Pottersville

This was not like any "Christmas" movie I'veever seen - if it even qualifies as a Christmas movie. Because it was so zany, at first I thought it was really bad acting or a really dumb script. But there are some accomplished actors on here who have acting skills. So what was I missing? After pondering this (for slightly more time than the Grinch pondered why The Who's were still celebrating on Christmas morning), it occurred to me. This is purposeful "camp." Kind of like Napoleon Dynamite. But I'm guessing so few people will ever see it that it will die a slow death and end up at Dollar Tree for $1. Give it a chance and keep an open mind - it is supposed to be dumb!

Ok so this is definitely not your run of the mill Christmas Film, in fact I'm not sure it's really a Christmas Film at all, but it is a truly fun, bizarre ride that stars Michael Shannon as a stereo typical general store owner that not so stereo typically accidentally becomes Bigfoot and in doing so saves his small town that is struggling to survive during rough economic times.

It's got a Coen Brothers tongue and cheek feel to it all; think O Brother Where Art Thou meets It's a Wonderful Life. The cast is truly top notch. Alongside Shannon, Judy Greer stars as the loveable shop-keeper; Ron Perlman stars as the local sheriff who's cheating with Shannon's wife, Christina Hendricks, and Thomas Lennon and Ian McShane battle as two capable and incapable hunters of Bigfoot.

It's a bizarre story indeed but if you are willing to jump on board and go for the ride, it's truly a fun one. Henrikson in his directing debut does not take himself overly serious, but creates an interesting juxtaposition by overly playing the earnestness of some truly bizarre circumstances (Ron Perlman and Christina Hendricks cheating on Michael Shannon IN HIS OWN BEDROOM while wearing FURRY COSTUMES, Michael Shannon getting extremely drunk and dressing up as Bigfoot and then deciding that he must continue to dress up as Bigfoot to save his town, Thomas Lennon as an "Australian?" Bigfoot Hunter seeking the help from a grizzled moonshiner, Ian McShane, to hunt down and possibly kill Bigfoot). The camera adds a fun sense of whimsicality to the story, hearkening imagery from Jean-Pierre Jeunet films.

I'm not sure what this film is. It's kind of a Christmas Story, but not really. It's kind of a drama about a small town falling on hard times, but not really. It's kind of a monster hunter broad comedy, but not really. But whatever it is, it somehow bizarrely worked for me, but walk into it knowing it's a little different.

I am puzzled that this movie has mainly bad critic reviews. It's not the best movie you will ever see, but it is entertaining.

One night, small-town shopkeeper Maynard (Michael Shannon) gets depressed and drunk, runs around in a gorilla costume, and starts a Bigfoot craze, which revives the town's failing economy. He then goes out night after night, managing to be seen by nearly everyone in town, but never caught. OK, you have to suspend disbelief a bit here - doesn't anyone suspect it's just a guy in a costume, or see him sneaking in or out of his store? Anyway, eventually a Bigfoot hunter arrives in town (Thomas Lennon) with an accent which is a horrible mash-up of Australian, New Zealander and South African(fortunately, that is played for laughs); and a Bigfoot hunts ensues.

The movie is both silly, and with a bit of heart. The ending is a bit rushed, but otherwise it was very enjoyable.

The movie has a great feel to it with cool retro production design. But ultimately, the story is just kind of slow. A guy in a marriage crisis dresses up as a gorilla one night when he gets sloppy drunk and runs around town, causing witnesses to believe they've seen Bigfoot. Every - including a reality TV monster hunter - descend on the small town. But it's really more of a premise than a story that pulls you along. Plus it's quirky with some fun moments, but it's not really LOL funny.

This movie sneaks up on you. You aren't getting the recent rash of over the top brash and crass movies of the current era. You are getting a cute and in the end a heart-warming comedy.

To begin, this movie comes at us from a small, down on its luck town who's main employer "The Mill" has recently closed. Maynard is one of the few remaining business owners, and his corner store is the focal point of the town. This is much like many small towns across America, so many viewers can relate.

The movie portrays a few pretty typical characters you might also find in those small towns and exaggerates their personalities just enough to make them quite amusing, but not overdone like an SNL skit.

One character that IS over the top is the "Monster Hunter" that comes into the town searching for bigfoot. (In a not so veiled spoof of Bear Grilles or similar reality star.) He is ridiculously funny, but it somehow fits.

To Me, this is a great movie to watch with the whole family. Three are a few scenes with minor sexual overtones, but PG is how I would rate it. And I can only recall a few occasions of foul language.

I mention these things because I feel the shocking nature of many films today is borne of laziness. Writers and directors who are out of ideas and fall back on foul language and shock value as an answer to comedy. This movie breaks that mold and still generates the laughs.

So the bottom line is, if you are looking for a caustic f-bomb fest, this isn't the movie for you. Go watch The Hangover or something else. Those are funny movies for sure, but his movie takes a different route.

This movie has great acting, a great story and surprisingly funny scenes. A great way to spend an hour and a half with the family!