Bad, Bad Men

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). Without giving too much away, if you liked Horrible Bosses or even 9 to 5, you will love this!! I did! Highly recommend if you're ready for a good time!!

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.

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!

This is, by far, my favorite film from the Brad Ellis-Allen C. Gardner canons, more so than Cold Feet, which I really enjoyed. The model, here, for me -- since it's standard critic operating procedure to compare one film or filmmaker to another to get others to stream -- is the works of Sean Anders.

Anders is the king of the absurdities. From She's Out of My League to We're the Millers to the Daddy's Home franchise, Anders hasn't disappointed me, yet, not since I first discovered his works -- via the public library, of all places -- with his 2005 debut, Never Been Thawed: a upside down, crazy-ass film about collectors of urine (really), frozen TV dinners, and Christian musicians.

That same WTF-will-happen-next mentality rules with Bad, Bad, Men in a cast lead by Allen C. Gardner, as well as one of my new, favorite indie actors, Drew Smith (he kills here, as he did in Gardner's Being Awesome). Together, they go after a smarmy bully to put him in his place. Simple, right? Nope, before you know it, everything goes horribly (with comedy) off the rails, leading to the theft of their buddy's kids' college fund, a kidnapping, and a showdown with a lone shark (a shortly seen but very effective -- and familiar -- Richard Speight, Jr. From the WB's Supernatural).

If you appreciate indie films, or want to reminisce those indie '90s when you drove 15 miles to an out-of-the-way theater for your indie flick fix, then you'll enjoy Bad, Bad Men.

So many comedies nowadays are simply vacuous, its refreshing to see one that, whilst doing all the things you want from a laugh out loud goofy comedy, also has something to say about the ridiculousness of masculinity in the modern world. Great pogniont entertainment!