Reviews (6)

Pure Fun in a Vampire Flick
This was a made for television movie featuring Ben Cross, who starred as Barnabas Collins in the Dark Shadows revival series as well as having an impressive career in other roles. Nightlife is a comedy . . . much like the Mel Brooks film "Dracula, Dead and Loving It". The plot moves along like it's supposed to be serious but there is an endless array of ridiculous situations that makes it clear it's pure comedy. The premise is Vlad's love Angelique has been awakened by gravediggers who opened her coffin hoping to find treasure. Vlad wants her back but Angelique is interested in the doctor who is trying to figure out what her "rare blood disorder" is and clearly hates Vlad. The ensuing struggle between Vlad and his inept sidekicks against the doctor and his friends becomes a classic "science versus mythology" fight to the bitter end. If you like vampire comedies this one has all the ingredients you're looking for.

NIGHTLIFE IS FULL OF LIFE
I found this movie thoroughly enjoyable! How marvelous to have a movie filled with likeable, quirky characters -- villians, victims and heroes alike! The story and script effectively intertwined drama and witty humor without resorting to the triteness of "camp". I was a big fan of Ben Cross in the short-lived remake of the Dark Shadows series and found him absolutely delightful in Nightlife. I was also a fan of the Equalizer series, always eagerly anticipating the episodes with the mysterious, weapons specialist/procurer, Mickey -- played by Keith Szarabajka, who handsomely plays Dr. David Zuckerman, the heroic, love-smitten doctor in Nightlife. Maryam d'Abo as the reawakened vampire, Angelique, is sexy as all get out without coming off as "vampish"; and Camille Saviola as Rosa Mercedes, Angelique's housekeeper and loyal protector, is side-stitchingly hysterical (and loveable)! The music is catchy, and as quirky as the movie. Nightlife provides 1 hour 33 minutes of intelligent, light-hearted fun, something that isn't always so easy to find these days. I highly recommend it!!

I absolutely Love this movie!
If you like funny horror movies(like I do),this is a good one for you.O.K.,it can be a bit corny at times,but that's part of it's charm.The other part comes from the performances,especially that of Keith Szarabajka (I hope I spelled that right).He's perfect as the hematologist who thinks his vampire patient is just suffering from anemia.Everyone seems to be having a great time,and so will you!

"The happiest vampire south-of-the-border"
Come on! This one's not so bad! In fact, it's quite good! Far superior than most Hollywood horror turkeys -like 'An American Werewolf in Paris' or 'John Carpenter's Vampires', to name a few- with bigger budgets and state-of-the-art special effects. Let's just say that what it lacks in production values, excels in talent (except for the "Mexican maid") and script. In fact, it's one of the funniest TV movies I've seen!

Yet, I must confess I'm fond of this flick for personal reasons too. One is Maryam D'Abo, my favorite screen siren and perhaps the most underrated of them all, who happens to be a damn good actress if given the right role. Here she stars as a vampire in distress and, though the part is no Blanche Dubois for sure, she plays it with charm, sexiness and gusto.

The other is the fact that this movie was shot not only in my hometown, Mexico City, but in my very own neighborhood (Coyoacán), and it's funny to see buildings, streets and places you've known all your life as sets for a horror film. Too bad I was in London at the time, for I would've loved to meet Ms. D'Abo and ask her for an autograph; perhaps even invite her an ice cream across the street!

'The happiest vampire south of the border!'
This one's not so bad! As a matter of fact, it's quite good! Far better (and funnier too!) than, say, 'An American Werewolf in Paris', which was done with a much bigger budget and a state-of-the-art Hollywood production. Come to think of it, as far as made-for-TV movies go, this one has an above average script, great performances (although I think the "feisty" Mexican maid overdoes it badly) and no pretentions whatsoever, which makes it the more enjoyable!

I must confess I like this movie for personal reasons: One is Maryam D'Abo, the silver screen's most underrated siren and a damn good actress if given a worthy role. Here she plays a vampiress in distress and, though the part is no Blanche Dubois for sure, she does it with gusto and fun!

Two, the movie was filmed in my hometown, more precisely in my neighborhood (Coyoacán), and it's funny to see familiar buildings you've known all your life, some of them just around the corner, as sets for a macabre story. Thank my unlucky stars, I was away in London while the movie was being shot. ¡Chín! I would have loved to meet Ms. D'Abo and asked her for an autograph, maybe even invited her an ice cream across the street! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Black Magic - Relax and Enjoy
I was lucky enough to surf into it during it's brief cable run. This movie is a wonderfully amusing way to spend an afternoon. Dark comedy - interesting curses and such an ending! Rachel Ward at her very best! If the studio ever drops the price to an affordable level, do buy it! I liked it so much, I set the VCR to tape it on it's 2am showing, so I get to watch it from time to time. I'm never disappointed, it never gets old.

