I Last night I had the pleasure of seeing the movie BUG at the Florida Film Festival and let me say it was a real treat. The Directors were there and they did a Q&A afterwards. The movie begins with a young boy smashing a roach beneath his foot, a man who is nearby parking his car sees the young boy smash it and runs to ask the kid `why? why? did he have to kill that living creature?' in his rush to counsel the youth in the error of his ways, the man neglects to pay his parking meter, which starts off a whole chain of events involving people not at all related to him, some funny, some sad, and some ridiculous. This movie has a lot of laughs, Lots! and there are many actors which you will recognize. The main actors who stood out in the film for me were: Jamie Kennedy (from his comedy show the Jamie Kennedy Experiment, playing a fortune cookie writer; John Carroll Lynch (who plays Drew's cross dressing brother on the Drew Carey show) playing the animal loving guy who just can't get it right; Brian Cox (The original Hannibal Lecter in Manhunter) playing the germaphobic owner of a Donut and Chinese Food Take Out joint. There is one line where Cox tells his chef to wash off some pigs blood that is on the sidewalk by saying "clean up that death" which is quite funny mostly because of Cox's "obsessed with germs" delivery. The funniest moment in the movie comes when a young boy imitates his father, whom he heard earlier in the day yell out `MotherF*****', while in the classroom. Another extremely funny and surreal scene is when Trudie Styler (Mrs. Sting herself) and another actor perform a scene on a cable access show, from the film the boy in the plastic bubble. The actor who hosts the cable access show is just amazing he is so serious and deadpan and his performance as both the doctor and the boy in the plastic bubble is enthralling. There are many other fine and funny actors and actresses in this film and having shot it in less than a month with a budget of just about $1 million, the directors Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi (who are screenwriters by trade, having written crazy/beautiful and the upcoming Tuxedo starring Jackie Chan) have achieved a film that is great, funny and endearing.
18 Reviews
Vertiginous
ordepavlis200422 October 2006
I recently bought this movie and I do not regret having it at all as a matter of fact I am very please have this movie to add to my collection. Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay, movie directors, took less than one month to film and spent about 1 million EUR to produce this great movie. This proves that not only big productions make great movies.
The title of this movie fits in perfectly. In computer language BUG means program error which causes reactions in computer function. Our reactions can cause these negative side effects, but also great moments of beauty. The vertiginous happenings in this movie start with the death of a BUG. A man witnesses the "crime" on the other side of the road...From there onwards everything gets complicated...
I point out John Carrol Lynch ("Fargo"), Wallece, the man who cannot make everything right at all.
The title of this movie fits in perfectly. In computer language BUG means program error which causes reactions in computer function. Our reactions can cause these negative side effects, but also great moments of beauty. The vertiginous happenings in this movie start with the death of a BUG. A man witnesses the "crime" on the other side of the road...From there onwards everything gets complicated...
I point out John Carrol Lynch ("Fargo"), Wallece, the man who cannot make everything right at all.
Imaginative mix of fantasy & reality
lchaney-130 December 2003
Worth watching twice because of the rapid-paced causal shifts among several compelling stories, "Bug" emerges as a wholly satisfying work of art that plays ever-optimistic love against myriad examples of frustrating reality.
My favorite characters are Wallace (John Carroll Lynch)whose overriding concern for life--from that of a cockroach to the airline passengers for whom he is partially responsible--frames the film; Olive (Christina Kirk), who spends considerable time creating surreal but tasty meals for her impossible husband Ernie (Chris Bauer); and Mitchell, a cable TV technician with unbounded trust in fortune cookie messages: "You will meet the girl of your dreams."
Against such optimism are the forces of quirky reality, all generated by actions of the characters: parking tickets, a clogged drain in a Chinese food/donut shop, TV disruption, a crushed auto fender, an obliterated dinner reservation that eventually results in cancellation of a Hawaiian vacation.
