GamerTab That was an excellent one.

Lumsdal Good , But It Is Overrated By Some

Grimossfer Clever and entertaining enough to recommend even to members of the 1%

Jenni Devyn Worth seeing just to witness how winsome it is.

moonspinner55 Stephen Kessler, filmmaker and devout Paul Williams fan, says at the beginning of this would-be documentary that he didn't know singer/songwriter/actor Paul Williams was still alive. That's about as unbelievable as what follows. Kessler and his cameraman trail Williams around for two years, getting snippets of conversation on tape but mostly relying on TV clips. It seems Paul Williams, who was everywhere at once throughout the 1970s, is uninterested in talking about his past; 20 years sober by the end of filming, Williams is described by Kessler as one who looks forward and not back. That's fine, but there's no feeling for the crying fans in the audience who still hold Williams' music sacred, and there's no love from Williams over his achievements (he's a different person now). The subject is so petulant and uncommunicative that to say he's been changed for the better through sobriety is like a slap in the face. Williams is so much more alive--colorful and outrageous and funny--in those old variety show segues that one has to ask: is getting sober such a strain that it drains the life out of a person? **1/2 from **** (mainly for the music, and the brief on-camera interviews with Williams' long-time band leader, who seems like a genuinely nice person).

jim7145-611-589372 I grew up across the Whitestone Bridge from Kessler, and since we're of the same age, my memories of the 70's and Paul Williams are pretty much in sync. The five stars I gave this film is because of the achievements of Mr. William's life from an extraordinary entertainer across platforms (music, TV and film)through to his current accomplishments of sobriety, public service, a solid marriage to a good woman, and a continuing demand for his performing from audiences.I was able to get that much out of the film because of Mr. William's charisma, in spite of the intrusiveness of the director. His omnipresence in the film, his whining about his fear of the Phillipenes before going and through his entire stay was the most cringe worthy part of the movie. His constant attempts, with the subtlety of a bludgeon to embarrass Mr. Williams- from cutting him off when he started opening up about his childhood, to asking 'how does it feel to go from the heights of fame to the Gong Show', and when as a guest in Mr. William's home taping him as he watched one of the most humiliating moments of his career. I enjoy documentaries; and this was the worst one I've ever seen because Kessler's continuous insinuation into the story. He gets the blank stars.After I post this review, I'm going to see if I can catch Mr. Williams on 'The View'. I hope it's on You Tube; because I'd enjoy some material about him without having to hear Kessler's whining. Kessler made a great film barely wort the time to watch it.

rgblakey These days there are documentaries on pretty much every subject imaginable. All of them have something of their own to offer, but all usually end up with a bit of the same feel. There are always a few that stand out for whatever reason, but none more than dealing with celebrities or various characters that have disappeared form the limelight. The latest talking this subject Still Alive looking into the life of singer, songwriter, and actor Paul Williams.Still Alive follows legendary 70's icon Paul Williams to see what he has been up to since vanishing from the spotlight so many years ago. If you don't know who Williams is then you are either too young or lived under a rock cause you couldn't watch anything without seeing him show up back in the day. While on the surface this film seems like it's just going to be another one of those slow follow around a celebrity stories with little information other than to tell about what used to be, but you quickly find out this is so much more. Where the filmmaker set out to see what Williams had been up to, clearly turned into something he didn't expect. Much credit to him for including some of the scenes that are things a lot of people would have taken out. While Williams agreed to let him follow him around, he constantly he seemed annoyed and put out by the whole thing which added an intriguing element to the overall film. It ends up showcasing not only what he has been up to, but a bit of what lead to his stepping out of the limelight as well as the unlikely relationship the filmmaker and Williams form as they the film progresses.Most people always look at a celebrities fall from grace when they go from being a superstar to suddenly gone, but Still Alive showcases a man who had it all and gave it up for something more life and happiness. If you are a fan of Williams, just recognize or never heard of him this is a must see documentary about a legend in the industry. You might be surprised what you learn about some of your favorite music and his involvement.

middlenamewayne The gist of "Paul Williams Still Alive" (which I caught at its final SXSW screening in Austin this March) is simply this: would-be feature film documentary maker Stephen Kessler was so obsessed with the way the AM-radio hits penned by diminutive 1970s entertainer Paul Williams had made his teen-aged heart go all a-flutter that he decided to make a documentary about Williams -- without even realizing that his "late, great" musical hero was still very much alive! This is a cinematic concept that should'nt have worked -- but, thank the Pop Culture gods, it did!Mind you, it never would have come close to passing muster if Williams hadn't kept a veritably complete reference library of his clips on every bad music, comedy, variety, game and chat show that existed during the 70s and 80s. Nor would it have worked if Williams hadn't allowed Kessler full use of that library to reveal the inevitable downhill slide that nearly all of Hollywood's denizens of that time period were prone to follow! For his part, Kessler reveals himself to be (potentially) the world's worst director of a film like this as well! It's only when he and his childhood hero miraculously find them-selves on "the same page" (courtesy of an encounter with third-world terrorism, of all things!) that the alchemy begins to take place and the hill of Tinseltown dross turns miraculously into a mountain of pure gold!!! Fans of schlock will be delighted either way, as they roll about ecstatically in the slushy mounds of 70s celebrity offal expelled by the coked-up likes of Robert Blake, Karen Carpenter, Dick Clark, Kermit the Frog, Jack Klugman, Peter Lawford, Tony Randall, Burt Reynolds, Telly Savalas, Barbra Streisand, John Travolta and more!But more sensitive viewers will find themselves fighting to hold back the tears as the characters refuse to merely remain the two-dimensional "stars" that we enjoyed chuckling derisively at on our little cathode-ray tubes. Watch in stunned semi-silence as a slack-jawed star-gazer, obsessed with the tear-jerking tune-age that kept his appreciation of Paul Williams from advancing beyond the analytical level of a 12-year-old, metamorphoses into an insightful, savvy observer of character before your very eyes! Shudder in awe as the short-statured subject reveals himself to be more than worth the effort of analyzing! Whether your personal reference point to Williams is The Muppets ("The Rainbow Connection"), The Carpenters (Rainy Days & Mondays"), or Brian DePalma's midnight movie cult classic "The Phantom of the Paradise", you can trust me at least on one thing about this film: it WILL make you glad that Paul Williams is still alive!-- Kenneth W. Lieck