D.” and cameo as himself on an episode of “Family Guy.”

“American Movie” won the grand jury prize for documentary at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival.

Mike Schank, a tremendously gifted guitarist who gained millions of admirers as the preternaturally unfazed friend of passionate low-budget filmmaker Mike Borchardt in Chris Smith's documentary "American Movie," has died at the age of 56.

Smith's film took art houses by storm in 1999, and its enthusiastic reception came freighted with more than a tinge of guilt. Schank and Borchardt were Milwaukee eccentrics trying to complete a handmade horror movie. I vividly remember watching the documentary at New York City's Film Forum and wincing at the uproarious laughter generated by Borchardt's pained direction of his elderly Uncle Bill (whose financial investment is the only reason he's anywhere close to completing the shoot). It was, undeniably, funny. But anyone who's ever tried to muscle through an underfunded shoot had to identify with Borchardt's frantic direction. He knew what he needed, and he fervently believed he could get it out of Bill.

As...

Documentarian Senain Kheshgi takes us through a few of her favorite documentaries.

Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode

American Movie (1999)

Dog Day Afternoon (1975) – Katt Shea’s trailer commentary

The French Connection (1971) – Dennis Lehane’s trailer commentary, Mark Pellington’s trailer commentary

Grey Gardens (1975)

Salesman (1969)

Real Life (1979)

Hoop Dreams (1994)

Seven Up! (1964)

Don’t Look Back (1967)

Primary (1960)

The Thin Blue Line (1988)

Reds (1981)

The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020) – Dennis Cozzalio’s 2020 best-of list

High School (1968)

Hospital (1970)

Titicut Follies (1967)

Harlan County, USA (1976)

Salaam Bombay! (1988)

Mississippi Masala (1991)

India Cabaret (1985)

The 400 Blows (1959) – Robert Weide’s trailer commentary

Bicycle Thieves (1949) – Dennis Cozzalio’s Muriel Awards column

Shoeshine (1946)

Citizen Kane (1941) – John Landis’s trailer commentary

Day For Night (1973) – Neil Labute’s trailer commentary

Sherman’s March (1986)

Capturing The Friedmans (2003)

I Think We’re Alone Now (2008)

The Mole Agent (2020)

The Act of Killing (2012)

Other Notable Items

Walter Hill

Walton Goggins

The Majority

Mark Borchardt

Mike Schank

The...

Here are many more movies to watch when you’re staying in for a while, featuring recommendations from Steven Canals, Larry Karaszewski, Gareth Reynolds, and Alan Arkush with special guest star Blaire Bercy from the Hollywood Food Coalition.

Please support the Hollywood Food Coalition. Text “Give” to 323.402.5704 or visit https://hofoco.org/donate!

Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode

Master of the Flying Guillotine (1976)

Groundhog Day (1993)

Kung Fu Mama a.k.a. Queen of Fist (1973)

Ali: Fear Eats The Soul (1974)

Portrait Of A Lady On Fire (2019)

In The Mood For Love (2000)

Hunger (2008)

The Sweet Hereafter (1997)

Fargo (1996)

Night of the Lepus (1971)

Dolemite Is My Name (2019)

Soylent Green (1973)

Silent Running (1972)

Canyon Passage (1946)

McCabe & Mrs. Miller (1971)

The Professionals (1966)

Ride Lonesome (1959)

Carrie (1952)

The Heartbreak Kid (1972)

Hello Down There (1969)

The Brass Bottle (1964)

The Trouble With Angels (1966)

Pollyanna (1960)

Tiger Bay (1959)

The Parent Trap (1961)

Endless Night (1972)

The Family Way (1966)

Take A Girl Like You (1970)

Freddy Got Fingered...

What should be a comedy of errors about a hapless filmmaker’s efforts to complete a low, low budget horror film becomes instead a poignant tale about dodging life’s slings and arrows in order to follow your dreams. The film’s main dreamer is the Quixote-like Mark Borchardt, a lanky Milwaukeean determined to produce his movie come hell or high water. He even has his own Sancho Panza in Mike Schank, the rotund friend enlisted to write the film’s score. Director Chris Smith films his two heroes tilting at every windmill that comes their way and revels in their eventual success, unexpected as it is. Smith’s film was successful as well, winning the Grand Prize at Sundance in 1999.

