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RichM-6
Reviews
Circus (2000)
Complex suspense, NOT a comedy
If you were expecting a comedy, be prepared to be disappointed. This is not a funny movie. It is often violent, and sometimes more graphic than need be, but... It was interesting, complex, and had a multilayer feel to it. Who is betraying whom? The dialog wasn't bad, the acting somewhat stylized (a la a David Lynch movie) but not to the point of distraction. It has a certain amount of the feel of "Snatch", moving in the parts of English not-so-nice society. And in the end, you're glad that the "good" guy wins (although he is willing to do, and see things done, that would hardly qualify him as a "good" good guy.)
Clubland (1999)
Not Bad for an independent film aimed at 15-21 year olds
If you expected this film to be really "edge", its not - but it is actually better than one might expect from film aimed at 15-21 year olds. Production values are good; story, although not deep and philosophical, is entertaining and well paced.
Rock Group wants to play in L.A. clubs - find that clubs want money, not in it for "the music". Thugs and drugs on fringe of music scene cause problems for band members. "Nice" girls compete with groupies for band members attentions. Most of the music in this film is actually pretty mellow. Some implied sex, not graphic. Lots of foul language, some violence (mostly compressed into two scenes).
Acting is generally good, weaker performances from singers acting in the film (not a big surprise). Jimmy Tuckett (the lead singer in the band) several women assure me, is cute. Heather Stephens as the "good" female co-star is attractive, does a credible job. Lori Petty has a tough job trying to make something of a character who is always either high, drunk, or both - too bad that she didn't have a "cleaned up" phase to show in this movie.
Fortunate news - Song "Bisexual Chick" is actually only in the background, under the sounds of a party, i.e., you don't actually have to hear it.
After seeing big budget, mainline studio movies with massive ad budgets that still produce films like "Mod Squad" and "The Avengers", this low budget independent film has a lot to be said for it. And compared with some of the films that are screened and don't make it into the theaters at all, it ain't bad at all.
Too bad most people who would enjoy this on the big screen won't "discover" it until after it is playing on HBO and available on video tape.