The History of Future Folk (2012)

Directed by John Mitchell and Jeremy Kipp Walker
Written by John Mitchell
Starring Nils d'Alaire, Jay Klaitz, Julie Ann Emery, April L. Hernandez and Dee Snider (Yup)

The possibly exaggerated origin story of the real life alien bluegrass band, Future Folk, that has been playing for NYC audiences for the better part of a decade.

The history of a relatively popular comedy duo from New York City, "The History of Future Folk" is definitely not short on imagination. A story about aliens sent to destroy Earth only to fall in love with music, which their planet did not have.

The music the duo creates is catchy and topped off with clever lyrics and catchy melodies. The idea of a couple of aliens adapting to Earth culture provides humorous imagery, particularly when they wander around a Cost-Co like store in amazement.

The film itself is nothing special. The acting of the protagonist is bland to the point where I can't tell if he's just bad at acting, or he feels that a hardened General from the plant Hondo would have a lack of emotion comparable to someone who has had too many Botox injections.

However, the creativity of this film, and the devotion of creating a back story to their musical duo was enough to make this film interesting. And regardless of it's catchy songs, it is an entertaining movie.

My Rating: 6/10

Journey to the West: Conquering Demons (2013)

Directed by Stephen Chow and Chin-Kin Kwok
Written by Stephen Chow, Chin-Kin Kwok, Xin Huo, Yun Wang, Ci Keung Fung, Zhengyu Lu, Shing-Cheung Lee and Ivy Kong
Starring Zhang Wu, Qi Shu, Bo Huang and Show Luo

A pacifist demon hunter travels throughout China to save people from the demons that harass their land.  While he struggles to find his inner Buddha and stop these demons the by bringing out their good side, he meets a woman demon hunter who defeats them another way, Through pure fighting skill.

Dabbling in the absurd, Stephen Chow has created yet another adventure comedy for the ages. Filled with old western influences and comedic relief that is comparable to The Looney Tunes and Monty Python, "Journey to the West", like "Kung Fu Hustle" is a deep, find-the-power-within story that breaks character to give the audience a laugh.

Slightly off topic, this monster looks a lot like my wife's cat…

This is a fun, Kung-Fu movie with great choreography and hilarious moments that are just as memorable as Stephen Chow's previous work. Be prepared for a very strange movie. If you are and remain open minded about it, I'm sure you will enjoy it.

My Rating: 6/10

Iron Sky (2012)

Directed by Timo Vuorensola
Written by Jarmo Puskala, Johanna Sinisalo, Michael Kalesniko and Tim Vuorensola
Starring Julia Dietze, Christopher Kirby, Götz Otto and Peta Sergeant

In 1945, the Allies of World War II defeated the Nazi's. But what they didn't realize is that some of the most prominent members of the National Socialist Party (including Hitler) traveled to the dark side of the moon and started an Aryan space colony. When an American astronaut is caught by them in 2018, it sets forth a plan for the Nazi's to return and take over the planet.

Sometimes as an avid movie watcher, you just get tired of watching heavy movies. They ware you down. So during those times, you seek out the most ridiculous movie you can find. Some ways you can search for movies like this are the topic you feel like watching, then adding the word "space".

This movie is so gleefully terrible and ridiculous that I'm pretty sure the script only had two words over and over again. "Space Nazis. Space Nazis. Space Nazis". Complete with a Sarah Palin-esque president, a black man that is turned white with Nazi science, a beautiful blond woman, Zeppelin shaped space ships and references to the German film "Downfall".

Nazi science? Did he say Nazi science?

If you go into this movie expecting anything other than absurdness, you will hate it. And this is not a good movie at all. But if you go in with the right mind, you will enjoy it for it's silliness. The only thing missing from it is a Nazi riding a T-Rex.

Which WILL be in the sequel!!!

My Rating: 2/10 (But in a good way)