The film is funny: Olive getting drunk at a Chippendale performance, Johnston (Michael Hitchcock)as a customer service rep attempting to deal with an irate customer, the germ-obsessive Cyr (Brian Cox) facing a restaurant inspector, Dwight (Jamie Kennedy) reacting to his girlfriend's refusal to have children by writing hostile Chinese cookie fortunes: "Your girlfriend is lying to you" and the guy who falls asleep while manning a jackhammer because he spent the night looking for his girlfriend's missing cat.
A minor story with public cable access host (Darryl Theirse) and a local acting teacher reading from "The Boy in the Bubble" expresses the major theme: love comes from the heart.
"Bug" entertains on much the same level as "trains, planes and automobiles" but on a lower budget and with a fresher eye.
My favorite characters are Wallace (John Carroll Lynch)whose overriding concern for life--from that of a cockroach to the airline passengers for whom he is partially responsible--frames the film; Olive (Christina Kirk), who spends considerable time creating surreal but tasty meals for her impossible husband Ernie (Chris Bauer); and Mitchell, a cable TV technician with unbounded trust in fortune cookie messages: "You will meet the girl of your dreams."
Against such optimism are the forces of quirky reality, all generated by actions of the characters: parking tickets, a clogged drain in a Chinese food/donut shop, TV disruption, a crushed auto fender, an obliterated dinner reservation that eventually results in cancellation of a Hawaiian vacation.
The film is funny: Olive getting drunk at a Chippendale performance, Johnston (Michael Hitchcock)as a customer service rep attempting to deal with an irate customer, the germ-obsessive Cyr (Brian Cox) facing a restaurant inspector, Dwight (Jamie Kennedy) reacting to his girlfriend's refusal to have children by writing hostile Chinese cookie fortunes: "Your girlfriend is lying to you" and the guy who falls asleep while manning a jackhammer because he spent the night looking for his girlfriend's missing cat.
A minor story with public cable access host (Darryl Theirse) and a local acting teacher reading from "The Boy in the Bubble" expresses the major theme: love comes from the heart.
"Bug" entertains on much the same level as "trains, planes and automobiles" but on a lower budget and with a fresher eye.
I loved this movie
untrusted16 December 2003
I just watched this movie on Showtime. Quite by accident actually. If I wouldn't have only had 6 hrs of sleep for the past two days then I wouldn't have came home early from work. If I hadn't came home early from work I wouldn't have seen this movie. I wouldn't have known what I was missing, but I would've missed a lot.
That's the way this movie is. It's almost playing on the Kevin Bacon effect. That and causality (hence my verbiage above). Ever character is intertwined in some way or another. Action, reaction, interaction, non-interaction. This movie is just wonderful. I'm going to have to find a copy to buy.
That's the way this movie is. It's almost playing on the Kevin Bacon effect. That and causality (hence my verbiage above). Ever character is intertwined in some way or another. Action, reaction, interaction, non-interaction. This movie is just wonderful. I'm going to have to find a copy to buy.
Brilliant
quantumkreations19 January 2004
An amazing movie....
CYBERNET-18 June 2005
OK so a 10 for a 2 1/2 star movie you ask?...well see this one and maybe it will make more sense.. Hitchcock never blended scenes together better....The film weaves scenes together flawlessly from the start and yet you don't get that scattered feeling you sometimes get when a movie runs you through the many characters it attempts to develop. You sense that the characters will show you something unusual about themselves and then they don't disappoint you when they do. Screenwriter/Producer Phil Hay's surreal tale of life, blended with an absolutely superb soundtrack makes you think more about the 6 degrees of separation in life than the movie by the same title...I will be looking for more good things from this producer in the future.
Very Good Movie: SPOILERS!
ereh96 March 2005
Warning: Spoilers
This was a very entertaining movie and I really enjoyed it, I don't normally rent movies like these (ie. indie flicks) however, I was attracted to the film because it had an incredible cast which included Jamie Kennedy, whom I have loved since the Scream trilogy. The movie director took a risk (and it is a risky risk) in telling the lives of many (and I mean MANY) different people and having the intertwine at various intervals. Taking that risk was a good idea because it's end result is an exceedingly good film.
