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The Minus Man

The Minus Man

List Price: $14.98
Your Price: $13.48
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Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Vapid and vacuous...MALICE in NADAland
Review: Perhaps I expected way too much. But like the film's principal "character", Vann Siegert, I feel Director Fancher is a master of the Con job in MINUS MAN. Initially engaging, Owen Wilson's epicene serial killer increasingly "grates" this viewer with his Winnie-the-Pooh non-sequiturs and rambling interior monologues. "Que paso?" I asked repeatedly as this vapid and vacuous journey of Malice in Nadaland endlessly repeats itself in mindless, motiveless killings. "Ah!" retorts the more astute viewer...you didn't get it.. undoubtedly echoing Fancher's self-appraisal of this cinematic exercise in self-indulgence. "Ya!"...you're right...I didn't "get it." If you've got a Zen clone of Hannibal-the Cannibal (SLIM FAST version; or rather AMARETTO-con-potassium nitrate; charcoal and sulfur--gunpowder--a la mode cocktail killer) working here, MOTIVE is still the thing that makes the trip worth taking. As I said, Wilson is interesting at first. But the "cute" nihilism of the story and its "charming" psychopath soon wear-out their welcome. Narrative gimmicks like having our non-man Vann engage in inane babble with two non-existent detectives (who I guess incarnate a Conscience searching for him) are clever but can't save a film which parades "cleverness" as substance. Whether Director Hampton Fancher intended his movie to be serious stuff, satire or Deconstructionist goof-off is never evident or convincing. The movie is bogus. Its weird attempt at non-characterization, in my estimate, fails dismally. The video jacket/carton containing the movie proclaims: WHEN HE'S AROUND NOTHING ADDS UP! Amen to the irony that should serve as warning to the viewer. MINUS MAN is ,indeed, close to virtual ZERO.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: The Minus Man
Review: Pretty good film about a serial killer, yet the film has no violence. That's what I like about it, although I love mnay violent driven serial killer films it's nice to see a very different take on one. Plus I like to see Own Wilson, the usual sidekick comedian do something offbeat and artistic. A great quote from the film is done by Wilson: "When I was a kid I was laying on the ground, and a spider crawled in my ear. Then he crawled out,... nobody home."

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Not Bad But Not Sure What the Point Was Either
Review: THE MINUS MAN * * 1/2 Owen Wilson (Twister, The Haunting) is a mild-mannered serial poisoner who settles briefly in a small town and sort of romances postal worker Janine Garafolo. Not sure what the point was but the movie was reasonably interesting and very well acted. Dwight Yoakum plays one of the two imaginary cops who haunts the killer's nightmares.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A slow/but very good movie about a serial killer
Review: The Minus Man is a movie about a serial killer/drifter, played by Owen Wilson, that arrives in a small town, befriends everyone that he sees. He lives by three rules...do not kill in your own town...do not kill anyone that you know...and do not kill violently. None-the-less, he breaks all of these rules? Owen plays such a low key character, Vann, that it really is kind of disturbing. He has absolutely no remorse or guilt of any kind.

The acting in this movie is phenomenal, the story is very slow paced, but fast enough to keep you interested in the characters. The character development is great, one outstanding performance is by Brian Cox who plays Mr. Durwin (Vann's landlord and friend). There is an interaction between Vann and the Durwins that really identifies this character...I wish I could say more, but I don't want to give away any of the story....basically it identifies how removed - emotionally - Vann is from society...including those you think he truelly cares about.

Outstanding film that may not be for everyone, but if you get it, then all the better.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Serial Killer Drama Lacks Bite
Review: THE MINUS MAN is a serviceable drama about a serial killer who comes to a small town and starts killing off some of the residents. It plays more like an episode of a TV drama than any kind of serial killer thriller, though. There are no real shocks, scares or anything really compelling about any of it so fans of films like "Henry" or "Silence of the Lambs" will most likely be disappointed. The performances are all excellent, though, and this helps the film at least retain some sort of interest (but at 114 minutes, even they outstay their welcome). It's a shame it really doesn't even play well as a psychological study of a sick mind. Overall, a watchable movie, but most likely destined to be forgotten in the vast video wasteland.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Not Your Everyday Household Serial Killer
Review: The Minus Man takes the genre of crime thrillers and serial killers and turns it on it's head. This is good because Minus Man puts a whole new perspective on killers and deranged people.

