Stingray Sam

I cannot give this film anything other than a 10. It is too unique and charming to be given anything lower. I like different films. I don't want to watch the same thing again and again and every so often an oddball unique talent comes out fully formed.

The plot is about a galactic lounge singer and an old friend being reunited and recruited by some government go to various planets in search of a kidnapped girl. Describing the plot does nothing to describe the film at all. The film is a series of set pieces or vignettes with a musical number in each scene. The music is funny, well performed, memorable and the set pieces often humorously surreal although near the end there are some sweet scenes played to lullaby music.

It's as if is a tight group of stage performers and friends have come together to make a simple charming film. You are not likely to see the likes of it again anytime soon. I prefer the American Astronaut another Cory Mcabee film, possibly because I saw it first, but more likely because the sci-fi elements are more unique. The sci-fi humour in Stingray Sam is similar to Douglas Adams dry, good natured, surrealist. The sci-fi in the American Astronaut is more 1920's Art Nouveau and I haven't seen it being done before or at least not so successfully.

I personally would list this movie in my 'worst ever movies' list. . its an awful attempt of a comedy. . i would rate the various components as: movie 1/10 story 0/10 acting 1/10 comedy 1/10 dialog's 0/10 believe me friends do not waste your time on this. . its not worth that. . anything else(just anything) would be a better time pass against this. the story is just the worst i have ever seen. . in the entire movie i just couldn't understand the need of making it as a black and white movie, or the need to divide it into 5 episodes. BASICALLY I DIDN'T FEEl THERE WAS ANY NEED TO EVEN MAKE THIS MOVIE. There's not a single character to empathize with.

I love Corys work, The American Astronaut being one of my all time favourites, and Stingray Sam is just as good. The story, such as it is, follows the same dreamlike logic of TAA and one gets the feeling that its where the original inspiration came from. There are huge gaps in the plot and we are expected to take a lot for granted, but thats OK. I'm happy to sacrifice a little character development in favour of moving the story forward, in this case to the next episode. The six episodes that make up the film are perfect little movie-ettes in their own right, reminiscent of the old western series from the 60's and 70's, the ones that used to get shown on a Saturday afternoon.The ridiculous characters and absurd situations Sam and his companion, the never reliable Crugie, find themselves in can often only be resolved by song and dance, neither of which make any sense or are in any way appropriate to the circumstances, hence the dreamlike quality to his films. If you wan't plot led big bangs then look elsewhere. If you want storytelling from an entirely unique perspective them this is the film for you. An absolute gem.

This film plays with American culture. It is filled with singing cowboys, an old-time Hollywood serial framework, sci-fi adventures, glam rock, and throws in some social commentary.

It would be for naught however, if the film did not have an interesting story and characters with whom one could empathize.

The music was also interesting, enjoyable, and fun. The Billy Nayer Show provides the music. Wikipedia describes the band as "of questionable genre." I have to agree but it is in a very good way.

It is an odd film, with some odd characters and odd music. And that is quite wonderful.

A comic, space-cowboy musical that follows the adventures of Stingray Sam and the Quazar Kid. Forced to repay their debt to society, this duo must rescue a young girl being held on the affluent planet, Fredward. It is like a 1950s tv serial, broken into several episodes, complete with tobacco advertising. Each section has some wonderful Monty Pythonesque animation and a song. The original soundtrack is diverse and catchy; from rock, to crooning, to rap and even a sweet, ukulele lullaby.

Writer and director McAbee, also stars as the singing space cowboy, Stingray Sam. "Stingray Sam is not a hero, but he does do the things that folks don't do that need to be done."

Narrated by David Hyde Pierce, the series has Stingray hook up with the Qasar Kid (Crugie, from McAbee's band). Although creatively a one man show, The Qasar Kid is the quintessential sidekick in this smart/clever/wise buddy movie. The miniature robot is not even weirder than the rest of the great ideas.

It is a film with a world-view, too; subtley political without sounding a false note.

Stingray Sam is exuberant and charming storytelling by an audacious film maker. Cory McAbee is a saint, if not a genius.