A good quirky tale of suspense and mystery
I have to agree with the one other person who has seen this movie. As stated, it only ran for a few weeks on HBO back in 1991. It was actually a good movie. If you've ever heard the song "Istanbul" by "They Might Be Giants" then you'll appreciate this movie. Judge Rheinhold plays a gullible and typical male who is suckered in by his brothers ex-lover. She is a sultry Louisiana girl who just happens to be mixed up in a little witchery. The ending is never a surety until you get there, but it's well worth the wait. If the studio ever lowers the price to something a little more affordable, I'm snatching one up.

Great Movie
This is a great movie. It was shown only once on either HBO or Showtime about 3 years ago. My only question is-why is it SO expensive to purchase. If it would be on TV again, or a pay station, definitely watch it. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A Breaking All the Rules Comedy!
To tell the truth, I enjoyed "Breakin' All the Rules." It is one of those romantic comedy where nobody knows who anybody else is, and you know that everything is going to be alright at the end. But sometimes that could be alright in the plot is good. That is exactly why this is a good movie. It has a good story, and it has alot of witty dialouge. It isn't a masterpiece, and it's not going to be on my Top 25 of 2004 list at the end of the year, but it is pretty good. Jamie Foxx is the star of the movie, and I never really saw him act before. I never saw his television show, or any of the movies that he made. He was good in this, and that could be a good sign for his next movie "Collateral" starring Tom Cruise.

Jamie Foxx plays Quincy Watson. He works with his cousin Evan at spoil magazine. Quincy gets a new job from his boss Philip, where he has to fire people. He gets dumped by his girlfriend on that night that he was going to propose to her, and that causes him to quit his job, because he realizes that getting dumped and firing people are one of the same. He insteads writes a book. A break-up handbook on how to do it, when to do it, where to do it, why to do it, etc. It is a bestseller, number one of the list, and soon he is being asked by Philip on how to break up with his girlfriend Rita, who married people for their money. Even then gets the idea that his girlfriend Nicky is about to break up with him, so he decides to have Quincy go to a specific place, and talk to her about him. He has never met her, and she got a haircut from the last time Even saw her, making her look like Halle Berry. Quincy talks to her, thinking she's somebody else, and the two start a relationship of some sort. Rita then finds out that Quincy is helping Philip break up with her, and she goes to his house, but finds Even there. She sleeps with Even thinking he's Quincy, in order to have him stop helping Philip, and the case of mistaken identies grows deeper.

There are so many movies that have the case of mistaken identity, but some how "Breakin' All the Rules" pulls it off. In the beginning, once Quincy writes his book, you get to hear lines from it, and advice from him. It is interesting to hear things like this, and the movie is filled with witty dialouge like this from start to end. "Breakin' All the Rules" was not a big hit at the box office, and it is just about out of theatres, but it is a sure fire hit on DVD. It was better seeing it in a movie theatre in front of an audience, but I wish that more formula comedies that come out are half as good as this was. This is the perfect kick off to the summer comedies after the terrible "New York Minute" and it is a remedy for those who aren't fans of action movies like "Van Helsing" "Troy" and "The Day After Tomorrow."

ENJOY!

Rated PG-13 for sexual material/humor and language.

Fun movie to kick off the summer...
This was a cute romantic flick with some laughs here and there. Overall I'd recommend it to those who are not ultra critical of their movie choices... just go, relax, and enjoy the light-heartedness of the movie.

Step Away From this Movie
I was greatly disappointed by this movie. It waste the talent of it's brightest stars such as Gabrielle Union and Morris Chestnut. The plot of this movie started great when the character Quincy played by Jamie Foxx is dumped by his girlfriend on the night he plans to announce their engagement. But from there The plot turns into a convulted mess. Gabrielle Union was the save of this movie. Which is sad really! She is such a amazing actress but Hollywood has yet to utilized her potential. Morris Chestnut plays Quincy cousin a player Who uses women for own selfish reasons. But here again an actor who was funny and wonderful in such movies as the Brothers and Two Can Play at This Game. Just was hanging by a slender thread. Jamie Foxx was very funny and clever but not enough to save this movie.

gratest movie evar
this was the best movie i watched this year or maybe even my entire life. it was a good movie if you like action and movies. before this movie i wasn't very happy with any of the moives that were out there. this movie is well worth watching!

