Reviews (27)

Eat... drink... and be buried...
I loved this movie! It was original, surprising, funny, shocking...BRILLIANT - and the ending...its rare that a movie has such a neat ending! The story centers around 5 Liberal left winged grad students who enjoy getting together and having a meal, while discussing current events & political opinions w/ guests. But it turns into a dangerous game when they accidentally kill a racist dinner guest. (Played by Bill Paxton - what a switch from the roles he usually plays!!) After that, they began to invite over people, and if they don't agree w/ their beliefs, they poison them. Its sounds a little kooky but the way screenwriter Dan Rosen puts the story together is amazing.

I don't recommend this movie for younger viewers; just because I don't think they would understand it - you have to be familiar w/ Liberals vs. Conservatives, right wing vs. left wing, etc. to understand the movie. I loved each and every one of the characters esp. Courtney B. Vance and Cameron Diaz! (this was one of Miss Diaz's first movies) It has some awesome cameos too! (Jason Alexander from "Seinfeld" plays one of the victims) On top of all that the soundtrack is GREAT too (a lot KC & The Sunshine Band, and dance music) I recommend you pick this movie up...it's a wickedly amusing dark comedy that will have you laughing all night!

Want to see everyone "get their due?"
An entertaining weekend movie, though it has moments that make you feel like you are putting yourself through it!

Five liberal grad students' favorite activity is dinner with a stranger-they enjoy the copmany of a guest they disagree with, over one of Cori's homecooked meals. We begin the movie with the night that dinner went wrong. After a guest too conservative for the conservatives (it was later revealed that he was more evil that they imagined)is killed, they decide to save the world by eliminating hosts of ultra-conservative, prejudiced and/or ignorant people.

Naturally, everything unravels...after one ignorant guest finds their liberal opinions convincing, they get nervous and quickly convince him not to change his mind, hence another body in the back yard. The meals get simpler (the fancy meals shrivel up into unembellished white bread sandwiches), the garden becomes a jungle (each grave is covered with tomato plants, a cover-up), and the blood (and tomatoes!) is everywhere!

Yes, I am biased to recommend this. I love all the point-of-view shots and humor that makes fun of everyone from every view point. Yes it's funny-if not QUITE sick!

Liberal Vengence
This is an excellent movie that never really recieved much publicity when it came out. What this movie basically tries to depict what it would be like if a group of liberals decided to go to extreme measures to rid the world of outspoken right-wingers who's death (to coin a phrase) would make the world a better place in their eyes. It does not sound like something worth observing but a few years ago I just happened to catch it playing on a cable movie channel and I just couldn't stop watching it!

The movie starts with you introduction to the primary characters consisting of a group of liberal graduate students at Iowa State University. This group is played by Ron Eldard, Annabeth Gish, Jonathan Penner, a still relatively unknown Cameron Diaz, and the great character actor Courtney B. Vance. The story starts out on a stormy night while all but one of the students is watching T.V. and discussing the nonsense gloating of well known conservative Norman Arbuthnot (Ron Perlman). Then there is a knock on the door and upon answering it they find out that their other roommate's car had broken down and he had been brought home by a truckdriver named Zack (Bill Paxton). They decide to be polite and invite Zack in for dinner. Through the course of events they find out that Zack is an extreme right-winger and desert storm veteran (and argument waiting to happen). To make a long story short they get into a scuff wherein Zack breaks Pete's (Ron Eldard) arm and Marc (Jonathan Penner) in the heat of the moment stabs Zack in the back with a kitchen knife.

In the aftermath of this incident, they (as calmly as they could) decide that it is best to not mention this to anyone as the courts would probably side with Zack. So they bury Zack in the backyard and dump his pickup in the river. Well in the days after the incident, after much deep conversation about what happened (which we liberals tend to do), they start to think about whether what happened was actually a bad thing or not. (What if someone with enought motivation were to get rid of some of these dangerous right wing a** ho*es and in the process make the world a "better place")

So they basically form a plan to invite a different person for dinner and discussion every weekend that has extreme conservative views and try to change their minds about things through debate. And if the person cannot be persuaded, they kill them by giving them wine poisoned with arsenic. Thereby getting rid of a potentially dangerous person (A potential Hitler they call it) and making the world a better place.

