Dragonslayer

Dragonslayer's a tough film to define and that's what makes it so great. It's not the typical documentary you see today with a big social issue being explored or your expected 'inspirational' character who comes out of the story with a clear cut resolution to their struggles. It exists in the gray areas of life, and explores the beauty and hardships of being young and trying to live your life in an unsure world...It's more old school verite (think the Maysles' Salesmen) with the production value/techniques of a Gus Van Sant or Larry Clark film. It puts the viewer smack in the middle of Screech's life without explanation and let's them experience his life first hand, not letting go until the end credits.

From the cinematography, to the editing and awesome soundtrack, Dragonslayer elevates the documentary genre to something really special. I was so happy to see something on the big screen that was so different than the usual reality TV shows and Oprah-fied documentaries out there. THIS IS REAL LIFE SHOWN IN THE MOST CINEMATIC TERMS.

But forget what I say- go see this film wherever you can and make your own decision about it.

I saw this movie after it won Best International Documentary at Hot Docs in Toronto, which in my opinion was truly well-deserved. There is a scene in Dragon Slayer that takes place in a drive-in movie theater that is one of the most poetic moments I think I've ever seen, all the more affecting given that it's real. It's a movie about a skater named Screech but it's also about so much more: growing up in the suburbs, falling in love and not caring what anyone else thinks about you. It's like the cinematic equivalent of discovering punk rock music when you're a teenager. I left the theater wanting to go drink 40s with all the friends I grew up with and listen to GG Allin. The reason I'm only giving it 9 stars is because my friend who I saw it with immediately went out and bought a pack of cigarettes after it was over and she had just quit smoking a couple months ago. You get the idea. It's that kind of movie.

Dragonslayer, a slice-of-life documentary about the life of Josh "Screech" Sandoval, is a really uninteresting film. I believe that director Tristan Patterson invested a lot of time and effort, but what he produced was not very enlightening or particularly constructive as a documentary. There are so many more interesting people that he could have spent his time and energy profiling. That this film won the best documentary feature award from the Grand Jury here at Austin's SXSW is truly inexplicable.

The film is simply the chronicle of the life of someone who isn't very interesting, inspiring or likable. The only mildly interesting part of the film is the skateboarding scenes which are somewhat enjoyable, but the character is not. He seems like a guy who hangs out all day, skateboards in people's pools, drinks, and smokes. He does nothing to contribute to society, mostly ignores his own kid, and has nothing very interesting to say. Frankly, Screech is kind of dull and rather unlikeable. Off of the skateboard, he seems to be mostly dysfunctional and kind of pathetic. Some seem to find this film artistic, but I found it like its subject to be pretty much a waste of time.

People want to pretend like this film is original filmmaking, when it's just a skate video with hints of documentary in it. At times I felt like I was watching "Life Remote Control" from Exit Through the Gift Shop, it was so manic. That's not a mark of genius, it's a sign of novice. And, despite what supporters of this film want to say - it does matter who your subject it. Josh Sandoval is a talentless, one-trick loser and isn't worthy of 70 minutes of my attention, neither is this ridiculous, dying sub-culture that he belongs to. I could go out and make some 'who cares?' doc about a hobo then, or any of the millions of other losers out there, but what's the point?

There's no redemption here for Josh, he just continues on the same aimless trajectory throughout and despite all this, the film still treats him like he's the man. "Oh, watch him skate!" The credits even have "Starring Josh Sandoval", which I think is telling as well.

Lastly, the countdown method employed in the film is lame and makes it feel twice as long.

I think the last reviewer completely missed the point of this entire film. Dragonslayer is an unbiased escape from the norm of documentary film making. Not only in the way it was made, but also in it's choice of subjects. It's a world, that if you don't happen to be part of, you are allowed to enter and participate in. The characters are real, their love story is real, and all they are trying to do is figure it out like the rest of us. In the midst of all this life, the skate competitions are colorful and exciting and help capture the film's wild, don't give a dam, punk rock mentality. If you are looking for an escape into an unfamiliar and beautiful place, I highly recommend this film.