Genres

Visitors Review

neilharold 2012-05-20 16:10:34

I have a good comment.

My first IMDB comment.Briefly; the Nick character, a protaganist, his Father is neversighted.There is the scene after the visit to the lawyer to hear about theFather'sassets being held in lien and Nick then burns all the textbooks. It isnotin view whether the Father's graduate paper is included among the booksburned or not. During my second run of the movie I heard the dialoguetwicethat the Father,s profession was art teacher but the thesis was in thedegree field of history.So I had to watch this film, Best Laid Plans, at least twice to catch moreof the story than just watching once.Which I always enjoy doing and think is a plus.The point of my comment is this: One important theme of the film is thatNick's Father was a better teacher than he was a father.And that Nick's problems at work and at the recycling business wererelatedto the situation that his Father was a better teacher thandad.The movie had several themes like this that though the themes are verysubtle it is not everyday that a production will plot thematic developmentat all.

2012-05-20 07:47:00

Fabulous Style, But Not Much Underneath

I thought this movie would be a great thriller. I've seen Reese Witherspoon in enough movies to know she's a great actress, and it sounded interesting enough from reading the jacket. BUT, I have to say that, overall, although the film was visually stunning more often than not (very stylized sets, nice color combinations, costume colors, interesting shots, etc, etc), and the two main characters Nick (Alessandro Nivola) and Lissa (Reese Witherspoon) were likable, the film isn't much to write home about. My main complaint is that there wasn't enough plot to go around, and that when the chips finally fall, you're wondering why there weren't more of them! I also wonder why the writer (or director/editor), who ended up with a decent budget, nice sets, great actors, etc, didn't do more to flesh it out, or add a couple more twists/characters/background info. I think this quite easily could have been made into a great film. However, as it stands, its a stylish jaunt into film-making which, although not precisely shallow, per se, leaves a lot to be desired. Interestingly, after watching the deleted scenes and learning a bit more about the script and the changes that were made to the story/scenes, the film seemed richer and more complex, (better!) than I'd first thought. I think the DVD's deleted scenes really would have added enough to make this luke-warm film, not great, but maybe "good enough." The best thematic elements which explain the "why's" and "why-nots" of this film, inexplicably seemed to end up on the cutting room floor. Bottom Line: "Watch it before you buy it."

2012-05-15 12:03:33

Waste of money

This makes for a good late night HBO movie when you are bored. Not worth the money spent to own , nor the time spent watching it. IF it was 20 years ago I might have said it was a good movie , but nowadays its just too boring and obvious.

2012-05-15 01:56:17

Not a bad movie.

Purchased this from Amazon when it came out simply because of the lead actress. I have several of her ealier movies, and I believe she is a talented young actress. Just finished watching it, and really enjoyed it. As you can see from the other reviewers, there is a large discrepency in their ratings. Anywhere from 1 to 5 stars. I think if you watch this without reading the ciritcs and knowing the plot, you will enjoy it, provided that you are not a professional movie critic and are watching movies as a passtime and entertainment.

2012-05-11 00:51:05

NO BIG DEAL, BUT IT WON'T HURT YOU ...

This film wished to be different and intriguing but it somehow fails along the way, even with good acting fom the main couple ( whitersppons and Alessandro ). The final conclusion is that it is a sometimes enjoyabole film, but, in general, bond to be forgotten soon after you watch it.

triple8 2012-05-10 05:24:28

not great but but interesting

SPOILERS THROUGH:I didn't think this was great, certainly not a movie along the lines ofa "Usual Suspects" or "House Of Games" which are two of my favorites.But this movie is interesting and keeps one's attention. As long as onedoesn't expect a masterpiece it maybe worth seeing.One positive is that the movie actually manages to surprise. In a movieworld of predictability, this one is rather unpredictable. I didn'tknow what was coming moment to moment and the end was a genuinesurprise. I thought, at times, the movie was going to go in completelydifferent directions. So the fact that the movie pulls off the "twistand turn" aspect is good and these twists are actually rather originalas well.And the performances were good particularly Witherspoon. The shadowyimagery fit well and for film noir purists this isn't a bad choice. Itsure keeps one's interest despite, at times being a little draggy.But overall it still lacks the impact of the above mentioned movies.And the twists, while original, aren't really all that fascinatingparticularly the last one which lacks believability. The ending makesthe movie almost a romance but for some reason it kind of fits.All in all this is a movie I'm ambivalent about. I would not recommendit as a must see but it's not bad either and is somewhat absorbing. I'dsay it's around a 6.5 of 10 and is neither bad nor excellent. It maybegood to view as a late night and as long as one's not expecting aperfect 10 , this can make an interesting movie choice.

