Tag: Comedy

HOW TO MAKE A KILLING (2026)

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Written & Directed By: John Patton Ford 

Inspired By “KIND HEARTS AND CORONETS” Screenplay By: Robert Hammer and John Dighton 

Based On the Novel “ISRAEL RANK” By: Roy Horniman

Cinematography: Todd Ranhazl

Editor: Harrison Atkins 

Cast: Glen Powell, Jessica Henwick, Margaret Qualley, Bill Camp, Ed Harris, Topher Grace, Zach Woods, Phumi Tau, Stevel Marc

Disowned at birth by his obscenely wealthy family, a blue-collar stop at nothing to reclaim his inheritance, no matter how many relatives stand in his way.

This  is a loose remake or more a modern retelling of the Alec Guinness film KIND HEARTS & CORONETS only set more realistically and taking out the gimmick of that film years ago. Where Alec Guinness played all the members of the family that was getting killed off.

It might have been an added incentive if this film had big stars making cameos as members of the family getting killed off, but only Topher Grace is recognizable as one of the kin in standing to inherit a fortune above out protagonist. 

So the film really adds nothing except instead of being an outright comedy. It’s dark and slick. It attempts to be a social satire. Though never quite feels sharp enough. In fact at times it feels oddly rushed.

The film is darkly comedic and isn’t as bad as one would think. Considering how little fanfare or promotion the film got. Which the studio seemed to have cold feet after Glen Powell started in THE RUNNING MAN reboot that bombed. I don’t even remember seeing a trailer for this film. Until I had to go out and find it online myself.

The film plays pretty standard items entertaining as you watch but barely sticks with you once done. This fits in with the disposable films of yesteryear that were good enough for a watch and are rewatchable but therebisnMt much to them except for entertainment.

This film seems like it’s going to be a crowd pelaser until the end where it stays with it’s cynicism.

Strangely enough Glen Powell, plays a likable killer. That feels like he has shades of Patrick Bateman possibilities but is never that much of a sociopath or psychopath and had his reasons for his actions. 

Margaret Qualley is a good femme fatale only because we barely know anything about her and comes across as a mystery but also a type. Though she wears chanel as her wardrobe in all her scenes. That gives you a hint to the heart of her character. Where her legs are all over.

Which is one of the films problems it’s 

Likable enough bit has no real depth. The characters are more types. So that it never draws you in. So as it stays on the surface that is what you get and how you feel by the end. 

The films screenplay was surprisingly on the 2014 BLACK LIST of scripts that those in the industry rank as the best unproduced they have read that year. 

Which drags the film down and makes it feel more and more basic as it goes along. Especially in the end where the irony want to take over. As this is a film that shouldngave high stakes. Yet it all feels very telegraphed. 

This feels like a film you would sneak Into after paying and watching another film or that you go to on a weekend, just because you want something to watch.

Grade: B- 

DON’T TRIP (2026)

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Written & Directed By: Alex Kugelman

Cinematography: Kevyn Delgado

Editor: Justin Williams 

Cast: Matthew Sato, Will Sennett, Pell James, Olivia Rouyre, Fred Melamed, Chloe Cherry 

A struggling writer befriends a powerful producer’s eccentric son.

This film plays more like a thriller version of SWIMMING WITH SHARKS. As it is more a detail of Hollywood insiders and trying to get ahead and have your dreams come true. no, it doesn’t play out in the board rooms. It plays out more on the party circuit and networking.

The film mostly works as a comedy and thriller at times. That by the end luckily everything comes together that might be left hanging in the first half of the film. though truthfully, it’s more comedy than horror as when it does decide to change its mood. It is quite sharp, not subtle. As the film tries to work as a satire until becoming a full on horror film towards the end.

If the film has any weakness, it might be and some of its characters, especially the lead who just comes across as way to clean cut for somebody who might not have been born in Hollywood, but has been in it long enough to know the culture and there’s nothing wrong with him not really being into drugs or alcohol as the film desperately wants us to show him challenging his morals and will he go down this dark path just to get his film made. Though they could’ve worked harder to make him more than every man and still be innocent.

