list http://www.spout.com/ Recent community activity around American Splendor on Spout Copyright 2005-9 Spout, LLC Spout RSS http://www.spout.com/images/SpoutLogoRSS.jpg http://www.spout.com/ 136 30 http://www.spout.com/films/American_Splendor/220041/default.aspx Title: American Splendor
Year: 2003
Director: Robert Pulcini, Shari Springer Berman
Plot: The documentary directing team of Robert Pulcini and Shari Springer Berman makes their narrative feature debut with the biographical comedy drama American Splendor. Harvey Pekar (Paul Giamatti) is a comic book writer inspired by the work of his friend Robert Crumb (James Urbaniak). Pekar writes his comics about the sad monotony of everyday life, based on his own life in Cleveland, OH, working as a file clerk at a veteran's hospital and spending his time reading books and listening to jazz. He meets up with Joyce Brabner (Hope Davis) and they enjoy a depressive relationship together. The filmmakers employ a combination of live-action film, video, and animation, including narration and commentary from the real-life Harvey Pekar. The screenplay was based on Pekar's comic book series American Splendor, which he has been writing since 1976 on Dark Horse Comics, and the 1994 book-length comic Our Cancer Year, written by Pekar and Brabner. American Splendor won the Grand Jury Prize in the Dramatic Competition at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
Times Tagged: 43
Number of Lists: 58
Number of blog posts: 2
Number of discussion threads: 4
SpoutRating: 3
]]>Tue, 17 Mar 2009 01:26:55 GMTAmerican Splendor2003Robert Pulcini, Shari Springer BermanThe documentary directing team of Robert Pulcini and Shari Springer Berman makes their narrative feature debut with the biographical comedy drama American Splendor. <a href="/players/P___354617/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Harvey Pekar</a> (<a href="/players/P____26680/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Paul Giamatti</a>) is a comic book writer inspired by the work of his friend Robert Crumb (<a href="/players/P___230904/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>James Urbaniak</a>). Pekar writes his comics about the sad monotony of everyday life, based on his own life in Cleveland, OH, working as a file clerk at a veteran's hospital and spending his time reading books and listening to jazz. He meets up with Joyce Brabner (<a href="/players/P____17353/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Hope Davis</a>) and they enjoy a depressive relationship together. The filmmakers employ a combination of live-action film, video, and animation, including narration and commentary from the real-life <a href="/players/P___354617/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Harvey Pekar</a>. The screenplay was based on Pekar's comic book series American Splendor, which he has been writing since 1976 on Dark Horse Comics, and the 1994 book-length comic Our Cancer Year, written by Pekar and Brabner. American Splendor won the Grand Jury Prize in the Dramatic Competition at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide43Tag Target (>10)58243http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t37047zr26i.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/American_Splendor/220041/default.aspxFilm http://www.spout.com/groups/Movie_Polls/Re_Which_of_these_films_based_on_graphic_novels_is/657/40645/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: QFLW
Post To: Movie Polls
Post Date: 2/25/2009 6:52:07 PM
Body: [quote user="Risselada"] Please reference this thread for the rules of this group. Watchmen is coming out pretty soon, and up until last week I don't think I could ever say I'd read a graphic novel before. Someone lent me their copy of this book, and I'm actually only halfway through it still, but I'm really hooked. So for this poll I tried to pick movies that came strictly from graphic novels. For instance there were some I was originally going to add, but my research indicates that The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen is a comic book series and 30 Days of Night is a comic book mini-series. In the case of American Splendor I couldn't tell if these were "comic books" or "novels" (I haven't seen the movie either...) so I just left it off to keep the list as focused as possible. And as for anything Japanese or manga based, that's just another huge world that I might do another poll about later, but for now I didn't include anything from that. Sorry if I missed your favorite, but please feel free to discuss.[/quote] I had no idea that Ghost World and Road to Perdition were from graphic novels! Must not have paid close enough attention to the credits. When I first saw the subject of the poll, I thought "heck, I probably haven't seen any of these films." But turns out I've seen half of them. Had a hard time choosing between Perdition and Ghost World; both were impressive and well done. In the end it was mostly a coin toss. :-) I liked History of Violence all right, but V For Vendetta was too preposterous. The hero, in choosing Guy Fawkes as his alter-ego, isn't remembering or applying his history correctly. A friend and I argued about the film being romantic (she maintained it was; I said no one who tortures someone else, no matter what their motives, is being romantic).
