The History of Future Folk

I just finished watching this on Netflix today, 1/2/22. Although the film has obvious production value issues it has an undeniable quality to it that most films lack. It is a complete story. It has a beginning, middle and end. It may be predictable and somewhat unoriginal as a sci-fi film. The special effects are nothing special. Not everyone is a name actor with impeccable skills and exceptional beauty. They obviously didn't have the budget to produce the most crisp cinematography.....BUT, as the story puts forth, music saves all. No I am NOT a folk enthusiast but there is an artistry, a sense of humor and warmth to the story and music. The best comparison? The first thing that comes to mind is Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny which had more money in it's production budget but similarly hokey or dated special effects that added to the humor and appreciation of the music. The History of Future Folk is not rated, and in this case is more suitable to general audiences with maybe a not toward PG here and there whereas Pick of Destiny is rated R. Admittedly, Future Folk may not be to everyone's taste and certainly don't expect to be dazzled by eye candy special effects but it really is a well done, feel good story that entertains. You really could see a lot worse. I know I certainly have.

I use to work in film and television in a number of capacities. None of the films or tv shows I worked on were much good and definitely nothing I felt proud to be a part of working on other than a paycheck. I think I would have felt differently working on this movie. Watch it if you have an interest in music, watch it for it's light quirky humor, watch it if you like Tenacious D, watch it you want to see something with your kids, watch it if you want to see an honest, feel good story that isn't taxing at all.

Considering that this film is about two men from the planet Hondo who both love music and are carrying a virus bomb that could wipe out the planet, you know it's NOT a normal movie for normal folks! Add to that Dee Snider (of Twister Sister fame) and the film is sure to raise a few eyebrows! It's weird, it's cheaply made and it's well worth seeing IF you are the sort of person that is looking for something different and can look past the film's shortcomings. After all, it was apparently made on a shoestring budget with actors you've probably never seen before this film.

Nils d'Aulaire plays Bill--a seemingly normal guy. However, as the camera follows him during a typical day, you can see the guy isn't 100% typical. First, he travels an hour and a half from Brooklyn to Long Island to work as a janitor at the Cradle of Aviation Center (an air and space museum). Second, he plays music in a small club dressed in some sort of cheesy space suit--with a helmet that looks like a bucket! And, during this act he refers to himself as 'General Titus' and talks of coming from the planet Hondo!! And, you wonder WHICH of the two personas is the real guy--or, perhaps, neither. I could say a lot more about the movie but I think it would spoil it. Needless to say, it is very strange yet quite enjoyable--particularly when his new friend, Kevin, arrives.

This is one of the more difficult to explain films I have ever seen. It practically defied words and is not a film that you've seen before--and this is, to me, what I really liked about the film. Too often, movies have the same old themes repeated again and again--but this one manages to be quite different and fun even with a micro-budget.

Having trudged my way, miserably, through much box office fare of late this little gem took on the status of a diamond in the dung heap.

It's pretty much the definition of "short and sweet". Others have described the wacky story so I won't bother. In theory it shouldn't work but somehow it does. I think maybe it's the immaculate deadpan of the lead actor that carries it; or maybe the catchy songs; or the way its low budget is always taken seriously - silly costumes notwithstanding; or the two genuinely touching love stories. Or... well, I could go on.

Find this movie, however you can, and give it a chance. It's adorable. If only it had been given the release it deserved I guarantee it would have been the talk of the town. Sadly the movie business doesn't roll that way.

One thing I absolutely guarantee: we'll be hearing more of the people involved before very long. As "calling cards" go it doesn't get much better than this.

I had never heard of this film, until a friend just mentioned I should see it. I'm so glad I did; it's just lovely; part children's film and bedtime story, part fantasy biopic of NYC Bluegrass band Future Folk (I assume fantasy!) and also a low budget but well produced/directed, uplifting sci-fi film. I would recommend for anyone who likes gentle comedy and a rather sweet storyline about music, what's great about humans and saving the planet (planets, more accurately; Hondo and Earth!)

Firstly, the music in this film is brilliant. The medley of music that General Trius plays for Kevin when he first arrives is incredibly accomplished, and I was gripped from then on. I admit that a bit before that I was "What on earth is going on here!?" as I had no preconceived ideas/awareness of the film. It is simply filmed, as I said low budget, no bells and whistles but everything that is SFX whilst simple is effective and the film meanders along from a babbling brook to a decent sized river at the end when the action heats up reminiscent of good (cheesy) 80s sci-fi but more up to date, and 50s band/musician/star vehicles. But for all the simplicity and lack of budget it is very professionally done.

The lead Nils d'Aulaire (General Trius/Bill) is gorgeous and compelling, elegant and just super cute with his daughter Wren, played by Onata Aprile, who isn't the best child actress I've ever seen but was good and there was great chemistry between her and d'Aulaire. D'Aulaire is only listed as being part of this project so far on IMDb but Jay Klaitz who played Kevin, the second alien from Hondo is known for more and his acting was more fluid and more in the style of mainstream-film; he was funny, the "plucky comic relief" with d'Aulaire being the brains and the action, and his scenes were possibly the most entertaining. The best scene was without doubt the fight/dance scene - d'Aulaire's physicality and strength in a convincingly choreographed fight interposed with Klaitz's surprise demonstration of some quite elegant passionate Tango, also well choreographed, with April L Hernandez as Carmen the cop, earthling love interest. Bill's wife Holly was played by familiar face Julie Ann Emery and she seemed comfortable in the role, and well cast as the earthling who stole his heart/groupie.

Overall, an uplifting satisfying film. Gentle, sweet, funny without anything shocking or gratuitous, suitable for the whole family but entertaining and enjoyable. It's a good film, in terms of moral content and also feel-good factor. Well worth the view. Recommend.

This fantastic movie was just a blindfolded dart shot for me. I happened to watch this and find that it is a great movie and a great experience.

In the beginning of the movie I was taken in by the unhurried tempo of the acting and directing. I was drawn in by the fact that I didn't really know if the story being told by the father was true or a mere bed time fantasy told to lull his daughter to sleep. that tempo would not have been enough to keep me watching, even with the strong but wonderfully subdued acting performance of Nils d'Aulaire, who played Bill / General Trius. I had never seen this actor before and he seems to have only three credits to his name, two as a composer and, yes you guessed it, one as an actor. It did sadden me a little. I would liked to have seen more of him.

His wife,Holly, played by Julie Ann Emery and daughter, Wren, played by Onata Aprile both gave outstandingly solid and understated performances that did what they seemed to need to do give a realistic feeling of a family nearing some precipice in the relationship between the mother and father. They are great ensemble actors giving the movie a solid more realistic feel. which was I think necessary considering the fantastic nature of the subject matter.

When I first saw Bill on stage and he performs his first song accompanying himself on the banjo I found myself hook in mouth sold. The music is lovely, the style, the lyrics and Nils d'Aulaire voice all combined to mesmerize me.

To this point in the movie I have enjoyed it but then another, over weight, eyeglass wearing "Alien?" is sent from Bills planet to help bill finish the job he was initially sent to do, prepare the earth for colonization. After the arrival of the Mighty Kevin, played by Jay Klaitz, the movie becomes exponentially more fun. Keven can seem to do nothing that doesn't make me laugh.

This movie is a gem. Making subtle statements about the things that make us human, good and bad.

I started watching this with no preconceived idea of the story, the director or the actors. But all of them shined. Give this movie an opportunity and you will be rewarded.