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The landscape for independent films has changed rapidly. On one hand, the opportunity to build a theatrical release has become increasingly difficult, but on the other hand, digital release has given indies a chance to play to a broad national audience at once. Each week, new indie releases will be profiled and because they might not be playing at a theater near you, one highly recommended film available now a click or two away via VOD (whether a new or not quite new release) will be presented for viewing without leaving your computer.

VOD Pick of the Week

Zero Charisma
Geek culture has gone mainstream. Things that would have gotten you ostracized in the past, like comic books, Lord of the Rings, and gaming, have become some of the most popular and successful entertainment options. It’s hip to be square. Amongst the new-fangled geek chic, there still exists the old-fashioned, outsider nerd. Zero Charisma hilariously takes on geek culture and the clash between the traditionalists and those who co-opt the culture.

Scott Weidemeyer is overweight and living for free at his grandmother’s house while working a menial job as a delivery boy for a Taco and Donut restaurant. His weekly respite comes when he serves as game master for the fantasy role-playing world he designed himself. Scott is a purist, eschewing World of Warcraft and its like in favor of the traditional communal storytelling aspect of table top gaming. He is also overbearing, using his role a game master to bully his friends leaving himself as an outcast.

When one of the regular players leaves the group, Scott is forced to scramble to fill the spot. When he meets Miles at the local gaming shop, he offers him the spot, a decision that backfires as it turns out he is Scott’s nemesis. Miles is the “cool nerd” type of the hipster variety. He’s better looking, has a hot girlfriend, and runs a popular movie review website. He immediately clashes with Scott because he does not treat the game with the reverence that it deserves and instead just considers it a goofy fun time. He also quickly wins over Scott’s friends who are excited to be accepted by someone so popular.

Things are further complicated by the return of Scott’s estranged mother and her new boyfriend. She has her eye on the house that Scott assumed his grandmother would leave to him, and the fact that the grandmother is still very much alive does not deter them from fighting over the inheritance. His mother’s reappearance in his life also brings back some unhappy childhood memories of abandonment.

In Scott, actor Sam Eidson creates a character that is at the same time obnoxious and vulnerable. His lack of social skills and overbearing nature make him someone you wouldn’t want to spend much time around, but at the same time enough context is given to make him a sympathetic character. The movie completely hinges on this performance, and Eidson creates a memorable character.

Even if you only have a passing acquaintance with all things geek, you will likely find something to relate to in Zero Charisma. Whether you played Dungeons and Dragons in high school or ever had a debate with your friends about which is the faster spacecraft, the Starship Enterprise or the Millennium Falcon, you will see yourself or people you know in the characters. Zero Charisma lovingly and hilariously pokes fun at the stereotypes of geek culture that are often rooted in an element of truth.

Available at Vudu
Available at iTunes
Available at Vudu

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