The Devil and Daniel Johnston

adam · #1 04-13-2006, 07:48 PM

This looks excellent. Anyone seen it yet? (I'm looking at you, b.miller...) I don't know anything about him, but I watched the trailer and I don't think that's going to matter at all.

b.miller · #2 04-14-2006, 12:59 AM

yeah I am extremely absent on this. All of my friends have seen it (liked it), I think the dude's even from here, or the filmmaker's from here, or they at least shot footage of him in clubs here (damn it there is some sort of connection I know it) but for whatever reason I keep missing it and missing it and missing it. It opens at my favorite theater May 5th so I'll catch it then with everyone else I guess. The trailer looks really excellent if you ask me...

i'll post again when i see it.

b.miller · #3 05-12-2006, 08:03 PM

so i finally saw this... it's good. sad, but good. the trailer is pretty indicative of the movie... lots of his songs, lots of old beat-up footage, etc. etc., so if you liked the trailer you should like the movie

grady · #4 05-25-2006, 12:26 AM

Finally got around to seeing this one at the insistence of a friend who said it was the best film he'd seen so far this year. It was pretty good, but very sad at times. Knowing nothing about the film other than the trailer, I wasn't quite sure what to expected but found myself quite moved by the film. Check it out when and if it comes around in your area.

joethelion · #5 05-26-2006, 12:11 PM

hey - this is that movie about the guy who records music, was an artist, and manic-depressive, right?

I've wanted to see this for such a long time... hopefully it'll get released in DC soon

grady · #6 05-26-2006, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joethelion

hey - this is that movie about the guy who records music, was an artist, and manic-depressive, right?

I've wanted to see this for such a long time... hopefully it'll get released in DC soon

Yep, thats it.

trailer.

adam · #7 10-16-2006, 07:31 AM

Finally saw this. Thought it was an interesting topic, but thought the documentary itself could have been put together better. Could have used some extra trimming, I think.

One bone to pick, that I think is fairly important: They pointed out that Daniel was going off his meds before shows, and that seems to be when all his worst behavior was. I think they should have pointed out that withdrawal from those types of medications can cause "crazy" behavior; that is, he wasn't just acting nuts because he was off his meds and had returned to his normal baseline, he was acting nuts because withdrawal from mood-altering drugs is no small thing. He obviously has deep issues, but, having witnessed my father when he's messed up his medication, I think it's worth pointing out to those who might be unaware: when he pulled the keys from the plane on his father, that was withdrawal making him nuts. To represent that as his natural state is unfair.

b.miller · #8 10-16-2006, 11:05 PM

If you liked this one then I'd suggest keeping an eye peeled for this other movie called You're Gonna Miss Me:

http://youregonnamissme.com/

it's about Roky Erickson (of the 13th Floor Elevators and others), another "genius" musician who's mentally ill. The two guys' stories are actually pretty similar... I think both movies are good. Worth tracking down if you're not sad enough after Devil...