Two Tickets to Paradise

D.B. Sweeney co-wrote, produced, directed and co-starred in this coming-of-middle age dramedy about three childhood friends that set out on a road trip and in the process find the true meaning of friendship.

"Dirt Nap's" biggest strength is the performances delivered by John C. McGinley, Paul Hipp, and Sweeney. Each coming from pasts full of promise (all-star athlete McGinley, valedictorian Hipp, & Springsteenesque rocker Sweeney), but now find themselves regretting the chances they let slip away. All of the scenes that McGinley, Hipp, & Sweeney share are wonderfully written and acted, remaining loose and spontaneous, and you quickly get the sense that these three guys really have known each other their whole lives. Once they set out on the road they quickly fall back into their old High School identities, and this is when the film is at it's most enjoyable, full of witty dialogue and randomly hilarious moments (part of any road trip) that make us feel more like these guys are in High School or college than their early 40s. Almost makes you wonder, what changes us, age & time or the people that we're surrounded with?

Without throwing it in your face, "Dirt Nap" makes a very true statement about friendship. Real friends will make you laugh, they'll challenge you when you're out of line, and they know you better than you may know yourself. They'll also stand beside you for all of life's journeys, including the ones you take when you think you've failed.

So, if you've ever been on a road trip that you still talk about years later, or if you're still talking about the one you've never taken, go see "Dirt Nap" with a bunch of your buddies. Then, when it's done head to the bar, order some beers, and share some laughs about the past. I'm sure you'll be planning your next road trip in no time.

This movie was an all around uninspiring film. It was a non-moving story that definitely does not get you thinking anything other then where is all the strong moving material the other critics say about the film The 3 main actors are good, and there is a few laughs but once again it becomes another movie that you keep watching in hopes of it getting better and it just doesn't. I watched this movie last night and wished that we hadn't wasted our precious time (while baby is sleeping) watching this film.

I plan not to recommend this to my family and friends, as well as obviously anyone looking to rent it. I was pretty much non-impressed with everything about this film.

Loved the movie. Got to view it for free over at my military base in Germany. I will see it again and have no problem paying to go see it next time around. The movie was funny, touching as well as relatable. I enjoyed the bond of the men in the movie. I felt connected to them. Each character had painful things going on in their lives, but the strength of friendship along with encouragement to do better and be better was especially nice to see. Too often we see others be encouraged to be hurtful and destructive. You didn't see it here. It was written well. The acting was fantastic. I felt like I was watching friends having a great time. Nothing looked forced.

I ran into DB Sweeney at a bar a couple weekends ago. I told him I was a big fan of the Cutting Edge, for which I expected him to punch me, as I was obviously kidding. However, he was an extremely nice guy and very friendly. He told me about Dirt Nap and explained it as a sort of "red states Sideways." Well that was all I needed to hear. Luckily I know a few people in the business and was able to get a copy of the film. I enjoyed it immensely. To me, the quality of a film is determined by its character development, but more importantly the interpersonal dialogue/relationship among its main characters. I found Dirt Nap to be very strong in this regard and, as such, highly recommend it. Hopefully it will somebody get out in the mainstream so others, besides myself, can enjoy it as well. Kudos to the film, especially considering there just aren't many good ones out there anymore.

D.B. Sweeney is traveling overseas with the USO allowing service-members to screen Dirt Nap. I got the opportunity to watch the film with D.B. and about 30 others in Idar-Oberstein, Germany.

The movie was well written with some great one-liners (some are raunchy, but not gratuitous). A "late-in-life-coming-of-age" film that shows the that some friendships do endure; success in life requires more than minimal effort; and anything goes good with 42 beers. Funny yet poignant, the movie tugs at the heartstrings at times and knocks you in the funny bone at others. I found myself laughing out loud during quite a few scenes. D.B. validates himself as a writer/director/producer with this film. Do yourself a favor and go watch it (when it gets released, that is).