Hey gang, Valkor here. Many moons ago, I and a group of friends went rafting along the Delaware River. For me, from a person who could not swim (and still can't), it was a jarring yet exciting experience. It's also a journey I've not repeated. However, if given the chance, I'd probably pass. I'd rather watch from afar than try and ride any river again. This brings me to my next MediaView piece, which stars Nathan Hill (Jasper, I, Portrait) titled Apocalypse Canoe. It's a quirky documentary (Mockumentary) that was also fun to watch.

Apocalypse Canoe focuses on a group of friends as they spend one week trekking down the Yarra River. Nathan Hill narrates the entire expedition, detailing all the adventures and setbacks that occur. You'll see them tackle whitewater, see what they do after dark, and what happens when not all of their efforts pay off. In the end, the group arrives at their destination all in one piece, with plenty of stories to share of an experience they won't soon forget.

One of my favorite mockumentaries comes from Australia called Lake Mungo; It's of the horror variety that, to this day, gives me the chills. I recommend checking it out. Apart from that, Apocalypse Canoe is entertaining to watch even if it doesn't contain any scary moments. And I'll tell you why in the TOV Breakdown!

The Good:
Apocalypse Canoe is a simple, yet lighthearted and charming film, filled with a load of laughs and some heartbreak. Once the film starts and we get past all the intros, we then get into the meat of it all–the rafting! It's not wild, even when they reach rough patches of the river. But watching them get through it makes the entire experience worthwhile. Honestly, watching Apocalypse Canoe felt a lot like watching Kevin Smith's first film, Clerks. It doesn't happen in a day, yet it's similar to filming in grainy black and white with equal appeal. Even though it's not the funniest scene, my favorite is when the group had to give up their campsite. The scene caught me in my feelings as I was more upset that they had to pack it in. But I was also suspicious of Cam when he kept repeating how he had spoken to people for months about camping in that area. Or maybe it was Nathan's narration about Cam that made me suspicious. Ultimately, I would recommend trying Apocalypse Canoe if you are looking for a relaxing form of entertainment.

The Bad:
My only objection to the film is that there wasn't enough conflict. I guess I was expecting some arguments between the group to break out. There was only one woman in the group, so maybe some sexual tension. Or even a situation involving the dog! I don't wish any harm on any pets. I don't wish any pets to be abused; Perhaps, however, the dog runs away confronts another wild animal, or simply does something crazy!

The Ugly:
N/A

Apocalypse Canoe is available now. And you can watch it on the streaming app Tubi. I should also mention that the film spoofs Apocalypse Now. And I'll be honest – I've never watched. However, I think I'll have to finally give this classic film a spin. Regardless, Apocalypse Canoe is its own kind of fun, worth checking out. I recommend it. And out of TOV 5 stars, I'm giving Apocalypse Canoe a solid 4.
