NBT: Never Been Thawed

NBT: Never Been Thawed, directed by Sean Anders, is an independent comedy film that provides a satirical look at the intricacies of human obsessions, establishing a cross-section of American subcultures. The film stars Allen Zwolle, Shelly Frasier, Chuck LeVinus, and John Morris, each portraying a unique character that encapsulates a different aspect of the film's underlying humor and commentary.

The movie revolves around the quaint town of Scottsdale, Arizona, housing an extraordinary group of individuals who share an unconventional fascination - they collect frozen entrees, specifically, those that have "never been thawed" (NBT). These collectors, who Cory, played by Allen Zwolle, hilariously refers to as 'freezer traders', form a peculiar community, with rules, traditions, and their annual convention.

Cory, the central character, is a dental hygienist, and his apartment is the epicenter of these rare, mint-condition frozen dinners. The sheer extent of his obsession is made evident by the fact that he has forgone the use of his freezer for its intended purpose - preserving food to eat - and instead uses it to house his sealed, pristine stratums of Hungry-Man dinners that he prizes above all else.

Running parallel to the eccentric world of 'freezer trading' is the journey of an amateur punk rock band, "Shades of Gray". Sean Anders, who pull double duties as director and actor, plays Steve, the frontman of this band. Frustrated by their unremarkable punk rock performances, the band decides to rebrand themselves, marketing to a unique niche audience - they become the world’s first Christian, pro-Life, punk band, capitalizing on their new identity to gain popularity and a fanbase. This subplot astutely satirizes cultural assimilation and the absurd lengths individuals or groups will go to in their seeking of acceptance.

Shelly Frasier plays a part in the band's storyline as Renee, a short-haired barista who runs her own, very specific space in the coffee shop - she operates the only "No-Smoking Section” in the state of Arizona - manifesting an intriguing insight into an individual's desperate attempts to create a niche where they can feel unique and prevalent.

Chuck LeVinus's character, Shawn, initiates a side plot where he is a fervent anti-abortion counselor during the week and a savvy, aspiring restaurateur at the weekend, demonstrating the correlating passion that he directs into both endeavors. The restaurant concept that he tries to actualize is a unique "no-food" eatery where people can relish dining without the burden of consuming food, thereby mocking the absurdity of contemporary food culture.

John Morris's character, Milo, is the attendant of a cloning booth at the mall, a comical nod towards science's tendency to commercialize its research, reduced to the mundane level of mall culture in Scottsdale.

The movie paints these nuances of everyday life with a comedic, often ironic brush, the humor derived from the bizarre but surprisingly realistic scenarios and characters that the largely predominant human idiosyncrasies drive. NBT: Never Been Thawed brilliantly employs satire and irony to critique the overarching themes of modern society such as consumerism, identity politics, obsessions, and the lure of subcultures and fringe groups. It exhibits a deep exploration of the world of fandom, club culture, and conventions, highlighting the fascinating and bizarre realms of hobbies.

As an independent film production, it is laudable for its execution, managing to avoid excessive absurdity and displaying finesse in its humor and timing. The film has a feel-good aura to it along with a unique narrative that is incredibly engaging for the audience, superbly showcasing the truly extraordinary human capacity for passion, obsession, and belonging. Even as you chuckle at the inherent hilarities, the underlying messages instigate contemplation regarding our societal constructs and personal pursuits, making NBT: Never Been Thawed a thoughtfully crafted comedy and social commentary combo.