Tag: Louis Lombardi

DIRECTOR’S CUT (2024)

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Written & Directed By: Don Capria

Cinematography: Bliss Bussant 

Editor: Noah Marks

Cast: Louis Lombardi, Lucy Hart, Tyler Ivey, Danielle Kotch, Brandy Ochoa, Louis Rocky Bacigalupo, Greg Poppa, Haley Cassidy, Darren Kickok 

Excited to shoot their first music video, a punk rock band ventures into the woods of P.A. never to return.

Should’ve known better going into this was hoping it would be more fun than it actually is as this seems like this should have been more of a Tubi premier horror film due to its nature and lower budget.

It’s not quite a failure, but it has issues and its problems. For instance One of the only Caucasian actresses in the film, of course ends up being the final group, which is rather disappointing not that the film has a big cast. But the only other Caucasian woman is a villain, so all the few people of color unfortunately might not make it to the end and then one has a partial sex or intimate scene that wasn’t needed which just shows the exploitation factor and while I’m not claiming racism, it just seems to Stay and remain in the same old tropes and stereotypical roles

Not that this offer that surprises or should really expect it to be anything different as it plays pretty much basic throughout Moore and exploitative B movie that while not quite tongue and cheek feels that way 

The film has an interesting concept, though you can see the so-called surprises coming easily . So the film place predictable and though desperate in their situation, you also feel the characters would know better.

As the film isn’t the most original, it doesn’t really offer too many surprises or anything to subvert the film in anyway which would be welcome. As the film does try to offer a bit of exploitation, but never quite gives enough.

The violence throughout seems to be more an afterthought. as again we see the application in the aftermath, but not necessarily the actual application of it

The film seems to have an hour of set up then in the last 30 minutes, decides to be violent and light torture porn as it seems to remember what type of film it’s supposed to b. The hour seems to want to set up the characters, their dilemmas, a few secrets, and the drama within the group. One only wishes they were more interesting as it is a very good looking cast not quite WB level, but very high catching.

It’s nice to see Lewis Lombardi as the lead, even if the film doesn’t offer any real subtlety to the character and already seems to aggressive within their first meeting, whereas you would think you would be more nurturing, so it already rings the bell for the alarms of his true nature 

Towards the end, the film chooses to reveal a trans actress and it’s Just filmed and introduced in such a weird way as to add another level of inclusion

Grade: D 

CONFIDENCE (2003)

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Directed By: James Foley 
Written By: Doug Jung 
Cinematography By: Juan Ruiz Amchia 
Editor: Stuart Levy 

Cast: Ed Burns, Rachel Weisz, Dustin Hoffman, Paul Giamatti, Brian Van Holt, Morris Chestnut, Louis Lombardi, Andy Garcia, Robert Forster, Robert Pine, Leland Orser, John Caroll Lynch, Luis Guzman, Donal Logue, Tony “Tiny” Lister, Franky G, Nicole Lenz 

Jake Vig is a consummate grifter about to pull his biggest con yet, one set to avenge his friend’s murder. But his last scam backfired, leaving him indebted to a mob boss and his enforcer.

I have never seen a film try so hard to be a modern version of THE STING.

The film offers likable quirky thieves and a handsome protagonist. Who is in over his head? An untrustworthy femme fatale and a big-name legendary actor playing the villain raise the stakes of the endeavor and make it seem like a challenge to the other actors to impress him or even hold the screen with him.

Then you get the requisite double crosses. Everyone is who they seem or say they are. I really wish I could have disliked this film. It ends up winning you over as long as you don’t look too deep. As it is a film that openly challenges you and wants the audience to overthink. So that while you are doing that it is sneaking stuff right by you.

Ed Burns is the lead con man. I will admit that when it usually comes to him in acting performances. He tries to play more laid-back characters but there is a certain arrogance in his performance that is perfect for the character he is playing here. Here he has his qualities actually work for him.

It helps that this film is stocked to help support him with so many character actors. Who he actually holds his own with. Under those conditions, you have to bring you a game and pray that some of their talent and charisma Rub off.

It’s hard to talk about this film and really have too much to say, when most of the enjoyment comes from watching these twists and turns in action.

It’s actually quite a charming film that is perfect to watch with an audience. Though you will probably only need to see it once. Since after that you know what it is all about. And not as much fun.

Watching it feels like you are playing a game. Once you watch it will All have the same outcome.

The film tries to be gritty but it comes off more as fascinating. As the film is much better than you would expect and is stylish to a degree, but feels like it is a victim of itself when it comes to the intelligence of the script. It thinks it’s smarter than it actually is. Even includes the will they or won’t they sexual tension between the con man leader and the new sexy recruit.

Watching this at the time it seemed part of a bunch of movies that were trying to be about con games or at least trying to fool the audience. That also seemed more in being self-promoting. This is worth a shot but more as entertainment than anything else.

GRADE: B-