The_Virtual_Tongue

If you've lived long enough you've seen this black comedy of sorts trope of people who are murdered and then 'disposed of' by being served up as food. The earliest of this sort that I can think of at this momement, being about a pint in worth of booze sipping on a july friday night out of sheer boredom, is the hilarious 1982's "Eating Raoul".

IOW, protagonists painted into a corner for whatever reasons, who are not necessarily evil, are forced to kill, and somehow have the circumstances available to rid the evidence (bodies) as food to be consumed.

Honestly I was going to trash this thing just a few minutes as as garbage, but something grabbed me, I know not what, so I kept going. So yeah I've seen this formula all before, but it did have just enough of a new take to keeo me interested... at least 5 outta 8 so far. Maybe it'll totally disappoint. Maybe it''ll finish satisfyingly in case no second season happens. ( I hope so... wish everything now was just a miniseries. Have no interest in long drawn out series ) anymore what can otherwise be done in a two hour movie or one eason mini series.

Just watched this movie again probably since it first hit theaters. Main reason I did rewatch was to see the scene at Union Square Park. I remember watching them film that scene being I attended Stuyvesant HS and was hitting the subway there to go home. Also nostalgic was having the 200 Park Ave South building shown in the background, where little would I know, I'd be working in that building some 12 years later as a photographers assistant.

To the film.... yeah, it's dated... comically unrealistic characters and situations...gritty grimey look about it... as most NYC cops and robbers films of that era did. However, as long as you take that all in stride, it's an amusing fun film for what it's worth. Matthau's character does throw out some funny quips along the way.

One thing I was laughing at, was how when Garber (Matthau) would get some instructions from Mr Blue (Shaw), Garber then tells some lowly patrolman somewhere, probably the one stuck in the tunnel, to relay those instructions to everyone else. Yeah, I'll be sure to let the police chief, the sargeant hanging out at 28th street, and mayor know whats happening. Playing the game of telephone during a hostage crisis, lol.

So imo, for the general viewer give the movie a 4 or 5. If you grew up in 70's NYC, add a star or two.

I'm sorry. I'll give three stars for effort at least. As usual, the stupidlly high ratings are probably from production and lackeys. Of course if you're just the regular movie goer looking for something to watch, ymmv.. What follows is just my opinion.

I get indie filmmakers pour their hearts and souls into these things. Unlike a songwriter or painter who can produce art on their own for virtually zero expense after even the most minimal layout for gear and materials , making films requires huge amounts of cash, equipment and the reliance on many many others to make it happen. Yet after all that time, money and effort, chances are you've produced a stinker.

I was going to bail five minutes into this.... because that's all I've ever needed to size up film..... but gave it a chance though finally had to quit after about a half hour.

Problem with 98% indie produtions is that they reek of indie production. Big part of it is the awful, stiff, amteurish acting. Then there's that stinko script and directing. Even when photography itself is mechanically competent, the entire feel is off compared to the standard big name studio production. That's this that kind of movie.. Any discussion about the story itself is kind of pointless.