ManiakJiggy This is How Movies Should Be Made

Lovesusti The Worst Film Ever

StunnaKrypto Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.

Maleeha Vincent It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

jsfuncity This film is a soulful, compassionate, funny, inspiring fly-on-the-wall look right into the heart and soul of one of the great, unsung minds of American letters. One of those movies where you come out wanting to run home and get right to work making the world a better, smarter place. Kenneth Shiffrin and Michael W. Dean show their love for their subject with great passion and understanding and uncanny skill in this impressive, no-budget directorial effort. We need more of this kind of insightful, passionate film-making in today's take the money and dumb-em- down, shoot-em-up medium.-- Jonathan Shaw (Author of 'Savage Grace' and 'Scabvendor: Confessions of a Tattoo Artist')

Scott Ligon Hubert Selby is the author of "Last Exit to Brooklyn" and "Requiem for a Dream". Michael W. Dean and Kenneth Shiffrin have done a great service by shedding illumination on the history of this author and the importance of his work. Dean and Shiffrin create a documentary that allows Hubert Selby's story to unfold in heart- breaking and fascinating detail, using a combination of interviews, historical footage, and video of Hubert Selby himself during the final period of his life.The author is shown in an emaciated state, struggling for breath, near death. It seems both ironic and remarkable, then, that the film is able to present Hubert Selby as a true survivor. Selby survived childhood tuberculosis, (according to the film, he was the only one in his hospital ward who DID survive). He survived a stint in the military. He survived heroin addiction. He survived mental illness. He survived an obscenity trial for his writing. At age 40, he found himself alive, sober, and impoverished. At the end of his life, at age 75, he found himself in the position of a revered author, influence, and inspiration to several generations of creative individuals. He had gone from being the subject of a witch-hunt to the subject of academia. He himself had become a university professor, teaching almost until the time of his death. The film is narrated in a low-key manner by Robert Downey Jr, who may have found something to relate to in Selby's personal struggles.Selby emerges as a true genius; bending, modifying, and creating his own systems of language to more appropriately and precisely express himself. It's satisfying and just to have his life and work documented by this thoughtful and well-crafted film, at the time of his passing. I hope "HUBERT SELBY JR: IT/LL BE BETTER TOMORROW" serves as a catalyst to create further interest in this fascinating artist.

collette17 Hubert Selby Jr.: It/ll be Better Tomorrow is a simple and profound explication on an oft-overlooked literary genius who, by challenging norms and conventions in his writing and in his life, helped to shape a bold new era of American literature.While more than a few talking heads populate the documentary, the tone is casual, relaxed and most importantly—honest. This is an honest narrative that doesn't mince words about some of the less impressive aspects of Selby's life. One of the great perks the documentary offers is insight into why we have not heard more about this important literary figure, answered by some of his most beloved friends, fellow writers, actors and colleagues. Through a visual montage of archival footage, It/ll Be Better Tomorrow also provides interviews with the late Selby himself, and we learn of his personal and artistic struggles through Selby's own candid, often startling, but always eloquent, words.The film is skillfully edited and moves at an enjoyable pace, allowing time to absorb the nuances of Selby's signature grammatical and syntactical style. Robert Downy Jr.'s narration augments the personal interviews and archival footage perfectly, creating one of the most informative and entertaining documentary films I have ever had the pleasure of viewing.

barrydorsey I saw this wonderful film last night at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood. I have often wished I had met Cubby Selby in person - the directors, Kenneth Shiffrin and Michael W. Dean, did more than deliver a film - they create an outlet for us all to spend a moment with this unsung artist. The insight this movie gives into the world of Cubby Selby is pretty astonishing. I certainly wasn't expecting to be handed keys to his creative process while simultaneously being uplifted by the journey of this absolute spiritual being who was unapologetically human. Cause for both tears and laughter... this film will touch your heart.