Learning Curve

Starring:John Davies (IV), Marsha Dietlein, Susana Gibb, Meason Wiley, Jonathan Brent, Rebecca Sanabria, Brandy Little, Kirk Kelley-Kahn, Forest Denbow, Gail Cronauer, Steve Fromholtz, Lee Ritchey, Mark Dias, Sloan DeForest
Director: Andy Anderson
Studio: Mti Home Video
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Product Description
Public high school is a private hell for the teachers and weaker students at Donner High. A beautiful, young teacher is molested at gunpoint. Other students are beaten and intimidated. Finally, a new substitute, Mr. Walmsley, a former Medal of Honor winner and animal trainer, decides to teach the bullies a lesson they'll never forget. A shocking substitute tot he three-ring circus of the classroom, Walmsley's savage "reform school" becomes a house of horrors where students only survive... if they learn.

System Requirements:

Running Time 44 Min

Format: DVD MOVIE

Average customer rating:

Entertaining, succesful on a taboo theme of power broker dealing
Carmine Giovinazzo & Monet Mazur: Modern day Bonnie & Clyde
Fun Ride
Fun Ride
Criminally Stupid

The Learning Curve
Starring: Carmine Giovinazzo , Norbert Weisser , Monet Mazur , Tim Ransom , and Rod Roesser
Director: Eric Schwab
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Fallen Arches (1998)
Big Shot - Confessions of a Campus Bookie
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Players

ASIN: B000060MUY
Release Date: 2002-04-23

Amazon.com

Sleek and stylish, The Learning Curve follows two young lovers named Georgia (Monet Mazur) and Paul (Carmine Giovinazzo) who quickly discover they have a mutual taste for recklessness, cheap fast food, and petty larceny. But when a scam goes awry, they're at the mercy of a ruthless and criminal record executive. Paul starts to work for the exec and, to Georgia's dismay, is soon seduced by drugs and money. The Learning Curve starts out slightly implausible but is consistently surprising; as it goes along, the story grows more clichéd, yet the script, direction, and performances are smart enough that the movie maintains its stylish momentum. By the end, The Learning Curve is just short of preposterous, yet--much like the Hong Kong action movies that surely influenced the director--the movie remains so fully committed to the high-pitched emotions of its melodramatic plot that it becomes not only engaging but even moving. --Bret Fetzer

Description

Two aimless twentysomethings are launched into a fiery tryst of love, lustand crimein this stylish thriller that conjures memories of Bonnie and Clyde (The Courier News). Starring Carmine Giovinazzo (Black Hawk Down), Monet Mazur (40 Days and 40 Nights), Vincent Ventresca ('the Invisible Man ), Jack Laufer (Lost in Yonkers), Majandra Delfino ( Roswell ) and Steven Bauer (Traffic), this 'taut thriller (The Star) is charged with sizzling love scenes, unrelenting suspense and a final chase scene [that] will grab the viewer's throat (The Courier News)! Paul (Giovinazzo) and Georgia (Mazur) are lovers, soul mates and partners in crime.But when this duplicitous duo tries to dupe the wrong man (Ventresca), they are ensnared in a worldmore dangerous than they could ever have imagined. Seduced into working for him on dangerous jobs beyond their small-time capability, Paul and Georgia suddenly have everything they ve ever wanted andeven more to lose.

Customer Reviews:

Entertaining, succesful on a taboo theme of power broker dealing.......2007-06-24

THE LEARNING CURVE (2001) is a surprise success considering its
lack of big box office stars. Let this not deter anyone from
renting this DVD, as it packs plenty of entertainment and then
some.

The story will often appeal on the visual and intellectual aspects,
although there is a fair bit of action, too.

The cast does a splendid and convincing job over the entire 90
mins, comprising Monet Mazur as the bored daughter of a richman
(reminiscent of Darryl Hanna), Vincent Ventresca (somewhat of a
Kyle MacLachlan clone), Carmine Giovinazzo as the street smart guy
and Steve Bauer as the "tough enforcer" of the organization.
Mazur's role is that of a woman who is effective, efficient, fast,
confident, experienced in engaging and seducing men of all kinds,
and them playing them for their wealth, for the illusion of
romance and or of a personal relationship.

