The Queen of Hollywood Blvd

Executive summary: not a waste of time, but you won't missing a thing if you don't watch this one.

If you are a movie buff, I challenge you to the following exercise: 1. watch this movie, 2. imagine making this movie in the 1970's, with no digital cameras, no digital editing tools, no digital post-production with no Kodachrome preset... Almost every good thing in this movie is borrowed from someone else, or is accomplished only through technical means. Don't get me wrong: anyone can see that this is a movie made by talented people. But it fails to bring anything new or remotely remarkable. I guess the main problem is the plot: it's as thin as a stripper's g-string. The acting is good, but just enough. The script is good, but just enough. The dialogue... not enough. The characters... not enough. The only notable thing in this movie is the stunning beauty of the supporting actress.

The story is typical mid-century crime thriller, on a slow train to madness and mayhem- kind of day. Either 20th or 21st, you decide. The visual and written drama could fit easily in both centuries. With its extravagant way of taking the daily affairs of a downtown life which explodes in sinful, cigarette stained fanfare. Although it isn't completely original, Orson's film is unique and entertaining. There are moments when the sensations of the mundane motion of moving through the day seems to drag on just a little too much.

The acting, especially by Rosemary Hochschild, is memorable. Recognizable characters displayed in almost "half-life" nuances pepper the scene in true boulevard fabulousness. The dialog and drama ebb and flow a bit choppy in some scenes while other times the story pulls you in to near Tarantino-esque coolness. The inconsistencies, although noticeable, never really dampen the overall quality of "The Queen Of Hollywood Blvd.

As far as the violence and crime segments are concerned, the movie never really gets you to true, and ultimate exploitation or grindhouse levels. There are only a few moments of cruelty and blood splatter, done well, but with a story and characters such as Oblowitz offers up, the excessive and gratuitous violence was justifiably warranted. Still the cinematography and atmosphere helped ease the loss of brutality some. Especially the scenes washed over in delicious neon light.

Overall "The Queen Of Hollywood Blvd" is a nice noir , arthouse drama. The story is entertaining, the characters are familiar, and the overstylized indie concept is kitch. Those seeking Tarantino level of violence and bloodshed won't find it here, but this a good one worth watching for indie avant garde fans.

Director/writer Orson Oblowitz's brings is The Queen of Hollywood Boulevard. The title role is played by actress Rosemary Hochschild (Queen Mary) as a foul mouthed, no nonsense, tough as nails...strip club owner. On her 60 the birthday a unpleasant part of her past comes to haunt her. A equally ruthless Mobster played viciously by Roger Guenveur Smith (Duke)shows up wanting a loan past due. 25 years past due, he wants payment and interest or the club. This has been her life and she will not give it up easy. Things get ugly when they kidnap her son (Orson Oblowitz) The thing she loves most and won't take that sitter down. Crazy characters, scenarios and a lot of of blood is spread out in the fast paced movie! Wow From the first scene to last you will be glued to the screen. This is like film noir injected with a group project directed By Quentin Tarrentino and John Waters! It is that good. This is a real action crime movie done rite. The confrontation between Mary and Duke are epic. 2 over the top talent people really sunk there teeth into there roles and make this very believable. To see 6O year old Mary take a gun and blow some away or beat the hell out of them with her cane is really amazing and believable. This is Orson Oblowitz's debut as a director and if this is any indication on what's to come, I will be following his career. Also a fun part as Otto the son of Queen Mary! The supporting cast most notable Ana Mulvoy Ten as the innocent under age girl and her creepy pimp like guardian played very creepy by Jon Sklaroff. Oh and we can't forget about Punk Rock Charlie (Mathew Berkowitz) he deserves a movie for himself! This is a movie to put on your watchlist!

The film, also starring Ana Mulvoy Ten, Roger Guenveur Smith and the late Michael Parks (''Kill Bill'', ''Red State'') in his final film appearance. "The Queen of Hollywood" Blvd theatrical release begins October 12 in Los Angeles; the film will be available On Demand October 16.

Written and Directed by: Orson Oblowitz

Cast: Rosemary Hochschild, Ana Mulvoy Ten, Roger Guenveur Smith, Michael Parks

The titular Queen of the titty-bar, wizened beyond her years, Mary weaves an eccentric path through the day of her 60th birthday; a day on which she will revisit the past, engage the present, and reflect on the future. Taking its aesthetic and cinematographic queues from 60s and 70s (X)ploitation films, Queen of Hollywood Blvd maintains a coherent style, meandering through familiar and sleazy genre-appropriate tropes, imagery and lines at a syncopated but languorous pace.

Whilst derivative, it maintains interest throughout its run-time, chiefly through the colour and texture of its main character, and that of its key supporting cast. The film's greatest asset is also its greatest weakness; Rosemary Hochschild's Queen Mary is given to moments of uneven delivery, more like momentary character-drops than revealing idiosyncrasies. This issue, which could have been recovered in the editing suite, as well as the similarly easily-remedied (and brief) problems with overall cinematic cadence, is where Queen of Hollywood Blvd loses points. Pulp Fiction this film is not, but TQoHB is still an entertaining ride worth your time, if you have some to spare.

I actually had it figured out from beginning to end in the first 10 minutes. There were a few turns, but no real twists. The acting was very good (thus the 7) but lacked the grittiness that would have helped to set up the ending.

Defiantly worth watching, but remember your watching an older character and actress.