Weird Science Whatever (2008) User Reviews

Great Indie Short

[sterling-ponti · 9/10 · 17 February 2009]

Weird Science Whatever is a great short film. Any reviewer who quotes animated woodland creatures and Starfleet Lieutenants in their review seriously causes me to question their credibility.

This is an INDIE short, if 'amateurish' films bother you, go review the latest blockbuster and don't waste your time on young & talented independent filmmakers with $20 budgets.

Personally, I enjoyed the short episodes and parody of classic films. A good parody will always endear you to the original while giving you a fresh look at the subject matter and I feel that this film did it very well. I will keep an eye out for future shorts from Mr. Retelas.

Budding Amateur Filming

[tedmoy-nyc72 · 8/10 · 17 February 2009]

The film is short and simple. The actors, writers, producers, and directors all seemed to have enjoyed doing the film.

It's entertaining, it's nerdy, it's geeky, it's goofy and it was fun watching it.

Brought me back the 80s.

Hopefully, they'll continue to produce more in the future. They have a great deal of potential.

I look forward to seeing more!

Keep up the great work, your fans look forward to more of your work!

Cheers, Ted

Brilliant Satirical Homage Tailored to Nerds Everywhere

[ewhightower · 10/10 · 17 February 2009]

George Retelas and Brandon Hunt seem to have melded a smörgåsbord of quoted scenes and plot points from every geek's favorite Sci-Fi/Adventure film into one episodic epic. At first glance, it's low-budget and might be mistaken for hokey slapstick. But consider: it's the very specific choices within this shoestring production that mark these filmmakers as truly creative, and honestly in love with the art -- with a few busty hotties thrown in for good measurements.

Specificity is the jewel in this team's tinfoil crown: their physicality is the Dance of the Anime Nerds, replete with ultra-goofy closeups and schmacting that puts Ben Affleck to shame. The sheer ingenuity of what they do, what they use to get it done, and the detailed ridiculousness inherent in just about every shot, is a joy to behold.

Consider, if you will, the steaming junk of the naked man. The Lego-like detail of Robot Bastard. The corporate office foyer of the Dark Lord (no surprise, considering that these fellows hail from the Tri-Valley Area, a corporate backwater of the SF Bay Area). And lest you think I somehow missed them: the breasts. Oh, yes. The breasts. Cleavage galore, my friends; submissive nerds everywhere will shudder in stunted expectation at the dominating jiggle of the Dark Lord's curvy minions.

I believe it's only a matter of time before Hunt & Retelas have Jack Black and Salma Hayek making guest appearances in this superb love letter to nerd-niche entertainment. Until then, let us all pack a bowl, raise our flagons, roll the 20-sided dice and pray that the prophecy will send a curvy blonde to the garage so that we can save the world ... world ... world ...

Planktonsucks

[fernobulax · 10/10 · 17 February 2009]

Here's the problem with reviewers: They go into a movie expecting Oscar Worthy. High expectations soil their brains and in the end they are always let down.

THIS film is NOT for reviewers. It's a shame that the previous reviewer obviously has no appreciation for, well, people that like fun movies.

THIS film is for FANS. It's for people that don't take everything so seriously and for people that like to just throw their cares away and watch something funny and fun.

It should be mentioned that such a reviewer should heed their own advice, or should I say advice from a cartoon. Save your reviews (incoherent ones, might I ad) for films that ask for them.

Update: Planktonsucks updated so I felt the need to update as well. Apparently 13 more reviews IN FAVOR of the film can't be "trusted". Did you READ the reviews, man? No? Oh, I see. THAT'S why you aren't helpful.

Young Directors Thrill in Debut Film.

[midastouch12 · 10/10 · 17 February 2009]

This fresh take on old favorites was masterfully pieced together by the visionary efforts of George Retelas and Brandon Hunt. Their inspiring story telling was complimented and enhanced by the breath taking cinematography of Jeff Croghan.

Fan boys everywhere will come to appreciate this short film as a true depiction and expression of their generation. This film was nothing short of a masterpiece.

Drama, intrigue, fantasy, adventure, comedy, quotable, laughable, excitable. . . this movie never disappointed from open to close. Each scene blended flawlessly into the next and kept me on the edge of my seat. I cannot wait for the sequel.

I recommend this film to any of the following: Nerds, Fanboys, Wizards, Friends, Neighbors, Lovers, Fighters, Native Americans, Construction Workers, Working Women, Single Moms, Nana, Clifford, Angry Fan Boys, George Lucas, and of course anyone that wants visual eye candy.

funny!

[ctreplus411 · 10/10 · 17 February 2009]

the movie was awesome!, the voice acting was funny and it matched the atmosphere real well, the acting was funny as well, purposely cheesed out but, it was the reason why all of the film kept me on the screen. the use of the props were very creative; from the terminator theme, the lord of the ring- like character, to the star wars part. used totally serious movie themes and made it hilarious. a wizard with a cellphone?, it was funny.

and from start to finish. i would have to say that during the middle to the end is when the movie truly shines. things got more exciting as you kept watching through the film. from scenes in the forest till the attack of the hot minions on George and his friends.

other than that its something you should see for your self and enjoy. its guarantee to put a smile on your face. keep up the awesome job!