The visual aspects are excellent, although the release is not a
wide-screen. There's plenty of exciting, energetic moments,
including race car dare-devil behavior on the highway, near the
edges of a cliff, and more bringing an upbeat, positive feeling in
the early minutes.

The soundtrack is talented and tasteful, as are the visuals, in
capturing a variety of moods (melancholy, joy, ecstasy,
irresponsability, remorse, recklessness, etc) on screen, such as in
the darker outdoor night or indoor club scenes.

Skillfully, the move wastes no time in showing the evolution of
Mazur and Giovinazzo, from 2 youngsters ridding themselves of their
boredom by running small-time con jobs, grifts by setting up their
marks for the scores, that drives their libidos in an ever
increasing crescendo. Nothing is off their limits, from insurance
claims for a simulated accident, to sex entrapment, arson, etc.

This continues until their talent brings them to the big leagues,
to the attention of Ventresca who's a bigger player, wishing to
leverage their talent for his major real estate deal.

The developer plans to convert a run down and neglected part of the
city into a new project, that many oppose, including the municipal
politicans and some small stores.

The solution lies in power-brokering a deal with the right people,
using the right tactics, including blackmail over sex, offering
gifts and success of the right kind to the right people, including
cash.

For those familiar with sustainable development, use and misuse of
new eminent domain laws to override the 5th Amendment of the US
Constitution, stating "private property shall not be taken for
public use, without just compensation", the payoffs and
powerbrokering occurring sound realistic.

The action, chases, gun fire fights are good enough to shake the
audience's socks off.

A funny quip: " I sure you're too young for a lot of things, but I
bet that sure doesn't stop you! It's the grease that keeps the
gears going."

The moral lesson is present, as Mazur makes the choice of resisting
a pure role of prostitute in the deal, limiting herself to her
hitherto comfortable role of fleecer. Some personal feelings also
surface, questioning her mind also about what is right and wrong.

An intriguing question is left with the audience, in terms of
Mazur's prolonged anguish ... is the reaction of the character
real, when she had scored so many marks on so many cons, for so
long a time, with contemptible tactics and no remorse all that time?

Carmine Giovinazzo & Monet Mazur: Modern day Bonnie & Clyde.......2007-03-09

I loved this movie. Carmine & Monet as lovers turned modern day con-artists, get bribed into working for a music exec. & end up in trouble with the FBI. I originally bought this film because I'm a Carmine Giovinazzo fan, & I ended up loving it.

Fun Ride.......2003-07-25

I LOVED this film and found it thoroughly enjoyable. It drew me in and kept me watching. To see these characters go through the changes they go through was truly amazing to me. Monet Mazur was wonderful as well as geogeous and Carmine Giovinazzo did a great job along with Vincent Ventresca who plays his character to the edge. I thought the film was well cast, the acting was superb, the locations were amazing and the story original. Just sit back and enjoy the ride because this one is worth the trip. I give it thumbs up. If you can't enjoy this film you're looking waaay to deep. Relax and enjoy.

Fun Ride.......2003-07-25

Criminally Stupid.......2003-03-01

Stupid criminals hook up with stupid record exec who thinks he can use them to further his evil plans to create a mallýer ýentertainment centerý by ousting a nice old guy from his variety store. Due to a bribe sting, some very stupid FBI agents instigate a shoot out in a crowed club, causing the death of untold innocent bystanders. Iýve learned one thing from all of this: The FBI REALLY HATES SHOPPING MALLS.

Product Description

Public high school is a private hell for the teachers and weaker students at Donner High. A beautiful, young teacher is molested at gunpoint. Other students are beaten and intimidated. Finally, a new substitute, Mr. Walmsley, a former Medal of Honor winner and animal trainer, decides to teach the bullies a lesson they'll never forget. A shocking substitute tot he three-ring circus of the classroom, Walmsley's savage "reform school" becomes a house of horrors where students only survive... if they learn.

System Requirements:

Running Time 44 Min

Format: DVD MOVIE

Customer Reviews:

Guilty pleasure.......2006-11-28

I really enjoyed this movie because it deals with bullys in a very different way. I bet it got some snickers from some of the teachers that watched this movie. I highly recommend this movie to anyone that has dealt with bullys in thier life.

