Big Bear

Big Bear took me through high waves of laughter in between moments of calm water with its mix of drama and comedy. Though the metaphor of the movie's name isn't truly appreciated until mid-way through the movie, Joey Kern's directorial debut film Big Bear questions the twists and turns of life. The moment when Kern's character (Joe) thinks he has reached his peak, but is misdirected captivated me. Kern, who directed, wrote, and starred in the film, does an impeccable job of demystifying the main character's daily struggles. The intensity of Joe's life is dissected in front of the readers with short flashbacks that slowly pile up. With each comparison to his fiancée's's lover, Joe finds himself falling down a dark rabbit hole. By adding so much backstory and combing down to every detail including Joe's career, I am able to connect with the main character's struggles in an unexpected way. Kern slowly develops different aspects of the character's life until the climactic ending (cue the Big Bear metaphor). This buddy-movie reminds me that no one is truly alone in their struggles and that a 'rebirth' isn't always the end of the world. I would highly recommend this movie to anyone who is feeling down or is just looking for a good laugh.

As a self-proclaimed comedy movie aficionado, I really like what Joey Kern has created here. Big Bear is a movie that can appeal to more than just comedy lovers. This movie mixes slapstick humor with a touch of dark revenge and tops it off with real emotional struggles that most can relate to. But what made the movie, for me at least, was how well cast it was. Joey Kern, being the writer and director, seemed to be able to portray the heartbroken, emotionally torn male lead in a way that only the creator of the character could. Aside from Kern, it was interesting to see characters like Adam Brody and Pablo Schreiber in different roles than what may be considered their usual like in The O.C. or Orange Is The New Black. Brody seemed to not hold anything back, even getting slightly creepy, as a very James-Franco-type crazed best friend. Overall, this movie won me over and I would definitely recommend if you are looking for a laugh.

Being a huge fan of cringe-worthy comedy, Big Bear does a stupendous job with creating an awkward atmosphere, where the true colors of the characters come out and shock viewers each time the plot thickens. It's a dramedy about groom-to-be Joe (Joey Kern) who spends a couple days in a cabin with three other friends who soon find out that Joe's fiancée is cheating on him with another man. Director Joey Kern successfully binds the heartfelt bro-moments amid disaster with the oafish reactions of revenge-driven friends to appease Joe's broken heart. Honestly, the slap-stick humor in this film mixed with the messed-up actions of the stone-cold bride-to-be kept me at the edge of my seat. I connected with Joe as he tried to get his emotions straight after consulting with his friends. The comradery grown in this film was satisfying and made it well worth the watch!

Written directed, and...starring....joe kern. Another group of four guys having a bachelor party for their buddy. In big bear, california. The twist here is that joe has already been dumped by his fiancee. And doesn't want to talk about it. But of course, the other three insist on hearing the whole story. And they kidnap the fiancee's new boyfriend. Who is not happy about being held hostage. It's very talky. So much discussion about what went right and what went wrong in joe and jess' relationship. Joe kern's real ex has stated that this is one interpretation of their breakup. It's mostly arguing and stress. It needed to either have more comedy, or be more of a suspense drama. And it does turn into a drama, about halfway through. One interesting connection... the cop that comes the cabin also was the voice of kahn on the series king of the hill. It's okay. It could have used more comedy.

This movie is like a newer, less overdone version of the hangover. There are twists and turns that keep you in. Good jokes, some dark comedy, and a recently made movie vibe. The actors are attractive enough to be good to look at, but believable as ordinary people. The filming is NOT that of a b movie at all like some of these comments claim, the camera work, the script and the acting are way better than some of the movies in theaters last year that got a lot attention. If you like comedy give this a watch