A funny start to a long career!

[fionaeh · 10/10 · 17 February 2009]

With so many shorts out there today - most of them from home video and uploaded online - it is nice to see that there is creativity in the minds of young writers/directors out there. Not only that but it is obvious that there was time spent in the editing of the film, which I know can be tedious and time consuming.

The story line is a spoof on well known movies but the actors keep you engaged and wondering what on earth will they do next! I am sure this is just a start for all of them and in a few years time we may be seeing them on the red carpet.

All in all George and his cast of characters have obviously had fun with the making of this short and I laughed throughout. I will be waiting to see what they have in store for me next with future shorts.

This world ain't big enough for two Georges', so step aside George Lucas, cause here's come George Retelas!!

[XxSkoulikixX · 10/10 · 17 February 2009]

Good things come in small packages and that's exactly what WSW delivered.

From start to finish…I loved every minute of it! It's sad to see that the first comment was sour and rude and most likely came from a talentless nobody.

I've been watching George's work on and off for years and every time I'm amazed to see what he has in store.

He's young, creative, talented and truly an inspiration to all who have the same aspiring dreams as he does.

I wish him nothing but the best.

Move aside George Lucas...Because George Retelas ain't backing down!

Keep your angry and uninspired comments to yourself

[lunaLoca785 · 10/10 · 17 February 2009]

Sad to read the above comment after thoroughly enjoying this piece of film - I found this artistic piece to be playful, fresh, original, and unique... something that the above commenter must know nothing about.

I appreciated the snippets that were a throwback to greater film days, and I genuinely appreciated the style and vision with which it was constructed, directed... and fully enjoyed the finished effect.

I will send this to my film-loving friends, as I know they'll love it, too...

I enjoyed it all, and look forward to seeing more from these fabulous artists!

Thanks and love, L

Fresh and funny in the weirdest way!

[emperorkosta · 10/10 · 17 February 2009]

I saw this student film premiere at the California Independent Film Festival. It was the most fun I had in long time in a theater, and the audience loved it. The movie references were great. Any film that gives a nod to Army of Darkness and even Willow has my vote. I enjoyed the shoestring budget this thing was made on as it added to its campy feel, as well as all the audio dialogue replacement. The music couldn't of been any more epic. John Williams would be flattered. Very cool.

Keep up the great work! I'd love to see it made into a feature length film.

My favorite line is from the Wizard when his cane magically flies into his hands, "That JUST happened".

Genius!

[ctraylor84 · 10/10 · 20 February 2009]

Given the almost non-existent budget for the film, what they did here is nothing short of a miracle in film making. Dare I call it, uncanny? I dare! It is uncanny, even more so then the Uncanny X-Men! And they're pretty damn uncanny. Few films come around that can boast the mastery of cinema in all it's forms that these guys do: acting, directing, plot, writing, and every technical achievement imaginable. If you're still reading this review and not watching this movie, you are wasting your life. Seconds, if not minutes of your life are being thrown away reading this dumb review when you could be watching one the greatest films every to come out of America, NO! Planet Earth! Stop reading and start watching so that maybe, just maybe, your life means something.

Nostalgic and inspired

[creepyhen · 10/10 · 19 February 2009]

I saw this film at the California Independent Film Festival after several days of disappointments and misses. Finally watching the shorts I was struck by how much talent was in these films where some of the bigger and higher budget films just didn't impress me in any way. Most enjoyable of the shorts, I felt, was Weird Science Whatever.

The editing was noteworthy and clever, so many homages in such a short time! I had so much fun just trying to identify each of the references in every scene, shot, sound, piece of music, prop, and line of dialogue. Of course, I wasn't watching the film expecting the next summer blockbuster or Oscar-winning masterpiece...it was an independent short film in a film festival and so I viewed and enjoyed it as such.

I don't know the filmmakers personally or any of the cast members so my only bias here comes from the fact that these homages within the film were to some of my favorite films ever. But in saying that I feel that my review had an even higher chance of being negative as any poor representation of my favorite film would incur my greatest wrath. So this positive and gushy review should be an even greater testament to the achievement that is George and Brandon's masterful Weird Science Whatever.

Loved this film

[a-acevedo354 · 10/10 · 17 February 2009]

I have meet one of the makers of this film (George Retelas) This guy knows what he's doing, he has helped me in the pass on some of my sort film. In no was did George Retelas or Brandon Hunt make a "amateurly" film. Sorry but whoever said that must not know what there talking about. To him it might be a good film, but to everyone else who has good taste, it is a great film. If this wasn't a good film I don' think that it would have it to a film festival. Let alone Mr. Retelas has another one of his being aired at another film festival (Johnny of the spot). I think that this is just the beginning of Weird Science Whatever think that they could add one even more to it. Or they could pull off making another sort film like this one. That being said I love this film