Motivational Growth (2013) Poster

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7/10
Underrated drama/horror/comedy
Wilkepunk25 July 2021
Motivational Growth is a underrated movie. If you are a fan of Jeffrey Combs from Re-Animator and The Frighteners you will appreciate this movie for sure.

Motivational Growth is like a mix of Basket Case, Videodrome and some bisarr comedy. You really care for the relation between Ian and the Mold. The movie is psychological, but not in a disturbing way. It had a Kafkaesque feeling. I recommend it for fans of Jeffrey Combs and/or weird movies.

7/10

Wilke.
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7/10
A Unique Head Trip of a Horror Film!
baccaruda110 November 2021
This movie is nuts. Uniquely weird, there are homages galore, with nods to Re-Animator, Basket Case, Donnie Darko, and even Videodrome. The story is told in a non-linear way, more of a fevered dream rather than traditional three-act structure, which will appeal to viewers who like a movie that requires more attention. The practical EFX are well done and gross, and the 16-bit computer graphics on the tele show the ever-warping mind of a slacker shut-in. The acting is also a high point. Quite a courageous lead actor, for sure. Very interested to discover if the author of this film had any mind-altering help when writing! Fans of the genre will really appreciate this film.
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1/10
Complete Joke
niaz_islam8 September 2017
If this is what passes as comedy theses days then I have to avoid this genre. Actually there was no comedy but the entire film was a complete joke.

I do not have any problems about bad movies those movies have bad ratings and I do not watch them. But when a film gets almost 6/10 ratings while even 1/10 feels quite generous, I get irritated. Which is what I felt when I was watching this film.

Among all the things story was the absolute worst, without any real plot. As well as the acting was not very convincing, the characters in the film were not interesting either.

NOT RECOMMENDED.
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8/10
My Review Of "Motivational Growth"
ASouthernHorrorFan16 September 2014
Don Thacker's "Motivational Growth" is a bizarre hyperbole-truly modern. Honestly I think the film will be this generation's "Little Shop Of Horror", just replace the singing with fun animation graphicsrife with Adult Swim quality humor. Actually take that film and shakeit with some "Stay Tuned" and you have the perfect horrortini for your maturing viewing pleasure. It is a story of madness in true-to-form dark, satirical entertainment.

The story follows Ian Folivor, a depressed, recluse with a strong agoraphobic agitate. The film plays out in a strange spectacle of narration, animation and melodramatic adulation of phobias. The antagonist to Folivor's tragic character is a talking mold build-up against the bathroom sink. Lets face it, single men (sometimes even gay men) are not the best of housekeepers. So it is just a matter of time before some bacteria or fungus is allowed to evolve into a self aware annihilator of humanity. Of course there is so much to this story thatI can't talk about as not to spoil the film. Let's just say that even though the premise, at times, seems predictable or flagrant, it still manages to carry some very entertaining and surprising moments. It is just a fun story, that is executed wonderfully by Thacker both with the writing and directing.

The special effects and sound track used on "Motivational Growth" are both very stylized, practical effects that push the story even further into the dark, satirical wasteland. The special effects offer up some truly gross and lighthearted exaggeration to the situation at hand with Folivor's condition and circumstance. The practical effects are done nicely, reminiscent of mid 80's horror comedy stuff –notably "TerrorVision" . The animation and graphics used actually add a sort of hallucinogenic quality to the film's overall persona. It would have went over even more had the dude's dealer been among the series of intrusions into Folivor's sacred space.

The sound track is what you would expect. It doesn't bring anything extremely new or altered to the film, but it works to create an atmosphere equal to the kind of story that Thacker is telling in "Motivational Growth". Fun, entertaining, satirical and creepy. The film is a very strong, indie horror comedy that screams instant classic. The downer moment in the story was the actual dramatic interaction between Folivor and his object of affection. Had it been as out there as the interaction with the rest of the characters then I wouldn't have anything bad to say about this film. Still it is a pretty stellar horror/comedy.
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10/10
Wonderful roller-coaster of emotions!
alex-804-16945729 September 2013
I got to see the movie during a small screening in Seattle and I am glad I decided to step into torrential downpour to make it to the theater! I cringed, I laughed, I cried, I got queasy, and I had to avert eyes at certain times. This movie provides quite a healthy mix of humor and horror sprinkled with occasional scenes inducing depressive thoughts. This mix was the reason why I didn't leave with just a sense of dark dread despite the movie being so damn dark.

