FilmFreaks

Tag: Mockumentary

  • Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie review – scrappy, silly and sweet

    There are movies that simply entertain, and then there are films that feel like a warm, nostalgic hug—a perfect blend of goofy adventure and genuine heart. Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie falls firmly into the latter category, offering a delightful, slightly bonkers journey that proves sometimes the wildest dreams lead to the most unforgettable detours.

    The journey began long before the big screen. It started as a Canadian mockumentary web series created by Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol. The series centered on the band Nirvanna the Band the Show, chronicling their increasingly ambitious, often madcap schemes to land a gig at Toronto’s famous Rivoli. Back in 2007, this original concept introduced us to the duo’s unique dynamic: Matt delivering improvised monologues and Jay providing the piano, all fueled by big, imaginative dreams.

    After a brief stint on Viceland Canada, the creators paused their adventures, but the creative spark never died. Driven by a desire to revisit their beloved material, Johnson and McCarrol eventually brought their shared vision to life in feature-film territory. The result is a project that handles the inherent absurdity of their concept with remarkable earnestness.

    In this cinematic epic, the stakes are raised considerably. Following an unexpected skydive mishap, Matt decides to try out a scheme inspired by classic fantasy, leaping into an alternate timeline reminiscent of Back to the Future. They land not just in a different place, but in Toronto in the year 2008, where everything—from the radio hits played on the airwaves to the cinematic culture—is completely different.

    The ensuing hijinks are pure cinematic gold. Stranded in this alternate reality, Matt and Jay navigate a world populated by modern pop culture references, including the current hits from Black Eyed Peas and the chaotic atmosphere of films like The Hangover. Naturally, their temporal displacement leads to some delightfully absurd outcomes, showcasing the familiar charm of comedic archetypes layered over an utterly surreal experience.

    At its core, the film isn’t just about time travel; it’s a heartfelt exploration of friendship and delusion. The narrative beats center on the shifting relationship between Matt and Jay as they face unexpected circumstances. Their bond becomes the true anchor in a world that spins into delightful chaos, reminding viewers that sometimes chasing big dreams is worth getting hopelessly lost along the way.

    It is a perfect ode to the joy of shared experience—a daffy but endearing celebration of delusional dreamers who commit wholeheartedly to their own reality. Despite the high-octane adventure and pop culture nods, the film ultimately delivers something timeless: a heartwarming look at the enduring power of having your pals by your side.

    Credit: Little White Lies

  • Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi are finally writing the We’re Wolves script

    From Vampires to Werewolves: The Long-Awaited Spin-Off from What We Do in the Shadows

    Ten years is a long time, especially when you are waiting for the creative magic of a beloved franchise to spin off into something new. For Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi, the wait has been for the hypothetical We’re Wolves, a potential sequel to their mockumentary horror-comedy What We Do in the Shadows.

    The original film cleverly established a bizarre world: four centuries-old vampire roommates navigating the daily absurdities of modern life in Wellington, New Zealand. Despite possessing supernatural powers, these immortal dwellers struggled with very human problems like paying rent and resolving flatmate squabbles. It was a charming, if spooky, look at eternal life meeting mundane reality.

    But the story didn’t end there. The premise of the original film included a tantalizing possibility: a collision between the vampire world and lycanthropes. This potential path led to the idea for a spin-off centered on werewolves, setting up a fresh dynamic ripe for comedic exploration.

    The vision for We’re Wolves involved bringing in familiar faces, with reports suggesting that actors Rhys Darby and Stuart Rutherford would be involved in a power battle between lycanthropes, vying for the position of alpha male within the werewolf gang.

    For a period, this concept remained on the drawing board. Waititi even considered it as his next major cinematic venture after his work on the Marvel Cinematic Universe, including Thor: Ragnarok. However, life, and perhaps a busier schedule, intervened, and the writers never quite got to script the vision.

    While the screenplay remained elusive for years, the creative partnership has finally found its momentum. Clement and Waititi have recently begun the process of writing the story, transforming long-held ideas into tangible narrative structures.

