In Smog and Thunder

Description

This devastatingly funny satire makes serious fun of traditional war documentaries, while taking aim at America's logo-crazed pop culture. In telling the saga of a fictitious Civil War between Los Angeles and San Francisco (Smogtown vs. Fogtown), the film lampoons the worldwide clash between Elitist New Age Bohemians and the Sitcom-Mongering Hordes of Hollywood. A hit at Slamdance and other festivals worldwide, "In Smog And Thunder" is based on 120 satirical paintings by acclaimed Southern California artist and surfer Sandow Birk.

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful concept, uneven execution.......2007-02-16

Living in the San Francisco Bay Area, I was really looking forward to watching this video. I had seen a segment on TV talking about this artist who did the paintings around which the movie is based, and some of his life experiences that led him to do the art and make the video, and I thought, "I need to see this."

Having seen it now, I can say, first, that the art is great. A wonderful combination of 19th and 20th century images and technology with lots of drama and humor. The writing that went into the narration was where I was a bit disappointed. From a story telling perspective it was choppy and often heavy handed.

I watched it once, and maybe, someday, I may watch it again. However, if I had it to do all over again, I wouldn't have purchased the video.

Loved it!!!!.......2004-12-02

As far as art films go this one is pretty good. Loved the inside jokes that you don't see in most films. I mean jokes that seem to pertain to growing up in California, that people out of this region just wouldn't get.....Like the whole Huell Howser part at the end. Also some of the jokes might be refered to as immature or sophmoric, which of course I love.
Anyway, there is an overall intellectual concept to this movie which is all illustrated by the paintings of Sandow Birk: War is stupid!!! and this parody is a magnificent way of illustrating this message.

DVD:

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