]]>Wed, 25 Feb 2009 23:52:07 GMTQFLWMovie Polls2/25/2009 6:52:07 PM[quote user="Risselada"] Please reference this thread for the rules of this group. Watchmen is coming out pretty soon, and up until last week I don't think I could ever say I'd read a graphic novel before. Someone lent me their copy of this book, and I'm actually only halfway through it still, but I'm really hooked. So for this poll I tried to pick movies that came strictly from graphic novels. For instance there were some I was originally going to add, but my research indicates that The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen is a comic book series and 30 Days of Night is a comic book mini-series. In the case of American Splendor I couldn't tell if these were "comic books" or "novels" (I haven't seen the movie either...) so I just left it off to keep the list as focused as possible. And as for anything Japanese or manga based, that's just another huge world that I might do another poll about later, but for now I didn't include anything from that. Sorry if I missed your favorite, but please feel free to discuss.[/quote] I had no idea that Ghost World and Road to Perdition were from graphic novels! Must not have paid close enough attention to the credits. When I first saw the subject of the poll, I thought "heck, I probably haven't seen any of these films." But turns out I've seen half of them. Had a hard time choosing between Perdition and Ghost World; both were impressive and well done. In the end it was mostly a coin toss. :-) I liked History of Violence all right, but V For Vendetta was too preposterous. The hero, in choosing Guy Fawkes as his alter-ego, isn't remembering or applying his history correctly. A friend and I argued about the film being romantic (she maintained it was; I said no one who tortures someone else, no matter what their motives, is being romantic). http://www.spout.com/groups/Movie_Polls/Which_of_these_films_based_on_graphic_novels_is_yo/657/40619/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: Risselada
Post To: Movie Polls
Post Date: 2/24/2009 3:28:14 PM
Body: Please reference this thread for the rules of this group. Watchmen is coming out pretty soon, and up until last week I don't think I could ever say I'd read a graphic novel before. Someone lent me their copy of this book, and I'm actually only halfway through it still, but I'm really hooked. So for this poll I tried to pick movies that came strictly from graphic novels. For instance there were some I was originally going to add, but my research indicates that The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen is a comic book series and 30 Days of Night is a comic book mini-series. In the case of American Splendor I couldn't tell if these were "comic books" or "novels" (I haven't seen the movie either...) so I just left it off to keep the list as focused as possible. And as for anything Japanese or manga based, that's just another huge world that I might do another poll about later, but for now I didn't include anything from that. Sorry if I missed your favorite, but please feel free to discuss. Please vote only once in each poll. Movies referenced in this poll:300From HellGhost WorldA History of ViolencePersepolisRoad to PerditionSin CityV for Vendetta
]]>Tue, 24 Feb 2009 20:28:14 GMTRisseladaMovie Polls2/24/2009 3:28:14 PMPlease reference this thread for the rules of this group. Watchmen is coming out pretty soon, and up until last week I don't think I could ever say I'd read a graphic novel before. Someone lent me their copy of this book, and I'm actually only halfway through it still, but I'm really hooked. So for this poll I tried to pick movies that came strictly from graphic novels. For instance there were some I was originally going to add, but my research indicates that The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen is a comic book series and 30 Days of Night is a comic book mini-series. In the case of American Splendor I couldn't tell if these were "comic books" or "novels" (I