Bad Girl - Mord ist keine Lösung

If you're going to make a picture centering on a seductive nymphette with a fixation on keeping daddy all to herself, then do it with some courage and conviction. All you get here is slick innuendo for what's at the center of a routine murder mystery. If you're going to tackle this kind of subject matter, then TACKLE IT! On the plus side, Julia Stiles has the pouty, child-as-sex-symbol look nailed; and the rest of the cast also give some personality to their routinely drawn characters. All the ingredients for a good sleazy thriller are here, but sadly, it's all aimed at shocking only the most adolescent of sensibilities. Tasteful trash.

What's the use of watching movies if you're unwilling or too prejudiced to spot a genuinely talented filmmaker, regardless of the genre (or the budget) he's working with? Michael Steinberg shows, in this particular movie at least, that he is such a talent; his virtuosity is reminiscent of De Palma in his prime (think "Body Double"), and some of his subjective tracking shots would put Carpenter to shame. It's true that the script is formulaic and unoriginal (has a great twist ending, though). But thanks to the direction and the good performances in each and every role, "Wicked" is a taut, gripping and occasionally steamy little thriller. Worth a look for anyone with even a passing interest in the genre. (**1/2)

Julia Stiles was the main draw for me to see this film, which genuinely lives up to its title (and then some). WICKED is a sneaky little twist on the let-me-be-your-wife-and-I-will-love-you-better-than-mom-ever-did genre, with great performances and excellently fleshed-out (NO pun intended) characters. Highly recommended for that late-night cable guilty pleasure.

Though this thriller (about a teenage girl who develops a dangerous crush on her father when her mom dies) has the feel of a cable movie, with few characters and most of the scenes shot in a couple of locations, it was well-acted and had a plot that kept my interest. The characters develop quite effectively and you're never quite sure whodunnit and why, until the end. Worth renting.

"Wicked" is a "thriller" about a 14 year old girl who sees an opportunity when she finds her mom cheating, kill her, but why? Because she has a major crush on her dad. Ick.

This straight to video flick is truly campy, it's overly stylized, lots of hip music (I kinda liked it though, maybe I'll keep an eye out for the sound track), and cheesy acting, although a young Julia Stiles is pretty good, she doesn't seem as uncomfortable as the audience.

If you're in the mood for a few laughs at the expense of a film, "Wicked" is for you. For the rest, there's nothing here.

* 1/2 out of **** for actual movie, *** out of **** for it's camp value.

There is one highlight, though, a juicy line Julia Stiles says to her dad when he wants to get married to a new woman: "I'll tell her about the mole on your left a** cheek!". That gives away whether or not anything happens between her and her dad, but you shouldn't be watching this movie for its plot.