Review: Clapboard Jungle
Blu-ray: Clapboard Jungle (2020)
Many people have watched a movie that they haven’t enjoyed and said “I can do better than that”, little knowing just how difficult it is to get a movie made in the first place.
Clapboard Jungle gives you a little taste of the trials and tribulations involved, as independent filmmaker Justin McConnell chronicles 5 years of his life struggling to get financing, attracting the right talent, working with practical effects and selling the finished product in the hope of turning a profit.
This fascinating behind the scenes look into the world of independent filmmaking also features interviews and insights from Guillermo del Toro, Sid Haig, Barbara Crampton , Mick Garris, Dick Miller, Tom Holland, George A. Romero and more.
The highs and (many) lows are all shown in a “warts and all” manner, as McConnell refuses to let a seemingly endless stream of knockbacks stop him from achieving his goal.
Will definitely make you think before you ever say “I can do better than that” again.
The usual array of fantastic special features from Arrow Films complement the main feature perfectly and give many added layers of entertainment and information about independent filmmaking, as well as bonus documentaries, short films and more.
SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS:
- High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation
- Original lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 audio
- Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- Optional Spanish and Catalan subtitles
- Audio commentary with director Justin McConnell
- Crew commentary with Justin McConnell, co-producer Darryl Shaw, executive producer Avi Federgreen and editor/associate producer Kevin Burke
- Guest commentary/panel discussion with Barbara Crampton, Richard Stanley, John McNaughton, Gigi Saul Guerrero and Adam Mason
- Deleted scenes with optional commentary by Justin McConnell
- Five hours of extended interviews, featuring Anne-Marie Gélinas, Barbara Crampton, Brian Trenchard-Smith, Brian Yuzna, Charles Band, Corey Moosa, Dean Cundey, Dick Miller, Don Mancini, Frank Henenlotter, Gary Sherman, George A. Romero, George Mihalka, Guillermo Del Toro, John McNaughton, Jon Reiss, Larry Cohen, Larry Fessenden, Lloyd Kaufman, Mette-Marie Kongsved, Michael Biehn & Jennifer Blanc-Biehn, Mick Garris, Paul Schrader, Richard Stanley, Sam Firstenberg, Tom Holland, Tom Savini and Vincenzo Natali
- Two bonus documentaries from Justin McConnell, Working Class Rock Star (2008) and Skull World (2013), both with optional archival commentaries
- 13 short films from Justin McConnell, all with optional commentary and new director introduction
- Trailers, promos, photo gallery and Easter eggs
- Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Ilan Sheady
FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Illustrated collectors’ booklet featuring new writing by legendary genre producer/director Brian Yuzna (Re-Animator, Society).
Review by Dave from a disc kindly supplied by Arrow Films via Fetch Publicity.
