Monster Mutt (film)

Last updated
Monster Mutt
Monster Mutt theatrical poster.jpg
Theatrical poster
Directed by Todd Tucker
Screenplay by Timothy Dolan
Story byTodd Tucker
Produced by Harvey Lowry
Seth William Meier
Chris Nassif
Candice Newland
Starring Rhiannon Leigh Wryn
Bart Johnson
Billy Unger
CinematographyYaron Levy
Edited byJeff Castelluccio
Joe Pascual
Music by Chris Walden
Production
companies
Monster Mutt
Alternate Ending Studios
Burnside Entertainment
Green Pictures
Twisted Productions
Distributed byMillennium Media Services
Release date
Running time
87 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Monster Mutt is a 2010 American independent family comedy film directed by Todd Tucker and written by Timothy Dolan. It had a limited theatrical release in 2010, and a DVD release in 2011. The film stars Rhiannon Leigh Wryn, Bart Johnson, Billy Unger, and Bob Gibson, [1] [2] [3] and a larger-than-life animatronic puppet of the "Monster Mutt". [4]

Contents

Plot

The family dog, Max, is kidnapped by Sirus Caldwell (Zack Ward) to be used as a product test subject. Max escapes but the new super energy drink he had been testing turns him into Monster Mutt (Bob Gibson). The Taylor family children, Ashley (Rhiannon Leigh Wryn) and Zach (Billy Unger) join up with the scientist responsible for his transformation, Dr. Victor Lloyd (Brian Stepanek), to find a cure and return Max to normal.

Cast

Production

Filmed entirely within the Santa Clarita Valley, [6] director Todd Tucker and producer Harvey Lowry created the film as their first feature film together. [3] Known primarily for their makeup and special effects work in Hollywood, the two decided to use their skills for film production of Monster Mutt. Tucker was inspired to write the film's story by having watched Steven Spielberg’s Gremlins and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial when he was younger. [4] The two men kept the budget purposely low, in hopes of maximizing profit. [4] Designed and built by academy award-winning Drac Studios, [1] [2] the character of Monster Mutt is a larger-than-life animatronic puppet requiring five people to control its movements. [4]

Soundtrack

Scott A. Johnson of Dread Central wrote that the film soundtrack, as composed and conducted by Chris Walden, was performed by Western Australian Philharmonic Orchestra, and "contains everything one would expect from a movie aimed at kids around ten years old." Johnson stated that the soundtrack's failure was "in its lack of through-line and 'signature' sound'", but that the tracks did what they were supposed to do, in that it "takes the film, amplifies its emotions, and does so in a way that is kid-friendly." [7] Soundtrack Geek wrote that the soundtrack of the Monster Mutt film was released to show Walden's skill as a composer. They wrote that as the trailer "looks horrifying from an adult perspective, but more fun for the kids", the film is one that an adult might not otherwise see "unless you have children between the age of 5 and 10". In their review of the soundtrack, they wrote of the composer, "Emmy Award winner Chris Walden has been stuck in TV movie land since the early nighties, but now he has a chance to shine in a proper movie." [8] Tracksounds wrote that the soundtrack for Monster Mutt "captures all the different genres in a kid flick – and them some", and that it was "an unexpected pleasure to listen to". They also wrote that this is "another instance of wishing we could see what the composer can do with a bigger budget or bigger screen". [9] Sci-fi-online wrote that "Chris Walden's score for Monster Mutt is about a million times better than the low budget movie ... that it accompanies", and it is otherwise "a great score which is unfortunately not helped by being associated with a mediocre kids film". [10]

The soundtrack contains: [11]

  1. Main Title (02:40)
  2. Looking for Max (01:03)
  3. School Is Out (01:31)
  4. Max's Transformation (02:19)
  5. Dad Brought Pizza (01:59)
  6. Noise from the Backyard (03:04)
  7. Ashley and Dad (01:28)
  8. Surprise Visit in the Lab (02:18)
  9. The Boy with Ice Cream (01:55)
  10. Max in the Night (01:27)
  11. Anybody Out There (01:27)
  12. The Vacuum Cleaner (01:14)
  13. Water (02:40)
  14. The Garage Door (02:06)
  15. Broom Fight (01:24)
  16. Max at the Vet (02:53)
  17. Max Breaks Out (02:18)
  18. Max Is Hungry (03:02)
  19. Break in at the Vet (03:13)
  20. Fire Rescue (04:56)
  21. Lab Fight (05:27)
  22. Monster Puppy (03:30)
  23. Looking for Max (Reprise) (01:03)

