Independent Film: The Beatnicks (2000)

All Norman Reedus fans can start getting excited because he is one of the stars in this independent film, The Beatnicks. If you’re like me, then you probably know Reedus best as the wise cracking, justice serving Murphy MacManus from The Boondock Saints. Well, get that picture of Reedus out of your head because he plays a character completely different in The Beatnicks. You get to see a completely different side of Reedus’ acting abilities, and it takes some getting used to. However, kudos to Reedus for branching out and giving a great performance while at the same time doing something out of the ordinary.

Reedus plays Nick Nero, a poet, teamed up with another Nick (Mark Boone Jr), a musician, to make the duo called The Beatnicks. They are struggling to find work just as one of them finds a mysterious box on the beach. When the box is opened, it creates beautiful music and hypnotizes everyone who hears it. This allows them to book some gigs but not without consequences. You can see the trailer and find a lot of other info at the official website: http://www.thebeatnicks.com/

The Beatnicks also stars Elodie Bouchez, Eric Roberts, Patrick Bauchau, Lisa Marie, and Jon Gries. Just to be clear, this is NOT an action film. It is out on DVD, so you can pick up your copy now.

Here are some details about the film from the press release:

The Beatnicks is a unique independent film that is another example of the power of social media and viral marketing. With over 20,000 online fans,The Beatnicks is an eagerly anticipated DVD release amongst the cult fans that gave The Boondock Saints its underground success. With over $50 million in DVD revenues, The Boondock Saints was an incredible example of phenomenal grass roots marketing which the The Beatnicks will surely immolate. Norman’s excellent performance as Nick Nero in the film brings out the same snarky and bad-ass persona reminiscent of his Boondock Saints character, Murphy McManus. The potential for another cult hit is all, but certain.

After years of perseverance and creative marketing, the producers of the film built up a significant online presence for The Beatnicks. “It was about 2 years ago that enough people were asking for the film that made me regroup, put my filmmaker hat back on and take on the challenge of self distribution. What’s amazing about distribution today, is that the internet has created a whole new science out of getting your film to its target audience and I have only scraped the surface.” says Garen Topalian, executive producer of the movie.

This is the Action Flick Chick, and you’ve just been kicked in the ass!