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Reviews
Four Dogs Playing Poker (2000)
A good idea wasted.
This could have been a good little thriller.
Don't blame the writers for the awful execution of what could have been a great movie.
The director re-wrote it. Badly.
A music video director of modest talent was given a great opportunity here.
When will Hollywood stop giving guys who've never shot a word of dialogue or told a story a chance to make films.
Usually all flash with no story telling skills. This film doesn't even have any of the flash you might expect from a music video.
Very talented actors were wasted on this one.
West from North Goes South (2004)
a wild southern comedy
West from North Goes South is a darkly offbeat comedy about a struggling artist, West Jackson (SHAWN David THOMPSON - Aaron Spelling's - THE HEIGHTS) who dumps his 'sugar momma' (TINA LOUISE, Gilligan's Island) and decides to make a new start and revive his art career by heading south for Miami, only to break down in the bizarre Southern town of Barnwell, Alabama. When he's trapped and can't get out, West becomes the prime suspect in a series murders.
The cast includes, PHYLISS DILLER, LA WANDA PAGE (Aunt Esther, Sanford and Son), singer MORRIS DAY of the Time (Purple Rain), LARRY LINVILLE (Frank Burns - M.A.S.H.) and ANTHONY JAMES (Unforgiven) Also featured is JERRY POWELL - in his feature film debut - who nearly steals the movie in at least 3 different roles. He's so good I may have missed a few.
The film won 2 awards at THE 2004 BEVERLY HILLS FILM FESTIVAL.
Best Producer (VALERIE SILVER/BARRY COFFING)
Best Actor (SHAWN David THOMPSON)
50 First Dates (2004)
a great idea
50 first dates is a good idea that almost works. It has a sweetness about it that almost gets lost in all the typical Adam Sandler silliness. Hard to say what the original script looked like, but it seems like it may have been a romantic comedy before it was filled with toilet humor and over-the-top accents. After PUNCH DRUNK LOVE I thought Adam may have been growing in a new direction. Not so. If you're a fan of his early work, this is more of the same. A really good soundtrack - lots of classic tunes are updated here - and Drew Barrymore make it worth watching, but you're left feeling it could have been so much more. The ending is full of strange and obvious gaping wholes, but I guess if you buy the rest you can ignore that. Liked it the first time when it was called MEMENTO. Average rental, but I'm glad I didn't go to the theatre to see this one.
Matchstick Men (2003)
Nick Cage is Oscar worthy.
Nick Cage's acting is incredible here. You gotta give him credit for really going for it. Also remarkable is that Alison Lohman, who plays a 14-year-old but was about ten years older when this was filmed. I didn't know of her in before, and to me she really looked 14. Nick doesn't play it safe in any of his roles. I don't usually like him, but this film is the exception. Sam Rockwell is good as his con artist partner, as is Lohman as the teenager who shows up as Cage's daughter. A big surprise to say the least, but the feeling that something is not quite as it seems starts to creep in a lot earlier than the ultimate reveal. I enjoyed the movie very much and would recommend that anyone who missed it in the theater should rent it.
The Thirteenth Floor (1999)
Great beginning....
I liked this movie for the first two acts. Then when the "twist" came along - I knew it was coming and had a good idea what it was - but when it came I still felt satisfied. It was fun in spite of its flaws and wasn't too obvious. The mood had been set up rather well, so even if it went a bit cliché, you went along for the ride in spite of a few silly virtual reality clichés.
Don't expect too much and you won't be disappointed.
A fun "popcorn" movie.
Good direction.
Good set design.
Blind Date (1987)
almost a winner
Just saw a short film called SHOTGUN WEDDING that is basically the same kind of film, made with no money, and no stars, but SHOTGUN WEDDING is much better. I remember seeing this years ago and thinking it could have been a great film instead of an almost classic.
I only wished to comment on this one to say that if you liked this movie you love the aforementioned short film.
Don't know how you can find it, but check it out.
Kim Bassinger is always worth a look and Blake Edwards is often hit or miss as is this entire film.
Check out Mr. Edwards earlier films before you give this one a look.
Shotgun Wedding (2003)
superb low budget film, dark comedy
This movie is so much fun. Saw it while on vacation in LA. A friend of mine made me watch it...not another low-budget, home-made film. I was totally blown away. I just loved the camera angles and the totally insane look. Big fan of this guy. I hope to see more from. Keep an eye out for the director, Shawn Thompson. He also acts in it. Sharron Leigh - the lead actress - has amazing comedic timing. Some nudity, but it's all in good fun. Not for kids, but great for everyone who's ever had a blind date. The twist at the end is fantastic. I won't give it away here. Let's just say the women who watch have probably wanted to do this at least once in their life. Find it. Watch it. You'll love it. Only available at Rocket Video in LA, CA as far as I know.