The film has a few MAIN characters; Dwight (Jamie Kennedy) - a disgruntled fortune cookie writer whose relationship with his girlfriend is on the rocks because of an argument. Wallace Gregory (John Carroll Lynch) - an airplane loader/technician who has a love for all living things (except, perhaps meter maids) and who despite his good heart has an increasing amount of bad luck. Cyr (Brian Cox) - the owner of a Chinese restaurant/donut shop who is a germaphobe and because of is his fear of germs places his assistant/cook Sung -(Alexis Cruz) under pressure to keep up with his phobia. Ernie - (Christopher Bauer) is married to Olive - (Christina Kirk) who he is convinced is trying to; stop him have fun, look ridiculous, go insane, and not live a normal life. They begin to have petty and almost crazy arguments and Olive seriously begins to have doubts about Ernie. Gordon - (Grant Heslov) is a man whose life isn't going very well, as bad things begin to add up in his life he decides to take it in hand. Mitchel - (Jon Huertas) is convinced that Gwen - (Alexandra Westcourt) is the girl of his dreams and that they are destined for each other, though she is more skeptical. He attempts to woo her every chance he gets and he certainly makes attempts! Johnston - (Michael Hitchcock) has just been fired from his job and has doubts about his role as provider, he takes another job that he just isn't suited for. His wife Annelle - (Arabella Field) is comforting through out his job loss experience until she learns that Johnston wasn't quite the loving husband she thought he was.
All in all I definitely suggest this movie!
-Erica
The film has a few MAIN characters; Dwight (Jamie Kennedy) - a disgruntled fortune cookie writer whose relationship with his girlfriend is on the rocks because of an argument. Wallace Gregory (John Carroll Lynch) - an airplane loader/technician who has a love for all living things (except, perhaps meter maids) and who despite his good heart has an increasing amount of bad luck. Cyr (Brian Cox) - the owner of a Chinese restaurant/donut shop who is a germaphobe and because of is his fear of germs places his assistant/cook Sung -(Alexis Cruz) under pressure to keep up with his phobia. Ernie - (Christopher Bauer) is married to Olive - (Christina Kirk) who he is convinced is trying to; stop him have fun, look ridiculous, go insane, and not live a normal life. They begin to have petty and almost crazy arguments and Olive seriously begins to have doubts about Ernie. Gordon - (Grant Heslov) is a man whose life isn't going very well, as bad things begin to add up in his life he decides to take it in hand. Mitchel - (Jon Huertas) is convinced that Gwen - (Alexandra Westcourt) is the girl of his dreams and that they are destined for each other, though she is more skeptical. He attempts to woo her every chance he gets and he certainly makes attempts! Johnston - (Michael Hitchcock) has just been fired from his job and has doubts about his role as provider, he takes another job that he just isn't suited for. His wife Annelle - (Arabella Field) is comforting through out his job loss experience until she learns that Johnston wasn't quite the loving husband she thought he was.
All in all I definitely suggest this movie!
-Erica
Very ordinary
=G=22 December 2003
"Bug" starts with a kid squishing a bug and from there launches into chain reactions which affect the lives of a handful of people. A budget conscious indie with a so-so cast and obvious cost cutters throughout, "Bug" doesn't manage to accomplish much beyond its novel approach to story telling. In the heap of "common denominator" flix which seem to be "All the Rage" from the hit "Magnolia" with crisscrossing subplots to the mutual friend drama "Love in a Time of Money", "Bug" is at the bottom. Mediocre stuff best saved for as a boredom-breaker broadcast watch. (C)
A winner in my collection!
debbieb114 January 2004
As a producer of indie movies and a harsh critic of such, I have to say I loved this movie. It is funny and intelligent, well directed and entertaining. Hats off to the producers and directors for making a good one! I'll be watching for the next one. I gave it a 10.
