The Face of the Serpent

This film begins with a mob boss by the name of "Michael Anthony Palermo" (Mike Marlow) appearing in a church as the groom waiting to be wed to his new bride. Unfortunately, things don't turn out as planned when he is gunned down by an assassin at the altar who then escapes in a hail of bullets. Not long after that the assassin, who goes by the name of "Quinn" (Dean Paul IV), has a meeting with an intermediary known simply as "Ragland" (Brandon Smith) who hands him another assignment in which he is to kill a Russian drug courier named "Tasha" (Lana Antonova). Quinn accepts the contract with little hesitation at first but when he learns that he has been deliberately misinformed about his target he begins to have second thoughts-and this leads to trouble for everyone involved. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that I bought this movie in a bargain bin at a truck stop in Amarillo, Texas and promptly forgot all about it until recently. Having now seen it I can say that, even though it is clearly a low-budget production, it wasn't too bad all things considered. Admittedly, some of the sets were rather cheap looking and none of the actors really stood out. But it managed to keep my attention for the most part and for that reason I have rated this film accordingly. Average.

I saw this movie at a film festival last year in California. I was happy to see it recently made it to my local video store. I remember being impressed with it because it was made on such a low budget. So, I rented it and watched it again. I've gotta say that for a low budget, independent, action movie it is really good. Lots of great locations. Good story. Nice action/gun-play sequences. Very cool love scene. Solid acting. I thought the guy who played the "Ragland" character (Brandon Smith) did a really great job. And the "Twins" provide some nice moments of comic relief. This movie is fun & entertaining. I give it a "thumbs up!"

I viewed this film under its pseudonym Hit-man's Code. It was horrible, the acting was wooden the lines delivered as if the read straight from the script. I rented this movie knowing that I would be getting a B grade film. I had accepted the fact that the movie would be below par and rented it away due to the presence of a Audi on the back cover(I am an avid Audi lover). The film did not have an Audi in it nor did the man on the front cover, back cover, or the girl reflected in his glasses not even the girl getting out of the Audi on the back appeared in this film. Way to go David Craig you suckered someone to rent the film you directed/produced/wrote by misrepresenting it with a fictitious cover. Your attempt to create a film failed, you created only crap.

What's the deal with this film? First of all it takes at least an hour for the action to rise. Second, this is such a typical movie. I mean, as if a hit-man would protect their targets because they have a bad vibe about them. She didn't feel right to kill so Quinn tells her that he'll be her savior instead. Please. Enough with the b.s. already. She's no better either. She decides out of the blue that it's safe to go to a hit-man's apartment and sleep in for the night. Way to go. I was so disappointed that I turned off my t.v. after that scene because it sickened me to a level I've never been sickened before. Anyway, I give it a three thumbs down. I've seen better movies.

The film was this filmmakers first film, and it was solid for the budget and it being a first attempt. However, the acting most noteably the lead was weak. The story was bland and perdictable, and strangely resemblant of "Batman." If you are a Batman fan this will jump out at you. I think it was weak but good for what it was...