L.A. Twister (2004) User Reviews

Fun Movie meets outstanding acting

[freddi1 · 7/10 · 13 September 2004]

Big props to the 2 main actors, Tony Daly and Zack Ward. To be honest, I didn't recognize either of them in their past movies, but they did surprisingly good in this movie. Though being put in the "independent movie" box, I would put this one a few boxes higher: The well known story of 2 "losers" making it in the big city (aka American Dream, The) got spiced up with funny dialogs, action sequences and well chosen locations ... the story does not get in the background, but focusing on the characters of Ethan and Lenny instead of their actions helps the movie staying interesting to the end.

The movie gets to you from the beginning, I can highly recommend it.

Mini Magnolia

[lolobo21 · 28 October 2004]

The critics are ALL WRONG!!! 2 out of 5 stars is the biggest understatement since the criticisms on Fight Club. This movie contains all the necessary elements; laughter, drama, suspense. IMDb has a more accurate picture with its current 7.8 out of 10 stars.

Sven mentions Magnolia being a masterpiece, this movie is in the same category on a smaller scale. It is one not to be missed nor forgotten (given its unique plot). Take it from someone who lives in L.A.

There are twists of a roller coaster, the audience being pushed every which way possible. The actors for the main characters seem "unfit" for the role at first, however, later you see how there could not be two more fitting actors for the roles. The story is pure genius by making you feel at one with the struggles emphasized throughout the film. Sven Pape's future films will peak a curiosity from me just based on his name alone, which will always bring me back to this film.

Proof that some indie movies are just plain bad

[scipio23 · 1/10 · 14 September 2004]

***Spoiler Alert***

This movie sucked. Zach Ward was terrible at times, OK at other times, but Tony Daly was just awful. He reminded me of Ben Affleck, but I think I would have rather seen Affleck than him. Let me repeat that: I would have rather seen Been Affleck in this movie than Zack Ward.

The "movie within a movie" premise has been done before and much better. LA Twister's novel approach was to have the movie they characters are making be exactly the same as the one we're watching, and both movies sucked.

The characters were ridiculously stupid and naive. Even after "Scotty Farkus" had been burned hard by a casting agent he still believed that a shady guy from "back East" was going to fund their movie and were shocked when it turned out he was just snowing them.

Did I mention this movie sucked?

Masterpiece!

[archnog · 10/10 · 25 October 2004]

Sven Pape has proved himself genius with this distinctly unique artwork. Covering all aspects of the "Hollywood scene," Pape holds nothing back while unveiling the beast behind the Hollywood mask. Zack Ward commands a stellar lead, and is supported by a very talented and inventive cast and crew. Pape has created a work that will appeal to the viewer at every emotional level, and leave his audience hungry for more of his work. L.A. Twister should be a huge stepping-stone in the career of Sven Pape, and will definitely be a mile marker of remembrance. In an era where the public is bombarded by senseless and unmeaning media which Hollywood dubs as "entertainment," it is encouraging and refreshing to view a work of art such as L.A. Twister.

A Great New Indie Film about People Who Know People

[WritestuffLA · 9/10 · 11 July 2004]

L.A. Twister is a terrific film and pays homage to anyone who's ever wanted to make a movie.

L.A. Twister is an impressive independent film with some breakthrough performances by Zack Ward and Tony Daly. Zack's Lenny was a funny, endearing rogue whose soul was running on empty, and was a role that the majority of the current "A" list talent couldn't touch with a ten foot pole. Tony Daly scored a great performance as well as the soulful, at times too-tortured Ethan, who thankfully had the chance to lighten up once in a while and Mr. Daly delivered some solid comic moments as well, especially in his side job as a masseuse.

Daly and Ward's best scene together came when they pulled out all the stops during the scene where there's a chair and some rope involved. The honesty in that scene is what good acting is all about. There are scenes in films that you remember for a long time -- for me, that will be one of them. My only wish was that scene that could have gone on a little while longer.