Release

A trailer of the film was screened on January 10, 2010 at the Santa Clarita Valley Film Festival, immediately preceding the festival's award ceremonies, [6] and was released theatrically in July 2010 with showings at locations such as the Laemmle's Sunset 5 theater in Los Angeles. The film was released on DVD on January 4, 2011. [12]

Reception

Scott Foy of Dread Central wrote that there is a need for family-friendly horror for kids and "that's where movies like Monster Mutt come in", despite the movie not actually containing any horror elements and being a lighthearted size-change comedy. [1] Covering Media called the film " Beethoven meets Honey, I Blew Up the Kid ", while also referring to the film as a "heartwarming comedy/adventure for the whole family". [12] Krinein wrote that the film seemed designed for television and aimed at entertaining children on a Sunday afternoon, offering that this "unpretentious film manages to keep the attention of those willing to grant it." They also offered that considering its budget, and in making comparisons to Howard the Duck and Harry and the Hendersons , the film is quite funny. [13] The Dove Foundation praised the film, offering that actor Brian Stepanek did "a wonderful job as the bumbling doctor, who tries to make up for his mistake", and that with its "slapstick comedy, this film may be a family favorite. It is a movie that is wholesome and enjoyable for the entire family." [14] The Oklahoman , in calling the film "the oddest DVD to appear on release lists", noted that the cast "features a well-scrubbed cast of actors from TV shows and films that younger viewers will know well." [15]

Related Research Articles

Metroid is an action-adventure game franchise created by Nintendo. The player controls the bounty hunter Samus Aran, who protects the galaxy from Space Pirates and other malevolent forces and their attempts to harness the power of the parasitic Metroid creatures.

Richard Kelly (filmmaker) American film director and writer

James Richard Kelly is an American filmmaker and screenwriter, who initially gained recognition for writing and directing the cult classic Donnie Darko in 2001.

<i>Digimon Adventure 02</i> Japanese anime television series

Digimon Adventure 02 is a Japanese anime television series produced by Toei Animation. It is the sequel to Digimon Adventure, and the second anime series in the Digimon franchise. The series aired in Japan from April 2000 to March 2001. It was originally licensed in North America by Saban Entertainment and aired in the US from August 19, 2000 to May 19, 2001 as the second season of Digimon: Digital Monsters in English-speaking territories.

<i>The Last Mimzy</i> 2007 American film

The Last Mimzy is a 2007 American science fiction adventure drama film directed by New Line Cinema founder Robert Shaye. It was loosely based upon the 1943 science fiction short story "Mimsy Were the Borogoves" by Lewis Padgett. The film features Timothy Hutton, Joely Richardson, Rainn Wilson, Kathryn Hahn, Michael Clarke Duncan, and introduces Rhiannon Leigh Wryn as seven-year-old Emma Wilder and Chris O’Neil as ten-year-old Noah.

Hello (I Love You) 2007 single by Roger Waters

"Hello " is a song performed by former Pink Floyd member Roger Waters. The song was created as a collaborative effort with Howard Shore for the 2007 film The Last Mimzy.

<i>Stay Cool</i> 2009 American film

Stay Cool is a 2009 American comedy film directed by Michael Polish, and written by Mark Polish. The film stars Winona Ryder, Mark Polish, Hilary Duff, Sean Astin, Josh Holloway, Jon Cryer, and Chevy Chase. The film premiered at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival and released theatrically in 2011.

<i>I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell</i> (film) 2009 American independent comedy film

I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell is a 2009 American independent comedy film loosely based on the work and persona of writer Tucker Max, who co-wrote the screenplay. In an interview with Shave Magazine Max explained that the film is not "a direct recount or retelling. It says it is based on true events because it is. Basically, every scene in the movie happened in real life in one way or another but it happened in a different time or time frame. But pretty much every single thing happened." The film was directed by Bob Gosse and stars Matt Czuchry as Max. It was produced by Darko Entertainment and distributed by Freestyle Releasing. Max had said previously that sequels were possible if the initial film found financial success.

<i>Wubbzys Big Movie!</i> 2008 film

Wubbzy's Big Movie! is a 2008 American animated comedy anthology film based on the Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! television series. It premiered on Starz on August 29, 2008, produced by Starz Media and Bolder Media in association with Film Roman. A sequel, Wubb Idol, aired on Nickelodeon on May 1, 2009.

<i>Bram Stokers Draculas Curse</i> 2006 American film

Bram Stoker's Dracula's Curse is a 2006 horror film by The Asylum, written and directed by Leigh Scott. Despite featuring Bram Stoker's name in the title, the film is not directly based on any of his writings or a mockbuster to the 1992 film Bram Stoker's Dracula, but shares similarities to films such as Blade: Trinity, Dracula 2000, Underworld: Evolution and Van Helsing. The film also shares some similarities with the 1971 Hammer horror film Countess Dracula, which also features a Dracula-esque femme fatale in the lead role.

