The Lake Geneva Regional News from Lake Geneva, Wisconsin • 73

iNjaxsy cdod STARBUCKS COFFEE, 685 Vy. Main received a CI KDTOCP 033 Unique Documentary Looks At American Dream one-year anniversary certificate from the Geneva Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. Manager Lisa Pierce (right) and Chamber of Commerce Services Director Barbara Lidbetter are shown. U. Latuilhxeirs OLD FASHIONED ICE CREAM PARLOR DVD edition).

I dont know what to make of Borchardt, personally. Its chilling to learn, during a montage of his past films, just what it is hes really talking about. For the first 45 minutes, we listen to Borchardt discuss his passion and I was strung along, hoping he sees his projects through. Then, we sec clips of his past, mostly unfinished works, and its disturbing. Even one of Borchardts brothers says, his movies, we always thought hed end up stalking somebody.

Maybe even plotting their murder. As it turns out, Borchardt has sporadic lapses into the minor stages of alcoholism. His best friend Mike Schank almost died from a PCP overdose. Schanks near-death experience has obviously left him so fried that winning $50 on a scratch-card lottery ticket keeps him laughing furtively all throughout one bizarre Thanksgiving get-together. What endears us to Borchardt, though, is the relationship he shares with his uncle Bill.

The elderly, horribly wrinkled man is the skeptical producer of Coven. Bill shakes his head whenever Borchardt talks about his movies and how much money they will make. A scene where Borchadt bathes Bill is both touching and comical. As documentaries go, American Movie asks the same question as Michael Moores Roger and Me docs: What is the American Dream? For Borchardt, the dream is defined by its not the 40-hour work weeks spent inside some factory as a cog in some massive machine. Borchardt embodies admirable intentions, but its questionable whether or not he can escape the bad habits of lower middle class.

While film is a way for him to maintain sobriety, Borchardt docs drink frequently and occasionally suffers from depression. So, can he make it? Ill say this: Hollywood would be a lot more interesting if he did. Im not going to say if Borchardt accomplishes his goals in American Movie, but 1 hear work on Northwestern has begun again. And, thankfully, its reportedly based on his real-life experiences as an alcoholic and drug and its not another gorefest. Who knows? Maybe Borchardt has something interesting to say.

Any way you look at it, its a miracle Borchardts even trying. American Movie is rated for language and drug content. The DVD also includes a commentary track and deleted scenes. Grade: A- Many film critics will tell you John Casscvcttcs pioneered independent film making, but shortly" before his landmark debut Shadows was a little movie called Night of the Living Dead. The film, made by George A.

Romero and a handful of buddies, went on to become a low-budget monumental piece of horror cinema. Almost half a century later, now legendary Milwaukee native Mark Borchardt cites the Romero film as one of his biggest influences in American Movie. Borchardt is the subject of this documentary, directed by Chris Smith, which looks deeply into his life, what he considers his art and the making of Northwestern, a feature-length film he started in 1990. Ultimately, the documentary explores what Borchardt feels is the American Dream. American Movie was filmed between 1995 and 1 997.

Although it initially was intended to chronicle the process of making Northwestern, Borchardt temporarily abandons the project just 15 minutes into the documentary. Due to money problems, Borchardt decides to finish another previously abandoned project. This is the short film Coven (which is included on the txmipi hubers 's located at 2010 Church St, East Troy 2 blocks nortii of the square next to the Trolley Museum (only 15 minutes from Lake Geneva) 1 (2621642-3679 I Visit Lauber's and take a step back in time a 4 page menu of delicious ice cream treats, including 20 flavors of malts, awaits you in this authentic 1920's ice cream parlor. A Huge candy counter, 78RPM jukebox, and a vast collection of ice cream memorabilia complete the picture. WE SERVE REAL ICE CREAMnot soft serve.

Make geneva Horse Park ON THE SQUARE Antique Mall SPECIAL FIREWORKS The Place Animals Take Center Stage yyrto SSfet BOAT TOURS JULY 4TH WEEKEND Three nights of fireworks over Geneva Lake! Avoid the crowds and enjoy the beautiful fireworks "from the water! July 2nd Dinner Cruise and Fireworks Tour aboard the Belle of the Lake 730 p.m. Fireworks Tours aboard the Lady of the Lake and the Walworth II 8:00 p.m, July 3rd Fireworks Tours aboard the Lady of the Lake and the Walworth II 8:00 p.m. Private Fireworks Displays Not Visible From Shore July 4th Dixieland Dinner Cruise and Fireworks aboard the Belle of the Lake 7:30 p.m. Fireworks Tour-Walworth II 7:30 p.m. ALSO Special Historic Tours on the Steam Yacht Louise and the Polaris throughout the weekend.

Vintage 100-year-old lake yachts-call for available times July 1-4. MANY extra tours over the five-day holiday period! Call: GENEVA LAKE DISPLAYED BY 100 of the Midwest; Leading Dealers Open 7 Days A Week 10 to 5 Open Friday til 7 p.m. Quality Antiques Collectibles 100 Plus Dealers-1 5,000 Sq. Ft. Accessories tor the Home A Unusual Treasures iJ Adjacent to Antique Mall CRUISE LINE at (262) 248-6206 Jet.

of Hwys. 67 14 Walworth, Wl 262-275-9858.