Genres

Visitors Review

TimeaSiesta 2013-05-15 12:35:11

These Guys Can Act!

The large and well-selected cast turned in very powerful performances.They crafted a convincing range of emotions, from cunning cut-throatmanipulators of their clients' personal wealth during office hours, tobrief examples of their "boys will be boys" shenanigans after hours.The story line is built completely around their personal financialgreed, the hapless victims they scammed to realize it (with thegreatest focus on one of them), and a well-sustained sense of mysterythat plants seeds of possibilities along the way. The ending was not atall predictable; it could have gone in any of several directions. Theviewer gets the impression that if these predators could yank even thelast remaining penny out of a client on his (they targeted males)deathbed, they'd gleefully do so and view it as a major coup givingthem full bragging rights. There's a hint of information about howlegitimate stockbrokers earn their credentials and that wasenlightening. The romantic angles are minimalized and that serves tobenefit the film. The language is consistently coarse, but certainlyseemed realistic for the characters' ages, their business sector andtheir work ethic. For everyone who enjoyed "Glengarry Glen Ross," "WallStreet" (both of which are alluded to in the film), or even moreappropriately "The Crooked E: The Unshredded Truth About Enron," thisfeature will really score a bulls-eye.

2013-05-15 03:41:23

Boom showing in many shots!?

I just saw "Boiler Room" here in Los Angeles. I loved the movie. WallStreet for the 00's... but I have one question. Was the boom showing inalmost every shot for other people? My friend and I couldn't believe it!The boom was practically knocking people in the head. Was this an erroronthe theater that showed it, or did other people see thistoo?

2013-05-14 07:46:46

Boiling Hot?

This movie was packed full of action and suspense - but not in your usual, run-of-the-mill way. It has to do with the Stock Market. I'm kind of young, so I had to watch it about three or four times to finally understand all of it, and I still don't get everything about those stupid rips, but I have it down pretty good. It was awesome. Seth Davis is played by Giovanni Ribisi, who is a very under-rated actor, and he plays his role perfectly. He manages to pull off that little helpless I'm-a-boy-who-messes-up-a-lot persona really well, and Ben Affleck, though I don't like him, was really superb in his small role. I also clap for the fact that they had an interracial couple in the movie - especially one so cute together.The reason I rated this four and not five is because of two things: though I love my Vin Diesel, he cannot pull off a stock market guy in a business suit (which I think was the whole point, but still, either way he pulls it off really, really bad). And also, it's a bit boring for those who don't have the patience to sit through it.

Fernan 2013-05-13 18:46:02

Don't pitch the bitch.

You Want details? Fine. "Boiler Room" is a very interesting, entertaining, and to a degree, educational movie. Seth starts out as this money hungry kid (who runs his own illegal backdoor casino) that wants to fall backwards into wealth without working for it. Fine, most of the people are the same way. I was impressed with this movie. When I first saw it, I loved it. Absolutely loved it. I felt better about myself for some reason, I felt more confident and wanted to go out and tackle the world. It's just a refreshing movie to watch as you see Seth Davis (Giovanni Ribisi) slip into this different world of Wall Street and how far he goes. The Notorious BIG said it best: "Either you're slingin' crack-rock, or you've got a wicked jump-shot." Nobody wants to work for it anymore. There's no honor in taking that after school job at Mickey Dee's, honor's in the dollar, kid. So I went the white boy way of slinging crack-rock: I became a stock broker. Anybody who tells you money is the root of all evil doesn't f**king have any.

brandon sites 2013-05-11 11:03:32

Smart and hip

Although similar to Wall Street this film is able to stand apart on its ownas a smart motion picture. Acting is good, direction creative, and plenty ofstyle and laughs to spare. Only complaint is Ben Affleck just seems to bejust giving a series of monolgues (some short, some long). Good.8/10

Bruce Calvert 2013-05-10 21:12:27

A Stock-broker in over his head

A young New Yorker who has dropped out of college and gets a job as astockbroker to please his father. However, the firm he works for bilkspeople out of their money by selling them worthless stock. The story ofthis film is excellent as the main character has all kind of moral dilemmaswhich he must confront. He feels ashamed especially because he is very goodat committing fraud, something that he knows is wrong. Some people will beturned off by the loud rap-music score and the 200 utterances of the F-word,but this is still a tightly scripted little film.

2013-05-06 20:46:08

Boring Room

This review is from: Boiler Room [VHS] (VHS Tape) I thought this movie would be better than it was. I'm sorry I bought it. I was hoping Vin DIesel would be in it a little more. Good storyline for the most part. If you want to see this movie, rent it and then decide if you want to buy it.

