Artivels Undescribable Perfection

GamerTab That was an excellent one.

Konterr Brilliant and touching

Nayan Gough A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

Wuchak Released in 2000 and directed by David Worth, "The Prophets Game" is a crime thriller starring Dennis Hopper as Vincent Swan, a retired detective from Seattle who is asked to fly to Los Angeles to help solve a new rash of murders similar to a case he supposedly solved a dozen years earlier. Stephanie Zimbalist co-stars as "Al," a frustrated officer assigned to keep an eye on Swan while Joe Penny plays the hardboiled chief of detectives. Robert Yocum, Shannon Whirry, Greg Lauren, Michael Dorn and Sondra Locke are also on hand.While this went straight-to-video in the USA & most other countries it had a theatrical release in Spain and Korea. Having a more modest budget than feature thrillers, it lacks the polish of the similarly themed "The Dead Pool" (1988), not to mention it lacks a super-cop like Dirty Harry and the corresponding fast action, although it has some action. What "The Prophet's Game" has in its favor is an impressive character-driven script by Carol Chrest only hampered by convolution. On top of this you have zesty performances by all the principle cast members. Both Swan and Al are nicely fleshed-out and you care about them and the outcome of the story. Penny and Locke also give knockout performances, although their roles are relatively minor. Shannon Whirry shines as one of the most beautiful women to walk the earth in a peripheral part.This is an R-rated flick and therefore contains cussing, gruesome gore and female top-nudity, but none of these are overdone. Some people don't like it because of the limitations of its modest budget, but I was nicely entertained from beginning to end. You'll probably like it too if you favor dialogue-driven stories and don't insist on blockbuster budgets. I wouldn't want to pay top dollar to see it at the theater, but it works well for TV, DVD or rental.AN INQUIRY: There's a scene well into the second half where Swan (Hopper) is walking with two other characters through a campus and a few extras pass between the camera and them. One is a woman wearing white pants who is talking to another person. She is seen again in the same sequence in the background. I need to know who this woman in white pants is. I presume she's an extra provided by the casting agency that hired extras for the movie. I must see more of this actress; it's of the utmost importance.The movie runs 106 minutes and was shot in Ventura and Santa Barbara, California.GRADE: B-(PS: The "INQUIRY" is a joke)

captaintorvin My very favorite thing about this movie was how a bunch of the central characters were apparently supposed to be college students, but they were all in their thirties. They kept on trying to act young. The fat guy was stereotypically obnoxious, and the female lead's sex drive was clearly well-in-place for the age, and they were all playing some trendy new game on the internet, yet their physical appearances made them woefully ill-suited for the parts they played.I especially liked the one main dude with his backwards cap who was always riding his bike around and such.So believably youthful!

elsbet-3 I started rooting for one character to be the next to die just because the actor's performance was so God-awful. Thankfully, my wish was granted. Dennis Hopper was likeable and gives a good performance. Stephanie Zimbalist's performance was marred by a now-you- hear-it, now-you-don't Noo Yawk accent. Other than that, a silly plot with a one-trick pony of a twist, cheap psychological background, stupid police tricks (don't they go to some police school that teaches them to disarm suspects and carry their cell phones with them rather than leave them deep in the woods, in their hidden cars?), and ponderous music make this a movie to miss.

loueva I saw the DVD version of this mystery/thriller. I must say that Dennis Hopper and Stefanie Zimbalist are highlights of the movie but it kind of ends with their performances. Hopper shows he can act with his face and develop the unsaid script. Zimbalist is a revelation as she portrays an aging, slightly dumpy vice cop who has about had it. Remembering her TV work I gained respect for her acting and personal strength in avoiding face lifts et al. The movie is a bit formula although it has its moments. I cannot determine if the director feels the audience remembers "Psycho" or has forgotten it, but there are references. Many scenes are too long and others, especially the finale and tie in explanations, too short. People who like the serial killer genre with game playing and shock effects will probably like it. It is nice to see Michael Dorn without his Star Trek makeup but his part is much too small. How much mystery can there be when you are almost through the movie and Sandra Locke has not shown up yet? The DVD is full screen, sharp, but a little grainy on my system and DTS sound is an option. Overall a disappointment but Hopper and Zimbalist are worth every penny of rental money.