As a side note, the puppetry is superb (The Mold felt very much real by the end of the movie) and I've got to give props for camera work on such a limited budget.
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9/10
Whoa
thespottedpanda20 September 2015
Had I not seen this film at Rose City Comic Con 2015, I may have never found it. This is a diverse and incredibly complex film that disguises it's self as a horror film.

It is indeed a horror film, but much more so then it truly portrays to be. The director, Don Thacker does an incredible job making us feel the main character, Ian's plight. He does this by isolating Ian in an apartment and bringing everyone to him. I don't want to give much more away. but this film should not be missed!!! If this director is not a bigger deal in a couple of years I would be incredibly surprised.

I am looking forward to his next.. It doesn't hurt that he used the great Jeffrey Combs to voice a talking mold spore.
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8/10
LOVED IT!!
sixtymedia27 June 2022
Absolutely MENTAL!! I really loved it! Right up my street. Took me back to my days renting films from Blockbuster in the 80's based purely on choosing the grimmest/scariest VHS cover. Happy days.

Highly recommended... but be warned - it's quite a ride.
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8/10
Amazballs!
clako-9292429 September 2021
Amazing film and Adrian is incredible! I was so impressed with this film.
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8/10
An 8-bit tribute to shut-ins, filth, depression, talking mold, and all things surreal
selfdestructo5 April 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Frankly, they had me at Jeffrey Combs is The Mold.

Motivational Growth takes place almost exclusively inside of Ian's apartment, a shut-in and loner who decides to commit suicide when his trusty old TV set explodes. All sorts of colorful characters start showing up at his door, all the while Ian has to shelter them from the talking mold in his bathroom, who is trying to get Ian on the right path (or is he?). The Mold calls Ian "Jack" throughout this movie. I once had a boss who always referred to me as Jack. He was a coke fiend, and a world class a-hole. So yeah, every time The Mold did that, I took it as derogatory (and telling of its real intentions). This movie easily qualifies as one of the strangest I've ever seen. SPOILER: FWIW, I'm convinced Ian actually died early on in this flick.
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10/10
Gives A New Meaning to the words, "I've Got a Mold Problem
jannycwriter28 February 2022
SUPERB!

Written and directed by Don Thacker, Thacker delivers Indie film at its finest. Motivational Growth is just pure enjoyment to watch. Sure Thacker leaves us with many questions, but The Mold smoothed it all over. Enjoy the showman, enjoy the show. Speaking of The Mold (voiced by the illustrious Jeffery Combs), he does not steal the film; Adrian DiGiovanni (Ian Folivor), our protagonist, our narrator does. Our narrator has to captivate, and Adrian's Ian does. He draws you in before he even speaks with his blank disheveled appearance. When he does speak you are wholly invested in Ian Folivor and his journey. This is all thanks to the amazing camera work the camera team does. Every shot, scene and twist ,that journeys us into Ian's mind-mucking fun that becomes Ian's horror mold-infested world.
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8/10
Weird, creative, and memorable
korythacher24 October 2022
Bottom line: If you like weird stuff, watch this.

Motivational Growth was awesome. It's not a movie for everyone; you've got to like weird stuff. I waited too long to review it after watching it and forgot a lot of the criticisms (both positive and negative), but at the end of the day it was an awesome experience. I only remember it fondly, which I think is a great sign. Despite some short comings, it really lands in the 7-8/10 range for me. Everyone in my group seemed to like it a *lot* even if they're not usually as in to weird stuff as me.

It could have been tied up and generally "fit together" better, but it was bizarre in a way I really enjoyed with some really memorable moments.
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10/10
skeptical at first but FUN!
jadaha8 April 2022
This is a cult classic in the making. I watched mainly because of the billing of Jeffery Combs and I'm glad I did. Neat story, keeps you guessing as to what is real. Characters are believable and I could empathize with them. Interesting twists leave you guessing and "THE MOLD' was skillfully designed. Worth a watch.
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