I saw this film at a festival in Hollywood a couple of weeks ago. The packed theater came to see a fantastic indie feature, and they didn't leave disappointed.
This film delivers. It doesn't hold back. It's not just edgy - it's over the edge. And Danny Trejo gets to play the role of a lifetime.
*** Beginning of a Few Spoilers ***
The story is about a drug dealer in Los Angeles who is stuck in a lifestyle he detests. His girlfriend is unbearable, as is his mother. His best friend Miguel seems more into the LA scene than he. Zeus struggles from one day to the next, selling his drugs to the city's rich kids, trying to find a purpose.
Then one day he meets the girl of his dreams, a beautiful, fresh transplant from Ohio - Lisa. As she is the antithesis to everything Zeus believes LA to be, he falls for her fast and hard, hiding her from his other life.
Then one night when Zeus and Miguel arrive at a warehouse to pick up product from their dealer (the one and only Danny Trejo), he hands over one of his 'assets' to them - his gorgeous girlfriend Maria. Zeus and Miguel know that this can't be good, but due to lack of any other option, they take her. As they speed away from the warehouse, it becomes obvious why Hector unloaded Maria - as his business establishment comes under the attack of 'The Darksuits' (which are people you don't mess with, and for some reason, Hector is on their list).
When Zeus brings Maria back to his pad, his girlfriend blows up. But under her intense anger is a real sense of worry, as she knows Zeus is in a very dangerous profession. Zeus and Miguel also discover that Hector has unloaded a couple kilos of cocaine on them...not a good sign.
It doesn't take long for Zeus to figure out that Hector probably didn't come out on the winning end of his disagreement with the Darksuits. He convinces Maria to tell him where Hector hid his stash. Zeus believes that if he can only get to it before the Darksuits, he could leave the city forever - with Lisa, the girl he really loves.
However, the plan goes insanely wrong, in a way that you just have to see to believe.
*** End of Spoilers ***
This is a great looking, gritty, hardcore film that came out of nowhere. The festival was buzzing after the screening - you could feel that people were really affected by this film. It pulls no punches in its portrayal of Los Angeles' seedy side. The acting was terrific all around, and Trejo - if it's not blasphemy to say - is in his baddest ass role ever. He is incredibly powerful in this film. And the humor mixed with violence can only be described as Tarantino-esquire.
I don't know where this film will end up - I'm anxious to see what festival awards it'll win (the NY Independent Film & Video Festival). But make sure to catch it when it is released - especially if you're a Reservoir Dogs fan. The last half hour will blow you away...
This film delivers. It doesn't hold back. It's not just edgy - it's over the edge. And Danny Trejo gets to play the role of a lifetime.
*** Beginning of a Few Spoilers ***
The story is about a drug dealer in Los Angeles who is stuck in a lifestyle he detests. His girlfriend is unbearable, as is his mother. His best friend Miguel seems more into the LA scene than he. Zeus struggles from one day to the next, selling his drugs to the city's rich kids, trying to find a purpose.
Then one day he meets the girl of his dreams, a beautiful, fresh transplant from Ohio - Lisa. As she is the antithesis to everything Zeus believes LA to be, he falls for her fast and hard, hiding her from his other life.
Then one night when Zeus and Miguel arrive at a warehouse to pick up product from their dealer (the one and only Danny Trejo), he hands over one of his 'assets' to them - his gorgeous girlfriend Maria. Zeus and Miguel know that this can't be good, but due to lack of any other option, they take her. As they speed away from the warehouse, it becomes obvious why Hector unloaded Maria - as his business establishment comes under the attack of 'The Darksuits' (which are people you don't mess with, and for some reason, Hector is on their list).
When Zeus brings Maria back to his pad, his girlfriend blows up. But under her intense anger is a real sense of worry, as she knows Zeus is in a very dangerous profession. Zeus and Miguel also discover that Hector has unloaded a couple kilos of cocaine on them...not a good sign.
It doesn't take long for Zeus to figure out that Hector probably didn't come out on the winning end of his disagreement with the Darksuits. He convinces Maria to tell him where Hector hid his stash. Zeus believes that if he can only get to it before the Darksuits, he could leave the city forever - with Lisa, the girl he really loves.
However, the plan goes insanely wrong, in a way that you just have to see to believe.
*** End of Spoilers ***
This is a great looking, gritty, hardcore film that came out of nowhere. The festival was buzzing after the screening - you could feel that people were really affected by this film. It pulls no punches in its portrayal of Los Angeles' seedy side. The acting was terrific all around, and Trejo - if it's not blasphemy to say - is in his baddest ass role ever. He is incredibly powerful in this film. And the humor mixed with violence can only be described as Tarantino-esquire.
I don't know where this film will end up - I'm anxious to see what festival awards it'll win (the NY Independent Film & Video Festival). But make sure to catch it when it is released - especially if you're a Reservoir Dogs fan. The last half hour will blow you away...