The black&white cinematography is very uneven, some shots almost impossible to make out, others kind of beautiful in a dream-like way.The actors are a bit campy in large part, some are flat-out wooden, and look, we have an obsessed drug abuser who is trying to stay non-mainstream at the heart of the story. But not only that, we have religion playing a large role (although its pretty warped religion)In short, this film is basically PI about writing instead of math, but its budget is so much smaller it has the expected lesser amount of style or graphics. Personally, I like this film, and would even if I hadn't seen Chris Smith's documentary. Recommended viewing if you are hoping to be an artistic filmmaker.

I watched Coven after the intrigue that manifests from watching American Movie, it is totally roughraw, this is a must-see for anyone interested in film making and film rhetoric, the inventiveness and creativity that is apparent here sticks out like a sore (bloody) thumb. The story is wierd yet strangely compelling (well it compelled me :) ) and some of the visual shots are ultimately memorable, there are some great bits of dialogue and the early signs of a great directing style waiting to be developed.Keep your eyes on this guy, if he ever gets lucky enough to get a decent budget he could make a real classic movie, hopefully starring Mike Schank as a gritty new york cop :)

What you don't understand is that Mike and Mark have both been to numerous Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. That is the background and inspiration for "Coven." From what you have seen in "American Movie," you may have realized that Mike Shank is a recovering drug abuser. Borschardt has had his share of spins with the bottle.The "Coven" meetings are far-fetched, but they are not entirely baseless. AA meetings are one-sided, and AA members have a monopoly on the TRUTH. If an outsider goes to one, then it is taken as a given that he has erred and ruined his life. It is a very grueling process to become involved in AA, and the results are mixed at best. Many people recover better with no attendance at all."Coven" is Borschardt's spin on AA.

For the first movie that this guy ever made, he deserves a little slack, the camera and lighting effects really arn't horrible for a black and white film. Also, there are some interesting scenes in the movie, it at least keeps your interest. overall i give it about a 4/10, which is not horrible.