19 response about Check out Dear Zachary on December 7th! »

1. 

   Awesome. I wonder if I get MSNBC on my Satellite package. Will have to double check that…

   Comment by Marina Antunes — December 2, 2008
2. 

   The guys at slash film were blubbering over this film as well… I was really looking forward to this coming the the theaters but I guess not.

   sunday it is. Thanks Jon!

   Comment by rot — December 2, 2008
3. 

   i saw this. i cried. i can admit that.

   Comment by murph — December 2, 2008
4. 

   Wow – I went to high school with Andrew and graduated the same year (1991). This is the first time I’ve heard of his tragedy. It has hit me really hard. I’ll be glued to the screen this coming Sunday. Thanks for sharing the information.

   Comment by Gary — December 2, 2008
5. 

   I believe they will pay tribute to Andrew very well, Gary. I am sure of it, by the sounds and look of it.

   There is something about friendship, the unbreakable male bond between two friends that can get to guys more than anything. Well, or father and son stories (which this is also) – those always seem to bring out the tissues for guys too. Even brothers. Which it is odd that the bond between two males (friends, brothers, fathers and sons) can affect guys so much, but if it is about a guy and a girl, guys will shrug it off as sappy.

   I’m yet to be brought to actual tears by a film, but there have been occasions I’ve come close. Which brings up an interesting discussion in itself…

   I think a lot of it depends on the mood you are in, and well, obviously how much something resonates with you at that point in your life (the reason people like to watch break-up movies after a break-up: to get some more good, solid crying out of their system since they will relate).

   Comment by Jonathan B. — December 3, 2008
6. 

   Hey Jonathan, thanks for the heads up. DVR is set.

   Haven’t been following this, but judging from all the praise, I’m kind of excited now. I haven’t shed a tear in years. I’m due.

   Comment by Andrew James — December 3, 2008
7. 

   I rarely cry during a film as well — but the last ones I can remember were IN AMERICA, GLORY (brotherhood) and FIELD OF DREAMS (father/son)….so I think you’re on to something about the male bonding thing.

   Comment by Gary — December 3, 2008
8. 

   The slash film crew were all in years over this film but they did have one criticism, the use of music was intrusive at times, other that a perfect film.

   Comment by rot — December 3, 2008
9. 

   uh tears not years

   Comment by rot — December 3, 2008
10. 

    I set my DVR and also realized it is playing again at 11c/12e. So if you miss the 9pm showing, it’s on again at midnight.

    Comment by Andrew James — December 4, 2008
11. 

    I’m really a hardened movie goer. I’ve seen nearly everything and rarely get moved. This movie affected me like nothing I’ve seen. The criticism of the music and at times disunity of editing has been criticized and I can understand why, but I think its just form following the emotional content.

    Full Review here:
    http://floydfortnightly.blogspot.com/2008/11/movie-review.html

    Comment by Jacob — December 5, 2008
12. 

    So I’m pissed off. My cable was doing weird things when I set this to record. I’ll try re-recording it at 2am and try watching it tomorrow.

    I told a few people about it though and I got a couple of emails some of them saying how great it was.

    Comment by Andrew James — December 8, 2008
13. 

    ugh, I just plain forgot, and I had a gmail reminder and everything.

    Comment by rot — December 8, 2008
14. 

    Check your listings rot, I’m sure it will be on again. It pretty much played non-stop all throughout last night.

    Comment by Andrew James — December 8, 2008
15. 

    my humanity is in check, I cried. Dear Zachary is a film that measures up exactly to the hype, at first I was thinking maybe it was not going to be as affecting as claimed, but wow. And the points I have heard elsewhere that the value of the film is not so much it’s craftsmanship, while it is very affecting and does what it sets out to do, its ultimately the story and found footage that carries you through the emotional journey. Its ambitious with its storytelling, lots of layered sounds and a bazillion cuts, but it is not the sort of thing you admire for HOW it got to where it did, it is always overshadowed by the story itself, and that is a good thing. If you are there to be moved, you will be moved.

    Comment by rot — March 6, 2009
16. 

    I couldn’t have said it better myself. The story is amazing but the way the story is crafted with such attention to detail is brilliant and simply enhances the story. It’s definitely hard not to cry.

    Comment by Andrew James — March 6, 2009
17. 

    Watched Dear Zachary a 2nd time and have more respect for its construction. Yes it is manipulative, its lingers on emotionally charged moments, and I noticed it builds its music carefully… first time around I noticed the music only at the key points, felt somewhat unnecessary but 2nd time around I noticed how the music at times is a slowburn leading to that crescendo. And also there is a lot of great moments with no music at all, no sound in fact, just still images. The film is deservedly indulgent in its lingering on Andrew, on the love people had for him. But I take back my original reservation, this is a well made documentary on the whole.

    Comment by rot — March 7, 2009
18. 

    i saw this due to the recommendation on here. my god, i have never cried so hard during a movie. in fact, i’ve only cried a handful of times and this one had me blubbering. if you don’t at least tear up, you have no heart.

    my oh my.

    Comment by ralph — March 9, 2009
19. 

    Jonathan – Why only quotes from the GEEK sites. I think I’d be more interested in the opinions of folks with families and aged over 40 on this one.

    Yet, I really, really liked the film, it hammers hammers hammers its emotions home in a way that, actually, feels quite earned.

    Is Kurt Kuenne a potential next pop-doc maker along the vein of Michael Moore or Morgan Spurlock? This film would suggest that he knows how to mix pop, technique and substance together in a very EARNED kind of way.

    Comment by Kurt Halfyard — March 9, 2009

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