Better Living Through Circuitry

First and foremost, this is an extremely entertaining documentary. Jon Reiss has taken a subject that lies in the background of mainstream society and exploits it for just about any viewer. The real strength of the film rests in the notion that you don't have to be interested in the subject matter to gain something from watching it. This happens to be a major problem with several documentaries, however, with Better Living, you really walk away with a strong, unbiased sense of the rave scene. The visual aesthetics and style of filming really capture the energy and feel of the electronic dance culture and the interviews are interesting to watch. Other features about the rave subculture (i.e. Groove and Go), although entertaining, seem to focus more on the elements of drug use and exploitation whereas this film allows the viewer to see the many different sides that the culture has to offer. Yes, the film does have its flaws but you should judge those for yourself. Definitely worth a Netflix rent - check it out.

It's a fun, comprehensive look at rave culture. The director completely gets the subject matter. Great interviews with everyone from the top DJ's in the scene, to the graphic designers who create the fliers, to the ravers themselves. If you rave or if you want to understand what it's all about, this is the movie to watch.

This movie along with "Modulations" is a very educated, and insightful look into Rave culture across the globe. Interviews with influential DJ's from all over the world, and thoughts from actual ravers, the movie covers all the bases on just what Rave Culture is all about.

If you're a raver, and want to know the roots, check it out.

This is a great movie to watch. I had fun watching it, and respected the movie for everything. A great counterpiece to 20/20's specials. The movie had the visuals, and the interviews. It just felt awesome. It was a documentry, so it had lots of interesting interviews. If you have even the slightest knowledge of a rave, see this movie, and I dare you not to get sucked in to the music and the lights. A must see.

My only problem was that it did not have that much about visual effects. It lightly touched on them, and they are a good part of the scene.

9/10

directed by ucla alumnus jon reiss, "better living through circuitry" is an informative documentary on rave culture and the history of electronic music. in some ways it is similar to iara lee's 1998 "modulations," though it is more focused on rave culture than the history of electronic music. i had the opportunity to see the film @ resfest '99, and everyone loved it-- old and young, ravers and non-ravers, even some leather-clad-mohawked-punks. the film is both entertaining and informative. of all the people i know who have seen the film, only positive opinions have been expressed.