The Rumperbutts

Imagine a band much like stars Mates of State (made up of a couple in love, who get married, making music they enjoy, doing small shows), who one day trade the indie rock life for a career as the stars of a sort of bland-but-successful Wiggles/Yo Gabba Gabba/Barney TV show, touring the country to sold out live family/kid audiences. As their fame and popularity grow, their marriage self destructs. But stuck in a long term contract, the show must go on, so to speak. Or...that is at least until a cryptic wish-giver shows up, setting them on a different path. Filled with great songs, laugh out loud humor, and a bittersweet overall story, I loved this. Plus, it successfully avoids the Hollywood happy ending, the Hollywood gloomy ending, and the indie there-is-no-ending-so-lets-just-fade- out ending. Instead it manages to end in away that seems the most true to the characters and what they would want.

A non-studio film with some great music and laughs. What more can you ask for in 90 minutes? The Richie character is just great! Josh Brener is hilarious! Mates of State wrote at least 10 original songs for the film. HOPE and SOMEONE LIKE YOU are my personal favorites! And Arian Moayed and Vanessa Ray played some really fun villains.

I can't wait to get the soundtrack which is coming out in July.

I really hope that people get a chance to see this little gem.

I am still humming some of the tunes in my head.

The Rumperbutts for sure left its mark.

Make sure to check this one out! You won't regret it!

SLambert San Diego, Ca

The Rumperbutts was interesting and fun to watch, but it's geared for an older audience than me. I did like the storyline a lot and the editing is great. My favorite bit is probably the music. Yeah, definitely the songs - some are a little corny (the Rumperbutts ones), but some are actually really, really beautiful.

Bonnie (Kori Gardner) and Jack (Jason Hammel) met in 2005, formed a band and started dating. Three years later, they became partners on a popular kids' show, The Rumperbutts. The show made them break up and become miserable and they still had another THREE years on their contract! Then, they both are invited to meet with a guy named Richie (Josh Brener) who tricks them into smoking magical pot which sends them on an unexpected journey.

The acting in this is one of the highlights. I especially like the performances of Josh Brener as Richie and Kori Gardner as Bonnie. Kori Gardner has a gorgeous voice and the songs are quite beautiful. Some of the songs have nice messages like "listen to your parents." Josh and Kori really embody their characters in a way that is very fitting. I also really like the costumes. Julia Knapp made the Rumperbutts costumes which are the funniest ones in the movie. The photography and editing are really good and the animation when Richie snaps his fingers and the setting changes is excellent. I like the plot. The storyline is well thought out and well written, planned and directed. It has multiple sets that are all really good.

The message of the film is: you made your bed, now you have to lay in it. You should be aware that there are some curse words in the movie and there is pot smoking.

I rate The Rumperbutts 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 16 to 18, plus adults. The Rumperbutts releases on digital November 19, 2021. Go check it out! By Alma K., KIDS FIRST!