Bad, Bad Men

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Audience Member I really liked Bad, Bad Men. The writing was as unique as it was genuinely funny. And between laughs there was a (somewhat) subtle poignancy about "bro culture." Tonally, Bad, Bad Men doesn't take itself too seriously, which is almost indicative of the dangers of "toxic male culture." These guys are flippant"about women, children, their jobs, the future, and each other. Its almost as if the film was satirically produced by a shallow man who wants to tell the story about how shallow men behave in the world. What makes it work is how self-aware it is. It also works as a lighthearted male-centric comedy that felt close to films like "Extract" or "Hall Pass." There were so many great moments (and lines) that had me in stitches. One scene that I thought nailed it involved a father entering his home to take money out of his children's "dream fund" to use as a last resort for a ransom exchange. He encounters every member of his family tenderly reminding him about how sweet, innocent, and full of hope they are. The writing and performance of that moment was perfect. If you're in the mood to laugh at "boys being boys" in a way that highlights just how awful boys (and people in general) can be, don't miss this one. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/24/23 Full Review Audience Member Was not prepared to love this unpretentious, endearing (in a totally macho, cool-dude way) film. The chemistry of the characters/actors, with the fun/fresh plot kept me hooked (and laughing) to the final frame. Indie filmmaking at its best right here. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/16/23 Full Review Audience Member Allen C. Gardner manages to pull off double-duty as the co-director and male lead in the somehow prescient Bad, Bad Men, a film that leverages and then debunks the long-standing idiocy of the Toxic American Male with a retro-freshness predating the formal identifications of the #MeToo and anti-bullying movements. Jerry is our prototypical over-masculine ass-hat, and Josh is our unsuspecting Everyman unsure of what to do when the emotional brutality of a heckler unsuspectingly shames his world. Josh doesn't have the physicality or the thuggish inbred mindset to beat Jerry black and blue, or to engage him in lowbrow psychological warfare; instead, he seeks out his cohorts in a safety-in-numbers, Buddy Movie play. What subsequently ensues is knowing laughter, and in no shortage of volume. In real American life when human sensitivity and the plight of the individual's well-being is given center-stage, it can then be difficult and even taboo to treat these wounds with comedy while they're still fresh. But Gardner succeeds in exactly that, allowing us to laugh at shame without undercutting the severity of its impacts. Bad, Bad Men applies light-heartedness to a deep wound, and the resulting laughter is authentic and indeed helps us to heal. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/18/23 Full Review Audience Member Bad, Bad Men is very contemporary in its subject of exposing toxic masculinity. The film takes a comedic look at what happens if the goofy guy next door decides to fight the alpha male, an old high school bully. (Now still bully but all grown-up.) It's hilarious. I was laughing out loud. The acting, directing and script writing is solid. All in all a real indie gem! Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/13/23 Full Review Audience Member This is an offbeat indie comedy with colorful characters and nice production value. Worth watching! Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/04/23 Full Review Audience Member So Bad, Bad Men is a really funny movie. Being that this was made sometime before this current climate of the various #metoo movements, BRAVO to this filmmaker and cast for being ahead of the times and being able to properly showcase the difference between men who invoke "toxic masculinity" and men who don't quite have that same bravado. I thoroughly enjoyed the subtle handed comedy infused throughout this gem. There are some genuinely hilarious performances that I hope bring some attention to this film and these guys, because I'd love to see more of them (characters: Josh, Royce & Steven). And, on top of being funny, I was genuinely moved by the end. This film has heart amongst the humor. That is the highest achievement in my opinion. Highly recommend!! Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Bad, Bad Men

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