Jump to content

Jasper Mall (film): Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
No edit summary
 
(5 intermediate revisions by 4 users not shown)
Line 9: Line 9:
* Brett Whitcomb
* Brett Whitcomb
}}
}}
| producer =
| producer = Bradford Thomason<br />Brett Whitcomb
| writer =
| writer =
| starring =
| starring =
| music =
| music =
| cinematography =
| cinematography = Brett Whitcomb
| editing =
| editing = Bradford Thomason
| studio =
| studio =
| distributor = [[Amazon Prime Video]]
| distributor = [[Amazon Prime Video]]
Line 25: Line 25:
}}
}}


'''''Jasper Mall''''' is a 2020 American [[documentary film]] directed by Bradford Thomason and Brett Whitcomb. It revolves around the [[Jasper Mall]], a [[dead mall|dying mall]] in [[Jasper, Alabama]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://filmthreat.com/reviews/jasper-mall/|title=Jasper Mall|last=Shaer|first=Brian|date=February 12, 2020|website=[[Film Threat]]|access-date=April 6, 2021}}</ref>
'''''Jasper Mall''''' is a 2020 American documentary film directed by Bradford Thomason and Brett Whitcomb. It revolves around the [[Jasper Mall]], a [[dead mall|dying mall]] in [[Jasper, Alabama]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://filmthreat.com/reviews/jasper-mall/|title=Jasper Mall|last=Shaer|first=Brian|date=February 12, 2020|website=[[Film Threat]]|access-date=April 6, 2021}}</ref>


==Synopsis==
==Synopsis==
''Jasper Mall'' often revolves around Mike McClelland, a former zookeeper, who serves as the mall's superintendent and works in a security and caretaking role.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.al.com/business/2020/06/alabama-shopping-mall-subject-of-new-documentary-film.html|title=Alabama shopping mall subject of new documentary film|website=[[AL.com]]|access-date=2020-11-17|first1=Matt|last1=Wake |date=2020-06-28}}</ref> The mall, which opened in 1981, has recently lost two of its anchors, [[Kmart]] and [[JCPenney]].<ref name="chainstoreage">{{Cite web |url=https://chainstoreage.com/jasper-mall-presents-last-act-small-town-mall |title='Jasper Mall' presents the last act of a small town mall |website=Chain Store Age|access-date=2020-11-17 |first1=Al |last1=Urbanski|date=2020-06-30}}</ref> As a result, foot traffic has declined and the parking lot is often barren.<ref name=":0"/> The only remaining anchor store is [[Belk]] and according to one shopper, "If Belk goes, we are in deep woo-woo."<ref name="chainstoreage" />
''Jasper Mall'' often revolves around Mike McClelland, a former zookeeper, who serves as the mall's superintendent and works in a security and caretaking role.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.al.com/business/2020/06/alabama-shopping-mall-subject-of-new-documentary-film.html|title=Alabama shopping mall subject of new documentary film|website=AL.com|access-date=2020-11-17|first1=Matt|last1=Wake |date=2020-06-28}}</ref> The mall, which opened in 1981, has recently lost two of its anchors: [[Kmart]] and [[JCPenney]].<ref name="chainstoreage">{{Cite web |url=https://chainstoreage.com/jasper-mall-presents-last-act-small-town-mall |title='Jasper Mall' presents the last act of a small town mall |website=Chain Store Age|access-date=2020-11-17 |first1=Al |last1=Urbanski|date=2020-06-30}}</ref> As a result, foot traffic has declined and the parking lot is often barren.<ref name=":0"/> The only remaining anchor store is [[Belk]], and one shopper says "If Belk goes, we are in deep woo-woo."<ref name="chainstoreage" />


