This is one of those movies you will either love or hate. It is obviously an indie low budget film and it does not try to pretend otherwise. If you like the old Monty Python silliness and you like recent shows like Danger 5 you will love this movie. Think of it as a Call of Cthulhu done by Monty Python and you will know what to expect.
28 Reviews
So awesome
BandSAboutMovies15 November 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Arrow has been steadily releasing some modern stuff in addition to their gorgeous rereleases, like The Deeper You Dig and Jesus Shows You the Way to the Highway.
I love that they put this out, as this is one of the stranger movies I've seen in a while and imagine what that entails. The winner of the Audience Award for Best International Feature at the 2019 Fantasia Film Festival, this movie feels like a mix of art film, cartoons, monster movies and old serials, all in black and white with occasional color.
Captain Seafield (Ryland Brickson Cole Tews, who also wrote and directed) is hunting down the titular beast who killed his father. So he assembles a crew to take it down, including weapons expert Sean Shaughnessy (Erick West, who also ran camera, did makeup and produced), sonar whiz Nedge Pepsi (Beulah Peters, also on camera and producing) and former N.A.V.Y. (Nautical Athletes and Adventure Yunit) officer Dick Flynn (Daniel Long).
Along the way, the Captain screws up at every opportunity, losing his crew and even having to assemble a new one made up of ghosts before meeting the beast that just might be his sister. But you know, if you're Ahab and you finally found your white whale, would you stop? And why do Milwaukee liquor stores close at 9 PM anyway?
You have to love a movie that brags that it's been "banned in four lakes" and ends with the kind of eye damage that would make Fulci weep.
The new Arrow Video release - this is also playing on their on demand channel - comes with a sober and drink cast and crew audio commentary, as well as another option to hear critics talk about the film while you watch it. There are also interviews, behind the scenes on the effects and even the first season and pilot episode of L.I.P.S., Tews and Mike Cheslik's sci-fi comedy web series.
You can get this from Arrow and I totally recommend it. It just works perfectly.
I love that they put this out, as this is one of the stranger movies I've seen in a while and imagine what that entails. The winner of the Audience Award for Best International Feature at the 2019 Fantasia Film Festival, this movie feels like a mix of art film, cartoons, monster movies and old serials, all in black and white with occasional color.
Captain Seafield (Ryland Brickson Cole Tews, who also wrote and directed) is hunting down the titular beast who killed his father. So he assembles a crew to take it down, including weapons expert Sean Shaughnessy (Erick West, who also ran camera, did makeup and produced), sonar whiz Nedge Pepsi (Beulah Peters, also on camera and producing) and former N.A.V.Y. (Nautical Athletes and Adventure Yunit) officer Dick Flynn (Daniel Long).
Along the way, the Captain screws up at every opportunity, losing his crew and even having to assemble a new one made up of ghosts before meeting the beast that just might be his sister. But you know, if you're Ahab and you finally found your white whale, would you stop? And why do Milwaukee liquor stores close at 9 PM anyway?
You have to love a movie that brags that it's been "banned in four lakes" and ends with the kind of eye damage that would make Fulci weep.
The new Arrow Video release - this is also playing on their on demand channel - comes with a sober and drink cast and crew audio commentary, as well as another option to hear critics talk about the film while you watch it. There are also interviews, behind the scenes on the effects and even the first season and pilot episode of L.I.P.S., Tews and Mike Cheslik's sci-fi comedy web series.
You can get this from Arrow and I totally recommend it. It just works perfectly.
Surprisingly, it works
Leofwine_draca26 August 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I wasn't expecting much from this no budget black and white indie but I found it pleasantly enjoyable. The cast put in dedicated performances and the sea captain in particular was very funny; it helps that the quirky humour in the script generally works well and the whole thing has a likeable feel. The story is pretty much non-existent and the SFX are anything but special, but you can forgive these things when there's this level of heart and enthusiasm in a production.
Excellent!