-w00+ peace to the broken crew ... Read more

Amazon.com

Aidan Quinn plays a man so aggrieved by his misfortunes that he vows to break each of God's Ten Commandments in revenge. But even that act of profound defiance doesn't quite work out the way he planned, and the character undergoes a mythic--some would say biblical--experience of a different kind. Quinn is fine, as is Anthony LaPaglia as his friend and Courteney Cox as a love interest. But the heavily stylized film by Daniel Taplitz makes puffery of the drama, and the atmosphere is more silly than smart. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Not recommended for religious people with no sense of humor
But still good for the open-minded! I guess I should say you shouldn't see this movie unless you are a big fan of one of the cast members. The characters could have been developed better and the movie could have been longer (it is about an hour and a half). But still, it's a good movie to see if you like dark comedy, and I mean really, really dark. I myself liked it a lot; however, it is pretty strange and the ending could have been much, much better. Harry is a rather static character that you will probably hate, unless you love Anthony LaPaglia, and Sparky the dog is an added bonus. Rent this movie - you may regret it, but you probably won't.

Unusual and interesting
Seth (Aidan Quinn) is in a bad way. His pregnant wife drowned a year ago, his house has been demolished in a tornado, and he's lost his job. "Why, God?" he asks. God responds with a carefully aimed lightning bolt which not only hits Seth, but also manages to maim his pet dog.

Homeless and jobless, Seth goes to stay with his late wife's sister, Rachel (Courteney Cox) and her no-good husband, Harry (Anthony LaPaglia). And Harry's collection of priceless guitars. We know that Harry is no good because the first time we see him, he's cheating on Rachel with gusto. Seth is lost and confused - why has God chosen to punish him, a good, loyal, hard-working religious man, rather than someone like, say, Harry? Not only is he confused, he's getting pretty angry. So he makes up his mind to break each of the Ten Commandments, one by one.

"Commandments" raises some interesting questions - very few of which it actually manages to answer. Most of the time, it doesn't even make an attempt at this. Rather than trying to figure out exactly *why* God is punishing Seth, it turns into a comedy as Seth wife-covets, ignores the Sabbath and blasphemes his way across the screen. More interesting than Seth is Harry, who is nasty in a refreshingly human way, while Courteney Cox as Rachel is lovely, but more than a little distant.

The characters and their dilemmas are somewhat inaccessible; we end up not caring about them as much as we should, I guess. A lot of the scenes seem illogical, and the cold blue sets do their part in cutting off the audience. However it's a lot more quirky and off-beat than most of the comedies in circulation at the moment. Keep an eye out for it.

this is an ancient story. . .
This is a retelling of the Job story from the Old Testament. And the genius of the film is that (even though the movie includes another biblical story to wind up Seth's story) it ends much like the book of Job; there is no answer to why all these things happen to humans, but still there is the overwhelming sense that you just have to know more about this God. I'm sure this film doesn't sit well with conservative Jews or Christians--too much sex. That's okay--not much sits well with conservative viewers. It is a nice counterpoint to the notion on our culture that if you love God, nothing bad will ever happen to you. Here, Seth perseveres in this relationship even though he is terribly angry with God.

My fave
Even if this movie didn't have Courteney Cox Arquette, it'd still be my favourite. I love the movie so much, especially the darkness of it. The acting is superb!

Good performance by Aidan Quinn; heavy story line
When it seems as though everything in life is working against you, it is understandable to wonder why you are being punished. Seth Warner (Aidan Quinn) has reached the end of his rope - his young pregnant wife has died, he is struck by lightning, his house is hit by a twister - and he wonders why God is punishing him. Since everything bad in life is happening to him anyway, he sets out to break each of the 10 commandments. Suicidal, he's living on the edge, so he has little concern for the consequences of his actions. He is taken in by his dead wife's sister (Courteney Cox) and, reluctantly, by her husband (Anthony LaPaglia), who is more concerned about his collection of guitars than with people.

It's easy to empathize with Quinn's character, even though he's over the edge and acting out some rather strange behavior as he works his way through each commandment. LaPaglia and Cox give acceptable performances, and Quinn is convincing as this likable nut-case.

In this reviewer's eyes, it was an intense drama about a troubled man seeking some answers. I certainly did not see any comedy in the film. Unless, of course, you consider the ending. It was totally unbelievable, but entertaining nonetheless. Perhaps it was just a way of saying, "no matter how bad things get, something good will come of it." ... Read more