Sun Dogs (2017)

Thanks for the memories!

Terrible acting, screenplay and direction.

Tells a fascinating and unsettling true story, and does so well, without pretending to have all the answers.

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

6/1/18. This movie took awhile to find its center. But, if you stay with this you will find that the main character, Ned Chipley, played by Angarano, is a young man with special needs. Because the viewer does not know this, it is easy, given today's climate of terrorism, to feel a rising alarm as to what Ned is trying to do with his life. Misunderstanding ensues, and havoc breaks loose. This is more of a dark comedy about the importance to dealing with people with special needs in an appropriate way to avoid problems. Of course, having Alison Janney playing the mother makes this worth watching.

This movie can be difficult to watch; you are watching a quirky, obviously mentally challenged guy try to find his way in the world. a good-hearted person knows that everyone is different and unique and beautiful in their own way; of course, that was how I saw him! But that doesn't mean that it isn't normal for someone to want to yell at him for pretending to be someone that he is not. The movie shows the messy, chaotic, disheveled way that things evolve in people's lives-how they affect one another and subtly cause change in the other. Probably a lot of the interactions he had with some people were implausible, but that's what movies are for. Slogging through, he eventually makes it to the purpose in life that can work for him. This movie can be seen as how God's grace works in people's lives, and I enjoyed seeing an example here. Anyway, if you are not good-hearted, you will probably just get frustrated by him as well as the other seeming "losers" around him.

Sun Dogs is a quirky Indie film that whilst is above average in terms of acting, direction and production standards, it just isn't very interesting. The story focuses on Ned who since the events of 9/11 has become obsessed with wanting to help In the war on terror. He wants to and tries to join the marines. Ned is mentally challenged which causes him unusual and immature behavior. He is delusional. I suppose this is the heart and soul of the movie. Watching it unfold I hovered between pity for him vs. his immaturity creating amusement. This makes for an awkward watch where to get the most out of the drama you need to admire his drive and persistence despite his disadvantage. I found the whole thing to be preposterous. Worst of all I don't think I could drop in a spoiler on this one as there's nothing to spoil. The story is weak and the movie ends fairly abruptly without a satisfying ending. I was drawn into viewing it by the five positive imdb reviews at the time. Unfortunately I see retrospectively that 2 of those reviewers have only ever written 1 review each which I find suspicious. My rating 4/10 Not recommended. Time is precious and there's far better movies to watch out there.

This movie is funny, sweet, sad, happy, and uniquely pleasing, as life can be at its best. Two thirds of the way through the film I found myself hoping the movie would have a happy ending, not just for Ned, but for Tally. They were just two people the world had passed by and forgotten; the deserved it.It's nice to root for nice people. It's nice to see nice people get nice things in life.You don't need a full deck to have a good hand or to lend a hand -- anyone can save lives. It's a nice movie, well worth the time.