The Mole Man of Belmont Avenue and Facing the Furnace: A Movie Review

Directors/writers: Mike Bradecich and John LaFlamboy.

First time directors Mike Bradecich and John LaFlamboy take on comedy in their feature The Mole Man of Belmont Avenue. Trained at the Second City theater in Chicago, these two writers have a knack for writing great dialogue, but there plot seems scripted more from "Scooby Doo." The story is very straightforward with a creature invading Marion (Bradecich) and Jarmon's (LaFlamboy) recently inherited apartment building. Then the plot is forgotten in a pot haze as the writers take a pointer or two from Kevin Smith's slacker comedies such as Clerks and Mallrats.

Marion and Jarmon are not really up for the case, when a monster moves into their multi-storied abode. These landlords can hardly keep the lights on and here lies their charm. Struggling to get by, these brothers have to team up to find a monster eating their tenants' pets. Then, the tenants become lunch and Bradecich and LaFlamboy play with comedy and horror similar in style, and mentioned in other reviews, to Tucker and Dale vs Evil. But some times this duo seems more like a Shaggy or Scooby Doo as they bumble about avoiding the inevitable showdown with the Mole Man.

Getting to that confrontation involves a lot of pot smoking and joke telling, with Jarmon blown away by an '80s Atari. His mind has been blown by the mushroom laced joint and the visuals of a drug trip keep the film light and entertaining. Actor Robert Englund even gets in the laughs as he tries to distance himself from these morons while trying to hide his porn collection. That dirty old man.

The Mole Man of Belmont Avenue is an entertaining time following two brothers who look nothing alike. This picture made this reviewer laugh several times as Jarmon uses a frisbee as an impromtu jock or when Marion kisses the bar maid who reminds him: "I am with Nicholas now." The plot could have been wrapped up in ten minutes if the brothers had simply lit the furnace or in a thirty minute "Scooby Doo" cartoon; however, spending some time with these comedic characters makes the final showdown a lot more meaningful and enjoyable. See this film as it travels the film festival circuit for a few belly laughs and strange asides. You will not be disappointed.

Overall: 7.5 out of 10.

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A second review of this title at Another Hole in the Head:

Mole Man Reviewed by Adam Cuttler

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Posted in: 2011,2011 release,comedic,comedy,creature feature,creature feature movie review,film comedy,horror,independent,indie,movie poster,movie review