Blacktop

This film is *another* basic rip-off of "Duel", and suffers from everything that "Duel" rip-offs shouldn't suffer from. Bad acting (with the exception of Meat Loaf), pseudo-artsy ego-trip directing, pathetic attempts at psychology, story elements that make no sense (what exactly is the point of Victoria Pratt's character?), and really dopey dialogue.

There are two positive aspects to this movie: impressive stunt driving and Meat Loaf, who riffs wickedly through the entire movie in a fruitless attempt to make it watchable. You have to give him credit for trying.

In the end, this movie is nothing more than a waste of a 1959 Edsel...and time.

2/10

For a "bad" movie, this one is surprisingly watchable. The script is laughable, but the stars are decent actors (George "Meat Loaf" Aday and Kristin Davis give far better efforts than the script warrants). The rest of the casting is horrid, and the script is from hunger, but who doesn't like a good psycho-killer/woman-in-distress flick every now and then? My respect for Kristin Davis went through the roof after watching this film because many other actresses would have thumbed their nose at this script rather than taking it seriously, and that's about as professional an approach to one's work as one can get. I get the impression that if Kristin were working at McDonald's she'd convince you that she was happy with the job.

As for the plot: a traveling, B-list stand-up comic and his girlfriend (Davis) break up because he won't commit to marrying her (the idiot). She leaves him, and hops into the truck of Aday's character (who looks more like the product of five "Meatloafs Aday"). He protects her from rowdies at a bar in a gruesome way that foreshadows who the real danger is, and the rest of the movie seems to be a cross between "Black Dog" and "Scream" (the latter in that the killer views killing as almost a form of self-exploration).

Watch this film at least once, and maybe you'll like it enough to flick it on every now and then. I'm sure it'll be on cable for the next 1,000 years or so, as they seem to love this type of film.

Not exactly the best film around. In fact, I'd say Blacktop was far from it. But it had its endearing moments. And with the presence of two of my favorite (not to mention HOT) actresses, it's often easy to forget about the cheesy dialogue and ridiculous situations and just go with things. Meatloaf's ranting psychotic moments are among the better parts of his performance and it's nice to finally see the damsel in distress fight back. Kristin Davis does well, despite the cheesy dialogue and some of the sappier points of the film. And the fact that she has her shirt off for at least a good 20 minutes, more than makes up for most of the lamer parts of the film. The only thing better than Kristin Davis is Victoria Pratt's role as cowgirl, Charlie. She's fun and full of energy and helps breath life back into the story just when the thing really starts to die. So while it's not the best movie around, it's worth taking a look at at least once. If only for the ladies and the re-enforcing message of 'Don't accept rides from strangers.'

Same old story, okay acting, passable filmmaking, tired climax. Mainly for Meatloaf fans (yes, the man is a fair actor). Overlook the plot holes, jaded characters, indestructible automobile, goofs and you have a movie that you might watch through to the end, if you are laid up in bed, and the remote is broken.

Meatloaf (or as his friends call him, Meat) is a bad mother trucker in this thriller. After a comedian (Lochlyn Munro) and his girlfriend ("Sex and the City" actress Kristen Davis) have a fight, she hitches a ride with Meatloaf. Bad idea, missy. Pretty solid action flick that only starts to collapse under it's own weight towards the end. Just don't look for logic & you're have a good time.

My Grade: C+

Where I saw it: HBO Zone

Eye Candy: Kristen in a bra