Although it kind of meanders a bit and goes off on tangents, this is still a solid look at an actor everyone knows but might not be able to name. Nice to see the underdog/character actor getting some love, especially since Dick Miller was the best of the best!
That Guy Dick Miller
2014
Action / Biography / Documentary
That Guy Dick Miller
2014
Action / Biography / Documentary
Plot summary
Dick Miller is the last of the great American character actors. Whether sharing the screen with Nicholson, DeNiro, Schwarzenegger or The Ramones, Dick has been stealing scenes since his screen debut in 1955. He has worked with some of the great directors: Scorsese, Corman, Fuller, Dante, Cameron, Demme and more. Every moviegoer knows his face, but few know his name and even fewer know his story - an aspiring writer turned accidental actor. For the first time, Dick Miller has allowed filmmakers incredible access to his life and home for this funny and unexpected story. Joining him are the directors, producers, co-stars and friends who have helped make him Hollywood's leading "that guy".
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
Director
Top cast
Tech specs
720p.BLU 1080p.BLUMovie Reviews
Nice look at a famous face
"There's that guy".
A face so recognizable, most times appearing out of nowhere. There's something about Dick Miller that simply stays with you. No matter the role, large or small, lead or cameo, he just embodies the character. In doing so, the quality of the production is of no concern as he always manages to leave an impression in whatever he appears on; including this documentary. "THAT GUY DICK MILLER" is a wonderful, insightful and often humorous celebration on the personal life and acting career of journeyman, character actor Dick Miller.
From his beginnings in Roger Corman's AIP quickie, low-cost productions to the exploitation boom in the 70s under New World pictures, he became their good luck charm and then finding his way into mainly small parts in studio films of the 80s/90s. He was a face that seemed to pop up everywhere. We are provided with an entertaining, and endearing bunch of elastic interviews by family, friends, and fellow colleagues through to tidbits, film clips and home footage/photographs from his time in the industry.
Learning how he wasn't too interested in acting at first, showed the natural talent he became and why he was so well-liked around those he worked with to constantly pop up in so many films/TV shows throughout years. The structure's timeline does breeze by, where sometimes I think it becomes a little too focus discussing the film at hand, but still it stays interesting and never does forget who's the centre piece. Watching Dick Miller interacting with wife Lainie was pure delight, so was those moments in his house looking over movie memorabilia, reliving encounters/relationships and showing other talents (animation/illustrative art) which is hard not to be blown away by.
If you're a fan of Dick Miller (and who isn't?!),do not pass it up.
Fun and charming film doc about a cult hero
Like the title of this documentary picks up on, Dick Miller is an actor that loads of people say 'hey it's that guy, from
something else'. Most people don't know his name but sure as hell know his face. That's because he appeared in loads and loads of films, mostly in smaller parts and tended to make an impression because he was always good value. Well, the good news is that now we have this film, so no one has any excuse for not knowing what this guy's name is again!
Miller started out acting for Roger Corman in the 50's, starring in cult classics like A Bucket of Blood, he carried on appearing in an array of exploitation flicks throughout the 70's, hit the mainstream in the 80's in the films of Joe Dante and has continued knocking them out until the present day. This good natured documentary recounts Miller's career and includes lots of clips from the films he starred in. It also focuses on the many people he worked with too. The clips are a lot of fun and showcase the variety of flicks Miller was involved in, his body of work is bound to include a several films you will have seen before and it certainly will also have a few you haven't even heard of. Miller himself is a great guy and someone who is a lot of fun to spend a little time with, he is accompanied mostly by his long term wife Lainie Miller, who I was shocked to discover played the stunningly gorgeous stripper in The Graduate
oh yes indeed. On top of this we have several contributions from an array of other folks such as Corey Feldman, Fred Olen Ray and Mary Woronov, amongst many others. Overall, this is a fun, charming film biography. Even if you don't know much about Dick himself, give it a whirl anyway, you'll have a good time. Who's that guy? It's Dick Miller of course.