imonto2 In Garbage Warrior, Mike Reynolds captures people's imagination of new ways of building homes with renewable products such as beer bottles, tires, and plastic soda bottles. The homes seem to be so beautiful that it could entice anybody to live in. The documentary depicts the journey architect Michael Reynolds endures in trying to create a community that is self-sustaining. He believes that there is a spiritual connection to nature that there needs to be a focus on, and that can work away from mass consumption and mass production. He is seen as a pioneer and true humanitarian that could actually change New Mexico's standards of home improvements. The documentary main arguments are the endless possibilities of using and recycling waste products, an ecological environment, bureaucratic attack, and strong visionary attempt. He created "Earthships," defined as passive solar home made of natural and recycled materials, thermal mass construction for temperature stabilization, and renewable energy and integrated water systems make the Earthship an off-grid home with little to no utility bills. He started to turning away from his label as an architect and started to consider himself a biotecture, which he defines as a profession of designing buildings and environments with consideration for their sustainability with a combination of biology and architecture. After creating these communities that were self-reliant, this created friction with the developers and the state legislators in New Mexico because he did have his homes regulated up to housing codes. As the documentary progressed, the destruction of his communities, when developers labeled these communities as unsafe and unhygienic, caused him to reevaluate his goals. After he was revoked his architecture license, he made it his mission to take a state legislative role, and lobby for architects to create more homes that would be self- sustaining. As he was continuously being shot down for his ideas, he decided there was no hope in changing the standards set by the state, but he still does not give up. This demonstrates the states unwillingness to move away from making profits and establishing a better way of way of living. While politicians and lobbyist are ignoring the severity of the global warming and the intensity of droughts and extreme weather, Michael Reynolds is called to India after a tsunami strike causing hundreds of people to lose their family members and homes. He can utilize his skills without restrictions because of the people's desperation to solve the problem. The purpose of this segment was to show that desperation is the new father of invention. Oliver Hodge portrayed most of the politicians as villains and Reynolds as an unsung hero. There is an urgency that Reynolds express that humans are not going to survive on this planet for much longer if conservations is not taken into action. But there is a downside, he is only working to create a test site rather than actually create homes for people to live in. Based off of the film, there seems to be a fear of conservation because the awareness was slim. His home ideas needed to be altered because the people of the state needed to see an economical prosperity. People could not understand why these Earthships would be better alternative. So then the argument is, how much of it is actually is his idea anymore since he changed so much of it? Filmmaker Oliver Hodge solely targets on Mike Reynolds's point of view rather than providing an on camera interview with a developer or regulator as to why the communities were shut down. Why were these homes so unsafe? The argument seems to be very one-sided. There were some issues that were dangerous for the people that would have moved in. For instance, when they had created an Earthship with complete windows, the home was too hot and started to melt everything that was made of plastic. There are reasons for these regulations, so that peoples' lives would not be put in danger. Also, these Earthships could not work in everywhere in the United States, but it could allow people to spin ideas off of these inventions. It takes years before Reynolds ideas are approved by legislators, so that he can construct only a test site. My questions are then: how much would the system have really changed if he had gotten approval from the beginning? Could he have gone further if he had just regulated his sustaining ideas up to many codes? Does it take a person to conform to regulation to make a real change in the system? As an architect, he should have known that his communities would not last because his Earthships were not up to code. Someone was bound to find his communities unsafe.On the contrary, these risks need to be taken in order to develop better ideas and work towards homes that can be self-sustaining. This does not excuse the state from its responsibilities of changing the standards of what is acceptable of construction materials. I really enjoyed the documentary's core honesty of how stubborn changing the system can really be. Garbage Warrior makes it seem impossible for any change to happen to make an impact on society, which can be intimidating. In my opinion, it seems that Earthships would only work in an environment that was humid, dry, and tropical. How well would the homes stay together after a monsoon in India or heavy rainfalls in California? This documentary is mostly targeted to people whom live in a desert. But it does offer an insight of how menacing and tedious the system really can be. There is a sense of hope that Reynolds offers because if people gather together to change the standard; it can make a real impact. He could not do it without his allies in legislation and his fellow architects and builders.

