American crime

A pretty average thriller is made much more uh, interesting with Cary Elwes coming in and putting in THE most "What was he thinking?" characterisation and accent I've seen in a looooong while. The story is about a local camera crew trying to figure out who's behind the killings of local women. They receive mysterious tapes at the station, and they're of the women the killer is stalking! This gets the attention of a crime show, called "Amercian Crime" which is hosted as Elwes. OK, now, on to his character.. Try to imagine Cary Elwes imitating John Huston imitating Robert Stack, and you have a pretty good idea of where this is coming from. MAJOR scene chewing from Elwes is in place here, so much so, that, yes, it distracts from the story. So much so, we're trying to figure out if this, yes, is indeed a comedy, the way Elwes carries on. I mean, what was the director thinking? Or was indeed, a "Living In Oblivion" type of thing? (I need to see that again)

This is a great movie for what it is. The story I like, the docu-cam feel helps, RLC is in it and she's looking well, shame she's gone blonde.

The highlight of the film, and why I like it so much is Cary Elwes... his part in this was great, the comic relief of watching him lose it is fantastic, he does go over the top, but not as much as he did in Saw which, I liked him in.

No to give away any thing from the end, but I liked the fact that the whole film wasn't 100% explained... much better than a crazy yeah dumb twist like in Saw.

for a lighthearted horror with toned down gore and a peeping tom killer then give it a go. If not then rent out Red Eye that was also a great show.

Enjoy the show!

I understand why this movie was released direct to video. It was just plain not very good. I work at a video store and try to take home the smaller titles that released each week but this one was just bad. From the way the movie is presented and put together to the extraordinarily lack luster ending it just never lured me in. In fact I could have gone my entire life without having seen it and been better off for it. I will agree that Cary Elwes performance was pretty good but that is about it. Do not rent it in any video store as it is not worth the price of admission. any how that is what I think.

-Curiosity didn't just kill the cat, it ripped it's head off and stump ****ed the remains.

What I loved most about this movie was its willingness to avoid shock-gore for effect. It's remarkably rare these days for a thriller/horror movie to rely on mood and camera work to achieve suspense instead of graphic violence. This movie covers similar territory to Cary Elwes' other recent thriller "Saw", but focuses instead on the characters and mood. Even Elwes' somewhat stilted performance feels more natural here, appropriately fitting an aspiring, but inexperienced, TV journalist. Kip Pardue, Annabella Sciorra, and Rachael Leigh Cook fill out a cast of journalists quite literally caught up in their latest story about a serial killer. The film borrows liberally from 'Scream' and 'Blair Witch Project', but brings it's own odd combination of story techniques, which doesn't quite work. The film's aspirations are noble, and I enjoyed it thanks to the fact that it didn't follow typical formulas when the opportunity to do so arose repeatedly during the story. I'm always willing to forgive a few weaknesses for an ambitious work that doesn't take the easy formulaic answer. American Crime is an original film, and while you're guessing constantly, it's unlikely you'll have figured much out before the end.

This one might be one of the worst movies I've ever seen. Though, it had the ultimate Bonus: Rachael Leigh Cook. I only rented this movie because I knew she's playing a part.

It starts pretty promising, because the opening credits are presented very originally! Then it just gets worse with every minute. Somehow it feels like the writer had an idea the director didn't understand. If you want to torture yourself for two hours, - go rent the thing. I'd love to make a review on it but I'm trying to forget I ever saw it. Please Rachael, if you read this: Don't do that kind of crap. You're way better than this! Not even your magic could save this one.