Director: Mark Hartley (2008)
Starring: Quentin Tarantino, Dennis Hopper
It's a documentary. But give it a chance - Not Quite Hollywood is really, really good. Strewth, and other stereotypical hijinks, throw another shrimp on the barbie, crack open a can of Fosters, (sentence deleted because of epically unfunny probably racist bullshittyiness) slam Not Quite Hollywood in your DVD player and prepare for the most entertaining and most interesting documentary since the sex(y) ones they used to show you in school. Who gives a shit about Michael Moore and his high horse? This movie is full of tits and stories about Dennis Hopper getting shitfaced and banned from Australia.
Not Quite Hollywood: The Wild, Untold Story of Ozploitation! documents the history of a subgenre that this British idiot didn't even know existed before: Ozploitation. Despite not really being aware of it before, many a horror/sci-fi fan has probably happened across Ozploitation in his time. Most recently, the giant croc flick Rogue, the cult gem Razorback or likely, through its most famous export - Mad Max.
Not all of it covers horror, but any fan of cinema will be entertained throughout. The documentary starts off with a bit of smut (with the cinematic debut of Dame Edna Everage, no less) and a few bawdy sex comedies. It may not be horror in the least, but there's plenty of boobies on show, some truly bewildering sleaze and a man puking off've the Eiffel Tower. Yes, it harkens back to a time when Dame Edna Everage wasn't a reason to turn off your television. I particularly enjoyed its vision of a wet, grey Britain covered in dogshit.
The real meat, however, follows with the doc's action and horror sections. Film fans beware, Not Quite Hollywood often plays like something of a shopping list: there wasn't a movie covered that I wouldn't be interested in owning. In particular, Fair Game, Mad Dog Morgan, The Man from Hong Kong and The Survivor (I do love me some James Herbert). It's all depicted with a raw enthusiasm that only the truest film geek can muster. With that in mind, it's only apt that head honcho film geek Quentin Tarantino should lead the interviewees. Tarantino is unsurprisingly the most vocal of those interviewed, but by no means the most interesting. There are some great stories here from stuntmen, directors, critics, actresses and actors alike. It's almost a testament to more innocent times, with tales of Dennis Hopper destroying graveyards and an ex-James Bond being set alight. They sure don't make 'em like this anymore.
There's only one truly bad thing about Not Quite Hollywood. Several of the movies amongst its number are either rare or out of print, and that makes me feel all sad inside. I just know that my life will never be complete until I get to see The Man from Hong Kong in all its glory. Here's to the next 20-odd years of me hunting down Fair Game. Another 20-odd years of me getting all excited when I find the DVD on play.com - and then cursing the name of Baldwin when it turns out to be a William Baldwin 'movie' of the same name. Why must you Baldwins constantly mock me?
Oh, fuck off William Baldwin
Michael Moore and Morgan Spurlock take note. This is how a documentary should be made. NotQuite Hollywood is something that any self-respecting film fan simply needs to see.
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