Future '38

I won't bury the lede: this is brilliant. I had mixed expectations, not least off all on account of the small-fries nature of the production that could go either way. Rather immediately, however, 'Future '38' demonstrates just how delightfully smart and clever it is. I deeply admire the central conceit, that the film we're watching is a long-lost title from 1938. Filmmaker Jamie Greenberg worked overtime to weave in every thread that he could to emphasize and build on that notion. The dazzlingly direct storytelling and plot progression, spry runtime, and brisk pace pointedly reflect the common film-making approach of old movies from the 1930s. The plot, characters, scene writing, and especially the dialogue all very mindfully echo the language, values, customs, and cinematic standards of 80 years past. Meanwhile, props, effects, set design and decoration, and no few jokes are wonderfully intelligent as they represent a modern person's reimagination of how a 30s screenwriter might conceive the subsequent years to have unfolded. Equally witty are those instances of modern slang, innuendo, or inventions that are interpreted, through the same lens, to mean something very different. I unremittingly love 'Future '38.'

As if all this weren't enough - and it absolutely is - the other elements of the picture are just as strong. A marginally grainy image, and occasional clips in the "reel," pair with sound design that is, deliberately, ever so slightly tinny, mirroring the technological capabilities of the era and degradation of prints. The very accents and mannerisms that the cast adopt feel like they were pulled directly from movies of the 1930s. The costume design and hair and makeup work are impeccable, gorgeous, and fanciful, and like everything else in the in-universe conception of 2018 pop with lush, vivid color that's joyously fetching. The approach taken in the story to time travel is as simple and forthright as the plot progression generally, yet at that is more concise and less convoluted than what many other sci-fi flicks have tried to serve up. And the cast! One must note genre luminaries Sean Young and Ethan Phillips who fill small parts, but moreover, the principals are a blast. Among all others, Nick Westrate and Betty Gilpin are a hoot as they lean, lean, lean into the playful tomfoolery of the feature, and it's so fun to watch them work.

Gosh golly jeepers, what more can one even say, least of all without betraying plot points? 'Future '38' is exceptional. It's purposefully ham-handed, contrived, and distinctly staged in all the exact same ways that some old movies are, only with the faintest modern sensibility to greet viewers with a wink. This is a sci-fi comedy like no other that readily comes to mind - it rather seems to me as though it bridges a generation gap, wherein audiences who favor old movies may be able to enjoy it just as much as those who prefer modern titles. True, if one can't get on board with the consciously kitschy cleverness, then I can see how it won't appeal to all comers. Yet I watch this and see a far too little-known 21st century film that comes off as a loving, respectful homage to another era, while also staking its own ground in the present. I can only thank Greenfield, and his cast and crew, for a fabulously entertaining, satisfying, and rewarding viewing experience. 'Future '38' is far more than I ever could have anticipated, and I immediately want to watch it again!

I came across this movie while looking at what else Betty Gilpin (GLOW) has been in. The described plot seemed so odd, I had to watch it. Bonus: For old Blade Runner fans, Sean Young had a very odd but appropriate presence in this story as the "telephone" operator, Mabel.

First thing to note, this movie is most obviously not from 1938. Instead, it's a humorous parody of movies from the past and how they pictured the future. Think of old 1930s and 40s films and comic stips that showed flying cars, and wrist watch phones (errr... they were right on that count). They also combine real 2018 objects, business names, and slang but used in completely different "old fashioned" ways. The thug with a "strap on" (shoulder holster with a gun) who is "gonna nail ya" (shoot you) is a striking example.

Recently I saw the film "Movie, Movie" (1978) which was more of an homage/parody of old 1930s cinema. Future '38 is kind of cut from the same cloth but with less homage and a lot more parody. The production itself is low quality in that once things go in color, it really doesn't try to emulate the look and feel of early color films like The Wizard of Oz. Instead it is digital video run through generic filters. That's OK, because I believe the story and parody are the primary reasons this movie exists.

As interesting as the idea of this movie is, and the pretty well concealed and somewhat anticlimactic twist, it still was hard to watch. The intentionally hammy acting was funny, but also distracting. The occasional insertion of real 21st century business names, slang and the like was a continual reminder that this is fully a 21st century film. "Movie, Movie" actually managed to lure me into feeling like I was watching a movie from cinema's golden age. But that only points more to the fact that this movie was less about honoring old cinema than poking fun at it as well as the 21st century itself.

If you're a fan of offbeat and unusual movies, this would definitely be worth a watch. But don't expect a movie with high production values. Expect an interesting/entertaining story more akin to watching an absurdist play. Additionally, Ethan Phillips (Neelix from Star Trek Voyager) has a role at the start of the film as well. And... Neil DeGrasse Tyson (obviously in on the joke). Don't let other reviews dissuade you from watching it. They're either trolling or just can't cope with absurdist parody.

"Isn't this a nice party?" "There is something wrong with my herring!" "ISN'T THIS A NICE PARTY?!?"

Okay, lines like that make me laugh. And there were a lot of lines like that.

This film sets out to do its thing and then sticks with it. In terms of a film experience, most of what I didn't like was almost certainly intentional in its mimicking of films from that era. I'm not a fan of those but I can't fault Future '38 for having the integrity to stick with them. Most of the obvious visual comedy fell flat for me but the film more than makes up for it and is worth watching alone simply for the wonderfully 1940s banter, especially that as delivered by the two leads.

It does a great job of capturing the pace, rhythm and snappy dialog of a genuine 1930s-era film, with plenty of satire and just good-old fashioned funny dialog.

Another reviewer compared it to Airplane, and I see what they mean. Both take a genre of film that has a very specific style, and honors that style while still doing a parody of it.

The short 75 minute runtime is similar to that of many films from the 1930s, back before two and a half hours become the norm. It also allows them to keep the pace up, which is a key element to this kind of film.

The twist near the end actually caught me by surprise!

All in all, a very enjoyable film. Might watch it again with friends, especially if they're movie buffs.