User reviews

I really enjoyed the film. Having fallen into a similar situation once, I recognized many personalities. Instead of a judge touting the legalities, a lawyer stood up and spouted his assurances. Well done James - you captured our natures very well. My only complaint was the lighting and erratic camera moves. I understand the lighting was poor because it was being radio broadcast (?) - But really, my home videos have smoother pans! I like the fact that most of the actors were working without scripted lines. While some of the dialog was trite -it was a neat and unusual experience to witness their abilities or lack thereof. I would like to know how your actors enjoyed doing their parts.

Let me just state for the record that I was not involved in the making of this movie (for the gentleman that thought all comments were from those involved). Now to give my honest assessment of the movie...

Although the filming at times was very dark and the camera work a little dizzying, I still felt compelled to watch the movie.

Haven't most of us at sometime in our lives wanted to be involved in a "get rich scheme which happens overnight"? Most of us however, have the good sense to know that you "can't get something for nothing". The "mastermind" (as another commentator called the main character), is like so many others who come to "Hollywood / CA" to become rich and famous. He's just a tad naive! That being said, I found myself rooting for him to get the hot babe, the hot car and make all his "champagne wishes and caviar dreams come true". It turned out to be a "cautionary tale".

At times I also questioned if I was watching something staged or a real event (almost like reality TV). I've since found out that the actors ad lib.

I can't wait to see what Mr. Hergott comes up with next!

All That I Need, landed in theaters across the US last night!! Was a great turn out, intrigued audience members sat and concentrated on all the scheming going on throughout the movie. With myself and the women from Newport beach, CA , being the original Muffin Club Members. Friends and Family sat all around me at the Regal Colonnade Theater here in Las Vegas, Nevada, and believe me, my friends that I have just made out here in the last few months, and know only bits and pieces of what I was really involved with in this pyramid, they had tons of questions for me after the movie. For Example: "So how many times did you actually roll??". "How much did you make in this pyramid?", and I even got a "Mia, I'm scared of you now, your that good at scamming people?, followed by a cynical laugh or two.

So, from my perspective, its kind of an ambivalent feeling. Of course I want us all to profit from box office sales, then again, I don't want it to gain so much popularity that the FBI retraces our steps and starts following my tail again..........

Only time will tell, but as for Las Vegas, NV, better known as Sin City, this is one sin made public that will either make or break me and the rest of us involved in that pyramid. ...............MIA

Let me start out by saying that I did a little post-movie interweb research on "All That I Need" and found several different numbers for the films budget, but found one page that the filmmaker himself said $40k. This statistic alone, and the fact that it was picked up by major theaters, should be enough to indicate its quality.

Don't go into viewing "All That I Need" expecting Brad Pitt and Charlize Theron with Ang Lee action, that isn't what it's all about. It's about capturing the raw emotions of individual people as they see the worst come out in their fellow man and their dreams collapse in front of them. I'm not going to ruin it, but it's shot in a documentary style of which the name escapes me at the moment. The subjects of the film are caught off-guard often and sometimes almost seem to be holding back in front of the camera. This is a good thing, as the pure feel of the situation is captured and the authenticity of emotion is conveyed with ease.

I saw it several weeks ago in L.A. I don't know if it's still in theaters, but I'm sure it will be coming out on DVD in a couple of months. "All That I Need" is a fun flick and one that you should check out.

There's something pretty fun about watching a bunch of people get together and do a bunch of stupid things, then yell at each other, blaming each other for whatever trouble they find themselves in. Watching All That I Need was pretty much like that. I just kept laughing because I noticed that most of the people in the movie had no idea how stupid they actually looked. They just kept saying and doing stupid things, over and over and over. On top of this, all the greed and money just adds to the rancor in the film. (My English teacher would be proud that I used the word rancor!)

I definitely recommend this movie. If nothing else, you get to see how money, sex, greed and gossip causes people to act crazy. Kinda like real life, only better.

I just got permission to release the following praise about our movie "All That I Need", and I thought I would share it with you;.......... "We at MOVIEBEAR TV viewed ,"ALL THAT I NEED" ,prior to CANNES FILM FESTIVAL 05. The film itself is extraordinarily authentic - and we were left rather puzzled, but intensely intrigued. Either this film is real, and this filmmaker got some fantastic footage or if it is staged, the acting is second-to-none. It provides a very interesting insight for anyone who has ever been slightly tempted by the extravagant promises that pyramid schemes offer (and who hasn't been at least once in their life?!). If you're interested in getting rich quick, this is a cautionary tale for you. We have expressed our interest to Mr.Hergott to acquire the movie for our online "Pay Per View network."

It was a little dark when I saw it, but I hear that's because the first run was digitally broadcast. If it was shown on HD or film it would have been brighter. But its the story that got me. It was a little slow at first, but then interesting and exciting, until the last minute. I think everyone knows somebody who has been duped by a pyramid or get rich quick scheme. The characters are intriguing and seemed to be so real. Everyone I was with was wondering if it was real. But if it was real, how could they have captured the love scene and the one at the gym? These are questions that make you think maybe it wasn't real. All That I Need gets an "A" from me.

