The Backyard (2002)
Lightbulbs, fire, barbed wire, mousetraps, staple guns, thumbtacks and glass are weapons of choice in The Backyard. This undercover documentary takes you deep into the controversial arena of backyard wrestling where the limits are constantly being tested...and broken. The Backyard follows several backyard wrestlers in different countries as they pursue their dream to become professional wrestlers.
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Best movie ever!
A Brilliant Conflict
Entertaining from beginning to end, it maintains the spirit of the franchise while establishing it's own seal with a fun cast
In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.
Now this would be the first time that I have reviewed a documentary. I doubt there will be many up because they have to interest me or strike a nerve. Since Draven and myself are backyard wrestlers, this docu hit home very hard. The technical value of the film is about what you would expect a documentary about backyard wrestling would be. The subjects are interesting and the violence is very gruesome and intense. There are a lot of powerful moments in this film. It sheds some light onto a subculture that few know anything about. Like most other subjects, there are those clichés and caricatures but this makes them completely human or inhuman in some cases. Even as a backyard wrestler myself, I viewed many of these guys as plain stupid. I think if done with responsibility, it makes me for a lot of entertainment and viewing. I might be biased when it comes to this considering I'm shooting a movie on the same subject and lived it for several years. My opinion of the film might be skewed but as a documentary, it does what it sets out to do and that is bring you, the viewer an informed view of a subject or world you perchance you have never seen before. If you ever feel a bit interested to find out what the world of backyard wrestling is like, check out the Backyard.
This is essentially kids beating the living hell out of each other for the fun of it. I expected to sit down and watch a straight forward documentary , but this film is far from it. I think there is a new wave of young filmmakers who are really daring, and this film certainly ranks up there. People in the audience were actually laughing throughout the film, and there was a huge applause at the end (am thinking this could be The Rocky Horror of Docs and screen at midnight theaters for years to come!!!) The filmmakers show a real passion for their subjects, which allows them to get close enough to them in a really subtle way. This is a world I didn't know existed and it is truly remarkable how sometimes films can present something in such a way that it takes your breath away. The scenes in Arizona are shocking, yet the scenes in England are stunning. It is also quite funny and shockingly compelling at other times. Two very high thumbs up, but not recommended for kids.
I attending to the silver lake film festival and this was far by the best movie i saw during the whole 10 days of movies. Over 200 films played and only this one caught my mind. Its new, its bloody, and its violent. This mark my top best 10 documentaries
...but if you can stomach the 75 minutes, you'll be glad you did!! (I saw this at SXSW and some guy in the audience actually fainted!) The Lizard rocks!! "The Backyard" will leave you inspired -- dreams really do come true if you put your heart & soul into making them happen -- but you may need a downer from the adrenaline rush!