Vandits

Four idiots call themselves "The Vandits". They are robbing the Christmas Eve bingo game hosted by Ned (Enrico Colantoni). Something's wrong as it goes Groundhog Day.

This is a Canadian indie comedy. I recognize Enrico Colantoni who is the only truly funny performer here. I do know that one guy from Trailer Park Boys and Jann Arden. Here's the deal. The Vandits group needs to be funnier. They need funnier actors. They're not actually funny. They're only pretending to be funny. I would keep the fat guy and drop the rest. Maybe keep the girl if one has no expectation of her character being funny.

So I found this almost by accident and I've got to say, I have seen films that must have cost 1000 times more to make, that are far less entertaining.

It's obviously been made on a bit of a shoestring budget, (indeed, during the end credits, it even points out that all of their gear was stolen the night before they started shooting) but they really did an alright job. There's no real bad acting and the story is more than acceptable.

It's hardly Oscar material, but you could do a whole lot worse if you're bored and want some Indi entertainment with some quirky laughs.

Well done to all involved.

Quirky comedy "Vandits" laudably applies a "Groundhog Day" twist to a "Bad Santa" styled Christmas small-town-crime flick... but too weirdly for it to work. Tony Nappo, Francesco Antonio, Jesse Camacho & Victoria Gwendoline are a dumb, amateur wannabe crime gang out to rob Enrico Colantoni & Rob Wells' bingo hall on Xmas Eve... but as each experiences a failed & violently fatal heist conclusion, they flashback to their van to start it all over... and over. Co-writer (with Adam Rodness) / director Stuart Stone takes a dark yet silly approach... which doesn't work. Canada's low-budget "I Like Movies" was a top 2023 movie... but similar category "Vandits" sure ain't.

I have been waiting a year for this to come to the states and everything I heard about Vandits was true and it did not disappoint, not once, ever. The plot was absolutely original and brilliant in execution, and, despite their equipment being stolen during filming, the end result was awesome. I found myself laughing so out loud at the jokes, and even caught references to other movies, and me going, at one point, "He thinks he's Hannibal Smith now?" (If you know, you know....) The soundtrack was fire, and I love how it just worked well with the movie.

All of the actors are so good in this, especially Tony Nappo as Uncle Sheldon, who, I'm quite convinced, he was a mob hit man in a former life (Uncle Sheldon, not Tony Nappo), as well as Francisco Antonio, Jesse Camacho, Victoria Turko, and,(even though it was a small role, it was funny AF) Robb Wells (My Big Daddy, also, IYKYK).

Stu Stone and Adam Rodness, thank you for making a funny @$$ movie, that will now be on my list as a new Christmas watching tradition, along with my other lifelong Christmas.

Oh my goodness!!! Even Enrico who brings passion and creativity to every role COULDNT save this! Did they kidnap your family and hold them for ransom? The ransom being you participating in this film.

Well I guess everyone had an off day or a few, as this clearly wasn't filmed in 24 hours. Or maybe it was...I fast forwarded through almost all of it only pausing for the scenes Enrico was in...I guess the naysayers were right-NOBODY is perfect, although prior to watching this I was pretty much thinking ( and saying) Enrico was...

So no more like this please! My heart can't take it. Just post a warning label or something over the opening credits to warn those of us who are your biggest fans....