    The current challenge lies in deciding on the format. Since the original film relied heavily on improvised dialogue to capture the characters’ unique voices, the team now faces a pivotal choice: stick with improvisation for a lighter, spontaneous feel, or commit to a fully scripted approach for tighter control over the narrative.

    Regardless of the chosen route, the focus is shifting from simply talking about the idea to actively building the framework. The goal remains ambitious: bringing this unique werewolf saga to life and hoping to see the completed script emerge sometime in 2027.

    Meanwhile, the universe of What We Do in the Shadows has already branched into successful television ventures. Fans have enjoyed follow-up series, including Wellington Paranormal, which followed some of the original characters as police officers, and the highly successful TV series That show, which chronicled the vampires’ life on Staten Island.

    Credit: JoBlo

  • Clement Gives “What We Do in Shadows 2” Update

    After years spent navigating the labyrinth of development hell, a highly anticipated sequel to the vampire mockumentary What We Do in the Shadows is finally showing signs of life.

    Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi, the creative duo behind the wildly successful original film, are now tackling the challenge of bringing their favorite supernatural shenanigans to the big screen. While Clement was recently promoting the New Zealand stop-motion feature Kiri and Lou Go Raaa! at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, attention has turned to their next project: We’re Wolves, a film focusing on the rival werewolf pack led by Rhys Darby’s Anton.

    The journey from spontaneous improv to structured storytelling is proving to be an exciting creative experiment. The original film was largely improvised, a whirlwind of spontaneity, while the subsequent television series provided a more scripted framework. Now, the creators face the fun dilemma of deciding which path to take for their next cinematic adventure.

    When discussing the development of the sequel, Clement noted that the process is finally underway. “We’re writing it, actually. We started writing. For a long time, we were just talking about it. Now, we’ve started it. Very recently… When we get together, we do some work on it.”

    This shift in approach is rooted in the film’s history. The original What We Do in the Shadows was a delightfully low-budget venture, less than a million dollars spent over a month of playful messing around that resulted in some truly memorable special effects. That initial challenge to improvise a movie with flying people and supernatural mayhem has now evolved into a decision about control.

    The question is whether they should embrace the freedom of improv or lean into a structured script, knowing the unique rhythm that defined their earlier work. Clement admitted that having the control of the shot was inherently fun during the spontaneous process, but scripting offers a different kind of narrative satisfaction.

    As for the timeline, the duo is aiming for a measured pace. Clement suggested that by 2027, they hope to have the script completed, noting that being in the same country helps facilitate the creative flow between him and Waititi.

    Credit: Dark Horizons

  • Lethal Ethel – Jennie Kermode – 20378

    The world of filmmaking often involves moments of sudden revelation, and sometimes, those revelations arrive with a delightful dose of awkwardness. It’s a feeling perfectly captured in the opening scene of a new mockumentary short.

    Just as production is about to begin, our protagonist, Ethel (played by Elayna Einish), approaches the studio door with an almost shy hesitation. “Can I come in?” she asks. The crew member waiting for her simply replies, “Oh, of course,” and they step inside. The story hints at a deeper, unfolding narrative—a situation where expectations are about to shatter in unexpected ways.

    This delightful premise sets the stage for a truly unique look at the intersection of gothic glamour and modern documentary filmmaking. The short film is set to screen at ImagineNative 2026.

    At its heart, the mockumentary follows a Naskapi vampire attempting her first foray into documentary work. She hooks up with a team that seems wonderfully underinformed about the realities of the job, offering a fantastic comedic clash between ancient lore and contemporary media production.

    The narrative is shaped by Ethel’s candid to-camera chats while she lounges in a chair, heavily styled and utterly unconcerned with external judgment. The visual style itself is playful; her lipstick changes throughout the takes, leading the audience to wonder if she is snacking between shots—a wonderfully self-aware touch.

    Despite the dramatic, gothic aesthetic, Ethel remains grounded when discussing her habits. She assures the crew that her dietary choices are singular: she only eats one kind of person—iron.

    Buy on Amazon

    Credit: Eye For Film