Midnight Heat

Don't judge this one by its cover- "Black Out" is a smartly-plotted film noir piece that has surprisingly sharp writing. It is tainted by a noticeably tight budget, but this is a movie that deserves the respect it will probably never get. This is "A History of Violence" with a lesser budget and director, resulting in unfortunately generic production values.

Keep an open mind and you'll enjoy it. "Black Out" is the story of an accountant named John Gray who's perfect life falls to pieces when a tragedy sparks memories of a suppressed past double life. He finds himself on the run, trying to piece his old life back together while simultaneously fighting off mobsters who want him dead. These flashbacks are told in washed out black and white- nodding to the classic film noirs and providing wonderful homage to them.

This is a knockout story considering "Memento" and "The Bourne Identity" (the movie, anyway) wouldn't come out until years later. A better actor than former NFL star Brian Bosworth could have taken the role of John Gray-and the movie for that matter-to a higher level, but he makes do. The real problem proves to be the direction. Allan A. Goldstein achieves greatness in some areas of the film, (like the stylish flashbacks and the flawless realization of the story) but he messes up with some of the action scenes. They are awkwardly cut, which probably indicate sloppy direction of the scenes. He didn't do an adequate enough job capturing everything going on during the action, so most of the action becomes incoherent and forgettable. Also, he didn't seem to invest much in the art department, being that the production design is hopelessly bland. The constant generic feel eats away at any hope of the gritty atmosphere the story so desperately needs.

Do give this one a try, though. It is fascinatingly written and the talent involved is more than you'd expect from a movie staring Brian Bosworth, who really isn't all that bad- really! (3 out of 4)

"Huh?" Brian Bosworth stars as John Gray, a successful banker. When walking to his car one day, while jammin' out to his Walkman, he gets run over in a funny way (which is worth a rewind). He wakes up in the hospital and remembers virtually nothing but has black and white flashbacks to his former life. (Which are shot in the manner of 30's style gangster films).

Once out of the hospital, he goes back to his wealthy life which he doesn't remember. His wife looks like Kathie Lee Gifford and he seems strangely unsatisfied. As his flashbacks become more prevalent, he goes on a quest for truth and you can always tell because he wears a trench coat throughout the movie.

Meanwhile, local dandy villain Thomas Payne (Dourif) is the leader of a gang of multiracial baddies and after a prison break at the beginning of the movie, they start working out of a sleazy dive in L.A. (is any other kind of dive?) There is a grudge between the gang and "Da Boz" revolving around a past life in jail and a secret tattoo. With the help of a spunky cocktail waitress, Gray fights to take back his life! Bosworth is perfectly cast as Gray, because it allows him to, throughout the whole movie, seem like a confused dunderhead, constantly making statements such as: "Huh?", "Oh Man!", "aaaaahhh!" and the classic "Nooooooo!" One of its many alternate titles could be "Huh?": The Movie". One of the best lines in the movie is when Gray sees a crucifix on the wall and starts to remember something and says "Christian? That means something..." Depending on the angle, he alternately looks like Dolph Lundgren, Aaron Eckhart and Neil Patrick Harris. As a banker, he looks like a meathead stuffed in a suit with funny suspenders.

Brad Dourif seemed to relish his role as the hat lovin' baddie. ("You should wear the hat, the hat shouldn't wear you.") Let's not forget about one of Payne's minions who looks just like Sonic The Hedgehog's nemesis "Dr. Robotnik". Also when Payne threatens a Mexican bad guy at gunpoint he pleads for his "Bambinos" which is clearly Italian.

Seeing as the movie takes liberally from "Robocop" and "Total Recall", it is safe to assume the writers were influenced by Paul Verhoeven. On a bizarre note, there are a lot of allusions to the songs "Y.M.C.A.", "In The Navy", and "Macho Man". It is also safe to assume they were clearly influenced by The Village People.

At the end of the day, "Blackout" is better than average Direct-To-Video fare. Bosworth and the rest put in enjoyable performances.

Don't forget: He hates menthol.

Comeuppance Review by: Ty & Brett For more insanity, please visit: comeuppancereviews.com

This is a popcorn b-action flick that is better than most of the films that Brian Bosworth has made. It's an amnesia story that we've all seen before about a bank executive who after being hit by a car returns home to find his wife brutally murdered. Good action as he unravels the mystery of his life and pursues the killers. All-in-all the producers deliver an ok movie.

There are few words to describe just how hypnotically bad this film is, and no rational way in which I can explain my fascination with it. Brian Bosworth proves beyond a doubt that acting is not his strongest talent and seeing this proof displayed so vividly on screen is a treat like no other. An odd thing occurred the moment I saw Brad Dourif on the screen, having seen his immense acting talents on Deadwood over the last 3 seasons (what an outstanding performance) and yet here he is, in a movie so horribly thrown together that I almost wanted to imagine that he had been forced at gunpoint to even participate. Alas, everyone must begin somewhere I suppose... even if it is alongside The Boz. If you are looking for a shoddy story with mind numbing acting that will have you laughing all along the way, then this festering turd of a cinematic nightmare is your dessert. Enjoy, preferably with plenty of like minded friends. (watching it alone is just... sad)

I just want to tell you that I found the music of that "B serie" very interesting especially while the long credits at the end of the movie : you can listen to a piano playing smoothly with a sweet echo, it 's

very pure and easy to listen, you feel even relaxed after it. I think I could buy the DVD only for listening to the music ! Great Composer "Terry Plumeri" would surely deserve greater movies to enhance his talent !...