Mondo Hollywoodland (2019) User Reviews

Pointless drivel

[larryy · 2/10 · 4 August 2021]

Sorry to be so harsh, but, well, it goes on and on saying nothing of interest and meaning nothing at all, so "pointless drivel" it is.

When it first started I had some modest hopes for it. I genuinely like experimental video and weird films. My favorite film is probably "Forbidden Zone" (1980). I love "Eraserhead" (1977), "Zachariah" (1971), "Death Race 2000" (1975), "Being John Malkovich" (1999), "Inception" (2010), and on and on. So, okay a visitor from the 5th dimension trying to find out what Hollywood really is, combined with lots of fast edits and some known and unknown film clips actually caught my interest. I thought cool, it's going to be a big budget experimental film with a hint of sci-fi. But then it devolved into these completely lame disjointed scenes with dialogue that was either largely unscripted or written by a ten year old (or a Waring blender). Everybody takes drugs; whoop-di-do. The "acting" is laughable. I stuck with it for about 40 minutes, to my chagrin. But I found myself unable to pay attention anymore after that it was so inane and boring.

I kind of suspect somebody wanted to do a film about modern day Hollywood or Hollywood in the '80s, perhaps after having seen "Mondo Hollywood" (1967)--hence the name. But having written the lamest script ever, somebody else, or maybe that same person given the feedback they would have received on the script, decided to take the same script, break it up into three parts, and thread an incredibly thin alien-from-the-5th-dimension theme through it to spice it up. (It didn't work. Nothing could.) That's pure speculation, but gives the flavor of the experience of trying to watch this turkey.

Two stars instead of one because some of the editing was impressive, and some of the clips chosen were pretty cool.

Don't waste your time.

Hard pass for soft Plot

[tread-12728 · 1/10 · 6 September 2021]

This movie wanted to be interesting, it wanted to be edgy and whimsical. However it failed. The characters were each somewhat interesting or would have been had there been any semblance of a plot. I would not recommend this movie to anyone who likes traditional movies. I might recommend it to someone tripping on drugs.

Horrible Disjointed Grab Bag

[arfdawg-1 · 1/10 · 19 December 2023]

There is not one redeeming good quality in this waste of time. The plot is genuinely idiotic. There is no acting.

The directing is non-exsistent.

I'm honestly not sure how I stuck it out until the end of this mess. It's a train wreck.

Don't get me wrong, I like a good psychotronic event. This isnt one of them. It's horrible with a captial H.

Nothing meakes sense, you learn nothing and the premise -- looking for the meaning of the word Mondo, is just plain stupid.

Mark my words, don't waste your time on this boring, poorly made amateurish video. You'll live a better life if you skip it lickity split.

A very fun ride from start to finish

[zuros-82429 · 8/10 · 8 August 2021]

Was not really sure what to expect from this film, loved the trailer and the premise and decided to check it out. I was not disappointed. On the contrary, really well developed characters, great actors and hilarious events and circumstances. If you are into the genre you will definitely love it. Give it a try!!

Unique and thought provoking.

[phionexkb · 8/10 · 5 August 2021]

A great, fast passed film that looks a Hollywood in a way you won't see in most films. The film is densely packed with symbolism and every frame has entertainment value. I definitely plan to re-watch it and find out what i missed the first time.

An interesting portrayal of LA

[tyandle · 7/10 · 4 August 2021]

I wasn't really sure what the movie is about from the trailer (and maybe I still don't know exactly), but the film is psychedelic and goofy enough that it's worth watching for laughs and a good time!

Experimental Fun, But Meanders A Bit

[haroldzherman · 8/10 · 4 August 2021]

I saw the film promoted on instagram and the trailer looked really wild and bizarre. Though the film meanders at times, it was actually really goofy and held up to the my expectations of it being off-beat and unique.

The film starts with the narrator who's essentially a character who goes on a mission to find Mondo, a phrase or state of mind it seems. He meets this drug dealer guy (but not tough, more like a hippie kind) and they split ways into three sections.

