A Better Way To Die (2000)

A Better Way To Die (2000)-*1\2

Directed by: Scott Wiper

Starring: Scott Wiper, Natasha Henstridge, Wayne Duvall, B'Nard Lewis, Carmen Argenziano, Joe Pantoliano, and Lou Diamond Phillips


"Some things are worth living for..."








Boomer (Wiper) is a young Chicago cop that gets mixed up in a war between federal agents, such as Dexter (Phillips), and shady gangsters and criminals, such as Cleveland (Braugher) who want a special computer chip. Apparently this chip contains sensitive information that leads all the way to the top. So Boomer ends up on a road trip of sorts, dodging dangers at every turn, and meeting wacky characters such as Flash (Pantoliano, not Jeff Kutash). All he wants to do is propose to his beautiful girlfriend Kelly (which is probably a decent idea considering it is puzzling why a woman of this caliber is with this dork in the first place)...but, as they say, life has other plans...

It seems, since the 2000’s, the term “Direct to Video” is synonymous with this type of production - a not-quite-movie-theater-quality, run of the mill, post-Tarantino crime thriller that relies more on cursing in the dialogue than on good ideas. This is a shame, DTV used to encompass all sorts of things, not the least of which was punchfighting movies. But, alas, this relatively new form of entertainment has paved the way for such personalities as Scott Wiper, a man whose career would not exist were it not for the miracle of DTV productions.

Despite the good cast, don’t be fooled. This is some sort of vanity project for the aforementioned Mr. Wiper. Just because he wrote The Last Marshal (1999), now he feels he’s entitled to write, direct and star in his own project, leaving the real stars in the background. Well, you’re no Scott Glenn, sir. (Note snarky attitude). Lou Diamond Phillips and Wiper should have switched roles. But we’re left with the unlikable (or unWipable) Wiper, who appears to be some sort of irritating cross between Edward Burns and Ben Affleck.

At the outset, it appears we’re in for a low-budget, gritty crime drama that’s at least striving for some measure of quality. Sadly, the “irony” sets in and we realize we’re in sub-Boondock Saints (1999) territory once again. Of course, why that movie has a gigantic following and was even re-released back into the theaters (an unheard-of move) while A Better Way to Die and its ilk are unnoticed by these same “fanatics” is unknown.

This movie is not impressive, although the (unfortunately) supporting cast tries their best. Henstridge has never looked better, but that’s not nearly enough to save this dud. Regrettably, a Better Way to Die is a waste of the talents of LDP, Braugher, Pantoliano, Henstridge and Sweet Lou (B’Nard Lewis). Avoid.

Comeuppance Review by: Brett and Ty

The Last Of The Finest (1990)

The Last Of The Finest (1990)-* * *

Directed by: John Mackenzie

Starring: Brian Dennehy, Joe Pantoliano, Jeff Fahey, Michael Gwynne, Guy Boyd, Deborra-Lee Furness, and Bill Paxton











For those viewers out there that are sick of having just ONE cop on the edge, here we have FOUR - Daly (Dennehy), Gross (Pantoliano), Hojo (Paxton) and Rodriguez (Fahey). They are four lifelong buddies and they fight the war on drugs for the LAPD, with a little football against the DEA team in their leisure time. When the team of four is suspended for doing things their own way (the right way), they decide to go after the baddies themselves, the main culprits being the sinister Norringer (Boyd) and the slimeball Reece (Gwynne). When one of the team is murdered, the remaining three not only go rogue, but now they’re out for revenge - but department corruption from their higher-ups and a stash of 22 million dollars complicates matters. The conspiracy thickens when politicians grandstanding about the then-current events in Nicaragua get involved.  What will become of the...LAST OF THE  FINEST?