One of those unexpected pleasures.......2005-10-09

I just happened onto this little independent film, and must tell you - was pleasently surprised. I really didn't know what to expect from this film, but as I was watching it I soon realized that my eyes were glued to the screen for the full 108 minutes that it ran. I know that many of the other reviewers have stated excellent observations, however, I would just like to add my endorsement. Check this one out. Rent it, buy it . . . you won't be dissapointed. As I was watching; it did remind me of another picture I saw years ago titled "Class of '84." These two films would make a great double-bill!

I've seen all 3 versions of this film.......2004-12-11

And this is the weakest. This film began some years ago as Detention, a black black-comedy with lots of gritty raw footage. A movie that grabbed you by the lapels and shook you, it precluded all mealy-mouthed hem-hawing about good and evil. But that same year, another film with the same name was released, and this Detention got lost. Andy recut it, chopped about 30 minutes, gave it a new name, and offered Very Special Ed, a brilliant, scathing, frightening movie that worked in every direction. I had thought the original unimprovable. I was wrong.

But now he has recut it again, and it is diminished by the newest rearrangements. Some scenes were (I think) reshot, and they seem curiously without energy, as if everyone felt they had done this once already. The forcefulness is lost, and the new ending, while similar to the previous versions, again, comes out a bit tepid.

A wonderful film is in here, this just isn't it. Still pretty good, with some flashes that are so good they shake you (e.g. the now shortened assembly scene where the teachers are learning just how many times they are supposed to look at a student) but overall, a notch below its previous lives.

One wishes it success, but the disappointment of seeing something wonderful reduced, for whatever reasons, is saddening.

Loved this movie --.......2003-10-24

This is one of those movies that I wish I had the opportunity to assist with the script. I would have had that substitute teacher ripping the throats out of some those smart mouth high schoolers! lol

Besides the fact that I was mesmerized by the good looks of the leading man, (The substitute teacher) the movie was really good. It kept my attention til the end. Not a bad way to spend an hour and a half. A real gem. A must for my DVD collection.

Learning Curve Gets Down to Business!.......2003-10-07

Some times we just have to cut to the chase and get down to business. "Learning Curve" does just that - writer/director Andy Anderson has a particular take on life and it vividly shows in this film. "Curve" is not a movie you see every day. The market forces would never create a story like this as it should be - this is where independent filmmaking shines. So, a high school teacher can't teach his students - they just don't want to learn (not that they CAN'T learn!)...I've been witness to situations similar to this in my high school days. I was put in low-level applied classes with all the goof-offs and Dopeheads and Metal Heads: all who didn't want to learn a thing. Needless to say I wasn't one of them, I did want to learn, but spending three years with these types of students left me with a sour after taste in my mouth in regards to the public school system...So, now comes "Learning Curve" and with this teacher's method of teaching, I applaude with great glee. Learning through imprisonment and electric shock cuts through the B.S. and gets right to the heart of the matter. And what's more, IT WORKED! They did begin to learn! Overall, Mr. Anderson has crafted a film that's part satire, part reality and part shocking. This is his second feature film and I hope that I won't have to wait years and years to see his next effort on the big screen!

Average customer rating:

Slightly fresh slant on a standard B movie theme

Learning Curve

Manufacturer: Echelon Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Product Description

A substitute school teacher decides to teach class in his own special way.

Customer Reviews:

Slightly fresh slant on a standard B movie theme.......2005-02-25

A typical B-rate movie that does show a few flashes of originality. Basically, a substitute teacher at the "high school from Hell" decides to take matters into his own hands. He ends up kidnapping a group of 7 of the worst students and locks them in steel cages in rural Texas. In the midst of nudity, deprivation and electric shock disipline, they finally accept that they must learn or die! The characters, although grossly exaggerated, are really despicable enough to make the mistreatment at the hands of their captor almost enjoyable. From Bob Sage in Las Vegas

Average customer rating:

Vol. 4-Arthurs Learning Curve
Starring: Arthur
Manufacturer: Funimation Prod Inc
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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