Blackheart

Blackheart had its moments, but was mostly predictable. Maria Conchita Alonso did an excellent job. A much more interesting character than she has usually played. Richard Grieco also did well, but nothing spectacular. The other performances were adequate, but to be fair, the story didn't have enough going for it to allow the actors to do much but just go through the motions. Christopher Plummer's character added some levity that would have seemed awkward, but as the movie started to drag this performance became more appreciated. The movie grabbed me early with Maria's performance, but later the story became more routine and even Maria's character couldn't add enough interest to keep it exciting.

This is a terrible film with bad acting, bad writing, bad directing. Richard Grieco and Maria Alonzo play couples who try to pull off a scam by getting Grecio to seduce Fiona Loewi and to take her 10 million dollar inheritance. Problem is Greico falls in love with her after one night of passion. Nudity (from Alonzo and Loewi) will wake anyone up, but the film is just dull. Skip it.

When I first saw this movie I was tempted to switch channels right away but decided that maybe I should give it a chance and not go with first impression judgment. Guess I was wrong again. I did stick it out and here is my critique.

Writing - Brad and Brock Simpson - I hope you both have day jobs as writing is obviously not going to get you there.. The writing was child like to the point that I think Bart could have articulated the dialog better. Sorry guys.

Direction - Dominic Shiach - was he even present during the production and filming of this movie - the plot was disjointed to total distraction and the actors were completely overacting in some situations and then completely missing the point in others. I almost felt the whole movie must have been directed by the camera men and they were fighting between themselves as to who should be doing what!

Acting - Richard Greico - not your best performance - I know that you know this as well and I'll leave it at that.

• Christopher Plummer - I could see the smirk overprint on his face throughout. His acting was typically superb but no feeling, almost as if he was laughing at the whole situation.

• Fiona Loewi - capable but should be a little more into the role. I would have hoped that she could have made a little more aware that some of the things that were written for her and she was directed to do ethereal and could never have happened in real life. She should have brought this to the attention of the writers and director.

• Maria Conchita Alonso - definitely in need of a few acting classes. If it was her intention to prove that she couldn't act then maybe she is not such a bad actor after all. Maybe it was the writing, or maybe it was the lack of direction but she did absolutely nothing to compensate.

Undoubtedly this was a complete and utter waste of everyones time.

The one thing that was great was Maria Conchita Alonso. She is so sexy and seductive that her performance alone was worth sitting through the garbage that it is.

The copy I am reviewing sported the title "Blackheart, quest of a serial killer". It becomes quite obvious early on that this film has nothing to do with a serial killer. Several people getting killed does not a serial killer make. Otherwise, what would all our gallant soldiers and armed policemen be??

So, more than a little upset about being duped into buying this by a false title, I am then more than a little more insulted by a very bad film. The storyline is really terrible. A whole series of ridiculous coincidences, and even more ridiculous forced coincidences are supposed to have us reeling at the ingenuity of this fearful money seeking killer. But not so, all we feel is, well, how ridiculous! The acting by all concerned, Grieco, Alonso, Plummer, was really quite good. But then, good acting doesn't make a good film. And how could PI Plummer ever carry off the role whilst having to wear a copy-cat Sherlock Holmes outfit, without becoming farcical? And farcical is what he becomes.

A so-so, throw away, comedy ending really tops off the insult which this film really is. And yet I might have been a little more generous if they hadn't lied to me with the marketing genius title of serial killer... black widow, hustler, grifter... anything but serial killer.

No respect from me here... but a vote of "3" for the acting... hell, they gotta pay the rent too!