Johan 2012-05-01 21:12:28

Great movie - underestimated?

I just want to tell you to rent this great movie. It's not predictable atall (which I like) and sometimes a bit funny.Reese Witherspoon is as always really good looking but she is also aterrific actress...

capedmarauder 2012-05-01 07:01:43

A hidden surprise

In brief this film should have done better than it did. The cast aregood, the cinematography is very pleasing. The sets and costumes aregreat.The soundtrack is also pretty good. Really good story that improves the more you watch it. At least youwill think a little bit during and after the film as so many situationsare raised. Makes living in small town America look pretty desirable. Also makesyou think about the people you grow up with.Give it a shot!

david-4861 2012-05-01 12:56:05

Worst Film Ever Made

I wouldn't have even given it a 1, but they made me.Don't waste your time. I did, but I can't get that time back, so thebest I can do is warn you not to waste your time on this film.It has by far the worst writing I've ever witnessed in film. You cansee better editing and directing on You Tube.In fact, this is the worst film I have ever had the misfortune ofseeing. It's amazing to me that this gets 6 stars.Either the cast is rating it, there are way too many bad moviesproduced, or people are really this stupid.So, I suppose it is possible that, if you're a moron, you'll love thisfilm.

jhclues 2012-05-01 08:12:04

Where's Mamet When You Need Him?

Screenwriter Ted Griffin takes a page out of the David Mamet book with thisstory of the things we do for love and money, and how desperation has a wayof leading even the most forthright among us into regions beyond the known. And the fact that there is no such animal as a sure thing is pointedlyexpressed in `Best Laid Plans,' a drama/thriller directed by Mike Barker,and starring Reese Witherspoon and Alessandro Nivola. The film begins with a meeting in a bar between Nick (Nivola) and Bryce(Josh Brolin), old college chums who have not seen one another sincegraduation. Over a few rounds of drinks, they get reacquainted; Bryce isback in town to teach, while Nick has secured employment at the localrecycling establishment. They do the good-to-see-you-again thing, and Nickleaves. But at about two o'clock in the morning, he gets a call from Bryce,who begs him to come over to his house (actually one he's watching for somefriends who are out of town). Nick doesn't want to go, but Bryce soundsdesperate and he can't refuse. What he finds when he gets there issomething totally out of left field. Suffice to say, it involves a youngwoman named Lissa (Witherspoon), whom Bryce picked up in the bar just asNick was leaving. It's not a pretty situation, and Bryce doesn't know whatto do; so it falls to Nick to figure it out. And now, having crossed thatproverbial line in the sand, Nick's involved, too. Or so it seems. Butthen again, maybe there's more to this than meets the eye. There's justsomething about this whole set-up that instinctively tells you that whatappears to be, ain't necessarily so. The question is, what is it-- and whois doing what to whom exactly?Barker has fashioned a fairly involving film from a story that initiallyseems somewhat convoluted, but which evolves, and later can actually beregarded as having a plot that is quite intricate and credible, making thecomparison to Mamet entirely valid. The difference between this film andone of Mamet's, however, lies in the fact that Barker simply doesn't havethat Mamet touch when it comes to presenting the material. He does a decentjob, but lacks the finesse, the eye for detail and the grasp of what ittakes to achieve that necessary sense of mystery that could have taken it toa much higher level. It lacks that sense of fear and menace, and theurgency it needed to be really effective. Barker does manage to give youenough to sustain interest, but his pace is wanting; there are moments whenthe pulse of his film simply flatlines.Nivola is clearly the star of the show, and his performance is passable,but he lacks that extra something, that quality, that would have made hischaracter anything special or memorable. Nick is believable, but toocommon; there's simply nothing distinctive enough about him to make you caremuch what happens to him one way or the other. On one hand, it's goodacting-- the character is real-- but he's a guy who leaves you fairlynonplused; he needs a hangnail, as it were, a flaw that would have at leastmade him interesting.Witherspoon gives a good performance, but this character is certainly not astretch for her, by any means. Lissa, like Nick, is rather nondescript, andWitherspoon does little to spark much interest in her. In her defense,however, Barker really doesn't afford her the time nor the opportunity to domuch exploring by way of characterization. But she is watchable, and fansof hers, especially, will no doubt find her work here satisfying.As Bryce, Josh Brolin is disappointing, giving a one-note performance thatis flat and forced. Granted, his character is supposed to be something of anerd, but he puts nothing into it; a bit of nuance would have done wondersfor his portrayal, and it's the kind of character that is ripe withopportunity, like a blank canvas just waiting to be shaded and textured. But Brolin dropped the ball, and Bryce ends up being completelyforgettable.The supporting cast includes Gene Wolande (Lawyer), Jonathan McMurtry(Vet), Rocky Carroll (Bad Dude), Jamie Marsh (Barry), Michael McCleery(Recycling Owner), Michael G. Hagerty (Charlie), Terrence Dashon Howard(Jimmy) and Sean Nepita (Freddie). A very average movie, but with enoughtwists and turns to keep it interesting, `Best Laid Plans' neverthelesscomes off as inexplicably lackluster, given the storyline. This one had thepotential of being a real edge-of-your-seater, but instead fails to stir theblood much at all. Performances aside, the story alone makes it worth alook; just don't expect too much. It takes some effort to get into itinitially, and by the end you'll be reflecting on what a great movie this`almost' was. I rate this one 6/10.