Last of the Finest is an extremely underrated and under-appreciated film. It’s a movie about the camaraderie and the brotherhood of the four main leads. And what killer leads they are - Dennehy is very real and likable as the world-weary Daly, Jeff Fahey is perfect as Rodriguez, Pantoliano is the somewhat nerdy but reliable Gross, and Paxton as Hojo is spot-on as well. Interestingly, it’s like The Shield before the Shield, as these guys are a sort of strike team as well, and even some plot points in this film bear striking similarities to ones on the first few seasons of The Shield. Could that be a coincidence?  Regardless, to have these four actors come together like this is truly a gift. For that reason alone, this movie should be more well known.

Most of the budget probably went to the top-flight actors on display, and there are some classic cop movie/TV show cliches, but they’re likable and inoffensive cliches. In fact, they pretty much have to be there so I don’t fault the movie at all, especially a movie of this quality, which is higher than a lot of the dreck you’ll find elsewhere out there (including on this site).

But it’s also a very human story with some good realism, especially the idea that these are good cops doing impossibly hard work in extremely dangerous situations, but the top brass and the pencil-pushers have no clue what goes on in the real world, but they’re always telling the cops on the ground what to do. That conflict drives a lot of the film (but not all of it). It seems very relevant, and it also makes for an exciting, interesting and highly watchable film.

The only question now is - when are we getting a DVD release?

Comeuppance Review by: Ty and Brett

The Easter Egg Adventure (2004)

The Easter Egg Adventure (2004)- *1\2

Directed by: John Michael Williams

Starring the voices of: James Woods, Brooke Shields, Eli Wallach, Joe Pantoliano, and Nancy Kerrigan














I can see why Easter Egg Adventure didn't make it to theaters. I think it's the very poorly done animation. It looks unfinished and sloppy. The story is okay through. The voice cast is mediocre. James Woods does not have a big role in this. Joe Pantoliano does a decent job as Timmy. Brooke Shields and Gary Littman are very annoying as Ms. Hare and Gracious Grasshopper.

The writing mostly consists of play on words for Rabbits and Chickens. The songs are also pretty weak too. The only saving grace in this mess are the funny close ups of the characters.

Definitely for little kids only.



Comeuppance review by: Ty

The Taxman (1999)

The Taxman (1999)-* * *

Directed by: Avi Nesher

Starring: Joe Pantoliano, Elizabeth Berkley, Michael Chiklis, Robert Townsend, and Fisher Stevens







This was the first DTV movie I'd ever seen, and it truly started it all when it comes to empire of Comeuppance Reviews. I was entranced by its shiny metallic box art.

This is an offbeat, often funny film about a taxman who is investigating a crime when he meets a Russian family and eventually begins to care about them. There are twists but it is mostly a character driven film.

Joe Pantoliano is (as usual) great as the taxman. Elizabeth Berkley does a good job as the Russian daughter. Her accent is on target. Robert "The Meteor Man" Townsend is also in it who does an okay job as a lawyer.

Joe Pantoliano never gets praise when praise is due. He always puts at least a little effort and energy into all his roles. He usually steals all the movies where he is a supporting character. As evident with this film, he is definitely ready for lead parts.

Comeuppance review by: Ty

The Immortals (1995)

The Immortals (1995) -* * *

Directed By: Brian Grant

Starring: Eric Roberts, Chris Rock, Joe Pantoliano, Clarence Williams III, Kevin Bernhardt, William Forsythe, Tia Carrere, and Tony Curtis









The Immortals looks like the usual heist thriller but it's not. Jack (Roberts) assembles a team of thieves to rob money from different parts of town and it leads up to the double cross of gangster Dominick Baptiste (Curtis). On the outset it looks the thieves have nothing in common except one thing....which I can't reveal because it's pretty original for a direct to video action movie. Speaking of action, it never stops. If you like bloody gunfights, this is your movie. It was a good idea to cast Tony Curtis. He classes up the movie. Eric Roberts is excellent as usual. William Forsythe, Joe Pantoliano, and Tia Carrere as the thieves step up to the plate and give it their all in the roles. Chris Rock, on the other hand, looks confused to why he's in the movie.

 The Immortals is worth watching for the different plot twist and non-stop bloody action.




Comeuppance Review by: Ty