Monsters, Marriage and Murder in Manchvegas (2009 Video) User Reviews

Can't stop the M.O.S.!

[Chotchkiesflair · 6/10 · 15 November 2009]

This was a fun production that seemed to be made by filmmakers that have a love for the silly qualities of small horror films. They used those qualities to create their own small town horror setting with their own fun and bizarre antics thrown in.

This is an independent film made on a smaller budget so keep that in mind, the filmmakers didn't have a bottomless pit of a budget at their disposal. Manchvegas centered around three characters named Marshall, Jenny, and All-Star Pete who formed the MOS (Manchvegas Outlaw Society). The MOS wear their own jerseys while they earn small dollars by using a little red wagon to deliver good around the neighborhood, such as newspapers, hot dogs, lemonade, used books, their own music CDs (The opening theme to the movie was a fun song of theirs called "Summer Fun"), etc. The MOS might sound like a bunch of children but they are actually older which makes it fun, Marshall and Jenny have a possible unspoken romance brewing and they talk to each other in bed through tin cans connected to a string!

When a local girl vanishes while swimming in a river, her boyfriend (Vince) is blamed for the murder. But was it murder and if so was Vince in fact responsible? As more girls in the neighborhood go missing, the MOS take it upon themselves to solve the crimes.

The other main plot in the movie is whether or not Marshall can finally admit to himself he has feelings for Jenny and if he can act on them. Manchvegas was unique in it's own right and the filmmakers seemed to have fun with it. You should have fun with it as well.

I Guess You Have to Be in a New Hampshire State of Mind

[NoDakTatum · 5/10 · 29 October 2023]

While I enjoy a micro-budget horror flick as much as the next guy, I will admit I did not get what co-writer/director Charles Roxburgh and co-writer/actor Matt Farley were dishing out. Marshall (Matt Farley), Jenny (Marie Dellicker), and All-Star Pete (Thomas Scalzo) run a small entrepreneurial outfit in Manchvegas (a local joke on the city of Manchester, New Hampshire). The trio delivers papers, as well as books, lemonade, and some silly pop CD's of their own production. Their group, M. O. S. (Manchvegas Outlaw Society), also keep their eyes peeled for any criminal activity, which happens to occur as the film unfolds. Young finishing school student Melinda (Sharon Scalzo) and bad boy Vince (Kyle Kochan) begin dating, much to Melinda's dad's (Kevin McGee) chagrin. The couple become engaged, and suddenly Melinda disappears and is presumed dead. Vince is the prime suspect, and soon a couple of other engaged young women are found murdered. Vince could be the murderer, or it could be the smarmy Sigmund (Bryan Fortin), or it could be the local university students on an archaeological dig in the area- or it could be the giant forest creatures known as Gospercaps, who sound like they speak Klingon. Marshall and M. O. S. Decide to investigate, but Marshall is too wrapped up in his activities to notice that Jenny is in love with him.

While the cast and crew name a bunch of B horror movies as their inspiration in one of the DVD's featurettes, I found this film closer to a John Waters film than anything else. The city of Manchvegas is a fantasy town, the cast awkwardly deliver their lines, and the film has a goofy sense of humor. Unfortunately, the film never loses that goofy sense of humor, to the point where what was quirky and semi-funny in the script's opening half hour gets a bit tedious. Another difference from a Waters film is the lack of edge in this film. I know the budget was low, but there is no gore, scares, or nudity, making me wonder where all the inspiration that "The Pit," "Shriek of the Mutilated," or "Slumber Party Massacre 3" went. I guess you need to be from the Manchester area to appreciate the in-jokes, but me recounting all the nicknames for my hometown in North Dakota, or retelling a bunch of Ole and Lena jokes, would also be lost on anyone not from around here. The cast does keep a straight face while delivering some pretty silly dialogue. M. O. S.'s goofy songs are hysterical, and this was shot on actual film, giving it a nice look. I think you might kick my rating up a star or two if you are familiar with Roxburgh and Farley's other work, or you are from the area. Otherwise, you rest of the world, you may have my reaction to "Monsters, Marriage, and Murder in Manchvegas."

Poor Low-Budget Project

[GRLtech · 1/10 · 1 October 2009]

I'm really unsure exactly what to make of this project, and while I understand that this is obviously the lowest of low-budget projects (and does deserve respect as such), let's face the simple facts – the actors are not, well, actors. And the script is absolutely atrocious. Is it a drama? Is it a comedy? Who can tell...

The basic plot revolves around our three young heroes – Marshall, Jenny, and 'All-Star Pete' (and, yes, in dialog he is always referred to as 'All-Star Pete') – all three of which are the Manchvegas Outlaw Society (MOS). The three 20-somethings pull a red wagon around town delivering newspapers and selling hotdogs, pulling pranks on each other, and saving the day as necessary. It's, quite simply, bizarre.

The technical aspects of the project deserve little comment. From the synthesizer-based score, to the poor editing and camera-work (focus is always nice), there's not much here. And I'll not even comment on MOS's "pop music."

As I understand the challenges small projects face I'm always willing to forgive flaws when obvious talent is present. After all, money can easily fix technical problems in small projects (i.e. bad lighting, sound, etc.), however if the mega-hits teach us anything it is that money cannot fix poor scripts or poor acting. However, with Manchvegas, there is no talent present – the script is ridiculous and the acting poor – so throwing money at the project would not fix its glaring flaws. Unfortunately, this is just a poor low-budget project.

Pass on this one. 1/10.

