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10

blokJan 25, 2011

If the "Academy" were truly looking for the Best Picture, they would have to include this. It was better by far than any 2010 film I've seen, and yes that includes "Black Swan," "Inception," "Winter's Bone," "Social Network," and the wayIf the "Academy" were truly looking for the Best Picture, they would have to include this. It was better by far than any 2010 film I've seen, and yes that includes "Black Swan," "Inception," "Winter's Bone," "Social Network," and the way overrated "True Grit." Banksy's movie transcends the genre of documentary and lands in virtually unknown territory: factual, farcical, thought-provoking, and really damn entertaining. Is it a hoax? Possibly, but doesn't that only increase Banksy's brilliance? And if you're turned off by the later turn into absurd narrative and biting satire against the art community and popular culture, you can't argue with the first half which focuses almost exclusively on amazing street art sequences. I consider this alongside "Waltz with Bashir" as a documentary that blows all other docs out of the water. It is a total movie experience. Before seeing this I didn't know who Banksy was. One day later he's a personal hero.… Expand

4 of 5 users found this helpful41

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10

torSep 10, 2010

This movie is one for the ages. Absolutely brilliant at many levels. If you have any interest in art or culture or how these things are defined and critiqued, this movie will make your head spin. The characters are completely unique, andThis movie is one for the ages. Absolutely brilliant at many levels. If you have any interest in art or culture or how these things are defined and critiqued, this movie will make your head spin. The characters are completely unique, and there are dramatic twists that rival anything fiction writers have come up with in the past few decades. It's really better the less you know about it. Just plan on having coffee afterward; you will desperately want to discuss it. What is real and what is hype? Who gets to decide what is good art? Who is an artist? These questions are confronted in a bizarre and ingenious "plot." You may also be aware of a sidebar about the movie itself: Is it real or is it staged? In my opinion, it hardly matters. Just let it unfold and have fun.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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8

RyanGeeSep 28, 2010

At times when watching a monotonous documentary, there are feelings as though I was placed in a relatively interesting history class. In other words, while many documentaries have some appeal to them, a lot of them lean towards the letsAt times when watching a monotonous documentary, there are feelings as though I was placed in a relatively interesting history class. In other words, while many documentaries have some appeal to them, a lot of them lean towards the lets lecture the audience motive instead of actually creating an entertaining experience. Exit Through The Gift Shop breaks this mold and instead creates a documentary that creates a narrative filled with comedy and artistry that depending on the person, one would hardly disregard. There has been wide speculation that Guettas story is another of Banskys pranks to fool its audience, hence the Brainwash. The artistry that is induced within Guettas works are of ridicule and it causes the audience to question the factuality of the film overall. While that may be called to question, there is no doubt that the film is entertaining. There are some stunning pieces of street art and present is an insight of this sub-mainstream movement. Banksy displays how street art is slowly being sold-out and that it is slowly become more prevalent in society than ever before. Overall, this film is insightful as well as engaging; it is crafted in a manner that it displays a fully played out story, with many elements contributing to the films overall success. It never seizes to be fascinating, and there is a sense of completeness that is absent in many movies of its genre. Anyone with interest in the world of street art or art as a whole will find Banksys film to be both compelling and intuitive.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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10

