Tag: Horatio Sanz

TOMCATS (2001)

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Written & Directed By: Gregory Poirier

Cinematography: Charles Minsky 

Editor: Harry Keramidas 

Cast: Jerry O’Connell, Shannon Elizabeth, Horatio Sanz, Jamie Pressly, Jake Busey, David Ogden Stiers, Bernie Casey, Travis Fine, Amber Smith, Marisa Parker 

At the wedding of a friend, the remaining bachelors bet on staying single. Seven years later, one of the two remaining loses $51,000 in Vegas. He must get the other guy married to cash in and pay his debt or die. A cute female cop helps him.

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this at the time seemed like one of the lower budgeted Apex movies of the frat bro type of comedies. One feels like they would more fit in with a male teenage audience as this film comes across as more of the sex comedy T & A film that most kids would have wanted to try and catch late night on cable.

That ends up being one of the most misogynistic movies released by a major studio past the 1980s and pretty much sold as such. Though more advertised as an outlandish comedy.

This was one of the few films of Jerry, O’Connell‘s leading man, big screen career, and he tries his best and throws himself into the role and stays believable throughout.

The same with Shannon Elizabeth, and one of her first starring roles after AMERICAN PIE became a surprise hit.

Shannon Elizabeth’s career was riding high from SCARY MOVIE and AMERICAN PIE when she made this film. It’s a shame if this was one of the better scripts offered as she is dazzling in this in looks and talent, but is so much better than the film. And it’s material. It seems she wouldn’t be used to better extra until JAY AND SILENT BOB’s She is actually one of the main reasons for my interest in watching the movie in the first place.

These are the types of films that were playing weekly when I used to work at a movie theater and is probably one of the reasons I have actually watched this film more than once.

This is an ugly movie, sure as usual it has hot women, but only one seems to be a real fleshed out character the rest are either shrews, whorish, dumb fantasies or sexual playthings or all of the above.

Shockingly for such a heavily sexual film there is barely any nudity also

This film is about Jerry O’Connell, who is one of the last bachelors amongst his friends. They all decide to make a bet that the last bachelor would win a pot of money they all contribute to over the years. After a trip to Las Vegas. O’Connell finds himself in debt. So he figured the only way to pay it off is to win the pot, but his competition Jake Busey is nowhere near getting married even though he is more successful with the ladies. He only way Jerry figures to win is to find the girl who broke Jake’s heart and have her seduce him at least into a quickie marriage and they will split the money, but of course Jerry falls for her.

Other then the heavy misogynistic attitude this film has with scenes where women are repeatedly abused and used as trash. Is that Jerry O’Connell our protagonist is so dumb it’s hard to feel anything for him or about him and his plight and Jake Busey is so loathsome not only is it hard to believe that he is so successful with women. It’s hard to believe any woman would want to be with him. There are no redeeming values that he possesses.

The film is also gross out humorous for no reason, Extremely. For instance the ball scene in the hospital. Where Jerry has to chase and retrieve Jake’s just removed ball.

It’s a shame as the film has a good cast. It would have been good to use Janie Presley more as she is actually funny in this film.

What is truly painful is that this is one of the last theatrical films that actor Bernie Casey ever appeared in. He might have played in some bad movies, but he deserved better than this to cap off his career. Who knows working on this film might have inspired his retirement

While the films main cast seems game for the material. The Veteran actors seem here only to cash a paycheck as they realize how poor the material is, yet this might be the best opportunities they are getting and it’s a quick paycheck.

Can’t really tell if this was a lame attempt at a updated sex comedy, or just a typcal straight to video (at the time) material that got a bigger name cast then it dererved, As it plays like the crowd for it would be a frat house or a bro-culture film.

The film works as a romantic comedy, the problem is the story and most of the characters are so repulsive. Half the situations the lead finds themselves in are stupid and worse uninspired where it always seems like a worst case scenario taken to another extreme level that makes no sense and one can understand that this film is not one that was made to have depth or even think while watching, it’s supposed to be entertainment though you should also respect your audience to a certain extent or maybe it does. It just knows its audience who will find it amongst all that is this film was unleashed upon.