pasoapaso_91 Michael Reynolds is a man who has gone through formal architectural training and earned his license, but he does not fully believe or accept everything he has learned. According to him the field has so much power to change how we live and how we use resources but architecture, specifically homes, hasn't gone through any radical changes. Mike Reynolds strives to change this and his innovative "earthships" are proof of this. Earthships are homes that are self-efficient, sustaining and are mostly built from recycled materials, or what we would consider garbage. This means that the homes do not need any outside energy or heating as these are provided with the construction of the home. They are also less costly to build since materials like tires, aluminum cans, and bottles are used in the homes' construction. Solar panels provide energy, rainwater is collected for the water source, large windows allow solar heat to warm the home, and an in-house greenhouse allows for plants and food to grow. His purpose in making these homes is to live off the grid, correctly use the earth's resources as well as reusing and re-purposing garbage that would otherwise harm the earth if it were to continue to build up. This film Garbage Warrior documents the construction of these earthships, his own life, and the efforts he goes through to change how we think about housings.The most captivating aspects of this film are the homes Mike Reynolds builds. I find what makes up the homes and there purpose is extremely innovative. Unfortunately, not much time is spent on this. The film is very much focused on Reynolds as a person and how he defies traditional architectural discourse. While I understand that it is important to get to know this man, I feel way too much time is spent on this. Going deeper into the construction process of an earthship and their history would've made a more effective film in my opinion. His work is so remarkable that it is in fact capable of speaking for itself and relaying this message of who he really is. A person's identity and character can be reflected through what they create so this is why I say that there is really no need to excessively focus on him or the people he hangs out with. This film is instead too focused on the people who do the work and not their actual work. It's nice to know that there are others in the world who support Reynolds' projects, but is this something new that we are learning? I feel like it is obvious that there are people who believe in what he does, that's why there is a documentary film being made.The last half of the movie is where my interest was fading because of how it seems like Reynolds is being put on a pedestal. This part of the film is spent on the process of Reynolds trying to pass new legislation which would allow him to build his earthships but as tests on test sites. In these moments he comes off as whiny and impossible as if he is the only one who has had trouble passing legislation. Passing laws that only benefit those who can make money from them happens all the time. Even when people are fighting for something that can benefit most people and change the world, the law is not passed. The film makes Reynolds seem like he is a victim, but like I said he is not the only person in the world who has gone through this. Because of this, there are too many instances in the movie in which Reynolds is separated from the audience. He often comes off as being above others it seems, because he is the only one who cares about these issues and he builds these houses. This is my biggest issue with the film and this is why I think that less focus on Reynolds' personal life would have made for a better film.What I do like about the documentary is that it exposes the personal agendas and stubbornness of our bureaucratic system. Even though Reynolds is raising new points and bringing up extremely relevant issues, it takes some time before the legislation's benefits are seen and it is passed. This is something that happens all the time and everybody, even those who have the best intentions, goes through this experience. The film also shows us the alternative of living off the grid and the benefits of doing so. While the film does have a bunch of new information to offer, it does not succeed in presenting us this information. Glorifying Michael Reynolds for the work he is doing is where the film goes too far. There are many innovative minds before him who have accomplished such feats whose stories are untold, but the film makes it seem as if Reynolds is the only one. There needs to be more balance in terms of who he is and what he builds. A little history on alternative housing wouldn't have hurt either. I'm sure it was not the filmmaker's intention to make Mike Reynolds come off like this but they succeeded in doing so. More focus on his work and his development of these ideas would have made Reynolds appear to be someone who is well invested in transforming housing and architecture and cares deeply for the Earth.

bbdavenport I found this documentary online after seeing an Earthship house outside of Taos NM. What the houses represent is compelling - self-contained off-the-grid houses built mostly from local materials. Dozens of these houses dot the high desert blending into the landscape. The movie is about Michael Reynolds, the man behind these novel structures and his thirty year journey. Initially, he is a dreamer, then a designer and experimenter. Over time people join him and his vision starts to spread. He and the people he attracts come across as a little crazy, but in a fun way.There is a bit of real-life problems for the protagonist. The movie shows how he adapts to some serious adversity. This makes the movie even more interesting. Perhaps the forces arrayed against him are simplified and not given a fair shake in the film that approaches the issues firmly from the point of view of Michael Reynolds. That's okay really. Michael and a lot of the people he deals with come from two different worlds, Most of us were born inside the system or 'the box'. Michael Reynolds (and a lot of people) think the system isn't sustainable. He is looking for solutions outside of the box.This is the crux of the movie. If you are worried about where things are headed, the movie should give you a little hope. And that isn't a bad thing.

gavin6942 Mike Reynolds is the "garbage warrior", an architect who has been designing homes from refuse and natural objects (largely dirt) for roughly forty years. This documentary opens up his world to viewers who otherwise would not consider such living possible, and certainly wouldn't be aware of the potential comfort levels available.I was shown this documentary by a friend who, to say the least, is fascinated by Earthships. She has met Reynolds, been in an Earthship and swears that some day she will live in one -- something I find to be quite plausible. My enthusiasm doesn't come close to hers, which made for an odd viewing experience (her excitement can be overwhelming), but it's a good film that should be seen by more people.Reynolds' ideas of "radically sustainable living" and "Earthship Biotecture" need to be ported out to other communities and get recognition for their amazing achievements. The houses are not perfect -- some leak, some have little or no temperature control -- but they are experimental, and Reynolds and his crew are still learning. Objections aside, the good that can come of these homes is outstanding -- complete "off the grid" power, self-producing food, and a waste system that cleans and filters "black" and "gray" water.I'm somewhat skeptical of how well these ideas would work on a mass scale. However, even if they didn't, it seems fairly safe to say that certain aspects could be adapted into rural or urban settings... and any effort to get energy independence and sewage filtration into the mainstream is welcome. World governments are taking important steps towards renewable energy, but after seeing this film, you may start to think the answers have been here for decades and we're just dragging our feet.My only real complaint with the documentary is that it is by no means objective. Reynolds is cast as the hero and as something of a savior. Now, this is not to say that he's not a hero, because he is. But without hearing from his detractors (aside from some clueless politicians) this film comes off more like an infomercial, which leaves a bad taste in my mouth. It could simply be that nothing bad can be said, though.My petty objections aside, Reynolds is an unsung hero and his work really does need to get noticed by more. Even those who are environmentalists may not familiar with his work, which is a shame. The man is almost dead... let's get him some attention before that "almost" is gone.