I normally don't round up with my ratings (I would put this at a 7.5 if IMDb had decimal ratings), but I'm giving this an 8 because I think it's gotten a tough break from existing ratings, which I hadn't reviewed before I rented it.
I was attracted to the film because I am familiar with and enjoy the region it is set in.
All of the characters and acting are good. I didn't like the sacrilege of the Jesus burger, but it was creative. The FX section of the DVD really showed interesting use of special effects to create interesting locations out of run down places. The choice of the 1963 (or 1964) Lincoln gave the film a cool look that fit the setting. The film has an enjoyable somewhat psychedelic visual style. The plot unfolded in a way that was plausible, but not predictable, but was not over complicated to the point of being tiring. The scene with the cop was suspenseful and surprising. Veronica was very seductive and entertaining, a well chosen foil for the laid back Edgar (the nice guy who just stumbles deeper and deeper into trouble). Edgar was hilarious when Veronica told him the gum was laced with LSD. Gloria also fit the chemistry well. Chloe played the straight role of the mostly normal girlfriend convincingly. Allen was well played and the film threw an interesting fake at the audience by suggesting that he might be a serial killer with the blue garment that Gloria uses as a pillow in the back seat of the car. It all tied up well at the end.
All in all, the director really did a great job considering the low budget, sometimes a lower budget can make for a superior film, as many of today's film clichés (long boring chases/action sequences etc) are expensive to produce. A smaller budget can force more creativity with what they have. This was a better than average film, produced with a fraction of the average budget, and a refreshing break from the same old Hollywood stuff.
I was attracted to the film because I am familiar with and enjoy the region it is set in.
All of the characters and acting are good. I didn't like the sacrilege of the Jesus burger, but it was creative. The FX section of the DVD really showed interesting use of special effects to create interesting locations out of run down places. The choice of the 1963 (or 1964) Lincoln gave the film a cool look that fit the setting. The film has an enjoyable somewhat psychedelic visual style. The plot unfolded in a way that was plausible, but not predictable, but was not over complicated to the point of being tiring. The scene with the cop was suspenseful and surprising. Veronica was very seductive and entertaining, a well chosen foil for the laid back Edgar (the nice guy who just stumbles deeper and deeper into trouble). Edgar was hilarious when Veronica told him the gum was laced with LSD. Gloria also fit the chemistry well. Chloe played the straight role of the mostly normal girlfriend convincingly. Allen was well played and the film threw an interesting fake at the audience by suggesting that he might be a serial killer with the blue garment that Gloria uses as a pillow in the back seat of the car. It all tied up well at the end.
All in all, the director really did a great job considering the low budget, sometimes a lower budget can make for a superior film, as many of today's film clichés (long boring chases/action sequences etc) are expensive to produce. A smaller budget can force more creativity with what they have. This was a better than average film, produced with a fraction of the average budget, and a refreshing break from the same old Hollywood stuff.