#Doug mancheski

[moviemosaics]

Hundreds of Beavers

directed by Mike Cheslik, 2022

[swampflix]

Hundreds of Beavers (2024)

Hundreds of Beavers is a film that doesn’t seem like it would be able to sustain its premise or its vision for the entirety of its 108 minute runtime, but it somehow manages to do so. This movie made me laugh aloud, on average, about every thirty seconds all the way through. I don’t know that it will work for everyone, but it certainly did for me. Shot in black and white, this is a Looney Tunes…

[agentnico]

Hundreds of Beavers (2024) review

This is cinema.

Plot: A drunken applejack salesman must go from zero to hero and become North America's greatest fur trapper by defeating hundreds of beavers.

Can we just take a moment to appreciate the greatness that is this film’s poster! Very reminiscent of the poster for the 1963 epic comedy It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, it truly encompasses the full scale cartoonish madness of the movie, and honestly is a piece of art in itself. As for the movie itself? Yeah, it’s fricking awesome!

This comes to us from director Mike Cheslik and co-writer Ryland Brickson Cole Tews (by the way holy Moses what a cool name that is!), the pair who gave us the Tews-directed Lake Michigan Monster, a bonkers little indie film that’s a mix of Life Aquatic and The Lighthouse and is immensely entertaining and stupid. What I like about these guys is how they fill their micro-budget productions with so much creativity, humour and visual inventiveness, and it really puts a lot of modern day Hollywood pictures to shame. These guys are great and so when Hundreds of Beavers popped up on my Letterboxd recommendations, it was a no brainer - I had to seek out this movie!

Hundreds of Beavers echoes the structure of video games, especially RPGs. The central character starts out as an absolutely numpty loser, and then as the film progresses he by trial and error improves his craft to become a skilful and talented trapper. This is reminiscent of how in a video game when your first start you’re essentially useless and crap at everything, but as you level up you become an utter boss. Take Resident Evil for example. In the beginning you struggle to defeat a single zombie. Chances are on your first few playthroughs you’ll die like a little b**ch. Talking from experience here, I remember that first village fight in Resident Evil 4! Then by the end you’re drilling through hordes with unlimited ammo and rocket launchers with super high HP and literally nothing can stop you. With Hundreds of Beavers it’s the same. The first part of the film the poor chap can’t even kill a single animal, let alone a beaver. By the end though he’s engaging in an impressive battle of fisticuffs with crowds upon crowds of beavers. I mean, not really a spoiler to say that there are loads of beavers in this film. Not just a hundred, we’re talking thousands!

That brings me to one of the biggest surprises of this film - there’s actually a fully fledged story here. Like yes the narrative exists entirely for the purpose of throwing as many ridiculously nuts slapstick gags in our faces at a rapid speed of a joke every second, but they are held together by a cohesive narrative. The main character Jean Kayak (brought to life by a superbly committed performance from Ryland Brickson Cole Tews, again, love the name) goes through a significant growth throughout the movie, and his mission to get the girl is as timely and charming as ever. I must say it took me about 20 minutes to properly get into the movie, but once I got to the level of whackiness it was going for I was engaged throughout.

So the visuals. Filtered throughout with a surreal black-and-white grainy filter, this plays out like a live-action cartoon in the vain of Looney Tunes or Tom & Jerry. The stylistic choice that really makes this movie so unique is that the overwhelming majority of animals that Jean comes across are played by actors in full sizes costumes. Yep, it’s a bunch furries alright. Smaller animals such as birds and fish appear as little puppets, but all the larger animals are indeed played by actors in suits. You’d expect a gimmick like this to lose steam after a while, however the funny thing about Hundreds of Beavers is that it manages to consistently stay hilarious throughout, and in fact gets progressively crazier as it goes on. The final 20 minutes are truly fantastic, with the creators throwing every creative idea and visual gag they could possibly whip out of their books in your face. This movie could have easily ended up feeling like a stretched out SNL sketch, but luckily the creators share so much ambition to allow this movie to flourish in its endless creativity. Charlie Chaplin would be proud.

Hundreds of Beavers is one of the most creative, inventive and entertaining comedies of the last decade, and I had a smile on my face from start to finish. From the punchy editing, funny music cues, well-timed cutaway gags, goofy costumes or the endlessly creative deaths, this thing has so much unhinged energy it’s unreal. I can see this not being for everyone, but then again silent slapstick comedy nowadays can be definitely classed as an acquired taste, but I truly believe that everyone would find at least some part of this film amusing. In my eyes, this is a comedic marvel. Yeah, f*** those beavers!