haven't seen the movie either...) so I just left it off to keep the list as focused as possible. And as for anything Japanese or manga based, that's just another huge world that I might do another poll about later, but for now I didn't include anything from that. Sorry if I missed your favorite, but please feel free to discuss. Please vote only once in each poll. Movies referenced in this poll:300From HellGhost WorldA History of ViolencePersepolisRoad to PerditionSin CityV for Vendetta http://www.spout.com/groups/Filmmakers_Forum/Re_Short_documentary_on_24_Hour_Comics_day_online/435/40554/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: seely
Post To: Filmmakers Forum
Post Date: 2/19/2009 1:22:32 PM
Body: [quote user="ShaunHuston"] I teach geography and film studies at Western Oregon and am interested in the relationships between people, place, and culture. I began noticing that Portland was home to a large number of comics writers and artists and was interested in exploring why that was. Cities like Portland have been successful at attracting the "creative class", but not every city has been a magnet for this particular group. I wish I had good funding stories! I have built up my equipment over a few years, partiy with my own funds and partly with university support. My work last summer was underwritten by a development grant from Western, and I had a small group of students and recent grads working on the project for credit and experience. From here, who knows. I am benefitting from the accessibility of digital technology and a profession that affords me time to develop these kinds of interests, but I have not yet ventured into serious fundraising to support my work. [/quote] Sounds like a cool project--kind of reminds me of Crumb, which for anyone who hasn't seen it is a documentary of is a documentary of gonzo-comic artist Robert Crumb, who was also the artist of the comic book featured in American Splendor. Anyways, it sounds like a really cool project--best of luck on it!
]]>Thu, 19 Feb 2009 18:22:32 GMTseelyFilmmakers Forum2/19/2009 1:22:32 PM[quote user="ShaunHuston"] I teach geography and film studies at Western Oregon and am interested in the relationships between people, place, and culture. I began noticing that Portland was home to a large number of comics writers and artists and was interested in exploring why that was. Cities like Portland have been successful at attracting the "creative class", but not every city has been a magnet for this particular group. I wish I had good funding stories! I have built up my equipment over a few years, partiy with my own funds and partly with university support. My work last summer was underwritten by a development grant from Western, and I had a small group of students and recent grads working on the project for credit and experience. From here, who knows. I am benefitting from the accessibility of digital technology and a profession that affords me time to develop these kinds of interests, but I have not yet ventured into serious fundraising to support my work. [/quote] Sounds like a cool project--kind of reminds me of Crumb, which for anyone who hasn't seen it is a documentary of is a documentary of gonzo-comic artist Robert Crumb, who was also the artist of the comic book featured in American Splendor. Anyways, it sounds like a really cool project--best of luck on it! http://www.spout.com/blogs/seely/archive/2009/2/11/40398.aspx Post By: seely
Post To: seely
Post Date: 2/11/2009 1:15:16 PM
Body: Anyone who enjoyed American Splendor would be well-advised to check out 1994's "Crumb". The film, although a documentary, is filmed in much the same style as American Splendor, or more than likely American Splendor is filmed in much the same style as Crumb. Irrergardless, it is a must-see. Harvey Crumb was the avant-garde artist behind American Splendor, and frankly the documentary film is disturbing, hilarious and goes into great depth to explain the psychologically troubled pen behind the pages of American Splendor.