Just as his relationship with his girlfriend or fiancé at first, I thought they were siblings notnromntically involved as throughout the film she’s disappointed and seems to have problems with him and at no point do they actually seem romantic or really have any chemistry?

It’s one of those films  where you go with what is presented and you don’t really question too much as the film doesn’t really make you think either but you enjoy the ride you’re going on even if it’s familiar or you feel like you can predict what’s going to happen. It tries to offer a few surprises that aren’t really that big to a seasoned cinephile.

The works just enough to keep your interest so that you want to see the film through to the end even as it tries to be a little bit artistic and challenging towards the end it still comes off rather basic though one applaud the filmmaker for trying as the film still feels like a rough draft that needs a little bit more tightening. 

Will Bennett give the films most entertaining and captivating performance throughout this film should definitely be a calling card for him

One doesn’t really want to pick on this film as obviously it’s low budget and a filmmaker work well with what they have and you can tell they are trying. 

Grade: C 

THE MOMENT (2026)

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Directed By: Aiden Zamiri 

Written By: Aiden Zamiri and Bertie Brandes

Based on an original idea By: Charli Xcx

Cinematography: Sean Price Williams 

Editor: Neal Farmer and Billy Sneddon

Cast: Charli Xcx, Alexander Skarsgard, Rosanna Arquette, Rachel Sennott, Kate Berlant, Hailey Benton Gates, Jamie Demetriou, Issac Powell, Rish Shah

A rising pop star navigates the complexities of fame and industry pressure while preparing for her arena tour debut.

This film is definitely more for Charli XCX fans then necessarily movie goers just discovering this meta mockumentary. As I believe the film will make more sense or be deeper to those in the know. 

As truthfully, in the past, this could’ve easily just been an extra on her latest album brat in the deluxe edition. Rather then a full theatrical roll-out, but while one would think this is going to be her version of a concert film. It is as it kind of dissects what goes into a tour and performance to a degree.

As interestingly enough, we’re watching this film as she gets ready for a tour and yet we barely and rarely hear any of her actual music or songs throughout the film. We more see what it takes to set up a show, as well as all the little decisions that have to be made and how confusing it can all be.

As one can admit at times I was a bit confused as to what exactly was happening at certain times also, if you are epileptic or have a light sensitivity, watch this film with caution as there are a lot of flashing lights a lot of quick cats a lot of handheld camera work that throws off your concentration at times. 

As the film, kind of show, Charli XCX trying to be herself, trying to put on a show and trying to be representative of her music while you have all the power players behind the scene, wanting to take more and more control and make more of the decisions that she doesn’t necessarily agree with or has to compromise for peace and for better.

So that we see her continuous confusion and dissatisfaction as people try to treat her as a star, but also more as a puppet to get what they want out there more than what she wants.

As the film tries to be dryly, funny throughout it is a documentary and kind of a comp Meta comedy at heart that sends up celebrity and shows some of their more privileged hardships

This isn’t gonna be the film you expected to be in some ways. It is truly eye-opening, but in other ways at times, it can be confusing in a little bit annoying. So through it all you have Goodwill for the singer, hoping it will all come together.

Even if it doesn’t give you quite the ending you’re hoping for that would tie it altogether like at least one live performance. Knowing its own way, it feels like this film is meant to be a finale or a goodbye to a certain era for her. This is the end of the brat era for her that she has lived with for quite a few years and might be ready to slow down as she’s in a different headspace or looking for something different looking to evolve and move on to a new time in her career and expression in her songs

As even this era of her career the BRAT album era and the album just seem to be a no holds a bar affair. It’s own kind of halftime report on the status of her career. where she just wanted to express everything she could and making a mainstream album that was more all about celebration and partying more than anything with still having that emotional pole to show that you’re still a person underneath it all a human being and approve that she could just do it. She could have hit album if she really tried, but now she wants to go back to making more music that she likes and she wants to not necessarily have to keep serving out hits. She can Slow down and not make so much of an impact so that maybe she can enjoy it more and not have so much writing on that and what is next.

