The History of Future Folk

Can a war-mongering general from the Planet Hondo give up his planet-dominating ways, and find family, folk music and friendship on Earth? I started to watch this film with the hammer of judgement in my right hand, a tool reserved for meting out justice to low-budget movies that arrive direct-to-video with little fanfare. For once, the hammer remained suspended. This films is amusing, engaging, well-acted and never attempts to over-reach its modest ambitions or available resources. I was waiting for the discordant moment that usually blemishes films such as this, but it never arrived. The music performed by Future Folk ain't half-bad either.

This fantastic movie was just a blindfolded dart shot for me. I happened to watch this and find that it is a great movie and a great experience.

In the beginning of the movie I was taken in by the unhurried tempo of the acting and directing. I was drawn in by the fact that I didn't really know if the story being told by the father was true or a mere bed time fantasy told to lull his daughter to sleep. that tempo would not have been enough to keep me watching, even with the strong but wonderfully subdued acting performance of Nils d'Aulaire, who played Bill / General Trius. I had never seen this actor before and he seems to have only three credits to his name, two as a composer and, yes you guessed it, one as an actor. It did sadden me a little. I would liked to have seen more of him.

His wife,Holly, played by Julie Ann Emery and daughter, Wren, played by Onata Aprile both gave outstandingly solid and understated performances that did what they seemed to need to do give a realistic feeling of a family nearing some precipice in the relationship between the mother and father. They are great ensemble actors giving the movie a solid more realistic feel. which was I think necessary considering the fantastic nature of the subject matter.

When I first saw Bill on stage and he performs his first song accompanying himself on the banjo I found myself hook in mouth sold. The music is lovely, the style, the lyrics and Nils d'Aulaire voice all combined to mesmerize me.

To this point in the movie I have enjoyed it but then another, over weight, eyeglass wearing "Alien?" is sent from Bills planet to help bill finish the job he was initially sent to do, prepare the earth for colonization. After the arrival of the Mighty Kevin, played by Jay Klaitz, the movie becomes exponentially more fun. Keven can seem to do nothing that doesn't make me laugh.

This movie is a gem. Making subtle statements about the things that make us human, good and bad.

I started watching this with no preconceived idea of the story, the director or the actors. But all of them shined. Give this movie an opportunity and you will be rewarded.

This is a charming little indie feature about the two human look like aliens from the planet Hondo. They sent on the mission to find an alternate home to quit from their dying planet. But soon they fall in love with the greatest human invention, music. They forget about what they have come and adopt the Earth's atmosphere and human life style.

Definitely a low budget movie and sometime scenes with no logic. A perfect entertainer to someone who familiar with a B movie. They used a minimal quantity of tools like cast, graphics and the locations including simple costumes but there were no limitation of the imagination. It is not suitable for who always look for a perfect sense, other than that it is very enjoyable.

The movie was short and sweet . No surprise twists, the end was very plain but somehow it satisfies. As I said 'The History of Future Folk' is not a crowd puller, there are few people who know well second stream movies will enjoy it.

7/10

Having trudged my way, miserably, through much box office fare of late this little gem took on the status of a diamond in the dung heap.

It's pretty much the definition of "short and sweet". Others have described the wacky story so I won't bother. In theory it shouldn't work but somehow it does. I think maybe it's the immaculate deadpan of the lead actor that carries it; or maybe the catchy songs; or the way its low budget is always taken seriously - silly costumes notwithstanding; or the two genuinely touching love stories. Or... well, I could go on.

Find this movie, however you can, and give it a chance. It's adorable. If only it had been given the release it deserved I guarantee it would have been the talk of the town. Sadly the movie business doesn't roll that way.

One thing I absolutely guarantee: we'll be hearing more of the people involved before very long. As "calling cards" go it doesn't get much better than this.

I just finished watching this on Netflix today, 1/2/22. Although the film has obvious production value issues it has an undeniable quality to it that most films lack. It is a complete story. It has a beginning, middle and end. It may be predictable and somewhat unoriginal as a sci-fi film. The special effects are nothing special. Not everyone is a name actor with impeccable skills and exceptional beauty. They obviously didn't have the budget to produce the most crisp cinematography.....BUT, as the story puts forth, music saves all. No I am NOT a folk enthusiast but there is an artistry, a sense of humor and warmth to the story and music. The best comparison? The first thing that comes to mind is Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny which had more money in it's production budget but similarly hokey or dated special effects that added to the humor and appreciation of the music. The History of Future Folk is not rated, and in this case is more suitable to general audiences with maybe a not toward PG here and there whereas Pick of Destiny is rated R. Admittedly, Future Folk may not be to everyone's taste and certainly don't expect to be dazzled by eye candy special effects but it really is a well done, feel good story that entertains. You really could see a lot worse. I know I certainly have.

I use to work in film and television in a number of capacities. None of the films or tv shows I worked on were much good and definitely nothing I felt proud to be a part of working on other than a paycheck. I think I would have felt differently working on this movie. Watch it if you have an interest in music, watch it for it's light quirky humor, watch it if you like Tenacious D, watch it you want to see something with your kids, watch it if you want to see an honest, feel good story that isn't taxing at all.