]]>Wed, 11 Feb 2009 18:15:16 GMTseelyseely2/11/2009 1:15:16 PMAnyone who enjoyed American Splendor would be well-advised to check out 1994's "Crumb". The film, although a documentary, is filmed in much the same style as American Splendor, or more than likely American Splendor is filmed in much the same style as Crumb. Irrergardless, it is a must-see. Harvey Crumb was the avant-garde artist behind American Splendor, and frankly the documentary film is disturbing, hilarious and goes into great depth to explain the psychologically troubled pen behind the pages of American Splendor. http://www.spout.com/groups/The_Film_Library/Re_Expanding_Horizons_The_Wide_World_Of_Licensed/512/26814/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: SkyPilot
Post To: The Film Library
Post Date: 4/1/2008 11:43:23 AM
Body: I remember within one week in summer when I was thirteen, I read the novelizations to Judge Dredd and Waterworld. It's a safe bet to say they weren't good literature, but I enjoyed them a lot more than the movies. I don't mean to say I thought the movies sucked--I loved them when I was 13. So those novels were like the epitome of literature to me at the time. I don't think I have a good perspective on what separates 'hip' from 'geeky,' or if compulsion is sometimes taken for hipster cred. I'm thinking of Ghost World. Doesn't the girl compliment Buscemi on his collection and he says something to the effect, "I can't stop doing this, it's like a sickness." I'm also thinking of an illustrated frame in American Splendor, where Harvey is holding a record, thinking, "Buying this record won't make me happy."I think I could add to that, "It won't make me more hip, either." Of course, this goes against the environment I find at parties, bars, etc. where people are impressed if you've listened to Andre Williams on iTunes, but far more impressed if you have the vinyl. Any thoughts? Is it time for me to go to different parties and bars, or is there nothing wrong with a hierarchy of hip? And though that hierarchy may differ in the minds of individuals or communities, is there still an overarching, recognizable structure? I.e. is having a record always more hip than having an MP3? I can imagine how techies that would cry 'foul.'
]]>Tue, 01 Apr 2008 15:43:23 GMTSkyPilotThe Film Library4/1/2008 11:43:23 AMI remember within one week in summer when I was thirteen, I read the novelizations to Judge Dredd and Waterworld. It&#39;s a safe bet to say they weren&#39;t good literature, but I enjoyed them a lot more than the movies. I don&#39;t mean to say I thought the movies sucked--I loved them when I was 13. So those novels were like the epitome of literature to me at the time. I don&#39;t think I have a good perspective on what separates &#39;hip&#39; from &#39;geeky,&#39; or if compulsion is sometimes taken for hipster cred. I&#39;m thinking of Ghost World. Doesn&#39;t the girl compliment Buscemi on his collection and he says something to the effect, "I can&#39;t stop doing this, it&#39;s like a sickness." I&#39;m also thinking of an illustrated frame in American Splendor, where Harvey is holding a record, thinking, "Buying this record won&#39;t make me happy."I think I could add to that, "It won&#39;t make me more hip, either." Of course, this goes against the environment I find at parties, bars, etc. where people are impressed if you&#39;ve listened to Andre Williams on iTunes, but far more impressed if you have the vinyl. Any thoughts? Is it time for me to go to different parties and bars, or is there nothing wrong with a hierarchy of hip? And though that hierarchy may differ in the minds of individuals or communities, is there still an overarching, recognizable structure? I.e. is having a record always more hip than having an MP3? I can imagine how techies that would cry &#39;foul.&#39; http://www.spout.com/blogs/fullmetal_atheist/archive/2007/5/21/9145.aspx Post By: FullMetal_Atheist
Post To: FullMetal_Atheist Blog
Post Date: 5/21/2007 10:25:06 PM