As one of 60 million people worldwide who had done pyramid schemes, this movie really hit's home. It keeps you on the "edge" of your seat and is worth the price of admission. This is a "must see" movie. It has all the elements that drive people, greed, lust, jealousy, etc. Friendships are tested and real life drama unfolds in front of your eyes. I am sure just about everybody can relate to this movie and for an "Indie" film to be picked up for distribution at the theaters is saying really how good this movie is. I rarely see movies more than once but tonight I am going again with a group of friends again. This movie really teaches you a valuable lesson about life.

I saw this movie in Las vegas last night, and Wow!! I became aware of it through this website, and became intrigued a few months back. I am interested to see how it all turns out, will the "bad" boys get captured? Will people get repaid??...........This is a 2 thumbs up movie by far!! I hope the release date goes way beyond its initial run. I know a lot of people who have just recently, in the last few days started hearing about this movie, and if it runs for longer, the audiences will pick up soon, presumably like Blair Witch did. I suggest anyone out there who is thinking of starting a pyramid, check this documentary out first, because, personally, I was in one, and got scammed, if I would of seen this first,, I wouldve thought twice!!

I read that the budget for this movie was only $150K. Considering that, I wasn't expecting Kong like special effects. What was surprising was how original this story played out. I have never heard about a movie being done before about such a taboo subject as a pyramid scheme.

Director Hergott approaches the topic with originality as well. There is a certain menace with this movie. You feel like you are there watching things unfold, and you are never really sure what will happen. Since it is not a typical narrative, you don't feel at ease. I honestly thought a character might get shot, or worse. This engaged me in the story.

At first I though maybe this whole thing would be a good thing to start with my friends. By the end of it I'm sure glad I didn't.

The characters were fun and unpredictable.

Considering all the crap tat is out there these days. All of the recycled movies and sequels, its refreshing to see something original for once. And to see a filmmaker who is original.

Stan

I heard about "All That I Need" on a local radio station (orlando,fl) talking about pyramid schemes and how they suck people in. He said something about "All That I Need" being an independent film in limited release, so I went to go check it out when it was here.

It definitely takes a hardcore look at greed and how pyramid schemes screw a lot of the people that get involved. I was involved in one several years ago, so I totally relate to what was going on. The documentary style the film was shot in was awesome, it conveyed a reality that most "fictional" movies can't really quite grasp.

I laughed, I cried, I wanted to beat the big samoan restaurant owner up. Anyway, I'm giving it such a high rating because I know it's an independent film, and I've been less entertained by huge budget pictures that I've rated an 8 or 9. Check it out if it ever hits DVD.

I hope you found this to be a good review.

B.J.

All That I Need Review:

I saw a late version of "ALL THAT I NEED" , shortly before it premiered in Cannes.

I have to say it definitely has all the elements it needs to be a top seller.

There is no doubt in my mind that once the public sees the trailer for this film,

there is strong possibility that it may be a

"first weekend sellout".

Ascensionpictures (Mon Jun 6 2005 13:13:31)

this movie is different from any other movie you've ever seen before. it was definitely a surprise, and a different type of film than i'm used to seeing in a major theater. anyway, it's about a money scheme that this guy puts together to bilk all these southern California rich idiots out of their money. most of the characters are pretty shady, so you don't feel too bad for them when they part ways with their "hard-earned" cash. i don't want to put any spoilers in this, so i'll leave the plot summary at that. what makes this movie so interesting is constantly wondering whether what you are watching is genuine or contrived. some of the scenes look setup, but still appear to be authentic, as far as the acting goes. other scenes appear to be all hidden camera style and the "actors" don't appear to know that they are there, and tend to get mad when they do see them. it looked like real anger to me. there are several things in this movie that will make you question whether it's real or not, you'll have to see it to see the rest. if you're reading this now, don't do any research on the net about whether it's real or not, just rent the DVD, watch it, and decide for yourself. more fun that way.

THEN do the research. it's interesting to find out the history of the film and how it was made. there's plenty of good info about it, a lot of it on this site.

my girlfriend and I saw this movie in the theater awhile back and laughed all the way through. the reason why it was so funny was that the cameras caught the real thing going down, no fake stuff with actors forcing reactions, this was the real deal. there was also a lot of drama, which, again, was the real thing. just like reality TV, it's more interesting when it's "real".

it was definitely a low budget movie, but that really wasn't much of a downfall i don't think. if a director can pull off a good movie without big name actors, right on.

i don't know exactly how they promoted this movie, but i agree with the other reviewer that said it should have got an extended release, because it was not in the theaters for very long. maybe it will come out on DVD soon. i'll keep checking back here and at amazon.