Deaner '89

When I stumbled upon the 2024 movie "Deaner '89", by random chance here in 2024, I opted to watch it, since it was a movie that I hadn't already seen, nor actually heard about. And being a metalhead myself, then of course the storyline of the movie just had all the more appeal to lure me in.

And I will say that I was definitely entertained by the script and storyline that writer Paul Spence had come up with. It was a simple, yet straightforward, storyline that sort of had a make-you-feel-good vibe to it. And I couldn't help but have a chuckle along the way, especially because the Dean character was so over-the-top.

The only familiar faces on the screen for me was Stephen McHattie, Will Sasso, Kevin McDonald and Lauren Cochrane. The acting performances in the movie were good. And writer Paul Spence had come up with some good characters and dialogue.

"Deaner '89" is definitely a movie that I would recommend you to sit down and watch, especially if you enjoy the late 1980s era and have a fondness for metal. So sit down and raise the horns for Dean.

My rating of director Sam McGlynn's 2024 movie "Deaner '89" lands on a six out of ten stars.

Anyone who gives this movie less than an 8/10 wasn't paying attention. As a Canadian who grew up in dead end towns I'm admittedly biased but I can authentically speak to the expertly curated set design and wardrobe choices in this film and they nailed it. Anyone else who has spent time in small town Canada will know Dean Murdochs' (Paul Spence) neighbourhood intimately (including the front yard junk piles and local sidewalk six-pack guy).

Going into Deaner '89 I was expecting to laugh at some dumb slapstick jokes and the beloved characters' riotous charm but I was surprised to be genuinely moved by the story. Without spoilers, this is a journey of self discovery and an example of what it takes to chase the dream when no one else wants you to. If you've ever felt trapped inside a box that the world demands you to be happy in, you'll resonate with Deans' experience. This Canadian indie film confronts some important, heavy themes with grace and tact.

The family dynamic of father figure Glen (Will Sasso), anxiously religious mother Mirna (Lauren Cochrane) and headstrong little sister Jen (Star Slade) is sweet and entertaining. Kitty (Mady Foley) is the perfect high school heartthrob and her Aunt May (Mary Walsh) is the metal mentor of my dreams. This movie truly has a lot to offer and the grade A (Eh) comedic performances and heavy metal spirit make up the juicy cherry on top of Deaner '89.

I loved this movie but you can't go into it with an expectation that it will be like the Fubar movies. You also have to get over the fact that Deaner is an old guy trying to play a teenager. PS I have no idea how the hell he pulled off being so spry at his age... I am 40 and can barely get off the couch without hurting myself.

Anyway, my review has to be a certain length and I don't have much else to say about the movie other than...

Woman is a Danger Cat

The streets are silent, My wheels are the night, Black leather boots calling out to you, A cute blonde boogie machine spreads her wings, And comes along for the ride.

Your father thinks you're out at Suzie's place, Bonin' up on the classics, But everyone in high school knows, You're heavy into gymnastics.

One way street, never mind the signs, Full charged gasoline in the tank, Your foot is on the gas and the tires say YEAH!

Woman is a danger cat

Your teachers say you never try, You should be top of the class, But if I was your only educator, You know that you would pass.

You sneak out at night, Deep into the night, This ain't no halfway house, You came from good blood RIGHT!

On and on

Woman is a danger cat

-Deaner.

Wow. Just wow. Is this an 'action comedy' about the Sixties Scoop?

As the logline suggests, there is no singular coherent story. Like, at all. Receiving a trunk of his dead biological father's belongings is not enough of an inciting incident, there is zero dramatic action or plotting that follows. The scenes lack internal structure and setups, payoffs or punch lines. The transitions are just frequent cuts to a fifty-year-old dude on a BMX pretending to be seventeen again. Instead of learning about his hitherto hidden indigenous Metis identity, he's discovering heavy metal, but the score lacks any actual heavy metal. It's 1989, so if you're a Dokken fan, you'll know that year things fell apart and they broke up. There's a cartoonish bad biker attempted antagonistic subplot that's so cringe it's funny in a 'The Room' kind of way. It's trying to pass off as part of a franchise with a fan base but not delivering any goods. Some performances are good despite the lack of material. Star Slade almost saves the scenes she's in. Spence, however, can only barely channel the character and has changed things about Dean like his social class, hometown, ethnicity, the mom he had in the Fubar films and his age while trying hard to prove he's the Deaner. How much can you stand to watch Paul Spence constantly shotgun beers and say 'Giver?" Feels like he's trying to prove he's the better of two bangers but fell flat on his 'Sexcalibur' knife. As a Fubar fan, I feel ripped off. This film looks like it had at least ten million to work with, so hardly the little Indy Canadian that could. Meanwhile, Indigenous filmmakers in Canada continue to get robbed at fund points.

Well, that was the best movie I've seen in a long time. I laughed my ass off. The characters were well developed. The humour was intelligent and relatable. I loved the sister and brother relationship. I had never seen the previous fubar movie before but i had an open mind when watching this film. It was so funny and laughed out loud a bunch of times. The music is soooo good. I think this is my new favorite movie and im going to say this is a Canadian Masterpiece. I really hope they make a sequel to this where Deaner lives in Calgary and starts a band or something. If you have time go do yourself a favour and watch this flick.