It might not have the style of say, Cape Fear but it's as entertaining. As a 90s thriller fan especially but also a directing student and filmmaker myself, this film thoroughly impressed me. The script is very well written and it is extremely well directed - there is not a false note in the thing. The leads are all excellent, the score is great, the camera choices and sets are great and the script is just the right mix of unpredictable yet satisfying - you know you're watching a sociopath thriller and you get that but it unfolds in ways you don't see coming. It's depressing this movie isn't better known but what can you do?
Reviews
6 Reviews
The Dinner
(I) (2017)
Intense and well-acted drama
10 November 2017
This is a smart, very well acted drama for adults. It puts you in the emotional situation of the characters, and it is quite an intense one. I actually think this is the best performance I've seen Richard Gere give, and Steve Coogan, at first distracting playing an American, ended up doing an amazing portrait of mental illness. Sadly, in a movie like this, where a director takes risks and actors give great performances and the material is challenging, the less intellectual audience members cry because it doesn't fit into whatever cookie-cutter formula they have in their mind for what a movie should be. One reviewer on here even has the nerve to point out to the writer- director tips on what a good script or movie is supposed to be, straight from their first reading of Save The Cat screen writing tips..
Nice Guy
(I) (2012)
Compelling and watchable dark drama/thriller
5 February 2014
Got this on Google Play here in NYC. I see the lead actor wrote this, he is to be commended, this is a very good script that will satisfy those who like the genre (noir/crime/dark drama). This is one of those "downward spiral" movies where a guy starts to screw his life up more and more as he goes along. So if you liked say A Simple Plan, you'll probably like this. The third act is strong also, which is a rarity these days.
Too bad he couldn't find a producer and director that would do more with this solid storyline - the sound was pretty bad - it sounded like they didn't even use a boom, and the cinematography - well there wasn't any. Every scene was shot using whatever light was there. Maybe this was intentional, to give it that "cinema verite" look but it did not add to the film. Many takes were longer than they needed to be and the pacing was the same all the way through - come on, this is a thriller, it should accelerate as it gets going not stay at the same mph the whole way. Also a little score would have gone a long way, especially in the third act to amp up the suspense.
The acting is just decent, with the standout probably being Martin Askew. Would have liked to have seen a bit more flavor from the characters. Gangsters are supposed to be fun to watch in my book, as well as being intimidating. The protagonist was not that remarkable, the kid was whiny and the wife wasn't exactly a ray of sunshine. But yet it still works because the script sets up the situation properly and the suspense and plot turns are more than enough to hold your interest.
Anyway, if this is your type of film, it's worth seeing for sure.
Too bad he couldn't find a producer and director that would do more with this solid storyline - the sound was pretty bad - it sounded like they didn't even use a boom, and the cinematography - well there wasn't any. Every scene was shot using whatever light was there. Maybe this was intentional, to give it that "cinema verite" look but it did not add to the film. Many takes were longer than they needed to be and the pacing was the same all the way through - come on, this is a thriller, it should accelerate as it gets going not stay at the same mph the whole way. Also a little score would have gone a long way, especially in the third act to amp up the suspense.
The acting is just decent, with the standout probably being Martin Askew. Would have liked to have seen a bit more flavor from the characters. Gangsters are supposed to be fun to watch in my book, as well as being intimidating. The protagonist was not that remarkable, the kid was whiny and the wife wasn't exactly a ray of sunshine. But yet it still works because the script sets up the situation properly and the suspense and plot turns are more than enough to hold your interest.
Anyway, if this is your type of film, it's worth seeing for sure.
Cutter's Way
(1981)
Brilliant script and direction
8 July 2011
This movie is beautifully shot with a great score that sounds unlike any other score I've ever heard. Then you have a great performance from John Heard and a great screenplay that obviously had a tremendous novel behind it.
If you like those gritty late 70s early 80s California noir movies like Straight Time, Who'll Stop The Rain and Chinatown, this is as good as any of those. I have just watched it and I don't think I will forget it anytime soon. It's packed with memorable moments and fully-developed characters.
They don't make movies like this anymore. It makes me wonder what Jeff Bridges thinks about on the set of Iron Man 2 - I've never been a huge fan but the guy did a string of great dramas in the 80s like Fabulous Baker Boys, American Heart and this. He must be thinking "what happened to all those good scripts that used to be knocking around??"
If you like those gritty late 70s early 80s California noir movies like Straight Time, Who'll Stop The Rain and Chinatown, this is as good as any of those. I have just watched it and I don't think I will forget it anytime soon. It's packed with memorable moments and fully-developed characters.
They don't make movies like this anymore. It makes me wonder what Jeff Bridges thinks about on the set of Iron Man 2 - I've never been a huge fan but the guy did a string of great dramas in the 80s like Fabulous Baker Boys, American Heart and this. He must be thinking "what happened to all those good scripts that used to be knocking around??"
Tightrope
(1984)
Charles Bronson did better movies than this
8 July 2011
This movie was CHOCK FULL of clichés. The writer appeared to suffer from a real lack of imagination and freshness. Clint Eastwood plays a stoic cop who's divorced and can't take his daughters to the New Orleans Saints game because he keeps getting a beep about a new murder case. But he looks at a framed photo of his ex-wife at night, remembering the good times. How many clichés is that so far? Now let's throw in a scene where Clint questions a tattoo artist which leads him to a strip club. Then the killer starts to target Clint. Wow. If you like exploitation 80s flicks about serial killers and strip clubs, Charles Bronson made 3 or 4 movies of that genre better than this movie. At least Bronson knew he wasn't a great actor
Order of Chaos
(2010)
Entertaining and smart indie flick
8 July 2011
Can't believe all the negative reviews on here. Anyone who gives this 1 star doesn't deserve internet access and clearly has no clue about filmmaking, storytelling, or anything else. They're probably 12 years old - this movie is not made for you, it deals with tensions and themes that you have haven't experienced yet. I'm not saying this is the best film ever made, but what we have here is: A director with a point of view, an intelligent film, an entertaining film, a film of "the times". What makes the film smart is that it explores the nuances of human behavior. All of these things put it above most films that come out in a given year. Worth seeing.
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