Big Bear (2017)

Big Bear took me through high waves of laughter in between moments of calm water with its mix of drama and comedy. Though the metaphor of the movie's name isn't truly appreciated until mid-way through the movie, Joey Kern's directorial debut film Big Bear questions the twists and turns of life. The moment when Kern's character (Joe) thinks he has reached his peak, but is misdirected captivated me. Kern, who directed, wrote, and starred in the film, does an impeccable job of demystifying the main character's daily struggles. The intensity of Joe's life is dissected in front of the readers with short flashbacks that slowly pile up. With each comparison to his fiancée's's lover, Joe finds himself falling down a dark rabbit hole. By adding so much backstory and combing down to every detail including Joe's career, I am able to connect with the main character's struggles in an unexpected way. Kern slowly develops different aspects of the character's life until the climactic ending (cue the Big Bear metaphor). This buddy-movie reminds me that no one is truly alone in their struggles and that a 'rebirth' isn't always the end of the world. I would highly recommend this movie to anyone who is feeling down or is just looking for a good laugh.

Joe's (Joey Kern) buddies are throwing him a bachelor party. Joe confesses his girlfriend dumped him for another guy which he confides he would like make dig his own grave.This is a film where I spent the whole time thinking how much better it would have been with James Franco, Woody Harrelson, Steve Buscemi, or John Goodman. While the production had a few laughs, the plot simply didn't develop and go anywhere, and we end up with Joe analyzing "the relationship" like some chick flick.Guide: F-word. Brief Joey Kern butt nudity.

This is the movie I've been looking for all summer. Big bear is a indie film written and directed by Joey Kern, the main character of the movie. This fact is readily apparent do to the sharp directing and pacing of the movie. There aren't any real lull moments in Big Bear, it's just a jump from one drunken disaster to the next that the characters have to deal with which makes the movie endlessly entertaining from front to back. The fast pace of the film makes the 87 minute run time feel even shorter, after watching the movie, I was hungry for more of this gang of bros hi-jinks. The acting coming from Joey Kern is on point and jumps from sullen moments of self-pity to fist-shaking righteous fury. It shows the full scope of Joey's acting ability and he takes advantage of every single scene. Despite Joe's (the character) many faults, the audience can't help but to sympathize with his plight. I'd recommend this movie anyone looking to enjoy their afternoon with their friends. You won't regret it.

Being a huge fan of cringe-worthy comedy, Big Bear does a stupendous job with creating an awkward atmosphere, where the true colors of the characters come out and shock viewers each time the plot thickens. It's a dramedy about groom-to-be Joe (Joey Kern) who spends a couple days in a cabin with three other friends who soon find out that Joe's fiancée is cheating on him with another man. Director Joey Kern successfully binds the heartfelt bro-moments amid disaster with the oafish reactions of revenge-driven friends to appease Joe's broken heart. Honestly, the slap-stick humor in this film mixed with the messed-up actions of the stone-cold bride-to-be kept me at the edge of my seat. I connected with Joe as he tried to get his emotions straight after consulting with his friends. The comradery grown in this film was satisfying and made it well worth the watch!