SKP459125 June 2019
Lake Michigan Monster...a fun, fast, hilarious romp, and proof that having a low budget can be creatively advantageous. The effects--which have an artistry that kind of feels like a cross between Sin City and Spongebob--make the film worth watching just on their own. However, the film also contains many wonderfully witty jokes and sight gags that are fired off so rapidly (and with such skill) that there's no way to take in everything the film has to offer the first time--you'll want to see it again just to catch all the funny little moments and details you may have missed, and, perhaps, to re-experience favorite moments that are stuck in your head! Finally, the film has memorable characters that are performed with such charisma and dedication that you'll wish there existed more films depicting their further adventures. Lake Michigan Monster is a great 78 minutes, and if you run into the opportunity to see it at a film festival (and especially with a crowd), don't hesitate!
Interesting Little Horror/Comedy with Lovecraftian Vibes
Reviews_of_the_Dead20 November 2019
This was the film that kicked off the final day of the Nightmares Film Festival. I heard from a couple guys who were at the festival the night before that this was a wild one from the trailers they saw. This is also the Ohio premiere for it as well. The synopsis is an eccentric ship captain and crew of specialists plot revenge against the most mysterious creature of the deep, the Lake Michigan Monster.
We start this learning about the crux of what is going on. Ryland Brickson Cole Tews, who is also the writer and director, plays a man who lives in a lighthouse with his wife and his father was killed. He hires a weapons expert, a sonar technician and a navy man to help him hunt down and kill what took his father. These people he hires Erick West, Beulah Peters and Daniel Long.
The come up with a few different plans of attack. Things take a turn though when one of the members of the team are attacked by the creature and then an egg is found. It is destroyed and this angers the creature even more. Ryland is keeping things from the rest of his team and there's a much deeper back-story than any of them realized, which leads to him coming face to face with this creature as well as the truth of his past.
Now I wanted to go a little bit lighter on the recap here as there's not a lot to this story and a good portion of it is really at the end which I don't want to spoil. I should also point out that this is a comedy. Most of it isn't to be taken serious for sure. It is a revenge tale at heart as well. I almost feel like there's the underlying belief that eventually, we have to stop seeking revenge or there'll be no one left or the adage 'an eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind'.
This film actually kind of has a Lovecraftian vibe to it that I can dig. There's a sea creature that is kind of similar to being like a Loc Ness Monster, in that it is just living down there. When we finally see it, it has a low budget look, but I definitely dug it. Since I've kind of moved to the effects, I should state that this is mostly done on green screen. If this film was more serious, I would have hated it. Since this is played for laughs it works. They definitely use the comedy to hide the lower budget, so I can't harp too much. It is also shot in black and white with an old timey feel. That I actually did like.
I'll move next to the pacing of this. With a runtime of 78 minutes, it's perfect. They know what they're doing here, so they came in with a lower running time which actually kind of feels like those sci-fi films from the 1950's. The problem I have though is being a comedy, it really did have trouble building tension. Some of the comedy landed for me, especially a gag about how early the liquor stores in Milwaukee close, but some of it felt a bit forced. I did like the ending even though how outrageous it was.
As for the acting, it is most definitely over the top while still working for me. Tews is pretty funny as the lead here and I think the rest of the team he assembles is as well. There are really some times where something is said and they just kind of look at each other. That awkwardness is actually something I really dig in films like this. I also thought that Peters was pretty cute as well if I'm going to be honest, I really like her glasses as well.
Now with that said, don't come in expecting a serious film or even one with the most coherent storyline. It is one to turn your brain off and have some laughs. It is a Lovecraftian inspired revenge tale that just gets more and more outrageous as we go. The acting is over the top, it doesn't outstay its welcome and I think the ending works. The look of the movie is good, but it's a bit too heavy on effects. The soundtrack didn't really stand out to me, but it did fit for what was needed. Overall I'd say this is a fun film that you should check out with your friends and have drinks. I wasn't overly big on it aside from the laughs. I'd say it is just slight over average for me.