The film stays entertaining throughout as long as you’re not too sensitive or seeking political correctness. Though it’s also film you only need to see once.

One of the reasons saw this film is that it played at a movie theater I worked at and it seemed like there were a rash of these types of films came and went and were in fashion. Sophomoric comedies that all feel like sitcom side stories combined to try and make a 90 minute film

Even the Horatio Sanz’s side story as O’Connells sidekick is obvious, though a bit more humorous, but has to be stretched throughout to truly pay off. Which leads to another problem with the film is the fact that you have Jamie Pressly in a supporting role and she could’ve been given more to do as she gives one of them more stronger performances in the film.  as most of the cast is game, but they all could’ve just used a better script as it seems more like they are slumming, even though they are given some of their biggest roles to date at the time and being released by a studio. Though at least the film has some unpredictable cameos.

This is a film. You can definitely skip unless you’re into juvenile humor sex comedies that end up having a roughly romantic comedic angle.

Grade: D+

BOAT TRIP (2003)

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Directed By: Mort Nathan

Written by: Mort Nathan and William Bigelow

Cinematography: Shawn Maurer

Editor: John Axness

Cast: Cuba Gooding Jr, Horatio Sanz, Roselyn Sanchez, Roger Moore, Vivica A. Fox, Lin Shaye, Maurice Godin, Bob Gunton, Artie Lange, Richard Roundtree

Two straight men mistakenly end up on a “gays only” cruise.

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One can’t imagine what the thought process was behind this film. As it’s suppsed to be a sexual comedy for straight people by seemingly stereotyping and making it seem like a journey into homosexual lifestyles, focusing more on the hedonistic aspects. While also easily being seen as homophonic Maybe inviting the controversy and commentary and hoping that it would sell tickets.

That seems to seek out the message Hey Homosexual’s they are just like us. while throwing in a sitcom were the curve plot about to Street man who gets sent on a singles cruise after one has just had some heartbreak and being sent as revenge on and gay singles cruise That they can’t escape from, and when one falls in love with the few single available woman on the boat, but must play long as she thinks he’s gay and wants to get closer to one another.

This film is purely tasteless but strangely has a talented cast or lease big Name cast, and it seems to want to level the playing field envy open, but with most of its stereotypes, it still feels a bit mean-spirited.

The Movie was filmed in 2001 but wasn’t released till 2003 which kind of tells you the studio releasing a new they had some thing controversial on their hands

Despite all involved, the only reason to truly watch this film is Roselyn Sanchez, who is sexy as hell in this film they should have made her a big screen bombshell As it is one of her all-time sexiest appearances, though she is obviously Icandy, for the mostly straight audience that actually probably watch this film, but people avoided this film, like the plague due to his flight and it’s just such bad taste. I will also and it’s kind of insulting, Crude and stupid.

In its own weird way tries to show that hey gay humor and gays can be just as juvenile, a straight sex, comedies and humor even though the film like most sex comedies deals more and stereotypes, I found this also feels oddly misogynistic for a film that seems to be trying to bring all men together.

You already know somethings up with Cuba Gooding Junior is the star of the film. It all really depends at which part of his career. That you are witnessing his acting during as pretty much after he won the Oscar, other than MEN OF HONOR. it all seems to go downhill from there, except for maybe a handful of rolls here and there.

Grade: F

THE NEW GUY (2002)

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Directed By: Ed Decter
Written By: David Kendall
Cinematography: Michael D. O’Shea
Editor: David Rennie 

Cast: DJ Qualls, Eliza Dushku, Zooey Deschanel, Parry Shen, Jerod Mixon, Sunny Mabrey, Ross Patterson, Lyle Lovett, Eddie Griffin, Ileana Douglas, Kurt fuller, Matt shogun, M.C. Gainey, Julius Carry, Geoffrey Lewis, Horatio Sanz, Gene Simmons, Kool Moe Dee, Tommy Lee, Henry Rollins, Jermaine Dupri, Jerry O’Connell, Charlie O’Connell, Tony Hawk, Rob Van Winkle 

A high school senior branded uncool in the ninth grade gets himself expelled so he changes his image to cool kid at the town’s other high school.