I think this film is kind of a snapshot or placeholder for her and her career and a little message for her fans. At heart it’s a vanity project something made and allowed for her success. Also allowing itself to be a self important parody. 

I will say, even though I am a huge fan of hers. This one was a slight disappointment for me as it might be for some, but I imagine most of her fans will probably love it.

Grade: C+

TWINLESS (2025)

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Written & Directed By: James Sweeney

Cinematography: Greg Cotten

Editor: Nik Boyanov

Cast: James Sweeney, Dylan O’Brian, Aisling Franciosi, Lauren Graham, Chris Perfetti, Tasha Smith, Cree, Katie Findlay, Kody Harvard

In Twinless, two young men meet in a twin support group and form an unlikely friendship. Roman and Dennis both search for solace and an identity without their other halves and soon become inseparable outside the group. But when Roman meets Dennis’ ebullient co-worker, Marcie all is revealed to be not what it seems, as each man harbors secrets that could unravel everything.

This is a buddy comedy, but not a traditional one. Nor is it romantic, but it does involve intimacy. This also seems the type that film festival is like Sundance love. Though at least this film truly does earn it.

The film feels more with emotional humor and situational humor, all at once, as well as the absurdities of life and almost a comedy of errors that leave things awkward throughout the madcap situations the lead characters find themselves in. While dealing in loneliness and how when in that state any connection large or small might feel deeper and bigger to one individual. While the other might find it more casual or fleeting. 

Though for all of it comedic persona or personality, it gets deeply dramatic at times as a cloud of melancholy hangs over most of the film as the film looks at loneliness and the power of bonding in friendship. 

Dylan O’Brien gives a great performance in this film playing two roles and you believe him as two totally different characters. Even though they are related as they are both different and unique. As even though he is phenomenal in this film, kind of wanted to see more of him as the twin who has the shorter amount of Screen Time, who is the more entertaining in charismatic one.

Speaking of dazzling performances Aisling Franciosi again manages to transform herself to an almost unrecognizable character than she has played before emotionally and physically. So that throughout you can’t Take your eyes off of her. While you understand why she is fallen for 

Don’t get me wrong. The film is very quirky but at times it feels all too real not necessarily identifiable because of how deep the characters dig themselves but again there’s an awkwardness to it that is undeniable and feels very cringe while you watch.

The film can be understated and it stars the Writer/Director James Sweeney. Who also definitely comes across as memorable throughout the film. I’m playing the depressive yet obsessed lead but you appreciate his performance. As he seems to be smart, but makes all the wrong decisions and isn’t afraid to admit to and indulge in his dark side.

This is a film that is hard to describe or categorize exactly. As it does take you on quite the journey, even while It seems like it’s standing still though can say that it explores friendship, like any other relationship, but not one that mature is overtime more one that is intense though just as strong

GRADE: B+

A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE (1994)

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Directed By: Suri Krishnamma 

Written By: Barry Devlin 

Cinematography: Ashley Rowe

Editor: David Freeman

Cast: Albert Finney, Brenda Fricker, Tara Fitzgerald, Michael Gambon, Rufus Sewell, David Kelly, Patrick Malahide, Mick Lally 

Alfred Byrne is a middle-aged bus conductor in Dublin, Ireland in 1963. He would appear to live a life of quiet desperation: he’s gay, but firmly closeted, and his sister is always trying to find him “the right girl”. His passion is Oscar Wilde, his hobby is putting on amateur theatre productions in the local church hall. We follow him as he struggles with temptation, friendship, disapproval, and the conservative yet oddly lyrical world of Ireland in the early 1960s.

Honestly if not for some course language and a particular scene of sexual nature. This could have been a television movie. Thankfully it is a feature film for the big screen which explains the high quality cast.

I will admit I came for actress Tara Fitzgerald who I had a teenage crush on in the 1990’s and whitening e always wanted to watch this film. It took me so long. Because it reminded me of the film BRASSED OFF with her in it.