Overall score: 9/10

[randomrichards]

HUNDREDS OF BEAVERS:

Man drunk on cider

Tries his hand at fur trading

Starts war on Beavers

[kermodefan94-blog]

Hundreds of Beavers. Movie Review. 

Oh, how to describe this one. OK. Imagine your favourite silent comedian or slapstick act.  Vintage or  Contemporary. It essentially doesn’t matter as long as the viewer of choice enjoys them falling over getting hit by objects or partaking in a variety of deliberately absurd pratfalls. Now place your comedian or act of choice in 2022 ( as that’s when the film being reviewed here first played at…

[watchingalotofmovies]

Hundreds of Beavers

Hundreds of Beavers    [trailer]

In this 19th century, supernatural winter epic, a drunken applejack salesman must go from zero to hero and become North America's greatest fur trapper by defeating hundreds of beavers.

Very funny, dialogue-free slapstick comedy. Channeling Buster Keaton and the anarchic spirit of classic cartoons. Very ingenious, clearly a labour of love.

[oceanusborealis]

Hundreds of Beavers - Movie Review

TL;DR – It was a completely wild ride from start to finish. I am not sure I have ever seen a film like this before, and I doubt I will ever again. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rating: 4.5 out of 5. Post-Credit Scene – There is no post-credit scene.Disclosure – I was sent a screener of this film. Hundreds of Beavers Review – For the last year, I kept hearing rumblings of this weird Beavers film that everyone needed…

[torley]

366 Weird Movies may earn commissions from purchases made through product links. DIRECTED BY: Mike Cheslik FEATURING: Ryland Brickson Cole Tews, Olivia Graves, Wes Tank, Doug Mancheski, Luis Rico P…

[moviereviews101web]

Hundreds of Beavers (2022) Movie Review

Hundreds of Beavers – Movie Review Director: Mike Cheslik Writer: Mike Cheslik, Ryland Brickson Cole Tews (Screenplay) Cast Ryland Brickson Cole Tews (Lake Michigan Monster) Olivia Graves (Hunt Her Kill Her) Doug Mancheski Wes Tank Plot: In this 19th century, supernatural winter epic, a drunken applejack salesman must go from zero to hero and become North America’s greatest fur trapper by…

[o-the-mts]

Movie Review: Hundreds of Beavers (2024)

Title: Hundreds of Beavers Release Date: January 26, 2024 Director: Mike Cheslik Production Company: SRH Summary/Review: Jean Kayak (Ryland Brickson Cole Tews) is an applejack salesman in the north woods of Wisconsin in the 19th century.  After his farm is destroyed, he has to find a way to support himself.  He begins furtrapping beavers and trading them to the Merchant (Doug Mancheski), hoping…

[glenngaylord]

Dam! - Film Review: Hundreds Of Beavers ★★★★

Tired of watching the world circling the drain? Would you like to smile for 108 minutes? Then trust me, drop everything and watch Hundreds Of Beavers now! This low-budget indie instant classic marks the feature directorial debut of Mike Cheslik who spent 4 years making it, including over 1500 effects shots in freezing temperatures in Wisconsin and Michigan. Remember that name.

But wait! There’s more! The story of Jean Kayak (co-writer and producer Ryland Brickson Cole Tews), a drunken Applejack salesman who goes on an epic journey across the frozen tundra to hunt and kill the aforementioned beavers in order to win over a strong-willed Furrier (Olivia Graves), is told in black and white with almost no dialogue. Although such influences as Looney Tunes, Buster Keaton, and the surreal films of Canadian legend Guy Madden shine through, this live action/animated hybrid remains in a class of its own.

Tews invites comparisons to the client era greats such as Charlie Chaplin and Harold Lloyd and holds his own with his bumbling, idiotic, yet crafty hunter. Despite facing one obstacle after another, much in the style of an anvil dropping on the Coyote as he chases down the Roadrunner, he always bounces back and stays true to his mission. The beavers, along with assorted rabbits, wolves and raccoons, all appear as actors in mascot costumes. It looks like the world’s largest furry convention as we watch the animals build dams, evade traps, and ultimately concoct a hilariously unexplained science fiction project.

At first, I thought this could have easily been a ten minute short, but the grand scale of it all won me over as the filmmakers consistently raisied the stakes and the mayhem factor. Every time Jean gets his tongue stuck on an object, a hook plunged through his hand, or an sudden icicle formed when he exhales, I had a terrible case of the tee-hees. You’ll witness literally dozens of whiz-bang scene with every single shot having something interesting and unexpected happening somewhere in the frame.

