Chump Change

This movie blew me away. I had no idea it was going to be this funny. My roomate recently bought it because he knew someone who was in it. I knew nothing about the movie. One night I was bored- by myself and thought I would check it out. I laughed...and laughed...and laughed. Seriously, it was almost too funny. You go back and forth from Wisconsin and L.A. The Wisconsin parts give you a few breaks from the funny but the L.A. stuff makes me pee my pants. T. Mathheson is the bomb. He's incredible. If half the stuff stephen burrows wrote is true then that guy had one hell of an expereince in L.A. Did I mention it is based on a true story. Traci Lords is in it. I've seen other movies with her, but none where she kept her clothes on. She actually rocks as an actress. I wish her the best. Folks, this is a must see.

I am old enough to remember when Traci Lords was arrested for being under aged and starring in adult films. She is the first adult film actress to successfully cross over to the mainstream even though her movies have not always been Oscar caliber. In most of her roles she has played the femme fatale or bad girl. In this film she gets to play the nice girl next door and does a great job. There are times in this film when she smiles or dances and I felt myself falling for her. She was believeable in this movie. It was the first time that I didn't see the porno star, but a real actress. Overall this film is good, probably a B+. The story is funny and Tim Matheson is great (does that guy ever age). The director and star Stephen Burrows is very likable. Hopefully he will do more and use more of Traci Lords. I really liked this movie and I think you will too.

The movie see-saws uncomfortably between two almost unrelated stories. Frequent use of narration attempts to cover the fact that there simply isn't enough material here for either a Hollywood farce, or a Milwaukee, sweet girl meets boy tale. The cameo's are rather tepid, especially Jerry Stiller, who nevertheless is highlighted on the DVD cover. The Hollywood half would probably be mildly amusing to someone working in the entertainment industry, while a general audience will be unamused by all the inside jokes. The Milwaukee half revolves around neighborhood bars, quirky menus, and outdated attractions. The acting is fine, especially by Tim Matheson and Tracy Lords, but in the end this is a very average movie, and nothing more. - MERK

See this movie. Steve Burrows is more committed to the art of funny than anyone I've ever met. His timing is impeccable, his performance is charming, his writing is off-beat, and he's not a pretty boy (at all). I've had the pleasure of working with Steve recently, and this movie is one of the reasons why I even wanted to. See it as soon as it's released (last I heard was later this year).

Whoever gave this film a BAD review has no sense of humor. You can't deny funny when it's there. And funny is all over this flick.

Okay, nuff said. See the film. Even if it's just because Steve's a nice guy. Which he really is.

Milwaukeean Steve Burrows (actually from the southern suburb Greendale) tries to make it in Hollywood and "fails" but Milwaukee gets its revenge in this scathing satire of the movie-making biz. It's too funny! As in, "my god, Steve, you're just too funny!" Those who saw "Chump Change" or have heard Steve comment on it will know what I mean. Also, don't forget: in order to succeed, you have to make the producer's penis twitch. "Don't ask me why!" Lots of great cameos from minor stars old and younger. Ann Meara probably has the single funniest line in the movie. I won't spoil it for you but it's her first line. Well, at least it was funny to this raised-and-still-living-in-Milwaukee reviewer. Too bad, it never saw the light of day on the big screen except at the Milwaukee Film Festival in Nov 2003. It was made in 2000, I believe. Judging from all the Milwaukee-shot scenes, it must have been during the record-setting month of December. At any rate, the movie is available from Miramax video. Buy it, already!