americana_films Reviews

From Prada to Nada (2011)

A very real and unique story

[8/10 · 3 February 2011]

I am no expert on this genre, but I'd have to say that "From Prada to Nada" is a notch above most of the romantic comedies that are out there This is a witty and realistic romantic comedy waiting for you. I was glad I had a chance to see this film earlier because I'm certain there will be a lot of "naysayers" out there that will dissuade others from seeing it, but to me, this seems like a perfect film for discussion with a circle of good friends.

Unlike other films coming from the genre, this film not only has witty dialog and cleverness without being too sentimental but it takes on the subject of the Hispanic society with just the right touch.

The actors involved, of course, have a lot to do with the making of a good film and overall, the actors are perfect for their roles, each one of them bringing a dose of reality to the screen.

Not everyone is going to get this film but in my opinion, "From Prada to Nada" is a highly enjoyable movie that surprisingly has something for everyone.

Blood Moon Rising (2009)

A Cult Movie at it's best.

[10/10 · 16 January 2010]

This is one of those films that's not going to win an Academy Award, but it's going to be around for a long time. A parody of the films of the 70's, much like The Rocky Horror Show, this one is full of all of the fun monsters of the 70's and is surely destined to pop up again and again on late night television. If you're just looking for a fun time, this one is a "no-brainer"!

In case you bought one of the earlier ones, there was a sound problem with the film and all of the copies had to be recalled and replaced with one with the proper mix. So if you do have one of the copies released in the first batch. contact the company and they'll replace it at no charge.

Then She Found Me (2007)

Agonizing

[9 October 2009]

This was like a Helen Hunt ego trip. Oh, great I found a book and I'm going to make a movie from the book. I'll star in it. Yeah, that's what I'll do. Oh wait, I'll produce it too. Oh wait, I'll write and direct it too. Is there anything else that I can do? Nope, this is my Helen Hunt movie. And so she did.

Spoiler

I wanted to like this movie, honestly I really did. We planned it for a Frinday night movie, my wife and I. We got blankets and pillows and prepared for an hour and a half of romance and comedy. Nothing could have been further from what we expected. It was just awful. Her infantile husband leaves her, she meets the man of her dreams and blows him off to nail her "boy" husband in her car. And it gets worse and worse and worse. She wants to get pregnant and finally does with the man of her dreams but the baby is by her ex. Great, she's having the baby she's always wanted. But the baby dies. And all this time her real mother who blew her off when she was an infant shows up and Hunt treats her like crap. Then she treats the man of her life like crap and blows him off. She treats everyone like crap. And on and on and on. What a wasted night this was.

Shortcut to Happiness (2003)

I was surprised at how good this film was

[10/10 · 7 October 2006]

When I first saw The Devil and Daniel Webster I was in amazement of how good it was. I was thinking about it for a long time after and when I got to watch it recently on a DVD, it made me think about it all over again but this time raises some questions.

I didn't find it as good the second time round since the time that I first saw it but in the recent viewing I was paying more attention than before. I still think Alec Baldwin was maybe not right as Jabez Stone. He has some good moments but I think he has to many moments where he is trying to act is ass off and making it look obvious. Is it me or in some scenes where Baldwin is talking he sounds kind of goofy and over the top. Just a thought.

Anthony Hopkins was perfect as Daniel Webster but again, isn't he always? Whatever shortfalls his film has, Hopkins makes up for it in his charm and charisma which he tackles head on easily throughout the movie.

The best acting we get here is from Dan Akroyd and Jennifer Love but especially Hewitt, which is no surprise to me considering how well she has done in some of her previous films.

The story doesn't really kick off till the very end where everything unfolds very fast to an entertaining climax which without this film would have failed badly. I don't know much about producer Michael Z. Gordon's previous work except with the good film "Narc", but I am impressed with how he handled this film.

Mafiosa (I) (2006– )

Were we watching the same movie? This film was very funny!

[8/10 · 18 July 2006]

This was a presentation pilot which had its world premiere at the Boston International Film Festival. The acting was excellent and the film was very funny. The audience laughed throughout the entire screening. Afterwards, the producer was asked to come down and discuss the film with the audience. While it's true that the quality wasn't that good, he explained that it was shot in HD but it lost something in the transfer for the screening.

The premise was a deftly executed by two veteran actors Johnny (Roast Beef) Williams and Bobby Constanzo ("Goodfellas", "Analyze This" "Forget Paris", etc.). Brooke Lewis was excellent in her debut performance as the daughter of the mob boss (Costanzo) who wanted to take over as head of the family. Costanzo was hilarious as the delusional boss of this dysfunctional family.

All in all, it was a wonderful presentation for a low-budget pilot. I read in the trades where they are talking to several television channels about the pilot so I guess I'm not the only one who thinks this is a winning premise. I'm looking forward to seeing this series on the small screen in the near future.

In Enemy Hands (2004)

Were we watching the same movie? This is an EXCELLENT film!

[10/10 · 8 May 2006]

I couldn't figure out why there were so many bad reviews on this film until I found out that the film was first released in Europe and that version was terrible. Then, Lion's Gate picked it up and I watched it again and there was no comparison. The biggest problem is that most of the DVD's out there are the old version and therefore, bad, bad bad.

Now the good news. If you can get hold a copy of the new version, you are going to be pleasantly surprised. "In Enemy Hands" is an excellent film about the Americans and the Germans inside a U-Boat. It is very well made, in terms of both acting and directing, and doesn't disappoint.

There were some scenes that held the movie up, longer than they needed to be, or were just pointless, but still, "In Enemy Hands" is a very good film. There were some great scenes involving some black humor and there were scenes that were very touching and powerful. Its very enjoyable from start to finish and will not fail to impress.

The acting is top-notch - William Macy gives his best performances as does Lauren Holly. They couldn't have done a better job. Til Schweiger also gives a great performance. There were times where he could have done better, but all in all, he was very good.

Ton Giglio does a good job directing this. I haven't seen much of his work, but what I did see were excellent movies - although nowhere near as good as this. He is able to give this film the dark atmosphere it needs and couldn't have been better.

If you haven't seen this version yet, you should definitely rent this when you get the chance. The newest version of "In Enemy Hands" is a well-made film that won't disappoint. It combines very good acting and directing, clever black humor, and very touching moments, which all make a brilliant movie.

Like I said, this version is sooooo much better, and shouldn't be missed.

Silent Partner (2005)

A Good film and definitely worth watching

[8/10 · 29 November 2005]

I am awed by the caliber of this film. James Deck has made a moderately good screenplay into an outstanding political thriller.

The complexity of the film is particularly challenging. The plot begins with several different threads that interweave somewhere during the story. Director/Writer James Deck takes apart those threads and models a film based on the two protagonists, Reid and Moran. The myriad of supporting actors (including Gregg Henry ) that appear on screen subsequently all have distinct but nonetheless crucial roles to the plot.

Moran, in what is and will probably be his career best role ever, shines as the intelligent and patriotic Gordon Patrick, a thinking man's hero. Reid lends incredible presence, as usual, to her interpretation of Dina.