Dragonslayer

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.

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.

This is one of those documentaries where one can feel the love that the creator/director has for his/her subject. It's, also, one of those films where the viewer is left out in the cold wondering why the director is so infatuated with the subject. There's just nothing of substance to examine. In this case, the skateboarder is mediocre at, well, skateboarding. Worse, he is a dim bulb and his circle of friends are all lifeless and tragically without original thoughts. Granted, he is not supposed to be some brainy whiz kid that founded his own software company at the age of 12. But Geez, this guy is so much of a zero that I had a hard time understanding how he even finds his way around his own apartment. I found myself nodding off every time that he began to speak. He has this hypnotic way in which he talks that lures one into a waking slumber. God, I am so happy that my 2 boys amounted to something.

Hmm. This won't take long.

He is dull - who is he anyway? Bums around all day, trying to say epic & meaningful things, only to conclude another bong is the way to go.

There is no substance here - all I learn is that he is a right waster with limited potential. May be it is me? maybe I missed something that would open my eyes to it? No, wait - sorry, it is just plain bad.

There's nothing here, but a day in the life of a dreamer with no dreams and who avoids washing. I finished it still waiting for something to happen - but then I never got the point so maybe that is understandable. Even the skating is poor.

O and what is with the puking on the skate ramp! Dirty.

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.