Bums (2006) Reviews

• Six friends' complaints and pursuits of the opposite sex

  neoncrossing2006-10-03

  This is an awesome indie movie that will grab your attention right at the beginning and hold it all the way until the end. The movie's biggest strengths, I feel, are its characters and the humour of the script. The characters are all endearing (with the possible exception of the outrageously horny Jim) in many ways; they'll remind you of someone you already know and they'll make you laugh while doing it. The characters are accessible, and thanks to the quality of the one-liners and situations that the script offers them they don't sink into mediocrity. The movie might not have the visual appeal of a Hollywood blockbuster but it's still appealing; it's definitely not a deterrent. Bums is also complimented by a decent soundtrack. Short and sweet: If you want a movie, free of Hollywood pretension, that let you connect with the characters while laughing your ass off at the same time, you need to watch Bums.

• funny look at relationships

  deliverme152006-09-20

  This film is a funny look at relationships. While it is obviously from a man's perspective, I really enjoyed how realistic this film is in depicting relationships amongst early to mid 20s losers in a small town. I think this was filmed in Toronto, though I am not entirely sure. Either way the black and white looks really great and it really helps set the tone and mood of the movie (kind of like Clerks, the original not the sequel). The acting is really great, with the Asian girl (can't recall her name) delivering some of the movie's best lines. I don't think girls really talk like that, at least some of my friends don't, but I'm sure somewhere they exist. Anyway, this is a great film about relationships and I highly recommend it.

• The talented actor/film-making Butler Brothers' early cinematic teething period

  TONYWATT30002010-01-12

  This look at six regular North American suburban pals in their 20's is almost documentary-like in it's execution, but also shows the multi- talented film-making/actor Butler Brothers' cinematic comedy teething period; as most of their self-made movies (I've seen) are almost a parody reflection of their own personal lives (like Canadian Laurel & Hardys meets Woody Allen or modern Canuck Marx Brothers meets Grumpy Old Men)..The low budget style of their movies reflect stark reality & humour. ..One should check out "Larry & Burt's Gut Rot" their (2010) online episodic dark-comedy effort on Youtube; it could be seen as a sequel to 'Bums'. In the 'Gut Rot' series (which I can see being eventually compiled into a classic feature movie or movie series)...the Butler's tragic characters are older, more bitter,pathetic, lonely and dealing with the harsh reality of the early '10's; with the boys' 30-something characters having to deal with baby-mothers, unemployment, apathy and dead-end jobs...Jason & Brett Butler (much like their counterparts in Frankenpimp (2009) & The Notorious Newman Brothers (2009)) have arrived as fully realized, comedic film characters (Which one may say is like comparing early Peter Seller's tamer 60's Clouseau portrayal, to his broader 70's playing of the same character..more slapstick & satirically defined..but, still a tremendous joy to watch; either way). Thankfully the Bums-like characters (tho' not written as such) are seen to be individualistic survivors, struggling in a gloomy, unforgiving world...I look forward to seeing more similar themed Butler Brothers films..to see how the rest of their lives play out. Grumpiest Old Men, maybe?