The post American Movie appeared first on Trailers From Hell.

This week on Trailers from Hell, horror director Ti West takes time off his new film "The Sacrament," currently gearing up to open in Us theaters, to discuss Chris Smith's hilarious 1999 documentary "American Movie." What should be a comedy of errors about a hapless filmmaker’s efforts to complete a low, low budget horror film becomes instead a poignant tale about dodging life’s slings and arrows in order to follow your dreams. The film’s main dreamer is the Quixote-like Mark Borchardt, a lanky Milwaukeean determined to produce his movie come hell or high water. He even has his own Sancho Panza in Mike Schank, the rotund friend enlisted to write the film’s score. Director Chris Smith films his two heroes tilting at every windmill that comes their way and revels in their eventual success, unexpected as it is. Smith’s film was successful as well, winning...

What should be a comedy of errors about a hapless filmmaker’s efforts to complete a low, low budget horror film becomes instead a poignant tale about dodging life’s slings and arrows in order to follow your dreams. The film’s main dreamer is the Quixote-like Mark Borchardt, a lanky Milwaukeean determined to produce his movie come hell or high water. He even has his own Sancho Panza in Mike Schank, the rotund friend enlisted to write the film’s score. Director Chris Smith films his two heroes tilting at every windmill that comes their way and revels in their eventual success, unexpected as it is. Smith’s film was successful as well, winning the Grand Prize at Sundance in 1999.

The post American Movie appeared first on Trailers From Hell.

This is an old behind-the-scenes video for a TV pilot on the making of Damon Packard‘s underground film classic Reflections of Evil. It stars Mark Borchardt and Mike Schank, capitalizing on their fame from the hit documentary American Movie. The official description of this video says its been edited down from its original version, which may explain why it focuses more on Borchardt than on Packard. Still, for fans of Packard’s work, or for those who need to be introduced to it, it’s an interesting little peek into his world.

While Bad Lit: The Journal of Underground Film has never formally reviewed Reflections of Evil — which is mighty stupid on our part — we did choose it for one of our Most Outrageous Moments in Underground Film. The way Packard transformed the Universal Studios and Knotts Berry Farm theme parks into “Schindler’s List: The Ride” is a...

I realized the other night that I had, one year earlier, posted my first review at Pajiba. Looking to celebrate the occasion in a unique way, I looked upon my DVD collection for a film to review. I had promised friends over the past couple months that I would review three films that I had somehow overlooked in my eight years as a Cinema and Media Studies student, specifically Rocky (1976), The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension (1984), and the original Karate Kid (also 1984). However, to review those films didn't feel quite right for the anniversary. No, given the occasion, a review of one of my favorite films was in order and few get as great and, in this case, personal as Chris Smith's documentary American Movie (1999).

American Movie chronicles the life of a Milwaukee independent filmmaker by the name of Mark Borchardt. If you're familiar with his lanky figure,...

By Aaron Hillis

Wisconsin-born filmmaker Chris Smith's 1996 debut feature, "American Job," got his foot in the door at Sundance, but it was 1999's "American Movie," about a luckless amateur filmmaker in production on a low-budget horror flick, that earned him the Grand Jury Prize in Park City, putting his star on the indie-film map. Two more funny and moving docs, "Home Movie" and "The Yes Men," followed, and then Smith threw a game-changer into his oeuvre: a a Hindi-language narrative. Nominated for a Spirit Award and winner of yet another Sundance trophy (the Special Jury Prize this time around), "The Pool" is a neo-realist chronicle of entrepreneurial young Venkatesh (non-pro Venkatesh Chavan), a hotel "room boy" in Panjim, Goa who ingratiates himself to a wealthy family in hopes of swimming in their luxurious pool. Adapted from a short story by his long-time collaborator Randy Russell and exquisitely shot by Smith himself,...