Body: American Splendor' is based on the autobiographical comics written by Harvey Pekar and illustrated by many celebrated 'underground' comics artists. Pekar's stories of everyday blue-collar life (Until his recent retirement he was a mailroom clerk in a hospital) have sat next to Batman and X-Men titles in Comic Shops for the best part of thirty years now. Pekar also found minor celebrity as an occasional guest on David Letterman's show until an infamous incident - dramatised in this film - where he let rip with a particularly pointed attack on NBC's connections with arms dealing and what he saw as his own exploitation by Letterman for comedy value. The film dramatises segments from Pekar's life, including a wonderful mid-sixties moment, when he meets a fellow Jazz enthusiast by the name of 'Bob' Crumb, along with scenes taken straight from the comic book itself. These are intercut with interview segments by the directors with Pekar, his wife and collaborator Joyce Brabner and workmates. Paul Giamatti, who plays Pekar in the dramatised scenes, is an extremely credible Pekar. although he's a bit chubbier and less abrasive than the real thing, the mannerisms and, crucially, the voice (Pekar himself narrates many of the scenes) are dead ringers for the man himself. A moment when the real Pekar and his mailroom colleague Toby Radloff (Who deserves a comic book, not to mention a movie all to himself) are chatting with the actors who portray them cracking up in the background is both disorientating and strangely moving. By it's very nature the film is a slow burner. Being an adaptation of a work about the minutae of everyday life, the mundane and the struggle to just get up each morning (Something Pekar claims was a particular effort for his wife) it isn't exactly filled with action. But 'American Splendor' is a delightful and touching tale of a man who's very ordinariness makes him a unique voice. Pekar comes across as a, slightly cleaner living, Bukowski. Or maybe Homer Simpson (There's an uncanny physical resemblance). 'American Splendor' itself is an accomplished piece of film making that isn't showy about it's complex intertextual structure. Plus it's refreshing to see that with the current boom in Comic book movie adaptations there seems to be room for some of the more 'obscure' titles out there to make it to the big screen. 'Love And Rockets' anyone? If you're a fan of Terry Zwigoff's films I guarantee you're going to love it!
]]>Tue, 22 May 2007 02:25:06 GMTFullMetal_AtheistFullMetal_Atheist Blog5/21/2007 10:25:06 PMAmerican Splendor&#39; is based on the autobiographical comics written by Harvey Pekar and illustrated by many celebrated &#39;underground&#39; comics artists. Pekar&#39;s stories of everyday blue-collar life (Until his recent retirement he was a mailroom clerk in a hospital) have sat next to Batman and X-Men titles in Comic Shops for the best part of thirty years now. Pekar also found minor celebrity as an occasional guest on David Letterman&#39;s show until an infamous incident - dramatised in this film - where he let rip with a particularly pointed attack on NBC&#39;s connections with arms dealing and what he saw as his own exploitation by Letterman for comedy value. The film dramatises segments from Pekar&#39;s life, including a wonderful mid-sixties moment, when he meets a fellow Jazz enthusiast by the name of &#39;Bob&#39; Crumb, along with scenes taken straight from the comic book itself. These are intercut with interview segments by the directors with Pekar, his wife and collaborator Joyce Brabner and workmates. Paul Giamatti, who plays Pekar in the dramatised scenes, is an extremely credible Pekar. although he&#39;s a bit chubbier and less abrasive than the real thing, the mannerisms and, crucially, the voice (Pekar himself narrates many of the scenes) are dead ringers for the man himself. A moment when the real Pekar and his mailroom colleague Toby Radloff (Who deserves a comic book, not to mention a movie all to himself) are chatting with the actors who portray them cracking up in the background is both disorientating and strangely moving. By it&#39;s very nature the film is a slow burner. Being an adaptation of a work about the minutae of everyday life, the mundane and the struggle to just get up each morning (Something Pekar claims was a particular effort for his wife) it isn&#39;t exactly filled with action. But &#39;American Splendor&#39; is a delightful and touching tale of a man who&#39;s very ordinariness makes him a unique voice. Pekar comes across as a, slightly cleaner living, Bukowski. Or maybe Homer Simpson (There&#39;s an uncanny physical resemblance). &#39;American Splendor&#39; itself is an accomplished piece of film making that isn&#39;t showy about it&#39;s complex intertextual structure. Plus it&#39;s refreshing to see that with the current boom in Comic book movie adaptations there seems to be room for some of the more &#39;obscure&#39; titles out there to make it to the big screen. &#39;Love And Rockets&#39; anyone? If you&#39;re a fan of Terry Zwigoff&#39;s films I guarantee you&#39;re going to love it! http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/comedy/MemberTagFilms.aspxcomedy
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