Going South

Feel like rooting for the bad guy? Then rent this movie. I loved it. As an independent it doesn't have the polish of the big budget movies, but all the qualities of a good movie it has. It brought all the essential elements of the plot together to a very interesting, tense and suspenseful end. And yes, I was rooting for the bad guy.

If...Dog...Rabbit is an interesting crime-drama about Johnnie Cooper (Matthew Modine, who also wrote and directed this movie) a convicted felon just released on parole. Parole Officer Gilmore (David Keith) has warned him (and continues through the early part of the film) to stay away from his criminally minded family. Though Johnnie has resolved in his mind to lead a clean life, his father (John Hurt) and brother (Kevin J. O'Conner) could care less. In their mind once-a-criminal-always-a-criminal. Johnnie received his prison sentence when his father and brother left him "holding the bag" from a botched robbery, so his relationship with his father is estranged. From this basic premise, a series of incidents leads Johnnie unwillingly then willingly into another crime caper.

I love the dialog. Some of it is absolutely hilarious:

Judy, "Why was your father choking you Johnnie?" Johnnie, "We were playing a little game. Seeing how long I could hold my breath."

I replayed the movie again with my headphones on and no video; I paid more attention to the details of the dialog and it's importance as the movie reached its climax.

It's not a 10 or a 9 and I'm torn between an 8 or a 7.

Thank God for independent movie makers and offering viewers such as myself a wider choice.

Okay. 8 out of 10.

This movie was entertaining to watch with a script that was mostly well written however the violence was very graphic but the actors did a great job in their roles. The cinematography and special effects were also excellent.

A classic tale about an ex convict trying to better his life but finally succumbing to the temptation of making that last big score to put everything right. A slow starter but get's more involving as the story unfolds. The final part keeps you on the edge of your chair.

There is tremendous character development in "One Last Score". Matthew Modine, John Hurt, Kevin O'Conner, David Keith, and Bruce Dern, all deliver excellent performances. The movie is almost dragged to a halt however, every time Lisa Marie opens her mouth. Her acting is so wooden, and character so miscast that she alone almost sinks what otherwise is a fine film. The bull ring caper and subsequent chase is somewhat rushed to conclusion, and the ending most certainly is controversial, somewhat like the final scene in "Cutter's Way". Other than Lisa Marie's performance, the movie is terrific. Seek this one out. You will not be disappointed. - MERK

Similar story line, done many times before, and this was no improvement.

15 minutes into this, and you should pretty much be able to turn it off - the ending was deja vu all over again.

The only morals I could see out of this are: - stupidity + criminals do not equal success - if he screwed you before, he's gonna do it again