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.

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.

Loved the two Fubar movies and loved this!! Nice cameos by Kids in the Hall's Kevin McDonald who plays a shop teacher, MadTV's Will Sasso who plays his dad and hockey coach and This Hour Has 22 Minute's Mary Walsh who plays Deaner's girlfriends mom who was in a punk rock band. Yes this may not be an intellectual masterpiece but it made me smile and laugh which is what the world needs more of. I especially loved the inclusion of old school rock/metal bands like Dokken, Judas Priest, Metallica, etc. And Dean meeting a member of Dokken as he was denied entrance into the concert venue. Reminded me of when Wayne & Garth going backstage to meet Alice Cooper & Aerosmith. Hopefully they continue to make these rock comedies in the tradition of Spinal Tap. Cheers and rock on deadly dudes!!

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.

I had the incredible opportunity to be a background actor in Deaner '89, and the entire experience was unforgettable. From being on set to seeing the final product on release day, it was surreal to watch the movie come to life, especially after seeing so much of what went on behind the scenes.

I even got to meet Paul Spence, who couldn't have been nicer. In one scene, he had to push past me, and he took the time to check in and make sure I knew what was happening. As a freshly 18-year-old working on my very first project, it meant the world to me. It was such a small moment, but it showed how professional and kind he was.

Maybe I'm a little biased from being part of the filming process, but I genuinely enjoyed the movie. It has that raw, nostalgic energy with just the right mix of humor and heart. Whether you're a fan of FUBAR or just looking for something different, Deaner '89 is a ride worth taking.