The film also follows the day-to-day operations of the remaining 20 or so store owners with a focus on the slowdown of customers.<ref name=":0" /> The mall's frequent visitors including groups of [[mall walking|mall walkers]] and [[Dominoes|domino players]] are also frequently shown.<ref name="chainstoreage" /> Also chronicled are events hosted by the mall such as a carnival, [[Mall Santa|visits]] from [[Santa Claus]] and an ensemble of singers.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |url=https://wbhm.org/feature/2020/a-year-in-the-life-of-a-dying-alabama-mall/|title=A Year In The Life Of A Dying Alabama Mall |website=[[WBHM]] |date=18 August 2020 |access-date=2020-11-17 |first1=Andrew|last1=Yeager}}</ref>
The film also follows the day-to-day operations of the remaining 20 or so store owners with a focus on the slowdown of customers.<ref name=":0" /> The mall's frequent visitors, including groups of [[mall walking|mall walkers]] and [[Dominoes|domino players]], are shown frequently.<ref name="chainstoreage" /> Also chronicled are events hosted by the mall such as a carnival, visits from [[Santa Claus]] and an ensemble of singers.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |url=https://wbhm.org/feature/2020/a-year-in-the-life-of-a-dying-alabama-mall/|title=A Year In The Life Of A Dying Alabama Mall |website=WBHM |date=18 August 2020 |access-date=2020-11-17 |first1=Andrew|last1=Yeager}}</ref>


Towards the end of the film, more shops including [[Subway (restaurant)|Subway]], Grady's Sandwich Shop, Robin's Nest Flowers & Gifts and Jewelry Doctor all close or move.<ref name="chainstoreage" /><ref name="cineccentric">{{Cite web |url=https://cineccentric.com/2020/07/22/jasper-mall/ |title=Jasper Mall |website=Cinnecentric |date=22 July 2020 |access-date=2020-11-17 |first1=Nick |last1=Adrian}}</ref>
Toward the end of the film, shops that include [[Subway (restaurant)|Subway]], Grady's Sandwich Shop, Robin's Nest Flowers & Gifts, and Jewelry Doctor all close or move.<ref name="chainstoreage" /><ref name="cineccentric">{{Cite web |url=https://cineccentric.com/2020/07/22/jasper-mall/ |title=Jasper Mall |website=Cinnecentric |date=22 July 2020 |access-date=2020-11-17 |first1=Nick |last1=Adrian}}</ref>


==Release==
==Release==
''Jasper Mall'' premiered at January 27, 2020, at the [[Slamdance Film Festival]] and to the general public on June 23, 2020.<ref name="mountaineagle">{{Cite web|url=https://mountaineagle.com/stories/documentary-on-jasper-mall-to-be-released-tuesday,26377|title=Documentary on Jasper Mall to be released Tuesday|website=[[Daily Mountain Eagle]]|access-date=2020-11-17|date=2020-06-23|url-access=subscription|first=Nicole|last1=Smith}}</ref>
''Jasper Mall'' premiered at January 27, 2020, at the [[Slamdance Film Festival]] and to the general public on June 23, 2020.<ref name="mountaineagle">{{Cite web|url=https://mountaineagle.com/stories/documentary-on-jasper-mall-to-be-released-tuesday,26377|title=Documentary on Jasper Mall to be released Tuesday|website=Daily Mountain Eagle|access-date=2020-11-17|date=2020-06-23|url-access=subscription|first1=Nicole|last1=Smith}}</ref>