Watching this film after it being out 30 years truly shows how times have changed. As this might have been a bit stirring at the time, but watching it now seems almost quaint.

As we watch Albert Finney as an effeminate older man who is obsessed with theater. Plays in particular and puts together the locals I. Whichever place is obsessed with that time of year. His friends think he should find a nice girl to settle down with, others think he is eccentric and passionate only about his interests. 

Though we can tell that he is gay or has feelings for men. Even as he coddles and curates a local female who he has star in his play and it looks like it could be a cute little love story of acceptance and being about more than physical love.

Then he third act happens and everything goes toosy turbulence and what he and we thought of certain people is exposed. By the light of day and their true ide tires come out in the open. 

Honestly that is when the film seems to come alive or at least gets a lot more interesting whereas it feels like there was a ton of buildup just to get to this and it works effectively as a kind of shock but also of everyone showing their cards good and bad

What does work for this film is how deeply rooted the film and characters are in the community who offer a kind of chorus for all the moods and feelings and most of them might not get their time in the sunlight, but they certainly get to shine and help influence and entertain the audience. They are at the heart of the film that has its obvious stars, though luckily it’s quite ensemble.

It’s shocking again that they got the cast that they did Albert Finney, Michael Gambon, Brenda Fricker, David Kelly and a young Rufus Sewell and of course the enchanting Tara Fitzgerald. All for a coming out story.

Then again we all have our stories and coming out can be a defining moment in one’s life, so why not tell it with the best cast that you can get of acting superstars even at the time even if they are way above the quality of the material as Michael Gambin is more supporting and feels almost like an extended cameo throughout.

Give the film a chance but don’t expect too many fireworks. It’s like Levi’s blue jeans in fact, dependable durable something you can count on, but not necessarily a brand you go on and on about, but you’re glad exist and is there

Grade: C+

SENIOR YEAR (2022)

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Directed By: Alex Hardcastle

Written By: Brandon Scott Jones, Alex Knauer and Arthur Pielli

Story By: Alex Knauer and Arthur Pielli

Cinematography: Marco Fargnoli

Editor: Sarah Lucky 

Cast: Rebel Wilson, Augourie Rice, Mary Holland, Sam Richardson, Justin Hartley, Zoe Chao, Alicia Silverstone, Avantika, Chris Parnell, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Ana Yi Puig 

In 2002, Stephanie is the most popular girl in her high school. She’s the captain of the cheerleading squad and dating the quarterback, and she’s well on her way to becoming the prom queen. Girls want to be her, guys want to be with her. She has it all until she falls off the top of the cheerleading pyramid and goes into a coma. Fast-forward 20 years and she finally awakens from her coma as a 37-year-old woman. She returns to her high school and tries to resume her role as the star of her school–and her quest to win the prom-queen crown.

SENIOR YEAR is the kind of movie that knows exactly what it is: big, glossy, goofy comfort food. It’s not aiming for cinematic greatness, it’s aiming to be the movie you throw on at home on a lazy night and end up enjoying more than expected. And honestly? Mission accomplished.

There’s an ongoing difference these days between films that feel made for the big screen and films designed primarily for the couch. Senior Year is very much the latter. It has that polished, sitcom-style sheen bright, easy, familiar, and built around laughs more than visual ambition. You can usually predict where it’s heading, but the fun lies in watching how it gets there.

And to its credit, it gets there with plenty of charm.

The premise is ridiculous in the best possible way: a high school queen bee from 2002 wakes up from a twenty-year coma and decides the most important thing to do is… go back and win prom queen. That’s wonderfully absurd camp. The movie leans into it too Y2K nostalgia, exaggerated teen-movie tropes, cheerleader melodrama, and enough millennial references to make you laugh and wince at the same time.

What’s surprising is that underneath all the glitter and satire, the movie occasionally sneaks in some heart. The emotional lesson arrives a little differently than expected, which gives it a bit more freshness than your average streaming comedy. Even some of the more stereotypical side characters get little moments of depth, which is a nice touch.