It's a small world
joel9344216 January 2004
Wow! I'm shocked to learn that it's a small world and that we are all interconnected. What a waste of 88 minutes. John Dunne put it much better in one sentence. "No man is an island." The acting wasn't bad. The kids gave it all they had but at times the thread got so thin I couldn't follow it and the only real "hero" in the film ends up in jail after being tormented by a meter maid. I don't know. I just don't get it. Oh well.
Great movie, but. . .
SickMission12 April 2004
Warning: Spoilers
Spoiler alert! (Sorta.)
I thought this film was really interesting, fresh, and thought-provoking. I thought the relationships of the characters were clearly developed and, with the possible exception of the closing moments, so was the plot.
My only problem(?) with the movie comes in the music montage in the middle in which all of the sleeping characters are shown, along with their airplane seat numbers. This is a neat scene, but it occurs before it has been revealed that all of these characters are going (or as the case may be, not going) to Hawaii. I have to believe that this was intentional, given the care that was put into the rest of the film, but I can't really figure out for the life of me why it occurs.
The only possibility is to imply that it is fated that these characters are going on the trip even before the decision has been actually made and regardless of what happens next, but this seems to rob the movie of its powerful motive and moral that any of a person's actions in life have countless ramifications far beyond what they can see. Perhaps this, in the end is the true point of the movie, to illustrate the tense dichotomy between the power of the free will of man to make the choices he pleases and that of "fate" or as I see it divine sovereignty.
I thought this film was really interesting, fresh, and thought-provoking. I thought the relationships of the characters were clearly developed and, with the possible exception of the closing moments, so was the plot.
My only problem(?) with the movie comes in the music montage in the middle in which all of the sleeping characters are shown, along with their airplane seat numbers. This is a neat scene, but it occurs before it has been revealed that all of these characters are going (or as the case may be, not going) to Hawaii. I have to believe that this was intentional, given the care that was put into the rest of the film, but I can't really figure out for the life of me why it occurs.
The only possibility is to imply that it is fated that these characters are going on the trip even before the decision has been actually made and regardless of what happens next, but this seems to rob the movie of its powerful motive and moral that any of a person's actions in life have countless ramifications far beyond what they can see. Perhaps this, in the end is the true point of the movie, to illustrate the tense dichotomy between the power of the free will of man to make the choices he pleases and that of "fate" or as I see it divine sovereignty.
Coincidence?
legowelt29 July 2003
This is a great movie! Most of us have seen Jurassic Park, where the Chaos Theory is summarized by telling about a butterfly's wings, causing a tornado on the other side of the planet. Well, Bug is all about that (or at least something, don't worry this is no spoiler) I'm definitely not a religious type and don't believe in pre-destined stuff, fate, etc, but this movie surely makes you wonder if coincidence really exists...
further more, the acting and camera are excellent too, another prove that it's still possible to make a good movie without a zillion bucks
further more, the acting and camera are excellent too, another prove that it's still possible to make a good movie without a zillion bucks
One of the most powerful movies I have seen all year
Krysalis9 July 2003
It is hard to describe Bug in words, it is one of those films that truly has to be seen to be understood. It follows a narrative that is more fluid and interesting than anything I have seen lately in a Hollywood release. As its characters react to the chain of events in different ways, and as the events dictate different paths for the characters to follow, the audience is merely an observer. The almost Proustian narrative flow of thought to thought, the very spontaneity in the script will have you glued to the screen, waiting anxiously to see how it all works out in the end. And as far as the thematic elements...there is a particular sequence in the film that goes from melancholy, to bright and beautiful, and then to tragic, all within the span of about a minute. And it works.
This movie is pure magic. It reminds one why independent film is perhaps the brightest star the film industry currently has. Perhaps with more movies of Bug's quality, people will start to take notice.
