Good morning everyone,
Today’s movie was requested a few times by an anonymous reader over the last two years. Ancient unwritten law and Mustafa’s example below dictate that a review must be done! Thus, it can be delayed no longer.
“Apocalypse, CA” was released in 2011. This 88-minute long film was directed and written by Chad Peter. It stars Nick Mathis as “John,” Erin Bodine as “Jacklyn,” and Anne McDaniels as “Renee.” (NOTE: Of interest to size fans, Anne also had a small role as a cheerleader named “Tiffany” in the 2012 film “Attack of the 50 Foot Cheerleader.”)
None of these actors are household names. For example, according to the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) main performer Nick appeared in three films before this one, but hasn’t worked as an actor since. Apocalypse, CA was his only performance in a leading role. He was also one of the co-producers which might explain how he got the lead 😉
Alexander Cardinale played John’s brother “Hank” and like Nick has no acting credits after Apocalypse, CA.
In contrast to those guys, Anne McDaniels and Elizabeth Sandy (she played “Sassy Boot,” a wish-granting woman) have many more acting credits up to 2022. For example, Anne had roles in low-budget horror and science-fiction productions like 2013’s “Poseidon Rex” and 2022’s “8 Days to Hell.” Elizabeth appeared in two shorts last year as well as an episode of the Australian soap opera “Neighbours.”
We have briefly discussed the cast so let’s now examine the plot of Apocalypse, CA. It involved a group of twenty-something single men and women dealing with the imminent end of the world. A large asteroid was heading toward Earth and its impact is projected to wipe out humanity. Other strange occurrences happen in the midst of that already insane situation. Jacklyn and John switch bodies, a giantess appears, and orgasm-causing pills drop from the sky.
The body switching and the giantess were caused by wishes that John made while drunk. Although, the wish-granting sub-plot was ambiguous. We do see John make two wishes which if you stretched and twisted almost to the breaking point could be interpreted as catalysts for the strange occurrences.
One of John’s wishes was “That this whole world would burn faster than it already is.” That vague desire (along with an out-of-nowhere comment made by John’s brother an entire year ago) presumably caused the giantess. The giantess did indeed kill a few people before the asteroid was projected to hit. Playing devil’s advocate, a single death at least one second earlier than the asteroid’s collision with our planet could technically be construed as the whole world burning faster. However, when considering the entirety of humanity spread across the globe, she had a negligible effect only affecting a relatively small number of people in southern California.
The identity of the giantess was not disclosed until the end as her face was never shown. However, there was not much mystery as she was the only unaccounted female character who was given screen time. There was no on-screen transformation showing her growing into a 300-foot tall woman nor was the shrinking back to normal shown. The giantess appeared briefly near the coast, in a news broadcast, and stomping across the desert.
The effects and emotion of the destructive rampage was somewhat reduced since the entire world was going to end soon. Not that a person wouldn’t fight for their last few days, but it’s not as if being killed would rob them of decades or years of life. At most, they could salvage a few days worth of experiences.
Furthermore, nothing interesting was done with the concept. Vore fans could have volunteered to be swallowed in order to fulfill their fatal fantasy. Crush lovers could have willingly flung themselves under her feet to leave this world by a method of their choosing. “Fuck the big rock from outer space, I’m dying the way I want to!” they might have said. That would have been transgressive, but rule breaking should be expected when a society is collapsing.
John also wished “that he could escape this body once.” A year earlier, in the movie’s prologue, John’s brother accused him of acting like a girl. Thus, John’s unclear desire and his brother’s sexist critique apparently was the impetus for Jacklyn and John swapping bodies. (SIDE NOTE: Chad Peter previously explored gender-swapping in a 2000 short film entitled “Sex.” Sex also had characters named Jacklyn and John.)
Overall, I cannot recommend watching Apocalypse, CA. There was not enough here to make it a rewarding experience. The performances were okay and I accepted the actors as a small collection of people facing their last days of existence. However, the only likeable character was Renee. She at least attempted to have fun.
Admittedly, Renee was not perfect. She gave two pills to a little girl and therefore presumably made a living as a drug dealer. Although, the nature of those pills was not clear and Renee wasn’t given any money.
It’s not that main character John was unlikable per se. He came across like an average Joe who was understandably depressed. Nonetheless, there was nothing to make his story engaging. It was unclear what John had to lose. Broadly speaking, no one wants to die. Yet, specific interests would have been good. What goals will not be achieved because John will die young? He might have dreamed of someday becoming a doctor, or a rock star, or the world’s foremost drag performer (which would have signaled an interest in exploring gender roles).
Of course, it would not have to be those specific objectives. It could have been mundane activities like eating pepperoni pizza, surfing, etc. If he had a lust for life then his imminent passing would have made me feel sad. However, as he was, I felt nothing. A better script would have made all the difference.
Apocalypse, CA can be viewed for free on YouTube. Have you the reader already seen this film? If so, did it work for you? I’m curious what others think.
That’s it for today folks. I’ll heading to the United States for the next few weeks. However, I will try to complete two reviews to be posted during my absence. Until next time, keep growing!
This review was written by SolomonG and is protected under Fair Use copyright law.
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There She Grows 