Dirk Diggler 2013-05-06 08:12:25

Distastefully delicious!

Like watching as any sausage is made -- politics, motion pictures, evenactual sausage -- the art of the swindle-mascarading-as-capitalism is oneofthose moments in which you know you should look away, but can't. "BoilerRoom" offers us one such snapshot. Anyone with half a brain and a modicumof decency will surely wonder how he/she can be swept up in this wickedlittle story and not feel the need to rip open a Wet Nap at its abruptconclusion.What it lacks in production value is made up for in the stark naturalism ofits performances. And while its rap soundtrack may be so inappropriate asto be a distraction, it offers the editor a chance to give us some muchneeded playful cutting.Others will use this space to question the worth of this film. Don't letthem disuade you. It's nowhere close to perfect. It is, however, a tasteof sausage on which even a politically-correct vegetarian should enjoymunching.

Phil Villarreal 2013-05-05 21:43:56

I'm sold.

2013-05-05 09:08:27

And many miss the point...

Not every movie about Wall St. is supposed to be a remake of "Wall St." That wouldn't make any sense. First off, this movie is based on an actual firm that operated in Long Island a couple of years back. I've got to give the film credit. I saw this one while I was a commodity broker. I was able to predict the lines that the brokers/broker trainers were about to say so they did their research. I think that it would have benefitted the film to include scenes from other "legit" firms just so one could compare and contrast to figure out just exactly were the elements of fraud because now, every individual that's cold-called will think back to this movie. I did appreciate the appearance made by Nia Long, and the interactions between the brokers and the prospective clients were so on point. Excellent. This isn't a blockbuster hit, but it's a good movie.

Nell Minow 2013-05-05 08:50:38

Good but mature movie. Not for kids.

2013-05-04 20:22:51

Great window into the underside of the financial markets

This review is from: Boiler Room (Amazon Instant Video) Lot of fun. Well crafted movie that takes you back to an interesting time in our financial history. Really captures New York before its resurrection.

2013-05-04 21:46:50

"A Sale is Made on EVERY Call You Make!"

Giovanni Ribisi is Seth Davis, a 19-year-old who's secretly running a backdoor casino while his parents think he's in college. Desperate for a quick buck, he joins JT Marlin, a brokerage firm that has the look, feel, and energy of a Morgan Stanley or Smith Barney. But underneath the gloss, this is a firm that engages in shady dealings, selling fake stocks and ripping off investors cold. Seth learns the ropes of the trade and over time becomes ruthless and cocky. He alienates his no-nonsense dad, who happens to be a judge and is, to say the least, disappointed that his son is blowing off college. On the surface, this sounds like a re-telling of "Wall Street," but don't dismiss this film so easily. "Boiler Room" soars on the strength of performances of Nicky Katt, Scott Caan (son of James), Nia Long, and the then-unknown Vin Diesel. The film moves at a brisk pace and, for the most part, avoids melodrama and other formulaic touches. Definitely worth a look.

Dustin Putman 2013-05-03 23:33:41

For all of its potential, [the film] never breaks away from being merely skin-deep.

2013-05-02 22:29:12

It's only wrong if you get caught

...seems to be the moral of this story. The way that the whole story was told from the main character's point of view(I forgot his name because...well, names in movies aren't really important.)was great. He had all of these ironic and often times sarcastic comments that he would just say out of no where and it helped to keep you interested because you were always wondering what he was going to say next. Ben plays this side character who is very straight forward about what he expects from the future-stockbrocker-recruits. The part where he says "That's it! I'm finished, I'm done!" was very well done. In short, if you liked the way that FIGHT CLUB was done then I really think that you will like this movie. One more thing, Vin Diesel is a total hottie (talk about oozing raw maleness!) so any girls out there wanting to see a bunch of hunky men tramp around in three piece suits should also see this movie.

Matthew Ignoffo 2013-05-02 12:39:27

The almighty dollar

Like Oliver Stone's WALL STREET (a scene from which is included), BOILERROOM shows the false American Dream of the almighty dollar. Lying,cheating,stealing, and gross amorality are illustrated in this film with unsettlingaccuracy. The original true American Dream of equal opportunity to beone'sself is left behind in the dust by these ruthless young men. The film isnotpleasant to watch, but it does act like a warning about the direction inwhich the American culture is headed.

bnlb2000 2013-05-01 20:58:39

"go make me a latka dradel boy"

amazing scirpt, fantastic cast. funny and yet i don't understand the details of underground trading, um seth davis for president

