Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 40% (Critics) / 52% (Audience)
Directed By: Kevin Smith
Written By: Kevin Smith
Starring: Justin Long, Michael Parks, Haley Joel Osment, Genesis Rodriguez and Johnny Depp
Studio: A24 Films
Synopsis: When podcaster Wallace Bryton goes missing in the backwoods of Manitoba while interviewing a mysterious seafarer named Howard Howe, his best friend Teddy and girlfriend Allison team with an ex-cop to look for him. – (Source)

The Good:
Michael Parks delivers a very impressive performance in this film that is probably the highlight of the entire thing much like his turn as maniacal cult leader Abin Cooper in Smith’s previous directorial turn, RED STATE.
There is also a quirky and at times hilarious performance by a barely recognizable Johnny Depp.

The Bad:
This is a dumb movie. The premise is dumb, the way Smith even came to the decision to make the film is dumb (the idea came up during a “shoot the shit” style segment on Smith’s podcast), and the way the film is delivered is dumb.
From a cast of characters that I was hard pressed to give one solid damn about to groan worthy jokes (most about Canada) that were the furthest thing from funny to a completely unnecessary love triangle subplot to an ending that I assume was supposed to tug at the heart strings but just seemed idiotic and a bit manipulative…this movie was a bit of a narrative mess.

The Ugly:
That final man-walrus make-up was horrendous.

Final Verdict: Not every idea needs to be put on film and this was one of the ones that should have stayed in the ether. Despite noteworthy showings from Parker and Depp are not enough to make this idiotic film any less of a chore to sit through.

Grade: D