Owen Wilson does a great job as the pleasant, all American drifter. Friendly, polite and genuinely absorbed by the world around him. Oh, and he's insane.

Much of the film uses voice over for Vann's thought processes. He kills with the minimum cruelty needed. He has no interest in hurting others and thinks he is doing his victims a favor by removing them from life's burdens. He is at times as innocent as a child.

Played out over several killings and inner conflict we see on screen Vann is loathsome and likeable at the same time. He is scary because he could be your friendly next door neighbor. He could have a freezer of trophies although Minus Man is not very violent. Instead it is meditative in it's narrative with good acting by Wilson.

There is a bleak humor beneath the surface of Minus Man. All characters are exceptionally well acted with confident and laconic direction. Wilson is completely believable in this complex role.

Minus Man is the kind of film you can watch several times and enjoy the nuiance of the performances, the simple and often prosaic situations that add to the tension of a well intentioned mass murderer. When will Vann be compelled to take a life, is he capable of sparing someone when his feelings get in the way?

Some may feel the easy going pace doesnt fit the subject but to me that is what I most liked. The characters aren't given much to work with beyond Wilson so the interactions are interesting to watch.

Most certainly a film deserving better than it's seeming banishment to cable hell.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Minus Man
Review: The movie follows a serial killer, Vann (Owen Wilson) , into a small town to start a new life. Before he gets there he meets "Laurie" (Sheryl Crow), a dead beat drug user. When Vann arrives in the small town, some locals begin to disappear. No one really knows who or what is doing it. Vann has a job as a postman and becomes friends with Janeane Garofalo's character and the story unfolds from there. Janeane Garofalo has been in some not-so-great movies as of late, but this was one that was sadly over looked. Sheryl Crow's first acting roll is a must see. She pulls it off well. This is the first time I've seen Owen Wilson, and now I think I'll go look him up on Amazon to see what else he is in. All three actor's performances are wonderful and the movie is told in a not-so-traditional manner, making for a great film. DVD extras include: Serial Killer biographies, Theatrical and video trailers, production notes, cast & creww information, and more.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Minus Man
Review: The movie follows a serial killer, Vann (Owen Wilson) , into a small town to start a new life. Before he gets there he meets "Laurie" (Sheryl Crow), a dead beat drug user. When Vann arrives in the small town, some locals begin to disappear. No one really knows who or what is doing it. Vann has a job as a postman and becomes friends with Janeane Garofalo's character and the story unfolds from there. Janeane Garofalo has been in some not-so-great movies as of late, but this was one that was sadly over looked. Sheryl Crow's first acting roll is a must see. She pulls it off well. This is the first time I've seen Owen Wilson, and now I think I'll go look him up on Amazon to see what else he is in. All three actor's performances are wonderful and the movie is told in a not-so-traditional manner, making for a great film. DVD extras include: Serial Killer biographies, Theatrical and video trailers, production notes, cast & creww information, and more.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: One of the worst movies I have ever seen
Review: The previews of this movie leads you believe that this is an incredible thriller, but don't be deceived. After faithfully watching the movie all the way through, I am left wondering how they can justify wasting film on such pointless garbage. The killer's commentaries are toture (halfway through the movie, I would have happily drank from a poisoned flask of liquer just to be rescued) and Owen Wilson's voice is annoying (I know, slightly off topic, but you know I'm telling the truth). This movie makes serial killings seem amazingly boring. There is no suspense, action, or thrills, just monotonous (sp?) killings and commentary. Jeez!! I'm still mad that I wasted money renting this bummer!

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Confusing, boring¿a HUGE letdown
Review: There have been many reviews for this movie already. However, if I can make one less person buy this movie, it will all be worth it. This has got to be one of the worst movies I have ever seen...and I'm a film buff. I own over 75 movies. I've seen many more. But I haven't seen any as bad as this one...except (maybe) for 12 Monkeys. PLEASE do not buy this movie! The end will leave you confused and let down. Also, interestingly enough, I couldn't wait for the movie to be over as I watched it. It was just so BORING (for lack of a better adjective).


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