We start this learning about the crux of what is going on. Ryland Brickson Cole Tews, who is also the writer and director, plays a man who lives in a lighthouse with his wife and his father was killed. He hires a weapons expert, a sonar technician and a navy man to help him hunt down and kill what took his father. These people he hires Erick West, Beulah Peters and Daniel Long.
The come up with a few different plans of attack. Things take a turn though when one of the members of the team are attacked by the creature and then an egg is found. It is destroyed and this angers the creature even more. Ryland is keeping things from the rest of his team and there's a much deeper back-story than any of them realized, which leads to him coming face to face with this creature as well as the truth of his past.
Now I wanted to go a little bit lighter on the recap here as there's not a lot to this story and a good portion of it is really at the end which I don't want to spoil. I should also point out that this is a comedy. Most of it isn't to be taken serious for sure. It is a revenge tale at heart as well. I almost feel like there's the underlying belief that eventually, we have to stop seeking revenge or there'll be no one left or the adage 'an eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind'.
This film actually kind of has a Lovecraftian vibe to it that I can dig. There's a sea creature that is kind of similar to being like a Loc Ness Monster, in that it is just living down there. When we finally see it, it has a low budget look, but I definitely dug it. Since I've kind of moved to the effects, I should state that this is mostly done on green screen. If this film was more serious, I would have hated it. Since this is played for laughs it works. They definitely use the comedy to hide the lower budget, so I can't harp too much. It is also shot in black and white with an old timey feel. That I actually did like.
I'll move next to the pacing of this. With a runtime of 78 minutes, it's perfect. They know what they're doing here, so they came in with a lower running time which actually kind of feels like those sci-fi films from the 1950's. The problem I have though is being a comedy, it really did have trouble building tension. Some of the comedy landed for me, especially a gag about how early the liquor stores in Milwaukee close, but some of it felt a bit forced. I did like the ending even though how outrageous it was.
As for the acting, it is most definitely over the top while still working for me. Tews is pretty funny as the lead here and I think the rest of the team he assembles is as well. There are really some times where something is said and they just kind of look at each other. That awkwardness is actually something I really dig in films like this. I also thought that Peters was pretty cute as well if I'm going to be honest, I really like her glasses as well.
Now with that said, don't come in expecting a serious film or even one with the most coherent storyline. It is one to turn your brain off and have some laughs. It is a Lovecraftian inspired revenge tale that just gets more and more outrageous as we go. The acting is over the top, it doesn't outstay its welcome and I think the ending works. The look of the movie is good, but it's a bit too heavy on effects. The soundtrack didn't really stand out to me, but it did fit for what was needed. Overall I'd say this is a fun film that you should check out with your friends and have drinks. I wasn't overly big on it aside from the laughs. I'd say it is just slight over average for me.
Creative and impressive low budget comedy
snootsncoots24 October 2021
I've seen big money, well produced comedies that were no where near as enjoyable as this. The originality and creativity is off the charts. If you want to relax and watch something silly and entertaining, you'll love it.
Hillenburg meets Stoklasa
AustinTheFilmCritic10 December 2021
Lake Michigan Monster is Eggers' "The Lighthouse" but for the modern age. It can be described as both absurdist and experimental. With a tone only describable as a blending of Dolan, Hillenburg and Stoklasa. This film stays at the forefront of your mind for weeks to come. 7.37/10.
It wants to be wacky and funny, but....
zipomatic5 August 2020
This movie reminded me of the old UK television show from the 1980 "The Comic Strip" in the way it was filmed, the style of character and the plot. That show was so hit and miss. Each episode would either be a stone cold classic, or a complete dead duck, this movie fits into the latter category.
It so desperately want to be campy and zany, but the main problem is, it just is not very funny, and for a comedy that is kind of important.
This movie is a textbook definition of a "Marmite"film. You will absolutely love it, or you will hate it.
It so desperately want to be campy and zany, but the main problem is, it just is not very funny, and for a comedy that is kind of important.