hammy-3 2012-04-28 04:19:15

Academics in Noirland

Go see this movie; it hasn't got particularly hip dialogue or trendyreferences or self-reflexivity; just a really original plot in which twoacademics find themselves thrust into an ostensibly horrifying trust-freeunderworld through their own greed. If it wasn't for the word "academics"this would be a typical Noir plot - herein lies the film'soriginality.It's well directed and acted and has a sure sense of location, and it'sprobably the only movie you'll see this year in which a black hoodlumexplains Adam Smith's theory of consumption while torturing avictim.

2012-04-27 10:21:49

Tolerable, but not really that interesting.

This film is not engaging at all; you don't care about what happens to the characters and the plot is utterly predictable at every turn. I had read good things about this movie and about Reese Witherspoon's performance, but both are utterly flat.

Rachel Hulburt 2012-04-24 12:23:15

If you like Paranormal Activity you will like this

This movie is almost exactly like Paranormal Activity except this movie has a rape scene at the end. The movie is definitely creepy and scary but the evil entity haunting this family is an Incubus which is an evil spirit/demon that sexually assaults women. The movie captures your attention and your fear of the unknown. The acting is pretty good, and the special effects earn an A. It is a little disturbing towards the end when the spirit assaults its main interest, the young girl of the household. I would give this movie an A for its definite creepiness factor and it really makes you think about the evil in the world and beyond.

2012-04-23 23:01:34

good movie, great ending

The plot was a little weak, but the ending was outstanding. I liked the cast. DVD picture is good but sound could be better.