The film is strange as it is a teen comedy that seems at times to be more of a spoof. Then it just becomes more of a wacky comedy that comes off more as abstract and slapstick but still makes little sense.

Though considering it is directed by a noted comedy writer. Who coincidentally didn’t write the script. So that the film feels cut up from a decidedly longer and more coherent film. Though it doesn’t matter as this is a film you just watch and have fun with what it offers. 

It’s also a movie that is built to build off of trends of the time.

Which would explain the strange number of cameos by rock stars and skaters and recognizable celebrities playing themselves and others throughout for no real reason. 

Though it might hint at, What does end up being truthful about the movie is the character’s passion for music. As it seems to almost be their everything. 

For instance, Lyle Lovett’s Father character makes no sense at all, but he is in the movie throughout. As the Square dad who seems to try to relate and overreact  to his son and his actions 

While the film feels like it got cut to pieces as some storylines and characters disappear or are never resolved. So that instead of plot or character the film tries to give you a Greatest hits version of the story. 

Which makes it feel more like a Frankenstein of teen film cliches. You have seen before Only more heightened and campy comedically. There is even a scene where Eliza Dushku’s character goes to apologize to an old friend who she has shunned and snubbed only for that friend to say “I know” before she can say anything 

Most of the female roles here are more as sex objects and hook up’s. Even Dushku the female lead has two scenes of first her trying in various scantily Clad outfits like bikinis and another scene of her riding a mechanical bull suggestively. More for a male teenage audience. Though she is both the love interest and sex symbol of the film.

The film builds off star Dj Qualls fame from ROAD TRIP. As an early version of McLovin from SUPERBAD. As his character goes from

Dork to cool in a new attitude and look with a lot of Farrelly brothers style comedy. That is gross yet heartwarming and manages to win the Audience over.

The film gave DJ Qualls the rare odd Leading man role. Even if the film Tries to play like more of an ensemble at times. 

Sure the film’s humor is lowbrow but still comes off as innocent or like it doesn’t know any better. Though with it’s juvenile humor it’s

Perfect for its intended audience. Though definitely a testament to the time period in which it was made.

It is filled to the brim with what was hip, but trends change so fast that by the time the film Actually was released. It felt a little past its Time to the audience and worse the film is so low stakes. It doesn’t Make its Mark. 

If anything this movie is more. A guilty pleasure that gets by because of its Silly and fun attitude. This film is put together very loosely with plenty of gags meant to tie the story and characters together with a moral lesson of not labeling and not believing in whatever labels you are branded with. 

GRADE: C

G.B.F. (2013)

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gbf

Directed By: Darren Stein
Written By: George Northy
Cinematography By: Jonathan Hall
Editor: Philip J. Hartwell

Cast: Michael J. Willett, Paul Iacono, Sasha Pieterse, Xosha Roquemore, Molly Tarlov, Evanna Lynch, Joanna “Jojo” Levesque, Derek Mio, Mia Rose Frampton, Andrea Bowen, Rebecca Gayheart, Jonathan Silverman, Natasha Lyonne, Megan Mullally, Horatio Sanz

Social warfare erupts when three high school clique queens battle for supremacy: drama diva Caprice, Mormon princess ‘Shley and blonde fashionista Fawcett. When unassuming Tanner is outted, he finds himself cast as the hottest new teen-girl accessory: The Gay Best Friend. The clique queens immediately pounce and makeover Tanner into their ideal arm candy, forcing him to choose between popularity and the true friends – including his own B.F.F. Brent – that he’s leaving behind. –Now while this film is totally predictable. It is a fun film that is rarely boring. That tackles a serious subject somewhat with tons of humor and with class. Other then a few objectionable words ln a few scenes. The movie is pretty much clean. It’s pretty much soft seeing it’s subject and inoffensive. While dismantling a bunch of stereotypes and reveling in others.

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