==Production==
==Production==
''Jasper Mall'' was co-directed and co-produced by Bradford Thomason and Brett Whitcomb. Cinematography was also directed by Whitcomb.<ref name=":4" /> The Jasper Mall was chosen as the site of the film because it had not been remodeled since it opened in 1981.<ref name=":4" /> The film was shot throughout 2018 and McClelland would alert the directors about any events that were occurring at the mall. Thomason and Whitcomb would often sit in the food court and wait for a scene to develop.<ref name=":4" /> The soundtrack contains a collection of songs by the musicians HAHA Mart, Chayse Porter, and [[Baker Knight]]. The soundtrack was released on vinyl and cassette via the Alabama-based independent record label [https://www.earthlibraries.com/catalog/jasper-mall-soundtrack-12-vinyl-lp Earth Libraries].
''Jasper Mall'' was co-directed and co-produced by Bradford Thomason and Brett Whitcomb. Cinematography was by Whitcomb.<ref name=":4" /> The Jasper Mall was chosen as the site of the film because it had not been remodeled since it opened in 1981.<ref name=":4" /> The film was shot throughout 2018, and McClelland alerted the directors about any events that were occurring at the mall. Thomason and Whitcomb often sat in the food court and waited for a scene to develop.<ref name=":4" /> The soundtrack contains a collection of songs by the musicians HAHA Mart, Chayse Porter, and [[Baker Knight]]. The soundtrack was released on vinyl and cassette via the Alabama-based independent record label Earth Libraries.


== Reception ==
== Reception ==
On the [[review aggregator]] website [[Rotten Tomatoes]], the film has an approval rating of 88% based on eight reviews, with an average rating of 7.5/10.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/jasper_mall|title=Jasper Mall (2020)|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|publisher=[[Fandango Media]]|access-date=January 17, 2023}}</ref>
On [[Rotten Tomatoes]], the film has an approval rating of 88%, based on eight reviews, with an average rating of 7.5/10.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/jasper_mall|title=Jasper Mall (2020)|website=Rotten Tomatoes|publisher=Fandango Media|access-date=January 17, 2023}}</ref>


Ethan Brehm of ''Spoiler Magazine'' named it the best film of the year.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://spoilermagazine.com/spoiler-magazine-february-2021/ |title= Spoiler Magazine's Top 10 Movies of 2020 |page= 199 |date= February 2021 |access-date=February 20, 2021 |author= Ethan Brehm |work= Spoiler Magazine |url-status=live }}</ref>
Ethan Brehm of ''Spoiler Magazine'' named it the best film of the year.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://spoilermagazine.com/spoiler-magazine-february-2021/ |title= Spoiler Magazine's Top 10 Movies of 2020 |page= 199 |date= February 2021 |access-date=February 20, 2021 |author= Ethan Brehm |work= Spoiler Magazine }}</ref> The film received other positive reviews.<ref>{{Cite web |last=DeCristo |first=Matt |date=2022-11-02 |title=REVIEW - ‘Jasper Mall’ (2020) |url=https://www.themoviebuff.net/2022/11/review-jasper-mall-documentary-exploring-the-death-of-the-mall/ |access-date=2024-08-10 |website=The Movie Buff |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Dying Mall Documentary Jasper Mall Recites an Elegy for Capitalism |url=https://www.jezebel.com/dying-mall-documentary-jasper-mall-recites-an-elegy-for-1845964196}}</ref>


==Awards==
==Awards==
The film was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the Slamdance Film Festival and won the Best Alabama Film award at the [[Sidewalk Film Festival]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.sidewalkfest.com/announcing-our-2020-sidewalk-film-festival-at-the-drive-in-award-winners/ |title=Announcing Our 2020 Sidewalk Film Festival at the Drive-In Award Winners! |website=[[Sidewalk Film Festival]] |date=September 2020 |access-date=November 17, 2020 }}</ref>
The film was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the Slamdance Film Festival and won the Best Alabama Film award at the [[Sidewalk Film Festival]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.sidewalkfest.com/announcing-our-2020-sidewalk-film-festival-at-the-drive-in-award-winners/ |title=Announcing Our 2020 Sidewalk Film Festival at the Drive-In Award Winners! |website=Sidewalk Film Festival |date=September 2020 |access-date=November 17, 2020 }}</ref>


==References==
==References==
Line 64: Line 64:
[[Category:2020s English-language films]]
[[Category:2020s English-language films]]
[[Category:2020s American films]]
[[Category:2020s American films]]
[[Category:English-language documentary films]]