2012-04-22 01:11:11

Make Other Plans

The only reason to watch this film is young Reese Witherspoon, who was 22 years old when the film was produced during 1998 by Dogstar Films. It bombed in the USA when it was released during September 1999 and I mean bombed, generating only $25,000 in box-office revenue. Reese does not list it in her biography nor does imdb.It is difficult to believe that Ted Griffin wrote the original screenplay, since he next wrote Ocean's Eleven. I cannot comprehend why Dogstar Films purchased the screenplay. The story is contrived and ridiculous. Alessandro Nivola plays a college student who returns home to care for his dying father, a history professor at the local community college. The story opens with him working at recycling center in "Tropico, a dead-end town in California, which in reality was Bakersfield.Rushing to attend his father's cemetery ceremony, he seriously injures a neighbor's cat. He takes it to the local vet where he meets Lissa (played by Reese), the vet's receptionist. After departing the vet's office he finds his car has a flat tire. Instantly, Reese drives him to cemetery and a few hours later they have wild sex. Things go downhill from there.Bryce (Josh Brolin), Alessandro's alleged best friend from college happens to arrive in town for a teaching job at the local community college. Meanwhile, Alessandro learns that he will not inherit several hundred thousand dollars because his father lied to the insurance company about his health, plus owes the IRS $200,000 in back taxes. At this point the screenplay becomes ridiculous.One of the losers working at the recycling center conveniently offers Alessandro an opportunity to make a quick $10,000 simply for driving the getaway car after the loser robs a local drug-dealer. Somehow, the drug-dealer learns Alessandro drove the getaway car and demands restitution or face death. Unfortunately, Alessandro doesn't know the robbery was staged to extort his inheritance money because his co-workers think he is inheriting several hundred thousand dollars.This leads to Alessandro asking Reese to have sex with Bryce so she can steal a rare Abraham Lincoln document that is in the house which Bryce is house-sitting. Alessandro plans to sell it to a local thrift-store owner for $60,000 in cash, who in turn is going to flip it for $100,000. Somehow, the local junk-store owner is plugged into rare document collectors looking for stolen items. Are you laughing?Then, Alessandro fakes killing Reese but while transporting her body to the recycling center, his car is stolen with her in the trunk. She is held for ransom by the fake drug dealer. Are you following this nonsense? I could continue but the lunacy escalates. It is easy to understand why Reese does not list this in her biography.Dogstar Films made two other films during 1998 which were released during 1999: Pushing Tin; and, 200 Cigarettes. This was the biggest bomb of the three. It was shot in Bakersfield, Los Angeles and Taft, California plus the Santa Clarita Studios in Santa Clarita, CA, a short drive north of Los Angeles.Take my advice and make other plans than watching this disaster unless you are a Reese Witherspoon fan. Some reviewers compare this film to those by Quentin Tarantino. Don't be misled.

The_Void 2012-04-21 10:27:22

Just another thriller

All I wanted from Best Laid Plans was an hour and half's entertainment- and that's pretty much what I got and nothing more. The film isanother thriller that attempts to draw you into its plot and the pullthe rug out from under you a couple of times with surprising twists.The first twist in this film is blatantly obvious; so obvious, in fact,that I'm not sure whether you're actually supposed to guess it, or not.The final twist, however, is a lot better; and if the film could havedelivered that kind of thrill all the way through, then this film couldhave been a pretty good little thriller. The plot revolves around threecentral characters. We've got two old collage buddies; Nick and Bryce,and a girl who accuses Bryce of rape after they spend the nighttogether; and to say much more than that would risk spoiling it. One ofthe film's major flaws stems from these three characters, as none ofthem are likable. Bryce is an irritating braggart who you'll no doubtfeel gets all he deserves. The morally devoid 'Nick' isn't much better,while the female character appears in the movie as a plot point, andthus isn't really given a character of her own.There isn't really anything in Best Laid Plans that hasn't already beendone better. The film is seriously lacking in originality, and clearlytakes influence from any number of twisty, turny thrillers. Even thesong 'Angel' has been put to better use since, in Guy Richie's'Snatch'. That being said, the film is well plotted as it puts theaudience straight into the fray, and that means that the back buildingis all the more interesting. The acting isn't bad overall, and allthree main characters suits their persona's well. Alessandro Nivola, anactor who has had small roles in films like Face/Off and Jurassic ParkIII leads the film, and although his performance is brought down by thelack of character; it has to be said that he makes a decent leadingman. Josh Brolin stars opposite him, and manages to just be loud enoughto be remembered; and Walk the Line's Oscar winning Resse Witherspoonmakes up the trio. I haven't seen the Johnny Cash biopic yet, but Ican't say I've been impressed with her in anything I'd seen her inprior to it; and I include this in that statement. Best Laid Plansreally isn't a bad film; but it's not very good either, and for thatreason I won't be recommending it.

nero-5 2012-04-18 08:00:17

interesting film, shame about the ending

Ok, so it had to have what I call a typical "Hollywood"ending in a way, but the story itself was interesting.It might seem unbelievable but you can't say circumstanceswouldn't conspire such that you would do something desperate.Taking a look at the daker side of human nature, don'texpecta bundle of laughs although those with a slightly twistedsense of humour will find some lines funny.

flickjunkie-3 2012-04-17 14:49:56

Good, Underrated Cinema.

