Dead Awake

I had no expectations for this straight to Blockbuster Video release starring Stephen Baldwin, but the movie was a pleasant surprise. Film is about insomniac who witnesses a murder late one night while walking. Mystery buffs and fans of thriller films will have no problem figuring out who the villain is or the fact that something else altogether is going on, but the plot isn't really what matters here. The film has an agreeably goofy sense of black humor that keeps the material off-kilter and fun. Michael Ironside is particularly amusing as a loquacious diner patron spouting off about midget cops and sexual symbolism in The Bible. Dead Awake isn't great, but considering that most straight to video thrillers are dreadful, lifeless and dull you have to appreciate it when you find one that's pretty entertaining from beginning to end.

An insomniac (Stephen Baldwin) learns how to wake up during a murder investigation that pits him against women that would die to be his secretary, a whacked-out detective searching for the truth and a sleazy diner full of so-called friends that only want to help. Stephen Balwin puts in another regular performance but this time with a script that shines. It is amost cult level...almost.

as an avid movie watcher i often rent dvds or tapes i never heard of. usually crappy films that deserve their fate. but occasionally i come across a gem. this is one such movie. points definitely go for originality and quirkiness, it is a rather unique script with some genuine and off-the-wall twists that actually are twisted. i won't give anything away-just see it and stick with it all the way. it is not a perfect film, but it is heads and shoulders above the crap this country spews out.

"Dead Awake" tells of a corporate marketing visionary/maven and insomniac (Baldwin) who sleeps with his eyes open at work by day and hangs out in a diner with some peculiar blue-collar types by night and gets entangled in murder and other mischief. The film sneers at traditional character development while painting an unlikely portrait of human nature on it's untra-hip neo-noir canvass. Somewhat interesting because of it's sharp creative edge, this nominal whodunit is less believable than entertaining. Okay for flick junkies who care more about the "sizzle" than the "steak".

Funny enough, I have insomnia and have had it for years. This was "one of those nights" and this film came on @ 5:05am. The entire premise, especially in my situation, was enough to keep my attention. Then it went ODD, but with some very memorable characters (look out for the midget cops!) Michael Ironside plays a PERFECT loon. And REALLY ODD, Baldwin plays someone who is incredibly smart, clever, and observant -> and DOES IT BELIEVABLY! (yeah, i couldn't believe it either!) If you're in for some truly bizarre "Lucky Number Slevin" knockoff with those oddball/knotty/curves in a movie, it's worth your time (although if you're observant, you'll catch on to some key parts pretty early on; the plot will have to plug the pieces together though).

I thought it was pretty darn strange, but I DID enjoy it. As an insomniac anyways! :oD