So this is how the story gets started and how the suspense is wound up through the course of their plan. The people that they invite over are played by many well-known actors including Charles Durning, Mark Harmon, Jason Alexander(Seinfeld), and finally Ron Perlman's character himself. The story is suspensefull and gripping and also includes a lot of insitefull symbolizm. A definite must see for anyone liberal or conservative. It holds a special significance for me because I am an Iowa State grad student myself (note: I am not really sure that it was actually filmed in Ames, Iowa I really don't recognize any of the scenery shown in the movie). Let it be known that the extremedy of the political and social viewpoints presented by the characters in this film are not my viewpoints or beliefs. It is just a wonderful movie for all adults. See it, absorb it, love it!

Dark Humor at its best / original script
This is black comedy at its best. Stacy Title wrote an incredibly original script. The acting is amazing with a very young Cameron Diaz which Im not a huge fan of but this may be her best performance. Courtney Vance is great as usual & 1 of my favorite female actresses Annabeth Gish. Also Jason Alexander (Seinfeld) gives an hilarious performance as an extreme conservative right winger. The story 5 left wing liberal grad students in Iowa share a house together & every Sunday they have supper together discussing left wing politics /socialism & ways they can change the world. In short they come across a drifter truck driver (Bill Paxton) who comes to their door. They invite him in for the ritual supper & he turns out to be a fascist,mysoginistic hitler loving ex marine. In an argument with one of the hosts he breaks their arm. They stab him in the back killing him then they hide the body in their garden. Deciding this is the only way to make a difference they come up with an idea to start inviting known conservative right wingers for last suppers allowing them to plead their choice of political & social views. Like judge & jury if not up to agreement with the hosts a little poison goes in the right wingers wine. A very dark original indie film & script. One of my favorite dark satirical comedies.

A good movie I never remember hearing about

I rented this movie and was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed it. The story was demented and there were a few laughs, mostly as the groups victims argued their opposing positions, not knowing they were literaly debating for their lives. "A toast..." *thud* The cast was excellent - Courtney B. Vance and Nora Dunn both get big thumbs up, while Ron Eldard's whining got on my nerves towards the (surprise) end. All in all, a pretty good movie. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Interesting, yet stick with Hamlet
Although the title of Stacy Title's 1999 film noir reinvention of the great bard's Hamlet may be the best thing about the film, it at least makes for an interesting viewing. Title takes Shakespeare's classic and updates it to a sleazy, dark, hot and decadent modern LA (which when you think about it, is not much a stretch). It's a well made film with some very creative, if not haunting flashback and dream sequences. The cast and their performances, for the most part is top notch. In small roles, Jacqueline Bisset and Mary-Louise Parker shine. Parker, who plays the drug and dog food sampling Julia/Ophelia, is the most sympathetic character in the film among a company of sociopaths, drug dealers, criminals and complete losers.

There lies the problem with the film. The characters are for the most part so unlikable, that one could almost care less if Jack (played deliberately over the top by Jonathan Penner) ever avenges his father's suspicious death. In fact, several times during the viewing I was hoping Title would break with Shakespeare and bump off Jack. His "love" scenes with Parker are crude and unaffectionate, making him even more unlikable. Penner's portrayal can be fun at times, yet it's hard to be compassionate or relate to a guy like Jack (unless maybe you are filthy rich, obsessed and have a fetish for sex in restrooms). When sleazy characters are well written, as they are in Scorsese's films, the audience can get to know, like them, even root for them. Here, they are shallow, heartless, almost totally unattractive, stupid at times and rather uninteresting (no, I did not like them). The climax is overblown and ridiculous. Fortunately and thankfully, few are left alive at the film's conclusion.

