Brigsby Bear reviewed

Do you remember last Saturday when I posted on Facebook about running down to the ArcLight theatre in Hollywood so I could watch Brigsby Bear because it was the only place playing?  You really only have a few choices for your answer:

 

• Yes, because I typically notice your few random posts you make on Facebook.
• Yes, because I have no problem cyber-stalking you.
• No, I didn't take the time to look.  I understand it is obviously my own loss.
• No, I am still not ready to take off my tinfoil hat and get a Facebook account.  You know who you all are.

You can't really choose--I just gave you some bullet points.

Image courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics

Here's the deal, I knew Brigsby Bear was in limited release.  I just didn't realize how limited when I threw out the suggestion to check it out.  Unless you are in SoCal, you can't--it is now up to four theaters here.  It isn't going nationwide for two more weeks (August 18th, it should pretty much be everywhere).  So, I figured I'd treat you all to a movie review.

 

Oh, also, I am doing awesome out in Pasadena!!  Anyhow, on to the review.

 

Brigsby Bear is the first feature-length movie directed by Dave McCary, whose background includes writing and directing for Saturday Night Live (SNL).  It stars Kyle Mooney, also an SNL alum, as James Pope.  You may be thinking this movie will follow in the footsteps of so many other SNL sketches turned movies--but you'd be wrong.  Brigsby Bear isn't an SNL character, and the humor and writing far surpass what you would expect out of an SNL feature (even though Andy Samberg (SNL, Brooklyn Nine-Nine) is a producer and has a small cameo).  Co-stars include Mark Hamill (General Hospital, Eight is Enough), Michaela Watkins (New Girl), Matt Walsh (without a mustache--you know who he is--he is in every comedy there is), Ryan Simpkins (Revolutionary Road), and a few other key members (Greg Kinnear, Claire Danes).

 

It is always hard to write a review without giving away spoilers, so I'll try my best here.  This movie was very original, and I doubt you will see anything else like it this year.  What I feel made it original was the endearment it contained, whimsy with which it was approached, and outrageousness with the premise--but in the end, perhaps there was very little to consider outrageous.  I'll touch quickly on each point.


The unlimited possibilities of creativity drive the endearing factor of the movie.  There is a delightful and persistent premise throughout that anything can be achieved.  Brigsby Bear goes on to show us what it means to chase your dreams.


It does this in a very whimsical manner through the character of James Pope.  James' attitude is a whole lot like Ellie Kemper's titular character in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.  Resilient and goofy, James takes us on his journey through family and friendship, always chasing his elusive end goal.


How James goes about chasing that end goal can feel outrageous at times, but without putting yourself in his shoes, you could be mistaken at how outrageous his thoughts and actions really are.  Perhaps his choices seem completely on-the-level and he's in this world trying to do the best he can, which isn't so outrageous at all.


I thought the score was pretty great throughout, complementing the scenes incredibly well.  Although I thought things had a familiar sound to them, it was only after I got home and looked up the soundtrack, that I realized I knew the composer.  It was David Wingo, who also scored another indy favorite of mine (also reviewed on my blog), Midnight Special.


I'd suggest checking this movie out for the end result of feeling good about things.  Also, you don't usually see Luke Skywalker doing things like this.  So, there's that, too.  I'm giving this a solid:   8.5 out of 10

Remember, dear readers, you heard it hear first. Off the record, on the Q.T. and very Hush-Hush.

I'll do this in three parts.  It's not long:

Act I -- The Beginning

My contract position with Disney's Theme Park Merchandise Sourcing team came to an abrupt end and could not be renewed this past July.  This was disappointing for a few reasons:  1. I was getting pretty good at it   2. I really enjoyed it   3. My leaders and I thought there was long-term potential for me doing it.


Did I mention I got the news of this while I was on vacation out in Washington and Oregon?  I made use of the new time off.  I had a great August by taking an epic road trip throughout much of the western U.S. with Mom and Dad.  This worked out great time-wise, because in September I was given the opportunity to join Epcot's management team helping during the Food & Wine Festival.  Unfortunately, this was seasonal and the hours ended in mid-November.

Act II -- I'll call this *Now*

No work from mid-November gave me quite a few free weeks to enjoy going to Wisconsin football games, at least.  And holidays with the family.  And enjoying the Citrus Bowl back down in Orlando.  In fact, the plan after the Citrus Bowl was to haul all of my stuff back to our house in Roscoe, as I did not see much happening employment-wise at Disney anytime soon.  I had a couple of interviews with Universal Studios for a contract position doing Sourcing work that kept me in Orlando a bit longer than I had anticipated.


This resulted in a call that they could use me managing for six weeks at Epcot for the new International Festival of the Arts that was going on.  I told them sure.  In the meantime, another Disney Sourcing position opened up--which was right in line with what I had been doing already for them these past few years.  I applied and had some really good interviews with the Executive team. 


As January rolled into February, I patiently waited and performed my Manager role at Epcot for the Festival.  As February rolled along, everything came together this past week.


I accepted a full-time position to perform strategic sourcing for our Disney Store merchandise team as Associate Sourcing Manager.  For those of you who may not be sure what all my work entails, I found a great brief description from the University of Michigan.  Check it out here.


Disney's corporate headquarters for The Disney Stores is not in Orlando/ Walt Disney World.  It is in Pasadena, CA.  Which is where I will be relocating to over the course of the next month!

Act III -- The Future

It's probably going to be legendary!  Never one to pass on crazy opportunities, moving somewhere different, trying new things, and most importantly getting out West, I believe this will be a great fit for me.  Yes, the cost of living/ housing/ everything else is outrageous.  Yes, traffic is worse than terrible everywhere you go at all times of the day.  Yes, there is smog.  But, the pros simply outweigh any of that.  Time to get excited!

The Dude abides.