Latest revision as of 04:43, 5 September 2024

Jasper Mall
Promotional release poster
Directed by
  • Bradford Thomason
  • Brett Whitcomb
Produced byBradford Thomason
Brett Whitcomb
CinematographyBrett Whitcomb
Edited byBradford Thomason
Distributed byAmazon Prime Video
Release dates
Running time
85 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Jasper Mall is a 2020 American documentary film directed by Bradford Thomason and Brett Whitcomb. It revolves around the Jasper Mall, a dying mall in Jasper, Alabama.[1]

Synopsis

[edit]

Jasper Mall often revolves around Mike McClelland, a former zookeeper, who serves as the mall's superintendent and works in a security and caretaking role.[2] The mall, which opened in 1981, has recently lost two of its anchors: Kmart and JCPenney.[3] As a result, foot traffic has declined and the parking lot is often barren.[2] The only remaining anchor store is Belk, and one shopper says "If Belk goes, we are in deep woo-woo."[3]

The film also follows the day-to-day operations of the remaining 20 or so store owners with a focus on the slowdown of customers.[2] The mall's frequent visitors, including groups of mall walkers and domino players, are shown frequently.[3] Also chronicled are events hosted by the mall such as a carnival, visits from Santa Claus and an ensemble of singers.[4]

Toward the end of the film, shops that include Subway, Grady's Sandwich Shop, Robin's Nest Flowers & Gifts, and Jewelry Doctor all close or move.[3][5]

Release

[edit]

Jasper Mall premiered at January 27, 2020, at the Slamdance Film Festival and to the general public on June 23, 2020.[6]

Production

[edit]

Jasper Mall was co-directed and co-produced by Bradford Thomason and Brett Whitcomb. Cinematography was by Whitcomb.[4] The Jasper Mall was chosen as the site of the film because it had not been remodeled since it opened in 1981.[4] The film was shot throughout 2018, and McClelland alerted the directors about any events that were occurring at the mall. Thomason and Whitcomb often sat in the food court and waited for a scene to develop.[4] The soundtrack contains a collection of songs by the musicians HAHA Mart, Chayse Porter, and Baker Knight. The soundtrack was released on vinyl and cassette via the Alabama-based independent record label Earth Libraries.

Reception

[edit]

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 88%, based on eight reviews, with an average rating of 7.5/10.[7]

Ethan Brehm of Spoiler Magazine named it the best film of the year.[8] The film received other positive reviews.[9][10]

Awards

[edit]

The film was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the Slamdance Film Festival and won the Best Alabama Film award at the Sidewalk Film Festival.[11]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Shaer, Brian (February 12, 2020). "Jasper Mall". Film Threat. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c Wake, Matt (2020-06-28). "Alabama shopping mall subject of new documentary film". AL.com. Retrieved 2020-11-17.
  3. ^ a b c d Urbanski, Al (2020-06-30). "'Jasper Mall' presents the last act of a small town mall". Chain Store Age. Retrieved 2020-11-17.
  4. ^ a b c d Yeager, Andrew (18 August 2020). "A Year In The Life Of A Dying Alabama Mall". WBHM. Retrieved 2020-11-17.
  5. ^ Adrian, Nick (22 July 2020). "Jasper Mall". Cinnecentric. Retrieved 2020-11-17.
  6. ^ Smith, Nicole (2020-06-23). "Documentary on Jasper Mall to be released Tuesday". Daily Mountain Eagle. Retrieved 2020-11-17.
  7. ^ "Jasper Mall (2020)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  8. ^ Ethan Brehm (February 2021). "Spoiler Magazine's Top 10 Movies of 2020". Spoiler Magazine. p. 199. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  9. ^ DeCristo, Matt (2022-11-02). "REVIEW - 'Jasper Mall' (2020)". The Movie Buff. Retrieved 2024-08-10.
  10. ^ "Dying Mall Documentary Jasper Mall Recites an Elegy for Capitalism".
  11. ^ "Announcing Our 2020 Sidewalk Film Festival at the Drive-In Award Winners!". Sidewalk Film Festival. September 2020. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
[edit]