Sexy Evil Genius

Just looking at the writer and director behind the camera both alumni of the USA series "The Dead Zone" (of which Anthony Micheal Hall was the star). I will admit, off the top, I was quite dismayed with how small Hall's part was.. but that is only a MINOR quibble and in no way detracts from the film, he's just an actor whom I'd like to see more of.

Writer Scott Lew may be known for the more off beat "Bickford Schmeckler's Cool Ideas".. I don't know what the reputation is among others, its one of those quirky little films you come to.. but considering they got a fantastic performance out of Matthew Lillard (which seems rare, until lately). I would give the movie and its casting good marks.

We come to this film. And the one thing I can say is to me it was overshadowed by the darker more grindhouse driven (but similar old friends meeting in a bar) film "Sushi Girl", if you haven't seen that film I would HIGHLY recommend it.. but to the task at hand.

Seth Green does NOT SUCK. Let's just get that out of the way.. He's quite good here, as is Michelle Trachtenberg and Harold Perrineau (from HBO's OZ). I wasn't bowled over by William Baldwin in the film, then we come to the icy "sexy evil genius" herself Katee Sackhoff best known for the "Battlestar Galactica" revamp.

The basic story.. 3 former lovers of the title character all meet in a bar after a message to meet her. What are her intentions? That's the gist, and what really propels the movie forward. While the BIG twist at the end wasn't all that big a shock, its a film that's interesting to see how it got to that end as the characters bounce off crazy stories, each one seeming to relate an almost entirely different person to the others before a singular version begins to kind of form together.. before it gets pulled out from under us again. The flick isn't high on the stylish look, but it serves the film well enough and the easy dialogue keeps the film moving pretty quickly.

I won't spoil the film, but I will say its definitely worth a watch.. but I would more recommend the similar (as I said) but harder edged "Sushi Girl".. or even the Ryan Reynolds thriller "Buried" films that take place in more or less a singular location through out the entire film. The film keeps your attention for the entire running time, and while not as polished or glossy as the average big budget film giving some bigger stars and a lil more tech this could easily be in the multiplexes. Don't let that stop you from enjoying the film.

What a fun movie to watch and try to figure out what is about to happen! The entire setting (until the very end) takes place at one table and 'the ladies room' in one bar. The characters are distinct and the conversation is clever and at times mysterious. Just what is Nikki up to?? You will have to see this movie if your are curious.

Each actor gives a power performance and their interaction will keep you watching. I do not want to offer up any of the plot line because when I watched this movie I had no idea what it was about. It's one of those flicks (in my opinion) that makes you feel like saying - "That was good" at the end.

What you think one moment about Nikki will change numerous times during the story! I only gave 9 stars because I found the ending a bit hollow.

I have never written a review before and I most probably suck at it, but as the title says IT made me do this. What appealed to me before watching this movie was that 2 actors where in it who I loved from TV shows Buffy and Lost. They performed like I hoped, these being Seth Green and Harrold Perrineau. But I must say that I didn't care much for Michelle Trachtenberg in Buffy, but she was great in this!

I'm a sucker for clever, funny, fast and weird conversations and this movie has all that. To me, and here comes a risky statement, this is the kind of stuff and conversations Tarantino hasn't been able to pull off since Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction. Of course this movie doesn't come close to them, it is not as clever, but it sure is fun! And for me it has been a long long time since I enjoyed a movie that was (almost) all talk.. Pulling Tarantino into this is probably a silly move and making expectations way to high, so don't expect too much OK. And if you can love the characters like I did than I'm sure you'll love this little gem of a movie!

Why hasn't this movie gotten more reviews? (11 at the last count!) Well, it went straight to DVD, that's why. But that's a shame because it's a corker of a script and deserves a wider audience.

A capable cast leads the audience through a twisty turny plot involving the ex-lovers of Nikki, a 'sexy evil genius.' She gathers them together in a bar for mysterious reasons that she baits them with through their meeting... but nothing is as it seems and no-one can be sure whether or not she's telling the truth. Come to think of it, there are questions of 'the truth' about her ex-lovers too.

Key to the story is the question of her sanity, the veracity of which is cleverly shuffled throughout the dialog. What is real and what is imagined... what is believed to have happened and what has actually happened.

The state of Nikki's mental health (don't call her Nik!) would explain her motives but we never know what that is or what they are till the end.

The ensemble cast all help create an electric atmosphere but when Katee Sackhoff is let off her leash she steals it.

If you enjoyed the intelligent screenplay, brisk pace and edgy atmosphere of Glengarry Glenross then you'll get a pleasant evenings entertainment from this.

A group of guys are drawn to the same bar in downtown Los Angeles by an ex-girlfriend (Katee Sackhoff) they all have in common.

I have to say my least favorite Buffy actor (Seth Green) is canceled out by my favorite one (Michelle Trachtenberg). Green is as obnoxious and terrible as ever, while Trachtenberg is performing on top of her game. Round it out with Billy Baldwin and Harold Perrineau ("Lost") and this is a solid cast of characters.

This film is awesome to repeatedly reference My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult, one of the greatest (overlooked) bands of the 1980s and 90s. And then actually playing it... wow. Never thought I would see that outside of a movie from Gregg Araki. (I do resent it being called "bubblegum", though.)

A great first feature from director Shawn Piller, who had already made his name in television with "Dead Zone" and "Haven". Writer Scott Lew is also a "Dead Zone" alumnus. I look forward to their future endeavors.