A proud movie theater owner must defend his family business from corporate developers alongside a legendary action star as art imitates life in a showdown for the ages.A proud movie theater owner must defend his family business from corporate developers alongside a legendary action star as art imitates life in a showdown for the ages.A proud movie theater owner must defend his family business from corporate developers alongside a legendary action star as art imitates life in a showdown for the ages.
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I didn't know what to expect when starting the film but quickly found it to be witty, entertaining and even profound. The layers of the themes and subtle nods to cinema are extraordinary. I think this film will become a cult classic in years to come! Excellent writing, directing and acting. Terrance was a joy to watch- his character was full on nuance. Dolph was brilliant as well. Just all around an extremely pleasant surprise. I found myself grinning, laughing, enthralled, moved- the entire spectrum of emotions. I am excited what's next for the director Orson. He is clearly a very talented man!
This was pure fun and I had a number of LOL moments (Moses vs. Nazis) that was a mashup of Tarantino and Cinema Paradisio (Best Foreign Language Film 1988) with maybe a shoutout to French "Elvis" Johnny Hallyday? For me the simplicity of the story comes with a warm fuzzy feeling of being a kid watching movies on the big screen on a Saturday afternoon and walking away having been on an adventure. Shout out to Dolph Lundgren who owned his cheesy 70's b-flick character. Pure fun and I think anyone who doesn't enjoy the film is thinking too hard and needs to enjoy the ride and not try to figure out why the roll bar is too tight. I for one love independent film making for this very reason, artists enjoying making films and entertaining audiences. I was entertained.
It's entertaining enough but it really doesn't have the budget or imagination to compete with movies like Grindhouse or Mars Attacks as an homage to old B-Movies.
Lundgren is perfectly cast as a washed-up action movie star and plays along with the limited material he has to work with. Terence Howard seems to treat it too seriously as if it's making a serious point about independent cinemas closing which the movie seems too arch to be doing.
It can just never get the balance between chaos and pathos right for that to happen.
There's just a constant feeling that self-refenential B-Movies were so much better in the late 20th Century and that nostalgia ain't what it used to be.
Lundgren is perfectly cast as a washed-up action movie star and plays along with the limited material he has to work with. Terence Howard seems to treat it too seriously as if it's making a serious point about independent cinemas closing which the movie seems too arch to be doing.
It can just never get the balance between chaos and pathos right for that to happen.
There's just a constant feeling that self-refenential B-Movies were so much better in the late 20th Century and that nostalgia ain't what it used to be.
A cheeky fun styled film . I could easily see this being a cult classic, with years of creating new fans. It's got fun acting, stylistic scenes , great photography and classic ending. Characters that have a heartwarming fun personality you could relate to and attach herself to. You can easily put it on for a stay in Friday night matinee or end the week with it on a Sunday movie night. It's entertaining, it's fun and a pleasure to watch. I recommend giving it a chance. Great look , fun style , memorable characters , heartwarming scenes and just an overall entertaining film to watch for many years to come.
Love letter to oldschool cinema and grindhouse against a capitalistic organisation and its henchmen.
Unfortunately even the short running time of app. 90 min doesn't prevent this movie from boredom and at no point the director succeeds in creating tension or suspense.
The movie is ok, the actors have fun, the director celebrates its idols, but for me this love letter doesn't work that well like "Cinema Paradiso" or "Last Action Hero".
Nonetheless, of you like some nostalgia about the old cinemas and some 70s and 80s references, then give this one a try.
Love letter to old school cinema and grindhouse against a capitalistic organisation and its henchmen.
Unfortunately even the short running time of app. 90 min doesn't prevent this movie from boredom and at no point the director succeeds in creating tension or suspense.
The movie is ok, the actors have fun, the director celebrates its idols, but for me this love letter doesn't work that well like "Cinema Paradiso" or "Last Action Hero".
Nonetheless, of you like some nostalgia about the old cinemas and some 70s and 80s references, then give this one a try.
Unfortunately even the short running time of app. 90 min doesn't prevent this movie from boredom and at no point the director succeeds in creating tension or suspense.
The movie is ok, the actors have fun, the director celebrates its idols, but for me this love letter doesn't work that well like "Cinema Paradiso" or "Last Action Hero".
Nonetheless, of you like some nostalgia about the old cinemas and some 70s and 80s references, then give this one a try.
Love letter to old school cinema and grindhouse against a capitalistic organisation and its henchmen.
Unfortunately even the short running time of app. 90 min doesn't prevent this movie from boredom and at no point the director succeeds in creating tension or suspense.
The movie is ok, the actors have fun, the director celebrates its idols, but for me this love letter doesn't work that well like "Cinema Paradiso" or "Last Action Hero".
Nonetheless, of you like some nostalgia about the old cinemas and some 70s and 80s references, then give this one a try.
Did you know
- TriviaThe film is literally peppered with quotes from and references to many classic action movies. These include:
- L'Inspecteur Harry (1971) ("Do you feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?")
- Cobra (1986) ("You're the disease, I'm the cure.")
- Les Incorruptibles (1987) ("Never bring a knife to a gun fight")
- Apocalypse Now (1979) ("Terminate with extreme prejudice", "The horror!")
- Sur les quais... (1954) ("I could have been a contender!")
- Les Dents de la mer (1975) ("Smile, you son of a bitch!")
- Luke la main froide (1967) ("What we have here is a failure to communicate.")
- Orange mécanique (1971) ("Yarbles!")
- Angel Heart : Aux portes de l'enfer (1987) ("Johnny Favorite")
- Le pape de Greenwich Village (1984) ("Nothing hurts as much as you think it will.")
- SoundtracksWorld Gone Crazy
Written and performed by Terrence Howard
- How long is Showdown at the Grand?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $1,800,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 32 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 2.39:1
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