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Movie Grade: A+
DVD Grade: B
Movies like this are an interesting phenomenon. One might imagine that at some point, someone thought this could be something. Perhaps if the three blondes in the film were Drew Barrymore, Charlize Theron and Scarlett Johanseen and Karl was played by Jonah Hill and maybe Robert DeNiro as Kostas, along with an A-list Director, then it would have a chance to be the next something. Of course, anyone could dream up that scenario and many more millions could be spent on salaries and special effects. But ultimately such a film would probably fall victim to the raised expectation/risk and bomb. But this film, with a young direction and fairly unknown cast aside from the old scenery-chewer John Rhys-Davis, expectations are low and ultimately, with earnest attempt at classic film crime comedy played out in a decent quality professional film production, exceeded… slightly.
The three titular blondes (once they don their wigs anyway) are Carly Pope as office worker Kris Connifer, with a hidden past. Her girlfriend Tara Petrie is played by Samaire Armstrong. Diora Baird is their friend Sammi Lovett, who has an obnoxious boyfriend played by Brian Smith, who might be familiar to television viewers as Zack Johnson, the obnoxious ex-boyfriend of Penny on The Big Bang Theory.
Searching for a rave in a run down disctrict Tara and Sammi stumble on a suitcase with 3 million dollars in cash, oddly in Canadian currency. They take it back to Carly and need all their wiles to hang on to the windfall. When Sammi's boyfriend reveals to a local crimelord, things only get more complicated... and wacky
John Rhys-Davies portrays Greek crime lord Kostas Jakobatos, who stumbles into the cache of money over a debt owed him. Rhys-Davies has an astonishing range of over 200 credits on IMDB including supporting roles in Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989). Then a new generation of fans came to know him in "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy. He has also had leading roles in Victor Victoria, The Living Daylights and King Solomon's Mines in 1980s.
The film is competently directed and co-written by Nicholas Kalikow, along co-writers Rob Warren Thomas and Chris Wyatt. The script is a decent blend of stoner humor, absurd situations and wacky characters that manages to stay just this side of farce. The non-linear editing of the film is quite interesting as the real-time action is mixed with flashbacks to reset scenes from different perspective.
Music for Concrete Blondes is supervised by Wayne Kramer, a songwriter, producer and composer who was recognized in Rolling Stone Magazine as one of the top 100 guitarists of all time. He founded the MC5, widely recognized as the prototype for punk rock and heavy metal. In 1969, they released the ridiculously controversial album Kick Out The Jams on Elektra Records. His music been featured in a wide array of shows, including the Jackass series, Judging Amy and Millenium, as well as in NFL, NBA and MLB Playoff events, BMX extreme videos and Food Network productions. Kramer’s work can be heard in various feature films including Almost Famous, the Ramones' Rock 'n' Roll High School, Detour, I Shot Andy Warhol, Pump Up the Volume starring Christian Slater and, most recently, in the documentaries "The Narcotics Farm" and "Votergate."
The DVD is straightforward and sufficient.
For completists of Crime Comedies, Lesbian relationship films and John Rhys-Davies movies.
Zarabesque.com
Susti Heaven
Brand Perfect
Closet Nomad
Tiendaholics.com
Studio: Inception Media Group
Year: 2012
Cast: Carly Pope, Samaire Armstrong, Diora Baird, John Rhys-Davis, Brian Thomas Smith
Director: Nicholas Kalikow
Release Date: January 29, 2014, 8:39 am
Rating: Not Rated for (adult themes)
Run Time: 01h:35m:14s
"They call them Loonies" - Sammi (Diora Baird)
Amusing enough crime comedy with earnest performances and a competent production, Concrete Blondes is diverting enough for a look-see.
Movie Grade: A+
DVD Grade: B
Movies like this are an interesting phenomenon. One might imagine that at some point, someone thought this could be something. Perhaps if the three blondes in the film were Drew Barrymore, Charlize Theron and Scarlett Johanseen and Karl was played by Jonah Hill and maybe Robert DeNiro as Kostas, along with an A-list Director, then it would have a chance to be the next something. Of course, anyone could dream up that scenario and many more millions could be spent on salaries and special effects. But ultimately such a film would probably fall victim to the raised expectation/risk and bomb. But this film, with a young direction and fairly unknown cast aside from the old scenery-chewer John Rhys-Davis, expectations are low and ultimately, with earnest attempt at classic film crime comedy played out in a decent quality professional film production, exceeded… slightly.
The three titular blondes (once they don their wigs anyway) are Carly Pope as office worker Kris Connifer, with a hidden past. Her girlfriend Tara Petrie is played by Samaire Armstrong. Diora Baird is their friend Sammi Lovett, who has an obnoxious boyfriend played by Brian Smith, who might be familiar to television viewers as Zack Johnson, the obnoxious ex-boyfriend of Penny on The Big Bang Theory.
Searching for a rave in a run down disctrict Tara and Sammi stumble on a suitcase with 3 million dollars in cash, oddly in Canadian currency. They take it back to Carly and need all their wiles to hang on to the windfall. When Sammi's boyfriend reveals to a local crimelord, things only get more complicated... and wacky
John Rhys-Davies portrays Greek crime lord Kostas Jakobatos, who stumbles into the cache of money over a debt owed him. Rhys-Davies has an astonishing range of over 200 credits on IMDB including supporting roles in Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989). Then a new generation of fans came to know him in "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy. He has also had leading roles in Victor Victoria, The Living Daylights and King Solomon's Mines in 1980s.
The film is competently directed and co-written by Nicholas Kalikow, along co-writers Rob Warren Thomas and Chris Wyatt. The script is a decent blend of stoner humor, absurd situations and wacky characters that manages to stay just this side of farce. The non-linear editing of the film is quite interesting as the real-time action is mixed with flashbacks to reset scenes from different perspective.
Music for Concrete Blondes is supervised by Wayne Kramer, a songwriter, producer and composer who was recognized in Rolling Stone Magazine as one of the top 100 guitarists of all time. He founded the MC5, widely recognized as the prototype for punk rock and heavy metal. In 1969, they released the ridiculously controversial album Kick Out The Jams on Elektra Records. His music been featured in a wide array of shows, including the Jackass series, Judging Amy and Millenium, as well as in NFL, NBA and MLB Playoff events, BMX extreme videos and Food Network productions. Kramer’s work can be heard in various feature films including Almost Famous, the Ramones' Rock 'n' Roll High School, Detour, I Shot Andy Warhol, Pump Up the Volume starring Christian Slater and, most recently, in the documentaries "The Narcotics Farm" and "Votergate."
The DVD is straightforward and sufficient.
For completists of Crime Comedies, Lesbian relationship films and John Rhys-Davies movies.
Joseph Burke January 29, 2014, 8:39 am