Worth a rental?


This movie was recommended to me on Netflix, because I love mockumentaries such as the ones by Christopher Guest, and also mock-rockumentaries like Spinal Tap and The Rutles.

I have zero knowledge about this film, and I see it's not highly rated on Netflix, so I wanted to come to this board and see what opinions you guys have about it here. Did you like it? Was it funny? Smart?

I am not uptight, right wing, or averse to twisted humor (and I love indies), so would I like this film? Is it worth taking a look at or are there other movies you would recommend.

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Hey there Michellabella, I just posted the first review of NBT on Amazon for the DVD that comes out at the end of June. You can see my review there for a more indepth review. I loved it. Waited for a couple of months for it to come to the Nuart Theater in Santa Monica after I had seen the trailer. I hate to give a movie like this big glowing reviews because it creates the mindset of a blockbuster comedy that will disappoint someone when they see it. Napolean Dynamite is the perfect example. I find that most people that don't like it saw it late after all of the hype. They go in expecting to be blown away with laughs and fast. It's just not going to come through like that and those people just shake their heads. I find that most of the people that like it saw it early or discovered it later without knowing much about it beforehand. I'm not saying NBT has the same pacing, feel or subject matter, but it is a low budget film as far as production value goes and most of the actors are very new to their craft, so to speak. For someone that doesn't go looking for something to be offended by, NBT is a fun, stressfree trip to the movies (or night in front of the TV). Folks that give it a negative review by comparing it to Christopher Guest films are just people that enjoy trashing something for no other reason than to just do it. I love his stuff: Spinal Tap, Best In Show, Mighty Wind.... They trash it because it isn't that level of quality. No schmid!!! You have to take this film for what it is as far as that comparison goes. A guy and his friends making a movie that is the beginning of their experience in film making. Christopher Guest and his pals have been at it and polished their skills for over 30 years now. This movie is very clever and definately finds two new subjects for a mockumentary that haven't been done yet: Frozen dinner collectors and Christian Rockers that live a more than liberal Christian lifestyle. I have to think most people that trash this movie are pretty stiff and you wouldn't want see any movie with them. I was in a packed theater to see a screening in Santa Monica and laughing out loud was the theme of the night. It wasn't just me laughing. One thing that unfortunately will not be included on the DVD is a live Christers show. The band played at a club after the screening with the entire cast in attendance. One thing that really makes the movie work is the fact the music is great and the lyrics are very good and very clever. The music wasn't just thrown together and thrown in for shock value. Oh; they were great live too. Got my fingers crossed for a CD. These people trashing it by comparing it to a Christopher Guest film are the same people that would trash a new modern rock band by comparing them to the Beatles catalog. The movie is what it is: A fun, quirky, odd, clever little independent film. The problem these day is the fact that big huge companies finance "independent" films now and people have really lost perspective on the whole concept. Sundance used to be for independent films to get exposure and hopefully get picked up by a distributor, etc.... These days, almost every film that plays at Sundance is already picked up or financed by a big company. They just play there for the hip factor anymore. I've seen plenty of indies that I like, but give me a break. Goodnight and Good Luck, Garden State.... These films have budgets and people that really know film---even if they are relatively new to it, like Zach Braff. To call them indies next to real ones is just wrong and going to see real ones with that mindset is only pulling the rug out from under yourself because you won't allow yourself to enjoy a real indie for what it is. I've been rambling long enough and you just wanted a review. I apologize and I hope you give NBT a shot. It's fun stuff. Take care, Turtleturk

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Rent it, indeed! I just caught it on Netflix and laughed my cucifix off! The script is brilliant, the music is fabulous, and the actors are really funny. Obviously, the technical standards are not going to be those of a multi-million dollar blockbuster, but NBF has so much heart and hilarious attention to detail (please note the parody magazines characters read in the film and niceties like fetus pencil toppers and Kiss-endorsed Frozen Tongue meal) that it will blow your little mind. An equal-opportunity lampooner, NBT takes very cleverly-written stabs at everyone from the handicapped to closet gays to overzealous corporate team-builders with frequent stops in Jesusland, and leaves no stone unhurled. A must-see for Christopher Guest fans and folks who rented TREKKIES for the Schadenfreud.


I had to beat them to death with their own shoes. Nasty business, really.-Del Preston

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