This movie is pure magic. It reminds one why independent film is perhaps the brightest star the film industry currently has. Perhaps with more movies of Bug's quality, people will start to take notice.
Too many characters
uglygelly27 November 2003
The Good Thing about this movie: The concept is interesting and there are some funny scenes. It also makes you think of those little things in life that could greatly affect the life of someone else without you ever knowing. Its a small world and this little movie shows us.
The Bad Thing:There are too many characters and its hard to tell who the main character is but its still a great movie.
Its a great movie and many people compare it to Magnolia which I haven't seen.
8/10
Not Rated---I would rate it PG-13 for brief violence,some language and sexual situations.
The Bad Thing:There are too many characters and its hard to tell who the main character is but its still a great movie.
Its a great movie and many people compare it to Magnolia which I haven't seen.
8/10
Not Rated---I would rate it PG-13 for brief violence,some language and sexual situations.
Worth Watching
RNHunter20 July 2004
Not a bad movie. I cannot say that I found the comedy or acting great - but the plot was definitely worth while. It seems to me that many movies follow the same old formulas and scenes and events and that a unique plot for a movie is very rare indeed. Well, this movie is very unique and creative and does cause one to think.
Other movies with unique plots? When "Aliens" and "Jurassic Park" were each first released, I thought the uniqueness of each was great and mind expanding. Of course they were both so copied - including even through their own sequels - that later moviegoers may not remember they had some breakthroughs first.
Bug is such a break through - a new plot direction. Well worth seeing.
Other movies with unique plots? When "Aliens" and "Jurassic Park" were each first released, I thought the uniqueness of each was great and mind expanding. Of course they were both so copied - including even through their own sequels - that later moviegoers may not remember they had some breakthroughs first.
Bug is such a break through - a new plot direction. Well worth seeing.
clever for a bit, but overall misses the mark
JBoze3137 April 2004
I won't go over the details of the plot, since other's have mentioned them, and you can read them in the summary...
The supposed wonderful things that happen in this movie, due to the actions of others aren't all that wonderful. The stories contained in the film are just not exciting. I found the idea clever for a while, but it wore thin and started to get annoying after about an hour.
What's so great about these random acts? One guy is going for some girl who doesn't like him...another man is slowly losing his mind and is obsessed about germs, a couple- well, they actually turn out fairly well...the one guy loses his girlfriend and nothing else good happens to him. The trailer, which I only watched after the film, made it seem as tho wonderful things were happening to all these people, all caused by the small acts of others around them.
The fact is- there's nothing big happening to any of them...and these small, random acts don't lead to life changing events. Well, that's not exactly true...but, overall, no one learned some huge lesson, no one changed their entire personality. Nothing like that.
This is a hard movie to criticize, as it is a hard movie to explain to someone who hasn't seen it. It was just missing something for me. Sure, events around us affect our lives- this isn't a newsflash...but, I was just hoping for bigger things in the end- not a bunch of people loosely connected to one another going to Hawaii.
The supposed wonderful things that happen in this movie, due to the actions of others aren't all that wonderful. The stories contained in the film are just not exciting. I found the idea clever for a while, but it wore thin and started to get annoying after about an hour.
What's so great about these random acts? One guy is going for some girl who doesn't like him...another man is slowly losing his mind and is obsessed about germs, a couple- well, they actually turn out fairly well...the one guy loses his girlfriend and nothing else good happens to him. The trailer, which I only watched after the film, made it seem as tho wonderful things were happening to all these people, all caused by the small acts of others around them.
The fact is- there's nothing big happening to any of them...and these small, random acts don't lead to life changing events. Well, that's not exactly true...but, overall, no one learned some huge lesson, no one changed their entire personality. Nothing like that.
This is a hard movie to criticize, as it is a hard movie to explain to someone who hasn't seen it. It was just missing something for me. Sure, events around us affect our lives- this isn't a newsflash...but, I was just hoping for bigger things in the end- not a bunch of people loosely connected to one another going to Hawaii.
