The Prophet's Game

I started rooting for one character to be the next to die just because the actor's performance was so God-awful. Thankfully, my wish was granted. Dennis Hopper was likeable and gives a good performance. Stephanie Zimbalist's performance was marred by a now-you- hear-it, now-you-don't Noo Yawk accent. Other than that, a silly plot with a one-trick pony of a twist, cheap psychological background, stupid police tricks (don't they go to some police school that teaches them to disarm suspects and carry their cell phones with them rather than leave them deep in the woods, in their hidden cars?), and ponderous music make this a movie to miss.

Following in the footsteps of 'Seven', yet another copycat psycho thriller, this time with famous folk being bumped off as part of a game played over the Internet. Without the two leads this really would deserve the bargain bin, Hopper and Zimbalist at least keep their characters interesting. Which is more than can be said for everyone else. Would've been nice to have had some real celeb cameos to be killed off, but maybe they thought that was tempting fate!

Dennis Hopper is intense. He is by far the best thing in this by the numbers serial killer 'thriller'. The idea of the prophet's game itself is interesting, and could make a pretty good movie, but this isn't it. It's too bogged down in revenge, police politics, and laughable action to go anywhere, and the ending is unbelievably unsatisfying, with so much still left unanswered. As for the direction, there is really nothing to distinguish The Prophet's Game from a million other B movies, and although the supporting cast try hard, (with a few notable exceptions) they can't lift it from its dire script.

The job of the director is to pull a performance out of an actor. This director couldn't pull a tab off a can of Dr. Pepper! Maybe the director was having a bad year?! All of the performance were lousy ... which basically shows you that some of our favorite actors aren't as talented as we thought we were. Stephanie Zimbalist basically played a character somewhat reminiscent of Valerie Harper, in voice only. She looked horrible with freckled and blotchy skin. Get with it people ... we don't want to see her looking bad, takes all the fun out of watching her. Dennis Hopper was his usual boring self ... just kidding! Dennis is Dennis ... nothing more, nothing less. Just an average actor. Joe Penny ... what a let down! The man was two legs short of a roasted boar ... a total disaster area! Do we really want our hero types playing villains? I think not! Basically, the movie is a flop ... and somewhat boring. Nothing new ... old dialogues, and old plots! Oh ... and Sandra Locke ... guess she's only good in a Clint Eastwood movie, because she stunk worse than anyone else! Over-acting, with no sincerity what-so-ever.

The storyline of this movie had the potential to be good and intriguing, however the writer massacred it. The characters' motivations where sketchy and overacted, even by the usually charismatic Dennis Hopper. Some of the lines had me laughing when it was obviously meant to be suspensful, serious, or cathartic.

Overall, it is worth a watch for a Dennis Hopper fan. He saves this otherwise sinking ship.