Great performances abounded from the supporting cast as well. Nice turns all around. It was great to see Susan Blakely in a film again! I saw the payoff a mile away, but that's OK. It was what it was. The movie was at its best was when the relationships between Lenny, Ethan, and the women in their lives were being explored. These are all characters I would like to get to know.

Director Sven Pape did an admirable job with this piece, and production values were top- notch. This is an excellent calling card for Sven, and for Zach Ward, and for Tony Daly, as well as everyone else associated with this production, and they should all flash their cards proudly. Mr. Daly and Mr. Ward, according to their credits, list Dodgeball and A Christmas Story, respectively, as their most recognizable works. They can now replace those credits with L.A. Twister.

If promoted well, there is no reason why L.A. Twister can't be an art house film hit as well as be a serious contender at next years' Independent Spirit Awards.

See L.A. Twister -- a great cure for Blockbuster Burnout.

A comic indie movie well worth seeing.

[Azuregold · 9/10 · 7 July 2004]

LA Twister, with it's look at a pair of Hollywood dreamers trying to make it in LA, appeals well to the dreamer in all of us.

Zach Ward does a phenomenal job in the leading role of Lenny. He proves himself to be a unique actor with a unique look that easily retains an audience's interest for an entire feature. And I would say the same for his romantic co-star, Jennifer Aspen. These two are both rising stars to watch out for.

Tony Daly at Ethan (the best friend who helps Lenny reach his dream), however, falls short of his fellow actors' performances. At times overly optimistic or overly dramatic, he sometimes reads as two-dimensional.

Wendy Worthington is hilarious as the Hollywood Powerhouse, Marilyn. I found myself taken in most when she graced the screen. Wendy's sense of comic timing and expression had me laughing out loud time and time again. She alone is a great reason to see this movie. Hollywood veteran, Susan Blakely, also gave a fantastic performance as Vivian.

Surprisingly a first feature for director, Sven Pape, I felt that LA Twister as a whole was a great indie movie with a production value far exceeding it's contemporaries. Thumbs up!

GREAT INSIGHT HIGHLY RECOMMEND

[gordycam · 10/10 · 25 September 2004]

Overall Grade: B+ Story: B Acting: B Direction: B+ Visuals: B+ i will no doubt shortchange this well thought out, visually entertaining and memorable film. i thought the direction was OUTSTANDING and the film moved along well BRAVO mr pape has a good eye. The main actors were well chosen, the actors who appear overacting are obviously supposed to (the casting director for example). I loved the hanging-it took my breath away (that sounds sick as i read it back!), I loved one actor (from the yummy LE DIP on ventura blvd?), he sounded just how frustrated my dad would sound after relenting and calling the plumber.

I enjoyed being surprised mainly by thinking like they did and then poof something entirely different happens (for example when they meet their neighbors and go for dinner, and when we see where the friend "who knows people" actually works) kept us on our toes the entire time any put down of this film is truly unwarranted.

DO NOT wait for cable DO NOT wait for it to be out on video go, get some popcorn and enjoy it.

this movie was good so shut up

[limon369 · 27 November 2004]

listen i saw this movie at its premiere and it was good. period. case closed. to say it was terrible and that you'd rather see affleck is just poor criticism. you make a better movie then talk. the whole movie within a movie aspect i'll admit can take away from the speed of the film but as a whole it adds to its originality. its about making it and friendship and love and humor and acting. Its a good movie and i cant wait for it to reach the east coast so i can see it again. Zack Ward and Tony Daly were great they played off each other very well and you can see that bond at the end of the film. let's not forget how smooth certain scenes were i.e. the scene where lenny gets on stage and shows his date that he's a natural comedic genius and then think of the that emotional climax where lenny tells ethan (loosely quoted) " you're not allowed to do this ever again!!" this acting is good and this movie is good, it encompasses what it is all about.