2013-05-01 01:29:07

STEAMY BUT LUKEWARM

Giovanni Ribisi shows what a versatile and talented young actor he is. Usually relegated to supporting, psycho types of roles, Ribisi does something few actors can effectively do: he gives a brilliant performance in a role he is miscast in. Ribisi plays Seth vitally well, but in no way does he truly fit the character. As many reviewers have noted, would sexy Nia Long single him out of all those hunks to have a fling with? Maybe she got tired of the good looks and empty brains and wanted a brain? But even Seth is pretty stupid in how he fails to see the truth behind this assortment of hucksters. Vin Diesel is revealing in his role, probably the only one he hasn't shown off his body in; Tom Everett Scott is wasted as the company's malevolent owner; Long looks pretty but she seems vacuous and unreal; Ben Affleck gives one of his best performances in his small but impressive role; Scott Caan and Jamie Kennedy don't get to do much but strut; and Taylor Nichols as Harry is marvelous. Ron Rifkin does well as Seth's father, but his performance is undermined by a poorly written script, changing him from the father from Hell into an understanding patriarch. His explanation of what happened when Seth had his bicycle accident borders on camp because it doesn't make any sense. But Ribisi tries hard and does well as always. I hated the score; it did nothing but interfere and punctuate the fact that the best scores are ones written for the movie and provide INSTRUMENTAL accompaniment that forwards the plot, not hinders it. Overly rated, BOILER ROOM also fails to provide closure; we know Seth has "won," but we don't get to see the fruits of his work. Trying too hard to be "artsy" BOILER ROOM offers little suspense or little compensation for the two hours spent watching it. The 3 stars are mainly for the performance of Ribisi and its original theme.

Kamal 'The Diva' Larsuel 2013-04-29 21:16:25

If I want to watch folks sit around and berate each other and dog women while making millions of dollars, I'll watch WWF

Patrick Brogan 2013-04-29 12:33:01

Wall Street for Generation X.

BOILER ROOM is a taunt and disturbing film which hasyoungand ambitious men in their 20's who become stock brokers. The brokers callregular business and family men and invest their life savings into acompanywhich will sooner or later fall. The brokers walk away with the money, anda clear conscience.It isn't until one of the brokers, Seth Davis (GiovanniRibisi)who realizes that what he's doing is wrong, and begins tohavesecond doubts with his career.BOILER ROOM has Seth working in a small brokage firm in New Jersey,away from the prime time business of Wall Street.In this firm he meets a colorful crew of co-workers. There'sChris Varick (Vin Diesel) a man who is cocky, yet he'slikea father figure to Seth. There's Greg Weinstein (NickyKatt)another broker who's jealous and harsh towards the rookieSeth.There's Abbie Halpert (Nia Long) a beautiful secretary who falls in lovewith Seth, but for a price. There's Richie (ScottCaan) a short, yet strong muscle and strong minded man whowon'tput up with anybody's negative comments about his job.Thereis the firm's president, Michael Brantley (Tom EverettScott)a man who appears to be very friendly and caring on theoutside,yet is very cruel and cold on the inside. And then there is the firm'srecruit, Jim Young (Ben Affleck) a man who is viciousat first and is vicious from there on.BOILER ROOM is a captivating look at the lives andjobsthat these young people go through. It's a disturbing looktosee these trick innocent business men into putting thierlifesavings into these companies that will go bankrupt sooner or later,including the firm's clients. The movie does move in a steady and fastpace, and director Ben Younger does a verygood job keeping the viewer's intrest. The acting in this film isexcellent! Giovanni Ribisi does a great job as the main character, a manwho tries so hard to please his father with a good job. Nicky Katt is alsogreat as the vicious Greg, a manwho's only concern is himself. But the films best performancescome from Tom Everett Scott, Vin Diesel, and Ben Affleck.Scott makes a surprising and excellent first time villian.He does have that innocent and friendly face, like hispreviousfilms, but he can be a very cold and cruel villain. VinDieseldoes a excellent job as well as the cocky Chris Varick, who does once in awhile give a helping hand to Seth. And Ben Affleck has never been moremeanthan in this film (and I meanmeaner than DAZED & CONFUSED!) He's very funny, and scaryatthe same time. When he tells the new team players therulesand benefits that working at the firm will bring them,you'reready to work in the same office yourself!BOILER ROOM is a very impressive movie! It is a bitlikeOliver Stone's WALL STREET, and Sydney Pollack's THE FIRM.Butit does stand on it's own, since this is the story of not successfulbrokersor attorney's but of young men who have nowhere to really go, but to this firm which seems so promisingand great, when it's not. It's almost like the Pied Piper of Hamlen. Avery well done film! ****1/2 (out of five)