And Rebel Wilson remains the movie’s secret weapon, even when she’s the entire movie’s not-so-secret weapon. She has that rare comedic gift of committing fully to a joke without seeming self-conscious. There’s no vanity there, no hesitation just a willingness to look silly for the laugh, which makes her instantly likable. Even when her character is being gloriously ridiculous, she’s hard not to root for.

The supporting cast helps keep things lively too, with Mary Holland and Sam Richardson doing particularly strong work in the “steal scenes whenever possible” category, as they just try to play their characters straight to hilarious effect while Alicia Silverstone’s presence adds a fun wink to the whole enterprise.

Is the film forgettable? Probably. Is it deep? Not remotely. But it’s cute, breezy, colorful, and genuinely funny in stretches. It understands the assignment: be a crowd-pleaser, hit the nostalgia button, and let everyone’s inner teenager have a good time.

Sometimes that’s enough 

Grade: C+

FIRST PERIOD (2013)

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Directed By: Charlie Vaughn 

Written By: Brandon Alexander III

Cinematography: Olivia Kuan

Editor: Corey Ziemniak 

Cast: Brandon Alexander III, Dudley Beene, Lauren Rose Lewis, Michael Turchin, Leigh Wakeford, Karli Keiser, Cassandra Petersen, Jack Plotnick, Judy Tenuta 

An uproarious cross-dressing comedy, First Period follows a new girl and an outcast as the most awkward girls in high school. Together, they set out to take over the annual talent contest and win over the whole school.

Watching this film, you can tell it’s a film done out of love. as it is low budget and the actor director and cast are few as are the locations as well as the extras, which are mostly made up of family and friends of the cast and crew.

Especially as most of the cast like most teenage shows and movies of the 1980s look way too old for their roles, which only adds to the films strengths inadvertently.

It is a campy standup of 1980s high school movies that has its main two stars cross-dressing as teenage girls. The film is filled with double entendre in innuendo. It is quite naughty, but sassy.

It is also hilarious as it works as a spoof and homage, As well as it could easily be one of those teenage 1980s films told from a teenage girls  point of view.

Lead actor Brandon Alexander III,wrote the screenplay and the film is an excellent launching pad for hikmas an actor, performer and screenwriter 

Of course, the stories of service but this is a film that you just sit back watch and enjoy, and it’s over the top brilliance and just have fun with it not a family really think too deeply about in our amazed by the two lead performances as the dialogue and jokes fly so fast and furious. It’s almost like a screwball comedy of its own only lacking the more physical comedy.

fans of the show STRANGERS WITH CANDY will definitely enjoy this film. As it has a similar tone and feel. Only none of its budget.

This is an excellent LGBTQ film that unfortunately I didn’t even knew existed until recently and it’s a shame because it’s truly an undiscovered gem cinematically. It doesn’t offer anything new but this is definitely a comfort film and a film that deserves a cult audience as through it all as ridiculous as it is, the film truly does feel heartfelt.

Hopefully someone decides to do this as a play or stage performance in this films audience can grow. At under 90 minutes,Luckily the phone never wears out. It’s welcome.

Grade: B 

I DON’T UNDERSTAND YOU (2025)

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Written & Directed By: David Joseph Craig & Brian Crano

Cinematography: Lowell A. Meyer 

Editor: Nancy Richardson 

Cast: Nick Kroll, Andrew Rannells, Amanda Seyfried, Morgan Spector, Eleonora Romandia, Nunzia Schiano, Vincenzo Gallo, Arcangelo Iannace 

An American couple, on the verge of adopting a baby, goes on an Italian vacation – an opportunity to reconnect before the new addition arrives. Everything is picture-perfect; the epitome of a European baby moon, when things begin to spiral out of control. On the way to a fabulous dinner, they get their rental car stuck in a ditch and are stranded in rural nowhere in a downpour. These two Americans, who are used to being catered to, are now in a foreign land without service, an Italian language comprehension of about zero, and clear relationship turmoil that could explode at any minute. Fear obviously takes over.

This is a film that at first seems like it will be your typical couple comedy. Which it stays throughout until it takes a dark turn and seems to stay on that road until the end.