Still, despite all the flaws. I can't help but recommend the film for film noir fans or those who are looking for "something different" as the filmmaking itself is interesting and well done. With a better script and well-developed characters, it could have been a very good film. However, for great writing, stick with old Bill's Hamlet

Very good hip Hamlet....but no extras
Stacy Title, the director of the little-known but effective black comedy The Last Supper (about liberal yuppies who bump off arrogant right-wingers) here presents a modern re-working of Hamlet with lots of gunplay, sleek scene transitions, quirky character traits (check out the pharmacist--very funny small bit), and a real flair for visual panache.

As Jack, the Hamlet guy, Jonathan Penner looks too old to be in grad school, but overall he does a much better job than the horribly miscast Ethan Hawke in Michael Almereyda's 2000 version of Hamlet (whose supporting cast brilliantly outshone the leads). The always excellent Mary-Louise Parker is great as Julia (Ophelia) and in supporting roles, Maury Chaykin, Philip Baker Hall, Jonathan Banks, and Norman Reedus are all effective. Jacqueline Bisset and Jamey Sheridan make a nice evil couple (Jack's mother and uncle, the co-murderers of his father), and Chris Sarandon puts in a silent appearance as the father-ghost in a number of very effective flashbacks and current sightings--by Jack, of course.

It's true that this is a bit thin compared to the real Hamlet--in fact, more than a bit--but the director has sacrificed meat and potatoes for some tasty sauce. There's a lot of zing here and this is a very entertaining film, noticeably different in tone and temperament from any other Hamlet. Here there's a real emphasis on noir elements that come to the surface in sudden flashes or bursts of action making this more a thriller than anything else. Half-naked strippers, Mexican-American thug-cops, a crack-carrying gunman, and a crooked lawyer all contribute to the atmosphere.

Be advised that although the DVD case claims there is a trailer and behind the scenes footage, this is not true. There are NO extras at all. But it is a fun way to spend 90 minutes.

Confusing title, satisfying film
Hewing closely as it does to the basic outline of "Hamlet", I expected not to be surprised by "Let the Devil Wear Black"--but this movie is liberated enough to function admirably well on its own with its own quirks, internal logic, and occasional flashes of real wit.
Jonathan Penner, a stunningly beautiful actor, portrays a hero whose history of institutionalization keeps our response to his deep suspicion and contacts with his dead father ambivalent--is there a hideous conspiracy afoot, or is Jack just losing it?? Mary-Louise Parker is suitably fragile as his nut-house sweetheart, and the two share love scenes which, despite their graphic nature, still come off as tender and spontaneous, neither brutal nor obligatory.
The supporting performances were equally strong--not a false note in the bunch. Again, I was surprised to find this movie so engrossing, but I was entirely caught up in Jack's dilemma--and he even made me laugh out loud once or twice.

A little Pepto will do.
Hamlet set in the sleazy underworld of L.A.
I saw half of this on cable and thought what the hell, So I bought it and was pleasantly surprised. The Acting is Top notch, Great Character actors Maury Chaukin,Phillip Baker Hall. and Mary Louise Parker all do a fine job. The Alas poor Yorik Scene works really Well.
So if you like contemporary updates of the Bards work. Check this one out.
3 and 1/2 stars. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Interesting, yet stick with Hamlet
Although the title of Stacy Title's 1999 film noir reinvention of the great bard's Hamlet may be the best thing about the film, it at least makes for an interesting viewing. Title takes Shakespeare's classic and updates it to a sleazy, dark, hot and decadent modern LA (which when you think about it, is not much a stretch). It's a well made film with some very creative, if not haunting flashback and dream sequences. The cast and their performances, for the most part is top notch. In small roles, Jacqueline Bisset and Mary-Louise Parker shine. Parker, who plays the drug and dog food sampling Julia/Ophelia, is the most sympathetic character in the film among a company of sociopaths, drug dealers, criminals and complete losers.

