Blowing Smoke

The premier for this movie was exceptional; you did not need to be a cigar fan (Although I am) to appreciate the combination of fast paced music to set the seen and the influence of the guy's only setting. Teasing you with the flirting of the female side of life only made you want to be one of those guys!

Calling this movie the "Sideways" of cigars is not to far off and I could see some parallel showing similar industry results. The group of actors made it real, this will get people to connect to the movie. I look forward to seeing this movie again and again; it is one for the collection. Anyone who has any sort of life for himself or herself will relate to "Blowing Smoke" at some level. Others need not apply!

I saw the new film "Blowing Smoke" at it's premier in LA on April 21st, and I absolutely loved it! I am a avid cigar smoker which is why I was first drawn to the movie, but the movie is really about life ... and living life ... and the sometimes (always?) strange relationships between men and women.

The writing is fast paced and well thought out, and the plot has several key twists and surprises ... right up to the end. It is an irreverent no-holds-barred view of one night at the Grand Havana Room in Beverly Hills.

I recommend it highly, and I hope it's in a theater soon. I want to see it again!

-Randy (San Diego)

I recently attended a screening of Blowing Smoke in LA. I enjoyed the film very much. To start with, this is a film that while funny & amusing, is also closer to reality than most of us would ever admit to our wives or girl friends. The premise is already covered in other reviews, but the "meat" of the film for me was the 6 or 7 different angles the viewers saw from a male perspective. From the woman hating misogynist, to the inch deep pretty boy and the pompous fool, we have all known guys like these characters. In fact we may also see ourselves in the film (no, I won't tell you who is me).

A key takeaway is the general misunderstanding most women have about men. Sure, they are in control, but that doesn't mean they get it! They don't know why men fool around (for variety, stupid), get together (because they enjoy it), or lie about stuff (because women want to hear the good story). Most of all, they can't understand why men need the company of other men from time to time to recharge and be themselves.

And then there are the cigars…wow! Key actors in each scene, each one deserving of credits and admiration. The story behind the movie is a fascinating tale of an industry full of rich characters, long tradition, and true quality & uniqueness in a time of corporate sameness.

The filmography throughout the film was superb, keeping a fast pace to a single set, making it fresh and exciting.

Would I see it again? of course, would I recommend it? absolutely! Buy on DVD? you bet. Including gifts for friends and those not yet enlightened. I give it a solid thumbs up.

I wasn't sure what to expect of this film, but was extremely pleasantly surprised to find it raw, humorous, and all too real. The performances are generally good, with Sean Michael Allen (aka Sean Barnes, as Eric) and Lennie Loftin particular stand-outs. But the real star of this movie is the dialogue, with snappy one-liners and unexpectedly fair jokes at the expense of both sexes.

The film would benefit, I think, from the music playing during the scenes being completely removed - less would be more in this case - but it's a small quibble with a very enjoyable movie. (Guys, if you want to save yourself some time, take a woman to see this on your first date. If she stalks out in disgust, you've just saved yourself the price of buying dinner with a humorless miseryguts!)

I finally got the opportunity to see this movie and was pleasantly surprised by the turn of events. As a woman, I was finally prepared to be shocked and horrified by the promised misogynistic tone of the six male characters and what they had to say. Instead, I was completely entertained by the playful banter of these characters who, as it turns out, have a bark much louder than their bite. Without giving away the ending (which completely took me off guard!) the misogynistic tone quickly turns into a heated competition for the attentions of...what else? A hot woman!

The dialog is witty and at times laugh out loud funny and the pacing is just fast enough to keep the plot moving forward but not too fast that any of the meaningful tete-a-tetes are lost in translation. All in all, I give the movie an enthusiastic "thumbs up".