Where usually I enjoy films like these. There is something a bit off. As it stays true to it’s title. As most of the trouble comes from miscommunication. That seems to escalate Into violence seemingly accidently.

It’ not the characters exactly as they seem to be normal and just reacting to their situations that seem to get out of hand. it’s the films attitude that tries to humanize the victims, but also makes them caricatures and easily either forgettable or challenges. There isn’t much to truly dwell on or feel sorry for.

While the characters aren’t hateful or malicious. They might be a bit extreme in some situations, but by the ending they cone off too easy. That leaves a bad taste in the audiences mouth. That just feels like a reminder of rich caucasian males getting away literally with murders. Not that they should be especially punished but it feels like there should be something they lose or some way in which they have to pay or lose something. As there is some evidence that they left behind that could come back to haunt them.

Though the film seems to want us to root for them Abd let them drive off and be happy. As the film gives them something that humanized them and makes us identify with them in the form of having them await the birth of a baby they are adopting. After bei g brined before they are hoping this time. They will finally get a chance to be parents. That is the only sympathetic part of the story. We truly have for them.

The movie constantoy up’a the stakes but nothing lingers. So that it feels like it’s making a cake and it comes out as a tart. As the film reminds the audience of so many sitcoms only with better production values. As at least Nick Kroll and Andrew Rennells work well off of one another that makes their pairing feel effortless and like they are inorigng in the situation that makes them and their relationship come across as natural and real. If only the rest if the film came off that way. 

In the end, It just never feels like it has any real stakes. It breezes through like a wind storm (not a hurricane as the material isn’t that strong or wacky) and throws plenty against the wall to see what sticks.

Grade: C

FIRE ISLAND (2022)

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Directed By: Andrew Ahn

Written By: Joel Kim Booster

Cinematography: Felipe Vera De Rey

Editor: Brian A. Mates

Cast: Joel Kim Booster, Bowen Yang, Margaret Cho, Tomas Matos, Torian Miller, Conrad Ricamora, James Scully, Matt Rogers, Nick Adams, Zane Phillips

A group of queer best friends gather in Fire Island Pines for their annual week of love and laughter, but a sudden change of events might make this their last summer in gay paradise.

FIRE ISLAND is the kind of romantic comedy that feels both delightfully old-fashioned and refreshingly modern equal parts screwball, heartfelt friendship story, and gloriously chaotic summer escape.

Andrew Ahn’s film wisely refuses to treat its queer characters as symbols or saints. Instead, it lets them be messy, funny, flawed, and fully human and that’s what makes it so refreshing. Beneath the flirtation, parties, and razor-sharp one-liners, there’s a thoughtful look at the social hierarchies that exist even within supposedly inclusive spaces: class, beauty, race, and status all quietly shape the world these characters move through. The film smartly acknowledges that prejudice doesn’t disappear just because a community has historically faced it themselves.

At the same time, FIRE ISLAND never forgets its first duty: to entertain. It’s hilarious, genuinely laugh-out-loud funny with the energy of a classic rom-com and just enough raunch to keep things spicy without losing its sweetness. Joel Kim Booster’s screenplay is clever and emotionally grounded, giving the film both bite and heart, while Bowen Yang emerges as its emotional anchor, delivering warmth and sincerity beneath the jokes.

What is refreshing about this film is that it doesn’t make it’s characters saints and gives them a chance to be three dimensional and make mistakes.

The film shows the class system both financially and physically that goes on in that culture showing there is prejudice all around no matter the strides.

Especially as the main characters themselves are Asian and tell stories of facing racism. It is an creative platform to show the racism they face and from an Asian American perspective from the lead actor who wrote the screenplay to the director. 

While It’ nice to be diverse it would be something to be more representative even if that is not the main point of the movie. 

Though written by star of the film Joel Kim booster and proved to be quite a launching oad for his career. Bowen Yang’s character seems to be thebehart of the film. 

