lvecrft

I probably would have rated it higher if I had not already seen this exact film on a home video anthology called Escapes with Vincent Price done in 1986...the short called Something Fishy. There were a few minor differences with location and props, you'll know what props I mean if you see the film. Makes you wonder if the director was "inspired" by the previous film or if it was just a coincidence. But then I don't think Escapes was widely seen, either.

And Ewan McGregor's performance was outstanding. ;-)

I saw this on an anthology titled "Spooks and Creeps". Mostly not very good short films in a variety of styles. Not very spooky. Not very creepy.

Here's a film that could've been more annoying than anything else given the obnoxious nature of the title character. But director Grisaffi knows when to reign things in as well as when to let them run wild. All performances are above average (another sign of good direction), and the story moves at a brisk pace despite the story's stage origins...not an easy feat for those familiar with other stage-to-screen projects. And if nothing else, it's worth a look to see some excellent comic timing via Grisaffi's performance as the title character. An actor that knows how to direct himself is a rare bird indeed.

A criminal couple with psychopathic tendencies meet up in Mexico,

then embark on an illegal embryo stealing operation. On the way,

they kidnap a young couple with the intentions of using them for

human sacrifice.

Here's a film that could've been a real wild ride, but the director

(who's proven he's got talent) decides to slam on the brakes way

before the climax, producing a standard action finale with a little

tragedy thrown in. Still, there's some good action sequences

tossed into an interesting variation of the Bonnie & Clyde theme.

The main problem for me was the lead actor. He never seemed to

have a handle on the character. His criminal outbursts never

melded with the more human side he was attempting to display.

Perhaps a stronger actor would've been able to display a more

nuanced character...or maybe it was just the character itself. But I

lean more towards the actor...

I'm a bit surprised how little screen time Rosie Perez had. I

thought she was the female lead, but very little time was given to

her back story or character arc. I sensed there was more we

weren't privy too...perhaps there was some last minute editing?

Finally, the chemistry between her and the lead was lacking.

Again, a chance to give the story more depth was never realized.

What remains is a quaint dark comedy/crime thriller that's a bit

more than a nice time waster.