As much as I love Christopher Guest, I have to ask, is he capable of directing an actual narrative driven film? Isn't he tired of the whole Mockumentary style of filmmaking? I think he is very talented and I love Spinal Tap (I know, that was Rob Reiner) Best in Show, Waiting for Guffman and A Mighty Wind. I don't know if I am getting tired of the whole Mockumentary thing, or just tired of it from the same people all the time. Is this just a style that should be considered his trademark, even though it is a style used by many.
Not sure how much of a point I have in this thread, other than to see if anyone else feels the same way I do.
I would really like to see Christopher Guest direct a non - Mockumentary. Has he done one in the past that I am not aware of?
The Bus
10-16-03, 07:17 AM
I think as long as he keeps the ideas coming and the stories fresh he can do one every couple of years for another decade.
A Mighty Wind was more of a documentary than Best in Show, for example.
Numanoid
10-16-03, 10:11 AM
Originally posted by rushmore223
I would really like to see Christopher Guest direct a non - Mockumentary. Has he done one in the past that I am not aware of?
Yep, The Big Picture (with Kevin Bacon and Martin Short) which is quite good, as well as a couple other films which I haven't seen.
PalmerJoss
10-16-03, 10:29 AM
Like The Bus said, as long as he keeps pumping out quality films I will still watch them. If he gets to a point where he is basically just doing retreads of old material then I might say differently, but until then I will continue to enjoy them.
Groucho
10-16-03, 10:36 AM
Guest also directed that movie with Chris Farley and Matthew Perry. Almost Heroes I think it was.
When you look at all the movies that are released, Mockumentaries are a tiny drop in the bucket. Yet when one is released people say "How unoriginal...it's been done and it's tired." Yet, when a conventional linear comedy is released...one of THOUSANDS...not a peep. I don't get it.
hgar78
10-16-03, 10:57 AM
i love his style! as long as they continue to be fresh and hilarious (which they always are) i'll still line up to see them! :D
Jackskeleton
10-16-03, 11:07 AM
getting tired? Nope.
lesterlong
10-16-03, 11:21 PM
Originally posted by Groucho
Guest also directed that movie with Chris Farley and Matthew Perry. Almost Heroes I think it was.
When you look at all the movies that are released, Mockumentaries are a tiny drop in the bucket. Yet when one is released people say "How unoriginal...it's been done and it's tired." Yet, when a conventional linear comedy is released...one of THOUSANDS...not a peep. I don't get it.
I think that's because you can still change a lot of stuff to make a comedy seem different while a mockumentary is pretty much what it is.
wordtoyamotha
10-16-03, 11:34 PM
I don't think they're getting tired yet. I've said it a couple times already but I think the reason people didn't like AMW as well as BIS was not because of a poor performance on Guest's part. I just didn't think the SUBJECT was as funny. Obsessive dog owners are pretty darn funny. Folk music, yeah, but not as good.
Groucho
10-16-03, 11:40 PM
Originally posted by lesterlong
I think that's because you can still change a lot of stuff to make a comedy seem different while a mockumentary is pretty much what it is. That makes no sense. A mockumentary can be about a variety of different subjects and characters...just like a regular comedy.
DonnachaOne
10-16-03, 11:53 PM
Personally, I think Guest should broaden a bit.
Don't get me wrong, his stuff's funny. But it's not just him, it's the very talented recurring cast. I'd like to see them in a good narrative comedy.
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