StevenFMar 26, 2013

Perhaps the one of the best documentary/mockumentary to appear in the past decade, excuse the slash, because it is quite hard to tell if this is real or not, either way it is a truly fascinating look at the underworld art of the street, youPerhaps the one of the best documentary/mockumentary to appear in the past decade, excuse the slash, because it is quite hard to tell if this is real or not, either way it is a truly fascinating look at the underworld art of the street, you may know it as graffiti.
Infamous street artist Banksy has created this little film using footage of amateur (in every sense of the word) filmmaker Thierry Guetta, who spends most of his life with a camera in his hands. After beginning to follow his street artist cousin Invader around, Thierry is soon introduced to some of the most well-known artists in the world, including famous OBEY artist Shepard Fairey, who seems a bit disillusioned to Guetta, yet continues to let him follow him anyway.
Guetta finally makes acquaintances with Banksy, who is surprised by Guetta's loyalty and persistent nature.
As Banksy's hidden and hooded figure speaks to the camera, he does say that he places full trust in Guetta, particularly after a controversial piece of art at Disneyland involving a blow up doll.
The film is one of the funniest things to witness, Thierry Guetta sort of seems like a lucky guy falling into the right places at the right time, he never shows much intelligence in what he does, never asking pressing questions but silly ones instead, and if this truly was a true documentary, then I'm sure the artists involved also don't quite know what to make of him, Banksy opening the film by saying that it started as a film about him but this guy was much more interesting was hilarious because perhaps its true, he is seemingly an overnight sensation by using other artist's work and throwing dashes of paint and photoshopped wigs on them to pass them off as his own. He did, however, incorporate the name of Mister Brainwash, so perhaps this was just utter genius, selling over one million dollars worth of art, yet barely taking part in any of the work itself.
This is a very simple and witty take on a "legally grey area" of art, and just some of Banksy's art is showcased and we get a glimpse of just how talented this man is, and the risks that himself and other street artists take to evade the law in the name of beauty.
Whether it was real or not, Exit Through the Gift Shop is certainly a must see for art and documentary fans alike, Mister Brainwash is certainly an enigma, but perhaps one that wasn't supposed to happen.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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9

LynMar 12, 2011

I did not see this as being quite as profound as some reviewers did -- but that's what I loved about it. Who says a documentary has to be wall-to-wall profundity about politics, war, assisted suicide, etc., to provide an enlighteningI did not see this as being quite as profound as some reviewers did -- but that's what I loved about it. Who says a documentary has to be wall-to-wall profundity about politics, war, assisted suicide, etc., to provide an enlightening experience? The peek into the art world, and the laughs, made this a real delight.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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9

RONGIUNov 27, 2011

Sorry, translation Italian / English mechanical.

Thierry Guetta aka Mr. Brainwash Like it or not, Thierry Guetta aka Mr. Brainwash, has achieved success. Deserved success for the immense hard work, always alive to the desire to capture theSorry, translation Italian / English mechanical.

Thierry Guetta aka Mr. Brainwash

Like it or not, Thierry Guetta aka Mr. Brainwash, has achieved success. Deserved success for the immense hard work, always alive to the desire to capture the unusual. Many are "no!" receiving the work of the French, who knows maybe in a few years ....,. There are, then, "they may think" people who want to enjoy instant, to understand his works. On June 18, 2008 in Los Angeles, the big event "Life is Beautiful." A few hours before Guetta is a chubby little Frenchman and unknown, a few hours later, the little Frenchman is a little more famous and more rich. They are the "bucks" the real purpose of the work of Thierry? No. I do not think so. Of money with his old job he already has so many, why risk it? For what? The whiskers on the other hand wants to from the video easier to find himself, to make a change to his life. So I understand.

Thousands of hours of shooting, thousands of trays kept in cages, several drawers and containers finally find the right location "mental" and here is the artist that consolidates the success of the year 2008, making the album cover of Madonna Celebration /. And the next year, we are in 2010, we find for the second solo "Cons" in New York and then back to work for major artists. Exit Through The Gift Shop by Banksy, gave us the possibility to enter and experience a magical night world, fair and beautiful. The street artist is a tightrope walker. It 'the only one who is able to blend its colors with the magic of the night. And then ...? And then nothing, everything is left to the imagination of the observer "morning after".

E. .. Banksy, Space Invader, Shepard Fairey? Well, these are just some of the many angels who inhabit the metropolitan nights.

Good Click!… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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0

MarcuslcMar 6, 2018

The movie is a pure **** It's bad. Very bad.
It's boring throughout the whole **** movie. -50/10

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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9

CatherineApr 19, 2010

Banksy, a street artist of whom I was wholly ignorant, emerges as a fascinating thinker and he-who-gets-the-last-laugh in this often hilarious film on the fatuousness of art worshippers.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

9

PetrovJan 8, 2011

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. On a superficial level, this movie is an interesting documentary about the international street art scene (something most people probably expect when they go and see it) and its shining icon Banksy. However, early in the movie it becomes obvious that the main theme is the radical activism and persistency of a person when it comes to reaching his goals.… Expand