Review: HUNDREDS OF BEAVERS
Hundreds of Beavers, directed by Mike Cheslik, is one of the most memorable movies I've seen in a long time. It owes a lot to the slapstick of the past, but still feels modern. Set in the 1800s, it tells the story of Jean Kayak (played by Ryland Brickson Cole Tews, who co-wrote the film with Cheslik), a man who must learn to survive and thrive in the woods during a cold, harsh winter. Much of the film focuses on his career as a fur trapper, trying (with increasing levels of success) to kill wolves, beavers, and other animals--all of which are portrayed by humans in mascot costumes. The film, although live-action, has the energy of an animated short, and the (relative) lack of dialogue recalls the works of the silent screen comedians. Nevertheless, it's very much its own thing with its own style. And it's the funniest comedy film I've seen in ages. A lot of pastiches try to copy the classics without doing anything of their own. You can't accuse Hundreds of Beavers ...