Each section has two characters that have their own little story and craziness ensues. My favorite scenes were with the antifa girl, who was really funny and brought a lot of life to the film and gave the film some political edge.

The ending brings it all together, which was satisfying because it did started to meander with the many different characters. Some of the movie does look and feel pretty low budget, but it sorta adds to the feeling of the film and it didn't bother me after a bit.

If you like off-beat, experimental films, you should check it out for sure.

I miss you WeHo

[julesbarnett · 8/10 · 22 October 2021]

I miss LA so much right now, I'd visit once a year and embrace it as my 2nd city (from NZ - in a long, badly managed lockdown right now), So I'm really pleased this popped up on my radar.

As the 5th dimensional viewer, I enjoyed the feeling of blues skies, red curbs, and familiar landmarks washing over me.

This "LA Hang Out Movie" took me deeper though than Jackie Brown or Under the Silver Lake - hanging out in the hills, the studios, catching a rooftop drink at The Standard, taking in a little cabaret, observing an actor's workshop, even tripping balls at a protest rally DTLA.

Without giving too much away: we're hanging out with Doyle, a boutique mushroom chemist who has a sweet sublet up in the hills with rats in the attic, if he'd just lay off the 'shrooms he's dealing, his life wouldn't be so Mondo and he'd maybe find his missing cat.

His customers and friends are the 'Titans', 'Weirdos' and 'Dreamers' we'll also be running with. Some of the character vignettes are Christopher Guest level hilarious (The Big Picture has the same style) I'm looking forward to re-watching just for the 'personal trainer' and 'night at the Oscar viewing party with the deadbeat agent'.

Great acting, music, and obviously was a fun film to make.

Fun satire of LA

[katiedolan0 · 8/10 · 6 August 2021]

A funny, trippy, satire of Los Angelese. Never takes itself seriously, showing the many ridiculous sides and types in the not so glamorous Hollywoodland. Titans, Dreamers & Weirdos... which are you!? Really great archive footage/editing too.

Quite a different movie

[Vincef_ · 8/10 · 23 April 2022]

The (admittedly chaotic and incoherent) trailer for this movie piqued my interest when I saw it by chance on Youtube. I have trouble describing this movie adequately; it's very unique, there seems to be an incredible amount of details and things going on, but most importantly it doesn't seem to take itself too seriously. It's trippy and fun, the soundtrack is great (both the music created for this movie as well as other songs) and the people behind the movie are surprisingly approachable and helpful for random viewer questions.

It's a great movie to re-watch as there's so much going on, no chance you catch everything on the first go.

A Great and Groovy Testament to World Peace.

[Dr_Mark_ODoherty · 10/10 · 15 January 2023]

A cool film about American society - showing how America evolved into a paradise of Humanity.

I also liked the exotic dancers in the fluffy pussy cat suits - keep up the good work, ladies :)

This fine film also tackles some sensitive social issues - such as the use of magic mushrooms and cocaine.

As alluded to in this picture, Hollywood hot shots and politicians basically have the liberty of getting high on drugs whenever they want; virtually being above the law in the cocaine department. While normal decent folks - like you and me - are prevented by law from sniffing cocaine and getting high on drugs - which is a bit unfair, I might add :)

Hence American politicians should do something about that - by making a push to finally end the drug war in America, by legalizing cocaine :)

In the long run this would improve social cohesion in the world, and also make the jobs for law enforcement officers easier - since there would be less drug trafficking and corruption - if everybody can just buy their cocaine in the pharmacy; especially since these drugs are no more damaging than alcohol; as recent studies have found.

PS: Amid the current social and political upheaval in the world, it's imperative that everybody keeps a cool head and remains calm and positive in this very challenging and critical time, of manifesting Peace and Prosperity in the International Community.

We would like to remind all Citizens of the World, that the importance of belonging to humankind takes precedence over all the marks of distinction that may separate one person from another.

The thing that matters most is not that we have any particular cultural or national identity, or that we abide by any particular religious or philosophical conviction, but that we share with all humanity the highest values of the human race: Love, Cooperation and Compassion.