An absolute waste of money

This is a tender, generous movie that likes its characters and presents them as real people, full of flaws and strengths.

The movie runs out of plot and jokes well before the end of a two-hour running time, long for a light comedy.

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

What better way to see two of the filmmakers out of the 90s American quasi-new-wave to collaborate together then on a movie like this? More than ten years before Grindhouse Tarantino and Rodriguez teamed up- following subsequent re-writes by Tarantino of the script for Rodriguez to direct- for From Dusk Till Dawn, a drive-in movie for the 90s with lots of violence, lots of nudity and gore, some very disturbing scenes (not just with the vampires), and innuendo for two movies. Plus, did I mention vampires? This takes one into the film-making process in not just the big scheme of things but the smaller bits, like what Tarantino and Clooney's personal assistants have to do for them, or the little stories told in the breaks between shootings (the one that struck as the funniest, if bragging, was one involving a missing extra beer keg).It's not all completely fun and games, despite the opening scene showing the "follies" of Tarantino and Clooney trying to go through the 'back-way' to get to the set. There's drama involving the guilds, specifically the director and actor guilds, and it becomes a bump to get over in order to just continue making the movie. Later on there's detailing of just how much work has to go into making one of the vampires, and how much set-up there is in just doing one shot in the big action sequences at the T**y twister. There's even some insight from Harvey Keitel (prefaced by a very funny assortment of title cards). It's put together mostly for the fans of the filmmakers, and it wont get someone to see how extraordinary directing can be like in the making of Fanny & Alexander or something. It's a fun little doc for a very fun midnight movie; where else will you see Fred Williamson interviewed, seriously, in full vampire makeup?

It was the cool title that attracted me to this film and I was surprised to find that it was about the making of From Dusk Till Dawn. Had I missed something? Was this one of those troubled shoots that made it worthy of documenting like Hearts of Darkness? Perhaps the film was better than I remember and whole nations of fans were crying out for a really detailed look behind the scenes? Well, I don't know for sure but having now watched Full Tilt I suspect that none of these is true. As I watched it I kept waiting for the reason for this film being made to become clear – were there massive bust-ups on set? A natural disaster? No, not really. So for most of the film it is just people milling around and this wasn't helped by interviewing extras, assistants and the like. If they had insights to give then it wouldn't have mattered but they don't.So without a great reason for being, the documentary just drifts around backstage and almost seems grateful when a fire brings out or a dust storm blows through the set. Other than that the film just enjoys the humour and the messing around associated with making the film. Luckily this just about works and it makes the film quite enjoyable even if it instantly forgettable. Its not like there isn't interesting stuff going on, but the documentary doesn't really explore them or use them to do anything – in particular the union issue had potential but isn't done well.All those involved seem to be having fun and the film is full of amusing characters. Tarantino is a bit annoying, Clooney is fun and so on. However the focus is on the smaller roles – joking around, goofing off etc. Some of them are interesting and it does help keep the film busy and energetic but it does all come over as a film that was made for the crew to enjoy rather than made with the viewer in mind. Overall though it is quite entertaining but very light on substance, meaning that "documentary" is a bit of a kind term to describe it as it does come over as more of a home movie.

Yeah, this film was pretty interesting as far as letting me see what really goes on behind the scenes while making a film. I guess the biggest reason why I liked it was because it wasn't so stuffy and polished--it gave the human side to film making. Tarantino and Clooney aren't represented as gods, but merely guys making a movie. I think that is very important and a big problem with films today--the human aspect of it is gone. But this documentary of the making of Dust till Dawn shows just the human side. And it isn't centered on the main characters, but everyone, right down to the caterers. Also shows the complex side of film making, including the unions. All together a pretty good film.

I did not even know that this movie existed until I recently rented From Dusk Till Dawn. I began watching it and was totally won over by it. If you've ever wondered what is all involved in the movie making process, this movie is a must see! =)