As Jean kills various creatures, he frequently takes them to a Trading Post headed up by a Merchant (Doug Mancheski) who hilariously chews tobacco and fails to land it in a cup. This recurring motif, just like the rest in the film, finds a hilarious payoff by the end. His daughter, the previously mentioned Furrier, takes a liking to Jean even while slicing apart his dead animals. Their relationship becomes the beating heart of the film. You root for this pair as Jean trades his pelts for hunting tools which often lead to disastrous consequences. His stabs at building fires, fishing, and creating traps feel operatic with this film’s extended run time.

If you’re a fan of shirtless bearded hunks, you’ve also come to the right place. In the real world, Jean would have succumbed to frostbite, but here, his lovely exposed bod feels more feature than bug. Sure, it’s titillating, but it also enhances the comedy. By the time he’s completely naked with his private parts strategically blocked by assorted objects, you’ve entered Austin Powers territory.

I can’t say enough about the creative work on display. Cheslik expertly layers practical shots with all manner of animated work, perfectly supported by a wonderful score by Chris Ryan. Everything zips along breathlessly thanks to Cheslik’s sense of pacing as he acts as his own Editor. Quinn Hester’s cinematography at first seems quite classic and simple, but as the mayhem intensifies, my jaw dropped. You just can’t believe what you’re seeing here.

Sure, all told, we’re cheering on as one man tries to slaughter literally hundreds of woodland critters, but it’s hard to be too put out when his prey all have zippers! I might have suggested cutting out 10-15 minutes, but when you have a movie titled Hundreds Of Beavers, size matters! So take a break from the real world and let the brilliant Cheslik and Tews transport you to your happy place.

[fearsmagazine]

HUNDREDS OF BEAVERS - Review

DISTRIBUTOR: SRH

SYNOPSIS: In this silent supernatural epic, a drunken applejack salesman, Jean Kayak, is thrust into the frigid wilderness. Can he go from Zero to Hero, become North America's greatest fur trapper as he fights for survival against diabolical beavers - hundreds of them?

REVIEW: Mike Cheslik and Ryland Brickson Cole Tews formulate a funtastic homage to a history of the cinema that embraces the silent era of the masters of slapstick/physical humor and over the top animation styles from “Steamboat Willie” to South Park. It’s a wonderfully wicked delight that captures the spirit of the classic era of Looney Tunes.

I love the screenplay. As someone who grew up reading National Lampoon Magazine, Cheslik and Cheslik tap into that comedic spirit as they craft their tale of Jean Kayak and his battle with the beavers. Framed as a silent movie, the story is simple. What makes this engaging are the performances and the gags. Clearly there is some crafty thought going into the choreography of the humor as well as the production designs for the gore. They sustain a level of innocence in the tale so that when things go off the rails it is shockingly hilarious like an intense amusement park attraction. There is so much going on here and they build upon it. They present minor laughs that return to and build on throughout the tale. The production designs and effects are brilliantly crafted to serve up the gags they’ve drafted.

This is a fantastic ensemble cast. They have the mannerisms and facial expressions of the silent era down cold - pun intended. Their performances are larger than life, but they flow organically giving this rhythm to the film. Ryland Brickson Cole Tews gives a remarkable and memorable performance. He seems to be channeling the Chaplin, Keaton, and Lloyd. There are times he emotes an innocence and quickly turns it into a mischievous rascal reminiscent of Bugs Bunny.

The production values are sensational. The black and white format evokes an era, but the framing, editing, and cinematography are state of the art and look so fresh and crisp, a wonder to behold. The costumes are nicely done. The beaver costumes have the ability to be goofy, but when they turn and glare they feel as psychotic as Michael Meyers from “Halloween.”

The film’s final act goes into this bizarre and strange twist that enshrines HUNDREDS OF BEAVERS into the annals of the comedy hall of fame. If you have the chance to see this on a screen during a festival near you grab a ticket as you will not be disappointed. There is so much here for a variety of film fans, and while it does not go as far, it reminded me of Peter Jackson’s “Meet the Feebles.” Additionally, I loved the poster, shown here, as I found it reminiscent of the poster for the 1963 film “It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.” HUNDREDS OF BEAVERS is sure to scare your funny-bone for life!

