Just what I expected

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

KUNG FU ELLIOT is another of those micro budget 'mockumentary' comedies that have been doing the rounds ever since THIS IS SPINAL TAP popularised the genre. This time it's about the titular character, a legend in his own mind, who turns out to be a typical chubby middle-aged guy with little skill or ability at anything. I found the comedy laboured and over-obvious and the film as a whole a real chore to get through, it's that bad.

Most viewers seem to sort of dislike this flick for one of two reasons. Either it's because they don't like Elliot or because they can't place it in a category. The first reason is like dismissing "Das Boot" or "Schindler's List" b/c you don't like Nazis and the second is sadly the prominent reason why a lot of awesome movies get bad reviews. Everybody love's the Godfather as it is obviously a gangster movie - but Science of Sleep - hmm - is it a drama, or a comedy, is it a dream, is it real?At the end of the day it's pretty simple - it's a portrait. And b/c this portrait was filmed over a longer period it starts to develop into directions the director probably didn't anticipate. Elliot is - as destructive and deceptive as he may be - an interesting subject to be placed under the looking glass - like an ugly insect for example - pretty interesting to watch as a matter of fact. It's truly fascinating to see him clash with reality. And for that purpose the director does a great job - it really couldn't be done any better in my opinion - hence 10/10.You might also enjoy:The Jinx (super-unlikeable) Beltracchi (super-likeable) Point and Shoot (super-likeable) When Louis met Saville (super-unlikeable)---I do have to say so that I feel also kind of sorry for Elliot and that this movie to some extent severely damaged his freedom. He is a manipulative and deceptive person - but he didn't directly harm anybody and his focus was on adults who should have simply known better. Realistically speaking for every liar there is somebody who actively wants to believe lies ... to some extent he's the embodiment of a tragic character from a Wes Anderson movie.

I'm not gonna spoil anything, but this documentary film starts off as a funny and charming look at a pretty delusional guy who thinks he's gonna be the next Jean Claude Van Dame who makes movies with his girlfriend.All that might sound innocent enough but they throw you one heck of a twist at you one hour in that will make you look at the whole thing in a completely different light, like a total 360 degree change to the point that you're left thinking 'could this be real?'.But they say that the truth is usually stranger than fiction, and if that is true than this could be the very testament of that.I kinda hope that it was all a hoax in all honesty, and that it is some sort of satire on documentaries to show how easily manipulated they are and how you can portray 'reality' from many different points of views to get your desired idea across.Yeah, this was one of the most bizarre things I've seen in a long long long time, and I was a bit disturbed in the end in all honesty. I guess that in itself makes it recommendable.

It's hard to write about Kung Fu Elliot because its best to watch with zero expectations and as little information as possible. At least, that's how I feel as I attended a screening at Hot Docs in Toronto solely based on bumping into the sweet and friendly filmmakers at an Industry function and wanting to support their screening as a thank you for extending themselves to me in an otherwise awkward social situation. As an indie filmmaker myself, I soon found myself laughing out loud at the outrageous claims of the main doc subject, DYI filmmaker and self-proclaimed marital arts expert Elliot Scott. However, I was not laughing entirely AT the self-diluted doc subjects low in talent while high in ambition as I was also identifying in a half-cringing fashion as my own cinematic attempts share some significant territory with this motley crew of dreamers in Halifax. If you love satire, off-the-wall documentary subjects and are up for sharing a wacky 2 year journey with the filmmakers Jaret and Matt you will be well rewarded by this film. I have to leave it there-- NO SPOILER ALERT. This is no wonder this Canadian Doc is being compared to sleeper hit Catfish.