Choke

Like most everyone who views this movie, I did it for the stars Michael Madsen and Dennis Hopper. The two are extremely underrated and sadly, because of that, have to headline a lot of crap. In this film, Hopper plays a guy who accidentally kills a blackmailer and is offered help from the mysterious Madsen.

The film actually isn't as terrible as it could have been. I've seen both in much worse, both independently and working together (LAPD, horrible film). The direction was pretty poor and the script needed a few re-writes, but both give the best performance possible with the material offered. Also the ending is pretty strong, so you can tell the story had potential. But when a glowing review of a film is, "It could have been much worse", it doesn't say much for the film itself.

All in all, this is one that can easily be skipped if neither of these actors draw you in. But if you're a fan of either or both, give it a watch. They both give strong performances that outshine the obvious flaws of the film. Trust me, there are much worse options out there.

Hopper has never been worse as if he felt as this movie is worthy of only a grade B performance and he delivers a rather good one. Outside of Madsen and Hopper the acting is horrid; you've seen better at your local high school. The sound and at times the editing and camera shots are low end of B-movies. The scene with the peeping tom is of movies greatest gratuitous nudity scenes I've ever seen (it doesn't even come close to fitting in the movie). The script was probably a great 10-page outline, but when it comes out to a full-length movie there are more holes in it then the dead bodies Madsen left behind. I do have to say Hopper dressed in a nice suit driving the Hummer had me laughing out loud, but I don't think that was the intent. Yes there is a little style, and Hopper can always draw my interest. However the interesting plot concept never pays off and you are left wondering why you wasted your time watching this.

We enjoyed very much seeing this movie, the story idea is really good. There are 1000s of Hollywood films worse than this one, which offers not only the regular really cool action parts, but also some really big stars and you can see them acting well together. Maybe one day, a big studio movie will even come up with a high-budget remake of this brilliant story, where nothing is as it appears on the first look...seriously, that the murderer in the first place only mistakenly believes, that he killed Ron Sloan, this is an interesting way on how to begin a tricky story... moreover we liked it a lot, that the movie plays really in Hollywood and you get to see some of the Hollywood and Valley areas you do not see in all the other independent films... so, all in all, a quite entertaining piece of an independent Hollywood movie!

This is the most gloriously contrived flick I have ever seen. Dennis Hopper's character and his actions are laugh out loud funny. Man this is a so bad it is good flick in the truest sense. Hopper's inner monologues and Madsen's bad guy mugging for the camera make this silly, silly movie so much fun. Sit back and laugh at this laughable movie. Fun stuff!

Unfortunately this film is on the 'lost classic' list! i must say the acting isn't the best but what could you expect from such a low budget! Hopper and Madsen are great to watch together, being two of my favourite actors. It has quite a weird feel about it but flows quite well..except i didn't really understand the scene with the man watching through the hole in the fence, quite irrelevant i thought..none the less i enjoyed the story and its worth watching just to see the great ending..not all is what it seems! If you like either or both of these actors then i suggest you give it a go..even if everyone else in the film is virtually unknown! Just always remember some films are worth watching just for a great twist at the end!! Enjoy, i certainly did!