There lies the problem with the film. The characters are for the most part so unlikable, that one could almost care less if Jack (played deliberately over the top by Jonathan Penner) ever avenges his father's suspicious death. In fact, several times during the viewing I was hoping Title would break with Shakespeare and bump off Jack. His "love" scenes with Parker are crude and unaffectionate, making him even more unlikable. Penner's portrayal can be fun at times, yet it's hard to be compassionate or relate to a guy like Jack (unless maybe you are filthy rich, obsessed and have a fetish for sex in restrooms). When sleazy characters are well written, as they are in Scorsese's films, the audience can get to know, like them, even root for them. Here, they are shallow, heartless, almost totally unattractive, stupid at times and rather uninteresting (no, I did not like them). The climax is overblown and ridiculous. Fortunately and thankfully, few are left alive at the film's conclusion.

Still, despite all the flaws. I can't help but recommend the film for film noir fans or those who are looking for "something different" as the filmmaking itself is interesting and well done. With a better script and well-developed characters, it could have been a very good film. However, for great writing, stick with old Bill's Hamlet

Very good hip Hamlet....but no extras
Stacy Title, the director of the little-known but effective black comedy The Last Supper (about liberal yuppies who bump off arrogant right-wingers) here presents a modern re-working of Hamlet with lots of gunplay, sleek scene transitions, quirky character traits (check out the pharmacist--very funny small bit), and a real flair for visual panache.

As Jack, the Hamlet guy, Jonathan Penner looks too old to be in grad school, but overall he does a much better job than the horribly miscast Ethan Hawke in Michael Almereyda's 2000 version of Hamlet (whose supporting cast brilliantly outshone the leads). The always excellent Mary-Louise Parker is great as Julia (Ophelia) and in supporting roles, Maury Chaykin, Philip Baker Hall, Jonathan Banks, and Norman Reedus are all effective. Jacqueline Bisset and Jamey Sheridan make a nice evil couple (Jack's mother and uncle, the co-murderers of his father), and Chris Sarandon puts in a silent appearance as the father-ghost in a number of very effective flashbacks and current sightings--by Jack, of course.

It's true that this is a bit thin compared to the real Hamlet--in fact, more than a bit--but the director has sacrificed meat and potatoes for some tasty sauce. There's a lot of zing here and this is a very entertaining film, noticeably different in tone and temperament from any other Hamlet. Here there's a real emphasis on noir elements that come to the surface in sudden flashes or bursts of action making this more a thriller than anything else. Half-naked strippers, Mexican-American thug-cops, a crack-carrying gunman, and a crooked lawyer all contribute to the atmosphere.

Be advised that although the DVD case claims there is a trailer and behind the scenes footage, this is not true. There are NO extras at all. But it is a fun way to spend 90 minutes.

Confusing title, satisfying film
Hewing closely as it does to the basic outline of "Hamlet", I expected not to be surprised by "Let the Devil Wear Black"--but this movie is liberated enough to function admirably well on its own with its own quirks, internal logic, and occasional flashes of real wit.
Jonathan Penner, a stunningly beautiful actor, portrays a hero whose history of institutionalization keeps our response to his deep suspicion and contacts with his dead father ambivalent--is there a hideous conspiracy afoot, or is Jack just losing it?? Mary-Louise Parker is suitably fragile as his nut-house sweetheart, and the two share love scenes which, despite their graphic nature, still come off as tender and spontaneous, neither brutal nor obligatory.
The supporting performances were equally strong--not a false note in the bunch. Again, I was surprised to find this movie so engrossing, but I was entirely caught up in Jack's dilemma--and he even made me laugh out loud once or twice.

A little Pepto will do.
Hamlet set in the sleazy underworld of L.A.
I saw half of this on cable and thought what the hell, So I bought it and was pleasantly surprised. The Acting is Top notch, Great Character actors Maury Chaukin,Phillip Baker Hall. and Mary Louise Parker all do a fine job. The Alas poor Yorik Scene works really Well.
So if you like contemporary updates of the Bards work. Check this one out.
3 and 1/2 stars. ... Read more