Goodnight, Joseph Parker

I gave this film a 9 but I'm surprised that there aren't more '1's' in the voting. It's encouraging, actually. This is a smart film but it's not for everyone. The stagey feeling mentioned by others is correct and it can be a little slow at times but the writing and the acting is brilliant! If this were a larger budget film it would be nominated for Oscars for writing and acting (Sorvino, Mazar and Chinlund) and set design. Yes, that's a set!!! You would swear you were in a real Jersey bar. I lived in various parts of New Jersey all my life and I really felt like I might have been to this bar before...so I looked into it hoping that I had, only to discover it was built on a soundstage.

There are moments in this film that had me tearing up and of course, hiding the fact from my girlfriend. It's rare this happens to me and it was the writing and the acting that got to me.

I wish there were more truly independent films like this with real acting and writing. Amazing.

This is one of the most touching films i have seen in a long time. I was fortunate enough to see it in Los Angeles (a film festival). I think it would be safe to say that there was not a dry eye in the house. Anyone over 25 will identify with the theme of wanting to make something of their life that is noteworthy. The casting was perfect! Debi Mazur delivers a performance that is incredible. Nick Chinlund's performance will captivate you. Oh, and Kim Dickens will tear your heart out. overall, this movie is "unexpected". There was no telling the journey you would be going on. I can only hope it's released in theaters, because it hits on so many levels it would be a tragedy for this film to go unseen. Besides, Paul Sorvino is a shoe in for an Oscar nomination.

I thought this was a great low budget drama. All the money must have been spent on the writing and talent but that's all they needed. The actors did an amazing job of commanding your attention. I thought their performances smacked of a recklessness needed to capture the essence of such desperate characters. As in any good drama, the dialogue was gritty, sincere, and emotional. I liked how the actors used the dialogue as tools to forge an atmosphere of loneliness produced by unfulfilled dreams. The camera-work was above average but not exactly great. The editing was excellent most of the time but fell a little short in one or two places. As always, EnjoyJ

I have read the reviews of "professionals" on this and they have little, if any, good to say about it. I say it is worth a try. I liked it. It is a depressing movie if you don't look at the larger picture. This movie is really about hope and redemption; just like the characters, you have to go through hell to get there though.

Lessons: 1) Don't believe everything people tell you. 2) Clean it up before someone falls in it. 3) If you wipe off your face you might find she's right under your nose.

Cast: The acting ranged from good to great. Sorvino did his best work in years and Chinlund has never been better. Mazar and Dickens were both amazingly striking in their performances. Edson did a notch above his usually fine work and even Tyler delivers a solid performance.

This is one of the finest ensemble casts put together in the independent world. Ever. Sorvino is superb. They all are. A very solid work. Steven Tyler rips through his scenes beautifully. Like father, like daughter! Dennis Brooks has crafted a world, not unlike Cheers, where the characters all have well-worn spots in their favorite bar stools. But this is NOT Cheers, believe me. Here, everything is on edge, and as things unravel, the pain of the past gushes out into bursts of surreal nastiness.

Great writing. Strong directing. Lovely music. What else is there to say? Even the "stagy" feel mentioned in the other review works, as it feeds the claustrophobic nature of the world they are living in, and losing.

Steven Tyler has real ability as an actor. Because his character is so much like him, Steven didn't much of a stretch to make "Sammy" come alive. His portrayal as a shameless bad boy looking for a good time and fast woman is too much like he is in his real life.

Paul Sorvino outdoes himself. Probably one of his best performances as "Charlie".

Nick Chinlund has done very well in his television performances, but playing the part of "Joseph Parker" places Nick on the threshold of big screen greatness.

This movie needs to be seen by the public at large.