MartinHafer
This is a very simple documentary. There is no narration, so it's up to the homeowners of five very strange houses to show you around their homes. While this no doubt would bore the pants off some people, I found it fascinating for many reasons. First, it was great to see people who had so much passion for life and for their homes--as well as deep senses of contentment about their lives. Second, each of these people was actually pretty fascinating--perhaps not "normal", but very fascinating. Being welcomed into their worlds was a nice privilege.The five houses consist of a guy who lives in a houseboat and hangs out with gators, an electronic house with tons of push-button gadgets, a family living in an ex-Atlas missile silo, a home completely designed around the many cats of the family and a lady who lives in a tree house in the middle of nowhere in Hawaii. Really interesting people and I would love to see a follow up film showing where they all are now or perhaps highlighting other strange homes.Well done and a great look at some very passionate and weird folks--and I do mean weird in a generally good way! A great little slice of Americana and an important but seldom talked about part of our history and culture.By the way, although his home was the most "normal", I think I would have liked to have visited with the houseboat guy the most. What a cool life. The lady in the Hawaiian wilderness was also amazing and I loved how she holds onto life.
jengarber-1
"should be required viewing for all of us in the extended homeowner's association we call the human race." That comment by Bluerb, posted somewhere below about HOME MOVIE sums up why I find myself talking about this film more than any other.HOME MOVIE's impact has nothing to do with film-making. Plot cohesiveness, cinematography and character development are irrelevant, and whether it was originally intended as a film, or a series of commercials is beside the point.HOME MOVIE is a pure and an intimate microcosmic glimpse into the distinct realities created by a few unique citizens of the united states. It is memorable not merely because of the unique living environments it reveals.For those of us living in the USA at a time when many blame our current socio-political and economic situation on the apathy and ignorance on our citizens, HOME MOVE is a source of reassurance, and of inspiration.The characters in this film share a common drive. They've all refused conformity to our society's norms, they all have vision, and they all have passion for something... anything.Linda Beech, who looks to be in her seventies, says a little prayer and then drives through a river every time she drives to, or from her home because her trees, and the life she's built around them are just that important to her.In that you will find the value of this film.
timnil
This documentary is by the same person who did "American Movie" which documented the attempted making of a low budget horror movie. It's a fascinating look at how people re-model their houses to match their personalities. I love quirky documentaries like this, so it was right up my alley. The houses included one that was made out of an abandon missile silo in Kansas - complete with an aging hippie homeowner playing a Native American flute to chase the evil spirits away. There's a retired actress that lives is a hydro-electric powered tree house in the jungles of Hawaii, an alligator wrestling good old boy that lives in a houseboat in the swamps of Louisiana and an uber-geek that has remade an electric house complete with robots. My favorite though, is the family that has completely remade their house in order to let their 11 cats run amok in it. This is a short fun film - if you want a break from heavy, serious stuff, give it a try.
radiosystems
Just saw this film last night at Austin's South by Southwest Film Festival. What a breath of fresh air. This documentary, I think, brilliantly captures the humor and zest-for-life of five eclectic households whom are all living their own version of the American dream. All of the characters are fascinating for their quirkiness and eccentricity, but what really strikes you is just how genuine each person is. In a world of pre-packaged sound bites, "reality TV", and political correctness, it was refreshing to see people that were so in touch with themselves that they are able to create habitats that are such complete extensions of their personality. To me it also reminded me what I believe is best about America, that even in this day of look-a-like sub divisions, SUV's, and office cubicles, you can still be who ever you want to be in this country as long as you have the courage to follow your inner voice.
AD
