Backyard Blockbusters
Backyard Blockbusters
6.7
For years, people have been making home movies, many times using pop culture properties that they may not own, but love. In recent years, these types of projects have come to be known as "fanfilms". Backyard Blockbusters looks at the history and influence of the fanfilm genre, as well as the copyright and fair use problems these films create, featuring highlights from and interviews with the creators of many popular films.
jackmeat reviewedMay 5, 2025
My quick rating - 5.0/10. I very much like a flick that brings to light this niche market of film. Fan flix can be well done or horrible. Sounds kind of like all films, correct? The beauty of these is the passion these fans have for the films they make in homage to their favorites. So, what could be done to get some insight from those who actually make them? "Backyard Star Wars/Trek" since apparently, aside from the famous fanfilm for Raiders of the Lost Ark, hardly any content aside from this is focused on. Sure, it is the predominant two franchises in this market, but tbh, I was unaware of the fan film market until I saw a Friday the 13th fan film 30 years ago. My point is that the horror genre is completely overlooked in this documentary, along with anything else. It skates over a couple of superhero ones, which there are thousands of as well. They are so stuck on a couple of the high-end Star Wars/Trek ones that went on to popularity that this movie turns out more of a PR vehicle for these people, and not a focus on the entire culture itself. It really is too bad since the peeps that are focused on are deserving of the praise, but this blatant bias in this does no one any favors. Good for a movie buff, especially if you are unaware of their existence, but expect what I described. And check out Friday the 13th: Vengeance. That is a fan film you will believe is a Hollywood flick. Not only is it well-made made but entirely plays into the whole universe itself.