Quirky but lovable

[indi_jason_il · 9/10 · 22 December 2009]

I came to know about "Manchvegas" through a magazine review. I'm always willing to try something new, esp. something not too self-important or sanctimonious (most indie films, you know?), so this seemed up my alley.

And I enjoyed the heck out of it. The story really moves, which is the key to the experience. It appears that the filmmakers had a very tiny budget, and the actors are hobbyists, but there's a core romantic story here that makes it worth watching.

If you don't like lighthearted movie, this isn't for you. But for a quick, fun, and unique experience, check it out! The filmmakers seem to be doing their own thing and having fun with it, which I appreciate.

Not even trying

[dfranzen70 · 2/10 · 3 December 2009]

Reviewing and analyzing low-budget movies is almost never as gratifying as it is for the big-budget ones, because often the cheapies make up for their lack of full-throated entertainment with eagerness and a strong effort. You almost feel a bit guilty when you pick on them, too, because you know the director probably hocked his entire Star Wars action figures collection to finance his labor of love.

Even so, the odds are against the low-budget movie. In order for it to be successful, it has to be really, really good, because it's sure not going to get a huge advertising blitz – word of mouth will likely make or break it. The good news is that twenty years or so down the road, even the worst (especially the worst) will reemerge as cult classics. Hey, if it worked for Rocky Horror, it can work for anything.

I don't think that sort of fate awaits Monsters, Marriage and Murder in Manchvegas, from the makers of Freaky Farley. This direct-to-video comedy is set in Manchester, NH; well, it's actually Manchvegas, a fictional stand-in for Manchester, but you get the drift. Anyway, the story focuses on a prank-loving group in town called the MOS (Manchvegas Outlaw Society), led by Marshall (director-writer-star Matt Farley). Marshall, who appears to be in his twenties, is in arrested development and only wants to have fun; meanwhile, his female coconspirator, Jenny (Marie Dellicker) is beginning to wish for a more adult relationship, which leads her to date older guys while still pining for Marshall. Secretly.

Meanwhile, young women are being kidnapped off the streets and then murdered. Who's behind these diabolical crimes? Who knows? Who's up to solving the mystery? Why, MOS, of course! On the plus side, the movie is enthusiastic and silly; its high-energy attitude (despite the macabre plot) help disguise the fact that this is a poorly acted, poorly written, and poorly directed film. Okay, maybe that's more like damning with faint, faint praise. The acting is uniformly – and hysterically – grade-school bad. People recite their lines as if they learned them two minutes prior and couldn't be bothered to add such luxuries as tone and emphasis. The plot itself is nonsensical, sort of what you'd expect a hyperactive kindergartener to come up with after three hours of recess.

And I know that's mean, and after all this is not a theatrical release anyway (it went straight to video), so what did I expect? I didn't expect much at all, frankly, and that's really what I got. The movie looks as if it were produced by a first timer, but this is the fourth entry for Matt Farley. I admire his perseverance, especially since he can't be making any money off these enterprises, but if your fourth movie is still really, really awful, maybe it's time to find another line of work.

Funny and unique!

[drloomis_carpenter_1980 · 9/10 · 3 October 2009]

OK, I know this is low-budget, but I still had a really good time with it. Here's the thing: it's low-budget and doesn't pretend to be high budget. Just a fun time...a movie that's hard to compare to others, and that's good! The girls (characters of Melinda and Jenny) were cute and the lead actor Matt Farley was funny in throw-himself-into-the-character way.

It has a mystery and romantic entanglements, but the main reason to watch is the FEEL. It's not all about plot all the time...the feel can be something great in a movie, as it is in this one.

Got it on netflix on a whim and it made me happy! It's fast and fun.

Monstrous Funny and Mysteriously Brilliant

[joeychips · 10/10 · 10 March 2010]

Monsters, Marriage & Murder in Manchvegas is the best independent film of all time and easily one of the top three movies I've ever seen!

The unpredictable story and casual acting style of M&M in M is so unique and endearing that nothing any reviewer could write will prepare you for how original and wonderful this movie experience is. I saw it twice and each time after viewing it, I was compelled to contact the creators and say, "Thank you for making such an amazing movie and for breaking the mold of what a movie can be!"

Even my wife, a tough critic herself, loved this movie both times. Three of the main characters wear a uniform shirt with the initials "M.O.S." on the front. While I won't give away what that stands for, I was surprised to hear my wife say, "I want a M.O.S. T-shirt!" Coming from her, that's a high compliment.

If you have even a shred of hope, humor or small-town honor left in your soul, you will fall in love with this truly inspired and odd American masterpiece.

Single-handedly, Manchvegas breathes a monstrously cute breath of fresh air into mystery films, romance classics, and even creature features!

Surprised me with unique elements!

[toddsterfridaythfan · 9/10 · 4 October 2009]

Monsters, Marriage, and Murder in Manchvegas is a special film. Let me explain: not necessarily special in that its the best movie ever or anything, but special in the way that it made my day.

I was pretty much happy the entire time watching this movie--my friend and I both felt this way. It was silly, but sometimes silly is good. We just gave in to this movie's way and went along for the ride.

The main characters--Marshall, Jenny, and All-Star Pete--comprise a group of friends in a New England town. By making money at a variety of small jobs, they avoid letting too much boredom in their lives. There's a romantic thing between Marshall & Jenny, and the story goes from there.

If you don't like off-beat films, this isn't for you. But if you want to try something different, give it a shot!