Is J.R. “Bob” Dobbs and The Church of the SubGenius Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2019)

📖 The Core Premise

J.R. “Bob” Dobbs and The Church of the SubGenius returns to the screen in 2019, bringing a fresh narrative to the Documentary genre. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "What started out as an inside joke amongst two self proclaimed weirdos in Ft. Worth, Texas soon becomes much more than they bargained for. Frustrated by the rising consumer-driven culture, out-of-work pals Douglass St. Clair Smith and Steve Wilcox decide to turn their conservative southern ideology on its head and invent a new religion all their own. Spurred on by the overreach of religion and zealous televangelists of the day, the pair concoct religious monikers (Reverend Ivan Stang and Dr. Philo Drummond), a newly minted prophet (J.R. "Bob" Dobbs), and devise a crusade to expose the conspiracy of normalcy by using humor as the ultimate weapon."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Douglass Smith does well with the material given, though the script occasionally limits their range. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Documentary. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is J.R. “Bob” Dobbs and The Church of the SubGenius worth your time? If you appreciate Documentary films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, J.R. “Bob” Dobbs and The Church of the SubGenius is a mixed bag with some redeeming qualities. With a runtime of 85 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Watch on OTT.