Duncan

Ignore the rating its getting spammed with bad grades from conspiracy theory forums. A satire that takes the basic premise of the real life pizzagate conspiracy incident and fictionalizes it in order to run with it. It has a lot of heart and sympathy for our conspiracy theorist main characters even though these are dangerous radical people. The film does a great job driving home that these people are the victims of the Alex Jones type provocateurs of the world. A lot of bits hilarious, and a little bit terrifying, multiple times the movie let's you think you understand how it's going to play out and then veers left. Highly recommend.

The only people this film could upset are those Qanon idiots that got sucked into that garbage. Other's might not like it because it's got that awkward Napoleon Dynamite style of humour to it. Given the budget it's an excellent production all-round. The care given to the dialogue gives Duncan's character full dimensions, he's not simply a stereotype, though there's hamming up of stereotypes throughout the film. Simply marvellous.

I went into this film holding my breath. I had heard an excellent podcast interview with the director/writer, but was worried the film would not translate his vision and message adequately. It totally did.

This movie was produced and filmed for less than $250k. I couldn't find anything that gave away the limited budget. The filming was obviously done by a talented and experienced crew, while the acting was earnest and sincere. The dialogue was smart, quick and often funny, with more than a few striking/poignant moments.

Most especially, and this is where the podcast interview really held true, was that the film allowed empathy with those like the main characters Duncan and Karen, and, by extension, those on the conspiracy encumbered political right in the US. Yes, I know, in our hyper polarized, identity politics driven duopoly we are not supposed to feel such things towards the Others, so this is where The Pizzagate Massacre really triumphs.

And as the title of this review states, which I feel I must restate, this is a satire, so go into the film please with that understanding in mind.

I hope this film leads to the writer/director, John M Valley, receiving more and greater financial and production backing for upcoming works because he deserves it.

For those interested in the podcast interview, you can find it on the Parallax Views Podcast with JG Michael.

I get it. This was made to poke some serious fun at the "right people". I get it. But let's just take some time to appreciate this movie. Despite its small budget, the cinematography is stellar; the characters are so dang fun; the dialogue is equal parts absurd and believable (let's be honest. I've heard some insane conversations over the years, I am sure you have as well). I was pleasantly surprised by this film. If you are open minded, please give this film a chance.

Obviously the world is run by Reptilian aliens as a global elite that control everything. That goes without saying. What this movie does is it picks apart how the media deliberately dances around the truth to exploit various subjects for it's own ratings. Ratings equals money for the pockets of these media types who get rich out of exploiting such truths for their own ends. It's a circus within a circus as one guy is lead astray by a token sow who aspires to be such a media "personality". Entertaining, enjoyable and fun to watch.