Popatopolis

You wouldn't expect a documentary to have a twist in it, but for my viewing experience, I can truly attest to the film going to a place that I did not expect. Up until about 20 minutes left in the film, I thought I was watching a mockumentary. I truly never for a second believed I was watching a documentary about a real man named Jim Wynorsky. I didn't think Jim couldn't not be a written character, and all his antics, whether just reflections of his personality or his let's say questionable decision making when it comes to filmmaking could represent reality in any true sense. Boy was I wrong. The documentary took on an entirely different reality to me when I looked the film up and discovered that everyone featured was not playing a part, but was a real person going through real experiences on a 3 day movie shoot. With that information in mind, this documentary takes on a whole new meaning and can't be rated high enough as an examination of the state of the "B" movie and the impact one Jim Wynorsky has had on it.

This documentary is a riot from the first frame to the last. From the musical numbers to Jim's repetitive outbursts, I was completely entertained and enthralled the entire time. The way the documentary was set up almost mirrored the quirky tendencies of the director it followed, and truly that only furthered the magnetism the film let off. But not only was it hilarious, but it was borderline inspiring. How could someone set out to succeed at such an impossible task of filming a movie in 3 days? Seeing who Jim is and how he works, you begin to understand how he makes it possible. Then, after seeing (on various occasions) Jim's enthusiasm for the bimbo scantily clad, you hate yourself for thinking him a genius. But, that's what he is. There's a rare breed that can be so passionate, angry, and strange at the same time whilst creating a feature film, and it's something that the man exceeds at. This documentary perfectly captures the essence that is Jim W. and the movies he so loves to create.

I have a love-hate relationship with Jim Wynorski. On one hand, I respect how he's been stretching minuscule budgets for more than three decades now. Low-budget directors definitely suffer from the disappearence of video stores, so the fact that he's still around says a lot about his perseverance. On the other hand, a lot of his movies are just a chore to sit through. For every 'classic' like "Chopping Mall", there are five Wynorski movies that are more like say, "Raptor". That's not exactly a great ratio.

This documentary follows Wynorski during the making of "The Witches Of Breastwick" (the title is the best part, trust me). Credit where credit is due: Wynorski is brutally honest here. He clearly doesn't care he's being filmed and is not holding back on the verbal abuse (I hope...). He wants to get shooting done in just three days, mostly by being unbearable towards his cast and crew. His crew, by the way, is just two guys. Hey, there's camera and sound, what else do you really need?

There are a lot of great funny moments in "Popatopolis". The best scene is the one where bona fide porn star Stormy Daniels (famous for different reasons now) does her very first soft-core scene. She's clearly not used to just pretending to have sex, so it's pretty much the least convincing sex scene since the pool scene from "Showgirls". I also love the scenes with Wynorski's mother, who has strict instructions never to watch any of her son's movies. She knows her boy is making a good living, and that's all she needs and wants to know. Her cameo in one of the Wynorski movies is just about the cutest thing ever.

There's also a bit of drama here and there, particularly around Julie K. Smith. Smith is a classically trained actress (she mentions this repeatedly), but got stuck doing T&A movies a long time ago. At some point Wynorski has her do about twenty takes because she keeps saying 'tow truck service' instead of just 'tow truck'. You'd think a guy that wants to finish a movie in three days wouldn't give a damn about such a detail, but Wynorski's mind works in mysterious ways. You see Smith get more irritated with every new take, while wondering why she still bothers to sign up for this. You really do feel for her.

"Popatopolis" is a brutally raw documentary that basically makes you a fly on the wall. It definitely provides an insight to Wynorski's career and how much he has to work to keep his show on the road. It's highly recommended for fans of B-movies.

Jim Wynorski is a uniquely expressive human being in every way possible. As a reigning b- movie director he's gifted, easily irritated, your best friend at times, and a bit crazy. For Wynorski's sake, who wouldn't be a bit crazy after trying to repeatedly make movies with three days or less? But somehow, someway he does the impossible.

Popatopolis lets you take a front row journey of the production for, "The Witches of Breastwick" and just how Wynorski directs the incredible task of creating a film in three days with a three-man crew and a selection D-list talent. Through the movie you will find yourself laughing and learning from his infamous line, "I hate it, I hate it" to his views on life, "Here is a lesson for all you stupid, stupid chicks out in Hollywood… and there's plenty of ya." Prior to Popatopolis, I had minimal understanding of the b-movie world and have gained an appreciation for the art form. It's a great insight on the b-movie genre and anyone who admires the work of production and filmmaking.

When it comes to B-movies, the modern master has to be Jim Wynorski. While Roger Corman (whom he had previously worked for) will likely be the all-time king, Wynorski is today's reigning master (though Fred Olen Ray may have a chance at the crown).

Having Lloyd Kaufman and Tom Savini praise you must be the highlight of the low budget career. Working with Heather Locklear, Julie Strain... discovering Jennifer Love Hewitt? He may make a lot of terrible films, but he has left his stain on the film industry permanently! And, hey, he made "Chopping Mall". Even if he never made any other film, that alone seals a place in horror, science fiction and film history. That ranks among the all-time greats.

Not sure what his obsession with breasts is, but he knows what he wants and he gets it. So, well done.