Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead

Starring:Andy Garcia, Christopher Lloyd, William Forsythe, Bill Nunn, Treat Williams, Jack Warden, Steve Buscemi, Fairuza Balk, Gabrielle Anwar, Christopher Walken, Michael Nicolosi, Bill Cobbs, Marshall Bell, Glenn Plummer, Don Stark, Harris Laskaway, Willie Garson, David Stratton, Deborah Strang, Sarah Trigger
Director: Gary Fleder
Studio: Walt Disney Video
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

After a foolproof scam turns sour, Jimmy the Saint (a soulful but miscast Andy Garcia, who mainly acts with his hair) and his hard-bitten crew must put their various sordid affairs in order before facing their final bloody curtain call. It's not nearly as clever as it thinks it is, but this terminally wise-ass (and extremely violent) caper flick is still one of the better post-Tarantino crime opuses, with some sharp dialogue, a scenery-chewing Christopher Walken (as a paraplegic archcriminal), and unhinged performances by Treat Williams and the obsequious Steve Buscemi that must be seen to be (dis)believed. Neophyte scripter Scott Rosenberg would later pen hipper-than-thou scripts for Beautiful Girls, Con Air, and Armageddon, while director Gary Fleder moved on to the somewhat more reputable Kiss the Girls. The tongue-twisting title is from a Warren Zevon song. --Andrew Wright

Description

Sexy Andy Garcia (WHEN A MAN LOVES A WOMAN) heads an outstanding all-star cast in this riveting and highly original thriller! When a powerful mob boss (Christopher Walken -- PULP FICTION) gives ex-gangster Jimmy the Saint (Garcia) one last job, it's an offer he can't refuse! But when someone gets killed, Jimmy and his partners are marked for death, leaving Jimmy just 48 hours to put things right for his buddies and the woman of his dreams (beautiful Gabrielle Anwar -- SCENT OF A WOMAN)! Acclaimed by critics nationwide, THINGS TO DO IN DENVER WHEN YOU'RE DEAD delivers sensational edge-of-your-seat entertainment!

Customer Reviews:

Don't ask for the "buckwheat" pancakes..........2007-06-16

See the movie, and you'll understand the reference. An often overlooked movie that has a lot of special acting roles. A MUST see for any one who likes crime/gang/ action/drama/love movies. Wonderful work by A Garcia, and Chris Walken is memorably evil as the "Man with the Plan". All around great flick - you'll be quoting lines from this one for a while, and Gabrielle Anwar - wow! "Boat Drinks" for all!

Love it, Love it, Love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......2007-06-08

Bought this movie after renting it. Can't say enough good things about it. My favorite actor (Andy Garcia) is in it. Highly recommend this movie to all the true Andy Garcia fans out there! Interesting language and twists during the entire movie. I watch it over and over again. Never get tired of it. Once you've seen it, you'll want to own it.

Below the Radar.......2007-03-08

Many people have never seen or heard of this movie, but it's great with a killer cast.

An Entertaining Action-Suspense Film.......2006-10-18

First of all, there are many similarities between this film and others of the same genre. Does this make it a bad film? No! The entertainment industry is full of films borrowing from each other. However, the question is: Is the film entertaining? Yes! The only thing I found annoying with the film was the character of Jack Warden [a talented actor] His part as the narrator in the film could have been left out. Since it wasn't, I'll live with it. The film follows a very predictable script: There is nothing new here, including the dialogue. But the film succeeds in that it does what it is meant to do: Entertain. This film is not for everyone, so if you're not sure about it, rent it first.

The film centers around a mob boss known only as 'The man with the plan' (Christopher Walken). He hires 'Jimmy the Saint' (Andy Garcia) to do a one last job for him. Jimmy has long left this former profession, but does it as a favor to Walken. Seems Walken's boy has problems: he likes little girls. Jimmy in now running a center for terminally ill patients to film their last words. However, he decides to do this one last job for old time sakes. Gathering a crew for this one last job, he makes the mistake of allowing a psychotic to be on the crew of this one last job.

Enter 'Critical Bill' (Treat Williams) who portrays the psychotic and demented member of the crew, whose error on the job causes all the members of the crew to be marked for death by Walken. A professional hitman known only as Mr. Shhh (Steve Buscemi) is sent to kill them all. The character portrayed by Treat Williams I found to be the most interesting. He is funny and sick at the same time. Rounding out the rest of the crew is Franchise (William Forsythe) Pieces (Christopher Lloyd). He is called this because of his leprosy which is making him fall to pieces [literally]. They must all now await their fate. Will they live? Will they be able to make amends? I'll leave this to the viewer. However, I must write that this film will not appeal to all audiences. Recommended with caution. Rent it first. [Stars; 3.5]

Give it a name...why doncha?.......2006-10-02

In spite of some flashy, occasionally overused language (e.g., "give it a name" meaning tell it like it is), this is a better than average crime film that manages to simultaneously make some fun of crime films. For example, the "mob boss" is called, I kid you not, The Man with the Plan. One character's monicker is, another real thing not made up (i.e., I myself am not making this up), Critical Bill. And like that.

So what we got here is a somewhat formulaic plot. OK, more than somewhat. The crime, the, you know, doesn't go as planned kinda thing, the repercussions, etc. But you also have something very unexpected and that is a romance that's not stupid or schlocky, but that actually makes you feel something. The main character, played by Andy Garcia--Jimmy the Saint--falls hard for the lead female (Gabrielle Anwar, she of "Scent of a Woman" fame) and the ensuing romance is truly heartfelt. Hmmmm.. a different spin on a crime film. Yes it is.

Even though the characters are kinda stock ones, it's still fun to watch them go through their paces 'cause they're good at it--Christopher Lloyd, Treat Williams (anybody ever figure out how he got that first name?), Christopher Walken, Jack Warden, William Forsythe, and to top it off, the great Steve Buscemi as contract killer (get this) "Mr. Shush". (Now that's what I call giving it a name).

So the quirkiness, the pure romance, and the acting chops all save this from being another completely humdrum entry in the post-Tarantino crime film glut. Much better than you might think...

Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead [Region 2]

Average customer rating:

Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead [Region 2]
Starring: Andy Garcia , Christopher Lloyd , William Forsythe , Bill Nunn , and Treat Williams
Director: Gary Fleder
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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