Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead (1995)
Andy Garcia, Christopher Walken, Gabrielle Anwar
After a foolproof scam turns sour, Jimmy the Saint (a soulful but miscast Andy Garcia, who mainly acts with his hair) and his hard-bitten crew must put their various sordid affairs in order before facing their final bloody curtain call. It's not nearly as clever as it thinks it is, but this terminal... (read more) After a foolproof scam turns sour, Jimmy the Saint (a soulful but miscast Andy Garcia, who mainly acts with his hair) and his hard-bitten crew must put their various sordid affairs in order before facing their final bloody curtain call. It's not nearly as clever as it thinks it is, but this terminally wise-ass (and extremely violent) caper flick is still one of the better post-Tarantino crime opuses, with some sharp dialogue, a scenery-chewing Christopher Walken (as a paraplegic archcriminal), and unhinged performances by Treat Williams and the obsequious Steve Buscemi that must be seen to be (dis)believed. Neophyte scripter Scott Rosenberg would later pen hipper-than-thou scripts for Beautiful Girls, Con Air, and Armageddon, while director Gary Fleder moved on to the somewhat more reputable Kiss the Girls. The tongue-twisting title is from a Warren Zevon song. --Andrew Wright
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R, 115 min.
Directed by:
Gary Fleder
Release Date: Dec 01, 1995
DVD Release Date: Jun 29, 1999
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The Tarantino Effect at its worst: Yet another movie about a relentlessly violent gang.
this movie is trying too hard to be clever and it really isn't. the story is very simple and could be done in less time. but they tried to add quirks to it. the big problem for me though was just how lame garcia's character is and the cheesy dialogue... (read more) this movie is trying too hard to be clever and it really isn't. the story is very simple and could be done in less time. but they tried to add quirks to it. the big problem for me though was just how lame garcia's character is and the cheesy dialogue and the wildly implausible situations (given that these are supposed to be legit wiseguys), which just made this movie hard to watch.
What a film! I've never been as blindsided by a movie as many times. Real classy.
"Give it a name."
Call me crazy, but I loved this film. The only unfortunate thing is that it is constantly compared to Tarantino. I don't think that is necessarily appropriate, and I think that this film is better than any of his work, with the possible exception of ... (read more) Call me crazy, but I loved this film. The only unfortunate thing is that it is constantly compared to Tarantino. I don't think that is necessarily appropriate, and I think that this film is better than any of his work, with the possible exception of True Romance.
A noirish take on mob life in Denver, with Andy Garcia as an almost priest turned smooth talking gangster, Christopher Lloyd and a gangster with leprosy, Treat Williams turning in an outstanding performance as the muscle of the team who is slightly, well ALOT crazy, and Christopher Walken as the paraplegic crime boss "The Man With the Plan".
This film is quirky, odd at times and strange. But it is solid filmmaking. Good story. Great characters. And sort of a unique world all of it's own.
What's with all the Tarantino comments. It doesn't have any of the stylistic elements of a Tarantino film (except maybe smart diolouge and Tarantino is hardly the first director to have that). This is just a gangster movie with an interesting premise... (read more) What's with all the Tarantino comments. It doesn't have any of the stylistic elements of a Tarantino film (except maybe smart diolouge and Tarantino is hardly the first director to have that). This is just a gangster movie with an interesting premise. If anything it rips off Nora Ephron/ Rob Reiner with the video intercuts (can never rememeber which rom-com it was that had this featured). An interesting cast and colourful characters a plenty make this an enjoyable watch even if it is not a perfect film. I think i would haveliked to see Jimmy the Saint played by somebody with more charisma but i though Andy Garcia came into his own as the deaths of those he cared about and he is forced to murder another innocent. See this film for Treat Williams manic performance if for nothing else. It's a great turn.
I really enjoyed this bad-ass movie. Not sure I would call it a Tarantino rip off as he has taken so much from others but although there is not a huge story, the acting is great as is the script, Christopher Walken and Treat Williams brilliantly cas... (read more) I really enjoyed this bad-ass movie. Not sure I would call it a Tarantino rip off as he has taken so much from others but although there is not a huge story, the acting is great as is the script, Christopher Walken and Treat Williams brilliantly cast. I can watch it again and again.i
Its a tale about bests friends, pulling together to help the other out. Its a pal movie, best mates looking out for each other. Its slickly shot, with great dialogue and a rounded cast. You wouldnt want it anyother way lads, surely?
Ah shit. Another one bites the dust. I loved this wen I saw it at the cinema and 14 yeasr later its a load of old cock. Damn.
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