Enjoyable, but thread heavy.
neilandkuldip12 September 2004
Warning: Spoilers
*Contains spoilers - please read carefully*
AS a huge fan of chaos and 'cause and effect' stories, I was intrigued when my wife pointed out this movie. Having just watched it I come away with mixed feelings.
Overall I enjoyed Bug, I thought Hay's direction was solid and the acting was good all round. However, after discussing the movie with others, we all agreed that it would have been a much stronger story with a few less characters so that we could focus more on the development of the more compelling themes (Cy's obsession with germs, the couple debating the baby, the woman who can't do anything right for her husband, the guy who loses his job and his world falls apart).
Having said that - I do of course realize that Bug is a comedy and needs the more frivolous characters for light relief. There, you see me bending back and forth? Conflicted views!! Oh dear.
Hay can take comfort in the knowledge that he has made a solid little movie, and it most certainly will not be the worst cause and effect film ever made if the trailers for 'A Sound of Thunder' are anything to go by!
By the way, the best cause and effect moment ever committed to celluloid is still in 'City of Lost Children'.
AS a huge fan of chaos and 'cause and effect' stories, I was intrigued when my wife pointed out this movie. Having just watched it I come away with mixed feelings.
Overall I enjoyed Bug, I thought Hay's direction was solid and the acting was good all round. However, after discussing the movie with others, we all agreed that it would have been a much stronger story with a few less characters so that we could focus more on the development of the more compelling themes (Cy's obsession with germs, the couple debating the baby, the woman who can't do anything right for her husband, the guy who loses his job and his world falls apart).
Having said that - I do of course realize that Bug is a comedy and needs the more frivolous characters for light relief. There, you see me bending back and forth? Conflicted views!! Oh dear.
Hay can take comfort in the knowledge that he has made a solid little movie, and it most certainly will not be the worst cause and effect film ever made if the trailers for 'A Sound of Thunder' are anything to go by!
By the way, the best cause and effect moment ever committed to celluloid is still in 'City of Lost Children'.
Attention Deficit
tedg12 February 2004
Warning: Spoilers
Spoilers herein.
I have a particular fondness for films that spread out over many plots and characters. There are all sorts of reasons to do so. Scoping out why one would do this and figuring why it works if it does is a sweet pleasure. Often (not here) the stories include stories about just such figuring.
One reason to spread the story is simply because you can and that you can make the mechanics of passing the thing we watch. In its time, `Nashville,' then `Short Cuts' was shocking just because they had short cuts. We noticed the varieties and switching more than the episodes themselves.
`Bug' follows that tradition but these days you have to really emphasize the transitions because we have gotten so used sliced and diced narrative. So we have this Rube Goldbergian machine that is itself the focus of this project.
Life is as much a matter of passing energy as it is at stewarding. Okay as an idea, but after an hour, the novelty doesn't grab us any more.
Ted's Evaluation -- 1 of 3: You can find something better to do with this part of your life.
I have a particular fondness for films that spread out over many plots and characters. There are all sorts of reasons to do so. Scoping out why one would do this and figuring why it works if it does is a sweet pleasure. Often (not here) the stories include stories about just such figuring.
One reason to spread the story is simply because you can and that you can make the mechanics of passing the thing we watch. In its time, `Nashville,' then `Short Cuts' was shocking just because they had short cuts. We noticed the varieties and switching more than the episodes themselves.
`Bug' follows that tradition but these days you have to really emphasize the transitions because we have gotten so used sliced and diced narrative. So we have this Rube Goldbergian machine that is itself the focus of this project.
Life is as much a matter of passing energy as it is at stewarding. Okay as an idea, but after an hour, the novelty doesn't grab us any more.
Ted's Evaluation -- 1 of 3: You can find something better to do with this part of your life.
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