Matthew Stechel Good but not great movie bears a lot of the hallmarks of a Coen Bros movie, particularly in the movie's tone which is semi comedic, semi serious. I can't really explain it, but the film really moves and feels like a Coen Bros film...but without the luster or shiny glossy veneer that the Coen Bros usually put on their films--No Country For Old Men aside. Michael Rappaport's character even seems to be right on the same wavelength as other leading characters in several of the brothers other films such as Tim Robbins in The Hudsucker Proxy or Brad Pitt's in Burn After Reading. All three kind of share this kind of dimly, upbeat world view that can't be shaken despite all the crap that keeps getting thrown at them by everyone around them....that is until they're completely shaken and their spirits completely crushed only to be reborn anew, which also happened to be the character arcs of the main characters in both The Hudsucker Proxy and Burn After Reading so this all tracks. In re-watching this movie tonight for the first time in a good decade plus, the real chief flaw in it is how underwritten, or i guess underwhelming Michael Jeter's villain is here. My memory of the movie had a more flamboyant villain and Jeter's character doesn't seem to be quite present enough to make as big an impression as he should in order to be the big bad guy that Rappaport must defeat. John Caroll Lynch fares a bit better as the Elvis like henchman, but his character also doesn't get much definition--but at least he gets some sequences in which he gets to properly snarl and be villainous, but without much by way of character definition, its hard to really care about either of the two bad guys here which kind of takes some of the sting out of the movie. I did really enjoy Rappaport's performance tho. He's not always so well regarded as an actor by people I know despite having been quite good in a fair number of films over the years, and between this and his excellent lead role in the film "Special" he's someone who honestly may be overlooked as an actor. The movie would not work at all if you didn't buy his shifts from happy go lucky to despondent to vindictive but he nails the role...and frankly his speech in the ring on "the evils of a crooked spine" should be better known in general. All that said, there are some serious flaws in here, but its worth a look especially if you're a fan of either wrestling gimmicks or Rappaport or just want a look at what a Coen Brothers movie would look and sound like without either brother at the helm.

dpsam This movie is more than just a film co-written by Ethan Coen (of the Coen brother fame). And if your expecting a Coen brother movie, its different but it does have some familiar ties to films made by the Coen brothers. What else would you expect from Director J.T Anderson who has been the storyboard artist on almost all of the Coen brothers projects, and J.T's characters are every bit as interesting as any created by his co-writer and his brother. This movie lives on the dynamics between its characters, and of course great photography by Jeff Barklage. (I think every Coen brother film has had great photography that pushes the story and the characters.) But enough about Coens. This is a fun film and a good film, and I cannot understand why OCTOBER and UNIVERSAL did not release this sucker.

Benjy I rented this movie for two reasons, first and foremost because the box contained the 'C' word. No not that 'C' word, the other one.... Coen, Ethan Coen. One half of the duo which brought us the Big Lebowsi, Fargo and the Hudsucker Proxy and even though he only has a co-writing credit (along with director J. Todd Anderson)it's easy to see his influence. The second reason was the excellent Michael Rapaport, who you may or more likely not, recognise from True Romance and Beautiful Girls. He's in fine form here as a Chiropractor who sidelines as rather odd looking Wrestler who wears a suit that looks like he's had his skin removed. SPOILERS***** When his family of chemists are massacred by the local pharmaceutical mafia head, Sticks Verona he loses the plot (although Coen and Anderson don't) and becomes a wrestling super hero using his Chiropractic skills to disable his enemies. One ridiculous plot twist after another follows as the Naked Man seeks his horrible revenge on the quadraplegic Sticks Verona. He's not an evil man, he just has back problems. This is not a great movie, it's a good movie. It is though, always entertaining and thoroughly bizarre!

womenfly This movie is great. I have rented it a couple of times now and find something new each time. It is HILARIOUS!! The acting is firmly tongue in cheek and well done. My favorite character of all is the police detective -- I'd love to see a movie just about him (hint-hint Mr. Anderson). I haven't laughed out loud at a movie in a long time. Bravo!