CAST: Ryland Brickson Cole Tews, Olivia Graves, Wes Tank, Doug Mancheski, & Luis Rico. CREW: Director/Screenplay/Editor/Visual Effets - Mike Cheslik; Screenplay/Producer - Ryland Brickson Cole Tews; Producers - Sam Hogerton, Kurt Ravenwood, & Matt Sabljak; Cinematographer - Quinn Hester; Score - Chris Ryan; Puppet Builder And Performer - Brandon Kirkham; Costumes - Casey Harris & Brandon Kirkham; INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/hundredsofbeaver FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/hundredsofbeavers TWITTER: twitter.com/beaversfilm TRAILER: https://youtu.be/QVD9DK5vDds?si=v5IwJIJzWc7ty2ZW RELEASE DATE: Doing the festival circuit, wider distribution fall/winter 2023

**Until we can all head back into the theaters our “COVID Reel Value” will be similar to how you rate a film on digital platforms - 👍 (Like), 👌 (It’s just okay), or 👎 (Dislike)

Reviewed by Joseph B Mauceri

[wutbju]

Ruth Helen (Barnes) Reed, age 86, relocated from her earthly home and met her Lord and Savior on May 12, 2020.

Ruth was born in Sheboygan on December 7, 1933 to Joseph James Barnes and Isabelle Augusta (Gosse) Barnes. Ruth attended elementary school at Spring Farm (a one-room schoolhouse in the Town of Mitchell) and graduated from Plymouth High School in 1951. She waitressed at The Grill in Plymouth; played clarinet in the high school band as well as the Plymouth band.

She attended Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina and American University in Washington D.C. where she was employed at the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Bureau of Standards, in the technical reports section of the publications division as a clerk, typist, and director of tour guides.

Ruth met Donn Reed on a blind date and they married on Sept, 20, 1953 in Fort Knox where he was stationed.

She was a founding member of Jacobson Advertising (now Jacobson/Rost) where she wore many hats over her 34 years as a receptionist, typist, bookkeeper, proofreader, historian and media specialist.

She fellowshipped at the Evangelical Free Church where she was a secretary, church historian, Sunday School aide and sang in the choir, ladies’ trio and ladies’ quartet. She was a member of the Women’s Missionary Society, and prepared projects for Vacation Bible School. Ruth performed in the pit orchestra for Community Players musicals, sang in the chorus with the Sheboygan Arts Foundation, and was a vocalist with the Reggie Barber Dance Orchestra. She volunteered with the Sheboygan Youth Band, the Elms Band, the John Michael Kohler Arts Center and was banquet chairman for the Soap Box Derby. Known as Grandma Ruth, she was intensively involved with the Early Learning Center, spending many years cutting and sorting various projects for every student that attended. She was a member of the SET committee for over 8 years and was named Intergenerational Volunteer of the Year in April 2000. She also volunteered at Wilson, ESAA and Grant elementary schools.

Her hobbies included quilting, sewing, reading, collecting recipes, crafts, music, opera and family history. She enjoyed listening to the Gaither Vocal Band and supporting David Jeremiah’s ministry.

Ruth’s showed kindness and love to everyone she came in contact with. Her family was her most valuable possession and spent many hours involved in their various activities and traveled wherever she needed to go.

Ruth is survived by Kimm (Jim) McKalips and their children Andrew (Sarah), Jon (Tereana), Joe (Erin) McKalips, Stephanie (David) Woody, and Deborah (Michael) Winding and many great- grandchildren; Lisa Reed and her children Dylan Victory, Tyler (Michelle) Victory and Erin Zelle; and Marc (Cindy) Reed and their children Marcy and Jackson.

She is further survived by her siblings Kathy (Ken) Zimmerman, Barry (Barb) Barnes and Jeff (Bonnie) Barnes, and many nieces and nephews. Also, her “besties” Janice Crane, Judy Zimmerman, Colleen Pyne, Jo Leu, Janet Lammers and Ann Bernard.

She was preceded in death by her son Timm, husband Donn, her parents, brother James; and friends Doug Crane and Tito Ramos.

A special thanks to Dr. Mancheski for his care and friendship over the years and the Sharon Richardson Hospice for bringing Ruth home to spend her final days surrounded by those who loved her. A celebration of Ruth’s life will be held on July 4, 2020, at her home from 10-4. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, gloves and sanitizer will be available.

Ruth had a magical gift for just the right words. Please share yours; your memories and stories with the family. Written remembrances will be a cherished addition to her memory box.

[torley]

Watch the trailer, find screenings & book tickets for Hundreds of Beavers on the official site. Directed by: Mike Cheslik. Starring: Ryland Brickson Cole Tews, Olivia Graves, Wes Tank, Doug Mancheski, Luis Rico