God Bless America (2012)

I love this movie so much

The Worst Film Ever

Entertaining from beginning to end, it maintains the spirit of the franchise while establishing it's own seal with a fun cast

This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

God Bless America: I had originally watched this movie in 2011 and again recently. It's a satirical look at the decline of society and the levels to which morals and standards have fallen. It centers around a middle aged man, Frank who grinds at his 9-5 job and whilst dealing with seemingly unresolvable issues in his personal life, increasingly gets disillusioned by what he sees as the downward spiral of society wherein attributes such as narcissism, unintelligence, selfishness, shallowness, and uncouthness that were once traditionally discouraged and derided by humans, are celebrated and rewarded. Wherever he turns, he's bombarded with images of talentless, cruel and abhorrent individuals that are put on a pedestal and slapped with the "celebrity" label. Ratings and money is all that matters. Frank takes it upon himself to rid society of these repulsive individuals and with the unlikely help of a 16 year old sidekick embarks on a killing spree. Considering that this movie was released before slay queens on social media; before the Lil Tays & Waoh Vickys; before Donald Trump's unconventional and controversial presidential campaign; I would say whilst God Bless America may have been considered an exaggerated description of society back then it is undoubtedly eerily prophetic of society today.

First off, let me say this: I absolutely love the Bobcat! He cracked me up way back in the 80's with his earlier work in the Police Academy films. Since then, he's done some outrageous comedies, with long time friend Robin Williams, such as Shakes The Clown. By the time the 2010's came in, it was obvious that he wanted to be known as something much more then the class clown. He wanted to be somebody. And he did by, simply put, making the type of films most didn't have the balls to make. This is why I have a deep passion for independent films. They're not under the pressure of big shot corporations trying to tell you what you can and can't do to make your movie big. And in God Bless America, he comes out with all guns blazing...literally. The story, in short, goes like this: a man lives by himself next door to a family that is keeping him awake at night. He has visions of shooting them all down . Possibly even fighting depression, it helms the standard "ready to blow" kind of guy, a walking timebomb where even the slightest trigger may set him off. After losing his job, just because he did something...(nice)....he contemplates commiting suicide. ( I put nice in parentheses because I personally consider it creepy and maybe even a form of harassment, however, the job I currently work at says it is okay to do so. You will have to watch it to know what I am talking about.) Matters really get worse when he is diagnosed with a brain tumor. With nothing left to lose, he decides to take matter in his own hands, with an unlikey aid as a partner in crime, and goes on a killing spree. Who do they kill? You name it. Mean spirited people, the guy taking up two parking spaces with his car, uncaring celebrities, the homophobic activists, he even offs off a suspected pedophile. The films underlying message is strong and clear...he's just fed up with the direction that America is headed. I do stand by the way one would feel about all this, I just wouldn't go so far as to turn to crime to get my point across. I grew up in a time without the internet, without wifi, without all the technology around us today. A simple time. Times are not so simple anymore, and this film demonstrates a Natural Born Killers for a new generation perhaps. I grew up in a time where people seemed to care more for other people, and as time went on, we seem to disconnect ourselves further and further, becoming unsensitive to the people around us. There's even talk about them leaving for France. In a sense, he just targets the people he feels have absolutely no right to live. The people who matter, you may be safe...for the moment. Has American society really sank to new lows? And if so, how low can it possibly go, before someone may really snap just like Joel in this film? I know. I may have overthought the movie. Then again, with all the outbreaks of violence that is happening at alarming rates in our American culture, you just can't shake the feeling that this all may not be a bad dream after all. 8 out of 10 stars. Great job, Bobcat...you keep on trucking!

Wonderful dark film about what was wrong with America, of course now even more poignant with "Grab the Pussy" Trump being the President. Excellent acting from both leads. Tara Lynne Barr hilarious and brilliant as the potty mouthed teen. After all why should you have to come from a broken home to be sick of the way life is ? Joel Murray is fantastic as the ordinary guy who has had enough. The way he has enough is portrayed so well by him. Just the way he looks and sighs is worth 10 minutes of hysterical over-reaction by some other actor. He also isn't a buffed-up hero type, he just has dreadful taste in clothes, the cardigan with the squirrels or deer on it (I think) had me laughing regardless of the plot. I especially like the way their relationship deepened throughout the film. I have watched this film several times and it just gets better every time. Spoiler: Even the end of the film was great - you actually felt uplifted at the end, knowing they were happy in what they had done.

You know what I hate? People who are offended by this movie - I believe they might be the kind of people that end up dead in this incredible film. This probably the most perfectly crafted film ever created. It is brilliant - from the writing to the final edit, I have nothing but rave reviews. The music is awesome, the acting is superb, and the symbolism is subtle and powerful. I find this film cathartic! When I am having one of those days where I hate the world, watching God Bless America makes me feel better. I like to think that somewhere out there, Frank and Roxie are taking care of another jerk. To the genius writer/director Bobcat Goldthwait - this may not be your most popular film, but this could be your most important and meaningful film. Very well done sir. I just watched this movie for the millionth time and given recent events in the news, (the mass shooting in Orlando and the reaction by religious groups) the message of God Bless America couldn't be more relevant. Some of you may think this movie advocates violence - but I think the real message is "don't be a dick." Wish more people got it.