This movie is a textbook definition of a "Marmite"film. You will absolutely love it, or you will hate it.
Contemporary LSD flick
SamWizeGanji10 July 2021
I love intentionally goofy and/or "bad" movies. This is the cream of the crop. It has a gonzo story and dialogue that makes me laugh every time I've watched it
7/10 if I had to be honest in the comparison to my all time favorite movies.
7/10 if I had to be honest in the comparison to my all time favorite movies.
Silly, weird, and awesome
sheamoonchild24 February 2022
Horrible
hrid-923854 August 2020
Very funny
bananaspider4 August 2020
1 star. Why? The hype...
mrnomore10 January 2021
It's a new hype, to make movies this way. The first few always get some extra point and the rest will fade out, as always.
For a movie to be interesting, funny, touching, thrilling, or anything else, there must be a solid ground. If actors, directing and script are good, the movie will stand. With or without style.
For a movie to be interesting, funny, touching, thrilling, or anything else, there must be a solid ground. If actors, directing and script are good, the movie will stand. With or without style.
Quintessential seventh art experience
macchiedinchiostro21 June 2022
This movie it's far to be perfect but it's an honest and funny love letter to a century of moviemaking. There's everything inside this movie, from Goerges Méliès to David Lynch with a bit of Monty Python. An ultra low budget gem beautifully shot with a great editing. It is surely worth a watch.
Watch it, please!
oham-6946911 September 2021
Student project film at best.
jeeper-782781 April 2022
Calling this a student project film is being kind. If you were tripping on mushrooms this movie might be entertaining. It has some funny moments which is why I gave it the rating I did. Otherwise it's tedious to watch and format doesn't hold up for the run of the movie.
Funny as hell!
abdulazizjan4 October 2021
A hilarious farce reminiscent of Monty Python
chunkybrewster29 June 2019
A simple revenge story that takes quite a lot of unexpected twists and turns.
I was quite surprised by how stylistic and well executed the visual effects were done.
The whole cast has their moments, but Ryland really steals the show with his deadpan delivery, expressive face, and his overall enjoyable slapstick performance.
Invite some friends over for movie night and surprise them with this sleeper hit that is more enjoyable than most of the crap in theaters at the moment.
I was quite surprised by how stylistic and well executed the visual effects were done.
The whole cast has their moments, but Ryland really steals the show with his deadpan delivery, expressive face, and his overall enjoyable slapstick performance.
Invite some friends over for movie night and surprise them with this sleeper hit that is more enjoyable than most of the crap in theaters at the moment.
Great Film
sitkablu13 September 2019
Fun, Quirky, Fast-Paced Film
jessiewelton9 April 2019
Adult SpongeBob
runwolf-6200014 February 2022
I'm not a SpongeBob fan (take the show or leave it). However this movie seems to take some of the good aspects/feel of the cartoon and make it into a live action movie.
This isn't a cinematic masterpiece but it is entertaining. It's almost like a messed up adult version of Scooby Doo or similar type show.
It's one of those movies you will either love it or hate it. Open up a bottle of vodka or pack a bong before watching this movie. :)
This isn't a cinematic masterpiece but it is entertaining. It's almost like a messed up adult version of Scooby Doo or similar type show.
It's one of those movies you will either love it or hate it. Open up a bottle of vodka or pack a bong before watching this movie. :)
A solid parody
AleksandrBelenko22 December 2021
This movie was sold to me as a hilarious highly re-watchable comedy. Well this movie is a lot of fun indeed. I liked over the top acting, I liked the jokes. And mostly I liked the cinematography. And even though I liked the jokes I wasn't dying of laughter. I don't think I will rewatch the movie any time soon if ever.
Surely, I enjoyed the movie. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to spend an evening in light-hearted atmosphere.
Surely, I enjoyed the movie. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to spend an evening in light-hearted atmosphere.
Great, wacky fun!
mail-57744 September 2019
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