If there’s one small disappointment, it’s that the side characters. who are often scene-stealers in their own right, deserve even more time in the spotlight. Their presence is so funny and vibrant that you can’t help wishing the film made a little more room for them.

Still, what Fire Island gets right, it gets very right: it’s funny, heartfelt, and far more honest than your average romantic comedy. A charming, sharply observed crowd-pleaser that feels like a summer vacation you wish lasted longer.

Grade: B 

RUNNING TIME (1997)

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Directed By: Josh Becker

Written By: Josh Becker and Peter Choi

Story By: Peter Choi

Cinematography: Kurt Rauf 

Editor: Raymond Berthheaud and Kaye Davis

Cast: Bruce Campbell, Jeremy Roberts, Anita Barone, Stan Davis, Art LaFluer, Dana Craig, Gordon Jennison, Curtis Taylor, Bridget Hoffman 

Carl is released from jail after serving a 5-year term and immediately sets about executing his next heist. The plan is relatively simple but time is critical. However, he doesn’t factor in bad luck or the incompetence of his accomplices.

It is taking me a while to finally watch this film in full, which is surprising considering it’s barely over an hour though over the years I’ve always seem to catch it in the middle or way late into. It’s running time.

So it’s refreshing to finally watch the film from beginning to end as it is an experiment where the film takes place in real time and made to look like it’s one endless continuous take, and shot.

While giving the film kind of a bee movie plot and in black and white that makes it feel time looks like it could take place at any time this film could’ve been a minor Marvel if not for a few things that take away from the film.

The early homophobic language which feels more character based and acceptable in the time period in which this film is made and set don’t know if it’s was any original script or if it was an ab Lib it’s understandable, but also unneeded and comes out of nowhere.

Early in the film, you pretty much know where it’s gonna go as Bruce Campbell playing the lead in the man who’s getting out of prison with no nonsense plan already with his screwup of a best friend who seemed to cut corners here and there if you can tell a success is not in their future.

Not to mention how many times they keep bringing up their past that even after a while it feels like overkill as we get it we get the depths of their friendship and their relationship

Then even with a kind of positive ending, it feels unbelievable you want it for the characters but again it just feels so out of left field where you wondered did they not have enough money for a grand finale or was it always meant to be that simple?

If not for these negatives, this film could’ve been seen as an underrated classic it certainly not worthy, especially for what it pulls off and on such a low budget by director writer Josh Becker, who was part of Sam Raimi’s production team, which is obviously how we got Bruce Campbell involved, most likely.

Josh Becker actually sold a script to a studio for around $67,000. That still has yet to be made but he used that money to make this film as Mr. Becker is quite a director whose films are more cult titles such as THOU SHALT NOT KILL… EXCEPT and LUNATICS: A LOVE STORY. That showcase quite an imagination and creativity. I am in particular a fan of his films, though they are a little harder to find over the years.

Even if at time it feels like watching an off broadway play in a black box theater by a new playwrite. It somehow works and is admirable. 

The film was shot in 10 days, in order. So not in one continuous take. Bruce Campbell has said that his performance in this film and BUBBA HO-TEP are the one’s he is most proud of 

Though I also have to give the film credit for giving Jeremy Roberts, a well-known character actor, a decent part where he gets to play full supporting instead of just a henchman or a villain or just a general bad guy who doesn’t have much lines even though he’s a screwup you kind of like his character in this film.

Anita Barone in a supporting role as a hooker, and maybe love interest who has a past with the main character is certainly vivacious and eye catching, but she does make her mark in her limited screen time to make her an interesting character that you wish had more screen time in a chance to see how she got to where she was, but she certainly engaging.

The cinematography here is top notch. You can tell the film is low budget so it’s not the prettiest, but it is well filmed and again at least while watching it you can see imagination and ideas at work as well as a bit of a throwback to maybe the films that might have inspired.

This is definitely a film. I think most film fans and independent filmmakers should see they don’t necessarily need to see but when they feel like they wanna watch something original and maybe a bit from the recent pass this is a foundation definitely check out. 

It’s a close, but no cigar, at least you’re gonna be smoking

Grade: B-