I just picked Best Laid Plans up at the video store simply because there wasnothing that looked better. Well, even though this isn't a great film, itwas probably better than all those other videos in the store thatday!Best Laid Plansd is a dark crime thriller about Nick (Alessandro Nivola) whoneeds to raise some cash urgently to pay off some mob debts. He enlist hisgirlfriend Lissa (Reese Witherspoon) to seduce an old college buddy, Bryce(Josh Brolin), out of his cash and to cry rape. However, things do not go toplan when Bryce takes Lissa hostage and asks Nick for advice on what to do.Director Mike Barker has really gone for the Tarantino side of filmmaking,which he does impressively. Surprisingly, Best Laid Plans is actually betterthan some of the Quentin Tarantino projects, including Reservoir Dogs andJackie Brown. It is more intriguing and clever than those two films due toan excellent screenplay and some really good performances; particularly fromthe rather unlikeable Alessandro Nivola and the stunning ReeseWitherspoon.Not faultless, but perfectly watchable and recommendable.I rate Best Laid Plans 7 out of 10.

tedg 2012-04-08 19:40:11

Carefully Neutered Script

Spoilers herein.`Suicide Kings' meets `Go.'This is straightahead filmmaking. No self-referential baggage, no actingduels, not much cinematic mucking about. Everything is invested in thestory, and one can see that there was a lot of promise here -- maybe even inearlier versions. But it seems to have been gutted, or perhaps the writerhad neither the courage nor the skill to exploit the edge heapproached.Fear of undeserved death, evil events sweeping through your life,suspicion/obsession of your lover's rutting, instant recompiling of theuniverse, the pathos of surviving damaged humans recycled, revelations ofthe basic rot among friendships. Could have been strong stuff, especiallythe suspicion of pleasure/betrayal in the act and the real desire to killher.Watered down somehow. It is at once not enough to be visceral, and too muchto be entertainment like `Cruel Intentions.'

Jorn Moraal 2012-04-08 14:52:20

Finally a worthy tribute to the film noir scene. Bravo!

Long live Mike Barker! This fairly fresh feature director has pulled offoneof those rare tributes to the film noir scene, which once coloured themoviescene in the past. There have been worthy efforts, but this one seems tohave it all right. The movie starts as most movies from Mike Barker start.Circumstances found as in the traditions of working class realism found inthe films of Ken Loach and the novels of Alan Silitoe, colour the firstcouple of scenes. The story starts with a scene in which is explained thatBryce (Josh Brolin) has 'accidentally' raped a minor. He calls his olduniversity buddy friend Nick (Nivola) to help him out. At this moment thestory rewinds to 4 months earlier and we can peak in the history to seehowthis problem started. Nick has just lost his father, found out he doesn'tget any money, and works at a recycling plant. He than engages in somecriminal activities, which turns horribly sour and he ends up owing 15,000dollars to a local criminal. Now, that's all you need to know about thestoryline, there are so many plots and twists that even the most criticalmovie fan would be impressed by the surprises that are being thrown atyou.The last time I experienced such a feast, was during the Usual Suspects,andthat is quite a compliment.Reese Witherspoon (Lissa, nick's girlfriend and the 'raped' minor) pullsoffone of her more impressing acting roles since 'Freeway' Although a bitmoreconstraint than her role in Freeway, her presence definitely enriches themovie.Allessandro Nivola (Nick) will await a big future. His nonchalance actingand worried looks, will make him the perfect actor for sub-blockbusters.Finally one of his bigger roles after movies such as Inventing the Abbottsand Face/Off.Josh Brolin is less appealing, but even he is not bad enough to ruin thismovie.Mike Barker continues his strong line of work, after The James Gang in'97.And in a sort of way, this movie resembles his previous to some aspect. Inboth movies poor families take center stage, and in both movies they areresulting in criminal activities because of the financial trouble they arein. Barker is definitely one of the most artistic directors around (uptherewith Scorsese), but one wonders if he doesn't overdue it a bit sometimes.Even these minor negative things can't make me change my mind that this isagreat movie, cinematic wise, with a well written script, that thecharactersare well thought out and acted, and that Barker has proven himself oncemorethat he is a major talent. Bravo!