Birdemic: Shock and Terror (2010)

September 4, 2022 8:22 AM

This shot-on-video riff on The Birds as heavy-handed environmental allegory makes The Room look like a Palme d'Or winner. Bad sound, lame visuals, boring dialogue, clunky music cues, horrifically bad special effects of acid spitting clip art eagles, and more shots of a blue Mustang driving around than you thought were possible. The inept sincerity of James Nguyen's trash-terpiece defies belief.

While this is available for digital rental, I implore you not to pay a nickel. See it on Tubi, FreeVee, Pluto TV, Plex, or Hoopla. JustWatch listing.

posted by DirtyOldTown (23 comments total)

more shots of a blue Mustang driving around than you thought were possible

Well hold on now, I've seen Bullitt.
posted by LionIndex at 8:50 AM on September 4, 2022 [5 favorites]

This was genuinely one of the funniest movies I've ever seen. I'm taking laugh out loud belly laughs. There are some documentaries/podcasts that make great follow ups where the truth is even stranger than fiction. The story of Nguyen's struggle to make the movie itself is a cringe inducing trainwreck beyond belief.
posted by 2N2222 at 9:11 AM on September 4, 2022 [2 favorites]

For me, it's not even about the ClipArt eagles that spit acid and explode on impact.

It's about the weirdness of just watching these characters live their lives.

Why am I watching some guy fill up his tank, buy solar panels, and have a business meeting?
posted by champers at 10:29 AM on September 4, 2022 [2 favorites]

I've only seen the Rifftrax version of this. There's no way I could attempt it without riffing.
posted by miss-lapin at 10:38 AM on September 4, 2022 [4 favorites]

The filmmaker's thought process is fascinating.

Welp, Rod's going to work. People will want to see him pick up his keys, walk to his car, get inside, pull out, then drive there, slowing down in traffic, stopping at some intersections, then parking, getting out, and walking to the office door. Three minute sequence, minimum. We'll set it to some sweeping music I borrowed from Richard Band.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 10:41 AM on September 4, 2022 [3 favorites]

This interview with Nguyen about Birdemic is hilariously cringe.
posted by miss-lapin at 10:44 AM on September 4, 2022 [2 favorites]

Welp, Rod's going to work. People will want to see him pick up his keys, walk to his car, get inside, pull out, then drive there, slowing down in traffic, stopping at some intersections, then parking, getting out, and walking to the office door. Three minute sequence, minimum.

Maybe he is old school?
posted by ricochet biscuit at 11:39 AM on September 4, 2022

I have fond memories of the audience spontaneously trading bird calls before a screening of Birdemic.
posted by abraxasaxarba at 11:57 AM on September 4, 2022 [2 favorites]

Unless you are a glutton for punishment or have a large supply of mind-altering party favors, I recommend watching the Rifftrax versions (one is from their live show). And if you think this movie is bad, wait until you've seen Nguyen's earlier films Replica and Julie and Jack. Truly mind-boggling in their ineptitude.
posted by Saxon Kane at 12:01 PM on September 4, 2022 [2 favorites]

I never even heard of this but now it's a must watch for me.
posted by holborne at 1:20 PM on September 4, 2022 [2 favorites]

Holborne-I strongly encourage you to watch the rifftrax one AND have some sort of mildly mind altering substance on deck. I have watched some crap in my day. Hell, I LIKE the Room, but this is next level.
posted by miss-lapin at 1:56 PM on September 4, 2022 [1 favorite]

Oh wow, that interview where he says--entirely seriously--that his next step is that he figures he can get $20MM from Hollywood to make Birdemic 2 in 3-D, with which he will be able to make the bird effects "Avatar -level."
posted by DirtyOldTown at 2:24 PM on September 4, 2022 [1 favorite]

Hey, I already said that!

*waves coat-hanger threateningly in the general direction of miss-lapin*
posted by Saxon Kane at 4:01 PM on September 4, 2022 [2 favorites]

I'm sorry Saxon-Kane, I just wanted to reinforce how amazingly ill advised it is to watch this movie without proper precautions.
posted by miss-lapin at 7:07 PM on September 4, 2022 [2 favorites]

... such as seals.
posted by Countess Elena at 7:08 PM on September 4, 2022 [1 favorite]

I actually dislike Rifftrax treatments in general, and found the movie really funny as-is. Though I do have a strange sense of humor. I think it's an interesting contrast with The Room, sharing a lot of characteristics. But which I found largely dull in comparison with Birdemic. Despite the latter being padded out more than a reluctant middle schooler's term paper.

Regarding Nguyen, I have no idea what to make of the guy. I want to laugh, but he seemed almost dangerously disconnected with reality. He came across as a Borat-like personality in his lack of self awareness. Maybe it was all a put-on? I can't tell.
posted by 2N2222 at 7:48 PM on September 4, 2022

That's OK miss-lapin. I'll give you a 50% discount :)
posted by Saxon Kane at 10:32 PM on September 4, 2022 [3 favorites]

Ok, so, kudos to whoever is responsible for naming the main character in a The Birds ripoff “Rod.”
posted by holborne at 7:59 AM on September 5, 2022

I purchased this on DVD. It is an important example of the Ed Wood disorder - when boundless enthusiasm collides with zero skill or talent.
posted by Jessica Savitch's Coke Spoon at 10:55 AM on September 5, 2022 [2 favorites]

Wait, I don’t even get it. While Rod et al were standing there waving hangers, why didn’t the eagles do their acid-spitting thing then?

I know, I know — shut up and stop asking reasonable questions.
posted by holborne at 6:18 PM on September 5, 2022 [3 favorites]

HANGIN OUT
HANGIN OUT
HANGIN OUT
HANGIN OUT WITH THE FAMLY
HAVIN OURSELVES A PARRRRRRTY
(clap)
posted by argybarg at 10:09 PM on September 5, 2022 [7 favorites]

The barbecue is roarin', and Uncle Phil is scorin'!
posted by Saxon Kane at 12:01 PM on September 6, 2022 [2 favorites]

I have seen this twice - the film is surprisingly watchable by itself without riffing. As someone who has dabbled in (terrible) amateur filmmaking, I admire the dedication to produce an ambitious feature film without any talent or equipment. We all spend a lot of time worrying about overcoming our limitations, Birdemic shows us we can just ignore them.

Honestly, if the purpose of cinema is to hold up a mirror to society, Birdemic will be of more use to future film historians than a dozen blockbusters. Much of the film is just an accurate slice of the life from the 2000s, in 100 years some of the scenes of driving and walking around will be shown in museums.

I haven't seen the sequel, can any one tell me whether it answers the big question from part one - did Rob get the solar panels installed?
posted by AndrewStephens at 8:29 AM on September 7, 2022 [3 favorites]