Fox recently released an interview with “Family Guy” creator Seth McFarlane and actor Mike Henry. Seth and Mike talk about the story and concept behind The Cleveland Show, doing the voices for the show and the future of Cleveland on Family Guy. Plot: The Cleveland Show is the story of what happens when Family Guy’s Cleveland Brown moves to Stoolbend, Va, to make good on a promise to his high school sweetheart. The Cleveland Show airs Sundays 9:30/8:30c this spring [...]...

1. American Movie (1999) Mark Borchardt has long had a dream of making a film called Northwestern, a coming-of-age story about growing up on the rough edges of Milwaukee. He even has a plan to finance the film by first selling copies of a horror movie called Coven directly to genre fans. But getting to that stage isn't as easy as he suspects. Director Chris Smith captures Borchardt at a crucial stage in the project, as he films Coven (pronounced, per the lugubrious Borchardt's preference, "coe-ven") between bouts of binge-drinking and stints working a paper route. Borchardt's resources are limited, to say the least, but apart from a few dark nights of the soul captured by Smith's camera, he remains upbeat about the project, helped by an eccentric support system that includes his doting mother and pal Mike Schank, a slow-speaking musician sidekick who nearly steals the movie. Avoiding...

PARK CITY, Utah -- Uncle Bill lives in a trailer with 240 grand stashed somewhere or other, but the guy has trouble remembering to cut his toenails. And, he's executive producing a low-budget horror movie, thanks to the unrelenting sales job of his nephew Mark to wheedle $3,000 from him. An uproarious but kindly document of an obsessed young man's struggle to make his film in the decidedly un-Mecca-like environs of Menomonee Falls, Wis., "American Movie" is one of the real finds of the Sundance Film Festival. The Sony Pictures Classics release will win appreciative festival play as well as select-site audience kudos with this invigorating tale of one man's dream to make a film.

Even by cheesehead standards, 30-year-old "filmmaker" Mark Borchardt has some leaks in his dreamboat. Although he's obsessed with making a movie, Mark Been's floundering for the last half-dozen years. He's subsisted by living at home, slogging through odd jobs and arm-twisting anyone with a six-pack attention span to sign on for his movie. As you'd expect, there's not much enthusiasm among his practical-minded peers and Milwaukee-area family for making a movie.

With deadpan detachment, but also bracing warmth, filmmaker Chris Smith has charted a modern-day, Midwestern "Rocky", as blue-collar Mark sets out against all odds and good advice to make his film. Admittedly, it's an obsession and a bit of a screwy one, but that's what makes it so great -- it's no safe, well-charted road to a cushy, 9-to-5 ending. Armed with only an appreciation for movie classics -- "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre", "Night of the Living Dead", etc. -- Mark is clearly not only an underdog, but a guy who is a bit self-destructive.

While Smith's focus is Mark's dream to make a movie, "American Movie" is, in a larger sense, a depiction of the fractured but vital fringe of the American Dream. As ever, dreamers get no encouragement from the mainstream, and anything that is worth doing has always been ridiculed by the practical folk. Truly, no one accused Mark of being practical -- that's his most winning characteristic.

Even-handed in its framing of Mark and his filmmaking, Wisconsin-based Smith's documentation is encompassing, showing Mark's laggardly lifestyle, his boozing binges with buddies, as well as his remarkable resilience in dealing with the boggling obstacles that would make a nondreamer give up.

At once illuminating and hilarious, "American Movie" is bright, accomplished filmmaking. Smith's smart and entertaining depiction of this quixotic quest is carried out with all the technical skills and savvy of a veteran filmmaker. His cinematography is sharply drawn, framing succinctly and fairly Mark's life and dream quest. Other technical contributions are similarly articulate, especially Mike Schank's aptly rambunctious and raw music, clueing us to the energy and unstoppable tenacity of one man's triumph over himself and his worldly obstacles.

AMERICAN MOVIE

Sony Pictures Classics

Producers: Sarah Price, Chris Smith

Director: Chris Smith

Sound: Sarah Price

Co-producers: Jim McKay, Michael Stipe

Editor: Jun Diaz, Barry Poltermann, Chris Smith

Music: Mike Schank

Director ofphotography: Chris Smith

Additional photography: Sarah Price

Creative consultant: Dick Blau

Color/stereo

Running time -- 107 minutes

No MPAA rating...