Nerdland

Nerdland

Theatrical release poster
Directed by Chris Prynoski
Produced by Gavin Polone
Andrew Kevin Walker
Written by Andrew Kevin Walker
Starring Paul Rudd
Patton Oswalt
Hannibal Buress
Kate Micucci
Riki Lindhome
John Ennis
Mike Judge
Music by Mark Brooks
Emily Kavanaugh
Production
company
Distributed by Samuel Goldwyn Films
Release date
  • April 14, 2016 (2016-04-14) (Tribeca Film Festival)
  • December 6, 2016 (2016-12-06) (United States)
Running time
 83 minutes[1]
Country United States
Language English

Nerdland is a 2016 American adult animated comedy film directed by Chris Prynoski and written by Andrew Kevin Walker. The film stars Paul Rudd, Patton Oswalt, Hannibal Buress, Kate Micucci, Riki Lindhome, John Ennis and Mike Judge. The film received a one night only special screening on December 6, 2016, before being released on video on demand on January 6, 2017, by Samuel Goldwyn Films.

Plot

The story of two best friends, aspiring screenwriter Elliot, whose teacher only wanted to date him and was arrested for selling alcohol to minors (the teacher not Elliot), and aspiring actor John, who was kicked out of acting school, whose dreams of super-stardom have fizzled and have been fired from every job they've ever done. After John's disastrous interview with celebrity Brett Anderson which involves John's pants ripping, they make a pact to become famous before their 30th birthday in 24 hours. In their first attempt they get beaten up by a homeless man named Archie after trying to get a check back from him when they found out the camera only filmed their feet and in their second attempt they get rescued from a fire, Elliot by an old woman. After an interview is denied, John concludes that it's not fame they want; its infamy.

Elliot and John attempt to hack a company using the names "deadly jester" and "fist of satan" but the owner, Marvin Masterson, retaliates by using his "reverse-screw-driver" to delete all of John's porn and melt Elliot and John's computer. John later decides to go on a killing spree in order to get more attention. At first Elliot is reluctant but eventually decides to help John, saying he can't do this alone. After buying mass amounts of chloroform the two attempt to kill an old woman but John has second thoughts. Elliot and John discover that while in disguise, they became witnesses to a robbery and are now being called the "mystery witnesses". The two go on TV and say they are the "mystery witnesses," and they become a media sensation with the help of Sally and Linda, two girls who work at a mall and the love interests of the two protagonists. However, when brought to the police station soon after, they are informed by Detective Donahue that the man they arrested was actually a relative of the member of a Cleveland crime syndicate and the two are now being forced to go to the witness protection program so that his family members will not kill them. Desperate not to throw their life away in the crapper, the two run away from the police station.

Elliot and John go to Sally and Linda's apartment to get away from the cops and come up with an idea to kill the mystery witnesses. Using a rare collectible action figure, Elliot and John convince the Nerd King, the overweight owner of a collectible store to fake the deaths of the "mystery witnesses." After it is done by the two, only wearing their underwear, they return to Sally and Linda's apartment but discover it is filled with the press. However, the two are arrested for running away from the police station and are put in the witness protection program, but are able to say their goodbyes to Sally and Linda. In the end, John and Elliot are seen working at a diner, flipping burgers and wearing fake mustaches. They smile knowing that they have now gotten what they've always wanted, FAME.

Cast

Production

Nerdland is based on a concept that screenwriter Andrew Kevin Walker had been pitching for several years in various iterations: first as a live-action movie, then a television series, then a series of animated shorts, and finally an animated film. Walker explains, "I have been a huge fan of Metalocalypse, Superjail!, and a lot of the cartoons that are on Adult Swim, especially the stuff done by Titmouse, Inc.. I would watch Metalocalypse and the little bird logo would come up at the end and chirp and I’d think, 'Who are these lunatics?' We set up a meeting with Titmouse and gave them the script. I was expecting Chris and Shannon Prynoski, who created and run Titmouse, to just say, 'No, this is a stupid idea.' But they said yes, and we went from there. I was super excited that Chris was interested in overseeing the making of it as a feature. Once he said yes he also said yes to directing it, which was great because I’m a huge fan of his."[2]

Release

The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 14, 2016.[1] On September 29, 2016, Samuel Goldwyn Films acquired distribution rights to the film.[3] The film received a one night only special screening on December 6, 2016, before being released on video on demand on January 6, 2017, by Samuel Goldwyn Films.[4][5]

Reception

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film scores a 27% rating with an approval rating of 4.1/10, based on 11 reviews, 8 negative and 3 positive.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 Nick Schager (2016-04-14). "‘Nerdland’ Review: An Orgy of Animated R-Rated Raunch". Variety. Retrieved 2016-10-12.
  2. ↑ McKittrick, Christopher (2016-04-26). ""My love letter to Los Angeles" – Andrew Kevin Walker on Nerdland". Creative Screenwriting. Retrieved 2016-10-18.
  3. ↑ Hipes, Patrick (2016-09-29). "‘Nerdland’ Acquired By Samuel Goldwyn Films For December Bow". Deadline. Retrieved 2016-10-12.
  4. ↑ "Titmouse’s ‘Nerdland’ Set for One-Night Theatrical Event". Awn.com. 2016-10-20. Retrieved 2016-11-25.
  5. ↑ "Paul Rudd, Patton Oswalt Lead Animated Comedy NERDLAND, In Theaters 12/6". Broadwayworld.com. 2016-11-03. Retrieved 2016-11-25.
  6. ↑ "Tomatometer on Nerdland". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.