Showdown at the Grand

It's entertaining enough but it really doesn't have the budget or imagination to compete with movies like Grindhouse or Mars Attacks as an homage to old B-Movies.

Lundgren is perfectly cast as a washed-up action movie star and plays along with the limited material he has to work with. Terence Howard seems to treat it too seriously as if it's making a serious point about independent cinemas closing which the movie seems too arch to be doing.

It can just never get the balance between chaos and pathos right for that to happen.

There's just a constant feeling that self-refenential B-Movies were so much better in the late 20th Century and that nostalgia ain't what it used to be.

I didn't know what to expect when starting the film but quickly found it to be witty, entertaining and even profound. The layers of the themes and subtle nods to cinema are extraordinary. I think this film will become a cult classic in years to come! Excellent writing, directing and acting. Terrance was a joy to watch- his character was full on nuance. Dolph was brilliant as well. Just all around an extremely pleasant surprise. I found myself grinning, laughing, enthralled, moved- the entire spectrum of emotions. I am excited what's next for the director Orson. He is clearly a very talented man!

Love letter to oldschool cinema and grindhouse against a capitalistic organisation and its henchmen.

Unfortunately even the short running time of app. 90 min doesn't prevent this movie from boredom and at no point the director succeeds in creating tension or suspense.

The movie is ok, the actors have fun, the director celebrates its idols, but for me this love letter doesn't work that well like "Cinema Paradiso" or "Last Action Hero".

Nonetheless, of you like some nostalgia about the old cinemas and some 70s and 80s references, then give this one a try.

Love letter to old school cinema and grindhouse against a capitalistic organisation and its henchmen.

Unfortunately even the short running time of app. 90 min doesn't prevent this movie from boredom and at no point the director succeeds in creating tension or suspense.

The movie is ok, the actors have fun, the director celebrates its idols, but for me this love letter doesn't work that well like "Cinema Paradiso" or "Last Action Hero".

Nonetheless, of you like some nostalgia about the old cinemas and some 70s and 80s references, then give this one a try.

George Fuller (Terrence Howard) runs an old movie palace, the Warner Grand. He is having a special showing of a 90's post-apocalyptic action thriller with star Claude Luc Hallyday (Dolph Lundgren) making an appearance. Meanwhile, he is being harassed by land developer Lynn (Amanda Righetti) and her thugs who want his theater for a neighborhood rebuild.

Action starts too late and ultimately is too little. The movie is obviously setting up for a fight with all the movie prop weaponry. Dolph Lundgren needs to show up sooner. He is a better actor than most give him credit for. At the very least, he can be fun. He needs to be unleashed. This is spending too much time setting things up. The final battle is only the last third of the movie and is rather a bit underwhelming. This is not enough.

A cheeky fun styled film . I could easily see this being a cult classic, with years of creating new fans. It's got fun acting, stylistic scenes , great photography and classic ending. Characters that have a heartwarming fun personality you could relate to and attach herself to. You can easily put it on for a stay in Friday night matinee or end the week with it on a Sunday movie night. It's entertaining, it's fun and a pleasure to watch. I recommend giving it a chance. Great look , fun style , memorable characters , heartwarming scenes and just an overall entertaining film to watch for many years to come.