Dead Awake

I had no expectations for this straight to Blockbuster Video release starring Stephen Baldwin, but the movie was a pleasant surprise. Film is about insomniac who witnesses a murder late one night while walking. Mystery buffs and fans of thriller films will have no problem figuring out who the villain is or the fact that something else altogether is going on, but the plot isn't really what matters here. The film has an agreeably goofy sense of black humor that keeps the material off-kilter and fun. Michael Ironside is particularly amusing as a loquacious diner patron spouting off about midget cops and sexual symbolism in The Bible. Dead Awake isn't great, but considering that most straight to video thrillers are dreadful, lifeless and dull you have to appreciate it when you find one that's pretty entertaining from beginning to end.

as an avid movie watcher i often rent dvds or tapes i never heard of. usually crappy films that deserve their fate. but occasionally i come across a gem. this is one such movie. points definitely go for originality and quirkiness, it is a rather unique script with some genuine and off-the-wall twists that actually are twisted. i won't give anything away-just see it and stick with it all the way. it is not a perfect film, but it is heads and shoulders above the crap this country spews out.

An insomniac learns how to "wake-up' during a murder investigation blamed on him during his late night walks thru the hood...women dying to be his secretary, a whacked out Detective, and people at the local diner trying to help all adds up to...? Well, you should watch to find out. Trivial kind of flick but good late night watching, Stephen Baldwin at his mediocre best I've seen in a while. I loved it for what it was...

Stephen Baldwin isn't my favorite of that family. His acting comes off as stiff and unnatural as a life-size stand-up cardboard cut-out. However, he is only half bad in this film, and the story itself is quite intriguing.

This has to be designated as one of those obscure dark little pools of goodness. Oh, it's no masterpiece and, unless you are a fan of the sub-genre of suspense/mystery or noir, this may bore you to tears. But if you are a fan of either, it is definitely worth a viewing Herein lie twists, turns, and a gradually foreboding suspense, which adequately conveys the proper atmosphere necessary to enhance the viewer's enjoyment.

Dead Awake is both clever AND witty, while sustaining at least moderate interest in the engrossing storyline.

The main drawback to this work seems to be Stephen Baldwin, himself. HIs soft-spoken, laid back personality fails to deliver the proper intensity mandated by the nature of the character of Desmond Kane.

Jeff Goldblum would have been a MUCH better casting choice in this instance. Not only is Goldblum a significantly better actor, but his personality would have uplifted this production from mundane to marvelous.

I can't say I loved it, but it does deliver something tangible, although the cinematography of the waking dream sequences were enough to make me so dizzy, I nearly tossed my cookies.

It rates a 7.4/10 from...

the Fiend :.

"Dead Awake" tells of a corporate marketing visionary/maven and insomniac (Baldwin) who sleeps with his eyes open at work by day and hangs out in a diner with some peculiar blue-collar types by night and gets entangled in murder and other mischief. The film sneers at traditional character development while painting an unlikely portrait of human nature on it's untra-hip neo-noir canvass. Somewhat interesting because of it's sharp creative edge, this nominal whodunit is less believable than entertaining. Okay for flick junkies who care more about the "sizzle" than the "steak".