29th Young Artist Awards

The 29th Young Artist Awards ceremony, presented by the Young Artist Association, honored excellence of young performers under the age of 21 in the fields of film, television and theatre for the year 2007, and took place on March 30, 2008 at the Sportsmen's Lodge in Studio City, Los Angeles, California.

<i>Insidious</i> (film) 2010 horror film by James Wan

Insidious is a 2010 American supernatural horror film directed by James Wan, written by Leigh Whannell, and starring Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, and Barbara Hershey. It is the first installment in the Insidious franchise, and the third in terms of the series' in-story chronology. The story centers on a couple whose son inexplicably enters a comatose state and becomes a vessel for a variety of malevolent entities in an astral plane.

<i>Dinoshark</i>

Dinoshark is a 2010 low budget Syfy horror film. It was shown on Syfy on March 13, 2010.

The 33rd Young Artist Awards ceremony, presented by the Young Artist Association, honored excellence of young performers between the ages of 5 to 21 in the fields of film, television, theater and music for the year 2011. Nominees were announced on Saturday March 31, 2012. Winners were announced on Sunday May 6, 2012 in the Empire Ballroom of the Sportsmen's Lodge in Studio City, California.

<i>Deadheads</i> (film) 2011 American film

Deadheads is a 2011 American zombie comedy film co-directed, co-written, and co-produced by Brett Pierce and Drew T. Pierce. It stars Michael McKiddy and Ross Kidder as sentient zombies who go on a road trip.

Todd Tucker (director) American film director

Todd Tucker is an American film director, producer and makeup artist. His first major film was as a key artist on Hook.

Rhiannon Wryn is an American actress. She had lead roles in the 2007 film The Last Mimzy and the 2010 film Monster Mutt. She was nominated for both a Saturn Award and a Young Artist Award for her performance in The Last Mimzy.

<i>Digging Up the Marrow</i> 2014 American film

Digging up the Marrow is a 2014 American horror comedy film written and directed by Adam Green. It stars Green as a fictionalized version of himself who, in the process of making a documentary about monsters, is contacted by a man, played by Ray Wise, who insists that he can prove monsters are real.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Foy, Scott (September 21, 2009). "Children Love the Monster Mutt". Dread Central . Retrieved April 20, 2012.
  2. 1 2 Heising, Dawna Lee (October 17, 2009). "interview: Todd Tucker & Harvey Lowry" (video). Eye on Entertainment . Retrieved April 20, 2012.
  3. 1 2 Dasse, Christophe French (January 13, 2010). "MONSTER MUTT". l’Ecran Fantastique. Retrieved April 20, 2012.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Minton, Samantha (August 17, 2009). "On the Set of Monster Mutt: A CSU Northridge Senior Talks with the Major Players". Campus Circle. Retrieved April 20, 2012.
  5. ↑ "Rhiannon Leigh Wryn". IMDb. Retrieved 2017-03-05.
  6. 1 2 Buttelman, Michele E. (January 13, 2010). "A celebration of film in the SCV". Santa Clarita Valley Signal . Retrieved April 20, 2012.
  7. ↑ Johnson, Scott A. (March 4, 2011). "Monster Mutt Original Motion Picture Soundtrack". Dread Central . Retrieved April 27, 2012.
  8. ↑ Tillnes, JØrn. "Soundtrack review: Monster Mutt (2011)". Soundtrack Geek. Archived from the original on May 18, 2012. Retrieved April 27, 2012.
  9. ↑ San, Helen. "Monster Mutt (soundtrack)" . Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  10. ↑ Rea, Darren. "Monster Mutt soundtrack review". sci-fi-online.com. Retrieved April 27, 2012.
  11. ↑ "Monster Mutt (CD)". Screen Archives Entertainment. Retrieved April 27, 2012.
  12. 1 2 "review: Monster Mutt". Covering Media. Retrieved April 20, 2012.
  13. ↑ "critique: Max le géant". Krinein (in French). December 8, 2010. Retrieved April 20, 2012.
  14. ↑ The Dove Foundation. "review: Monster Mutt". christiancinema.com. Retrieved April 20, 2012.
  15. ↑ King, Dennis (January 4, 2011). "Under the Radar DVD of the Week: 'Monster Mutt'". The Oklahoman . Archived from the original on December 2, 2012. Retrieved April 20, 2012.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.