Product Details

• Actors: Brendan Hines, Elizabeth Banks, Kris Park, A Martinez, Peter Onorati
• Directors: John Henry Davis
• Writers: William Mahone
• Producers: John Henry Davis, Chris Bongirne, J.B. White, William Mahone
• Format: Color, Dolby, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Wolfe Video
• VHS Release Date: September 23, 2003
• Run Time: 91 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0000AZT6B
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #588,701 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

ORDINARY SINNER is both a thriller and a coming-of-age drama involving issues of faith, love, and bigotry in a small college town. Under mysterious circumstances, Peter (Brendan P. Hines) suffers a crisis of faith and decides to leave the seminary where he has been studying to become a priest. He moves onto a college campus where he begins a complex triangular relationship with his lifelong friend Alex (Kris Park) and a beautiful young co-ed named Rachel (Elizabeth Banks). He also renews his friendship with Father Ed (A. Martinez), the local parish priest who served as Peter's mentor in high school. When the campus and town experience a sudden upsurge in homophobia--prompted by a radical Christian group's promotion of violence towards homosexuals and culminating in a brutal hate crime--Father Ed takes a courageous stand and Peter is once again forced to reexamine his religious faith.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Many Reasons to Pay Attention to this little Film, October 12, 2003

By 

Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Ordinary Sinner (DVD)

ORDINARY SINNER is a fine example of what small budget films can accomplish where box office extravaganzas fail. The story is a simple one - college youths in search of defining their roles in the universe on varying levels of sophistication are brought together in a small Vermont college town. The main character has given up on his seminary plan to become an Episcopal priest, engages in his first sexual encounter with a girl who becomes part of the trio of friends that drive this story. When homophobic signs appear in the gossip and visuals of this quiet community, the one who has the courage to quell this dangerous atmosphere is the local parish Episcopal priest ( a beautifully sensitve portrayal by A Martinez) by announcing from his podium that if as the rednecks suggest the bible states to kill homosexuals, then the town should start with him. His tender outing eventually results in his death which is surrounded in mystery. It is the resloving of the mystery that brings understanding and love to the youths and the townspeople. Filmed with flashbacks that only make sense as the film draws to a close enhances the chance taking that is present in this well directed and acted story. Worth watching for the 'food for thought' as well as for the technique of storytelling it demonstrates.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not as good as it could have been, April 8, 2004

By 

T. Hulse "I can resist most anything, except ... - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ordinary Sinner (DVD)

Ordinary Sinner, was not a bad film nor did it meet its potential. The production quality was good as was the sound quality. The acting was actually OK, Martinez stood out as the priest and was the most connected with the viewer. The issue with this film was that it was a bit slow and forced. The other leads had no connection with the viewer and when they tried to be dramatic, you could see it but not feel it. The script was good but did not get you drawn in to the story as well as it should have. The coming out scene of the priest was the finest moment in the film, it was the most powerful and at that piont you did feel involved but it lost me shortly after that scene. Overall it was not bad but also not a movie you would invite your friends over to see. I would suggest renting it if you can and see if you like it enough to spend the money to buy.This was not a great investment but is worth a look. You may want to see the movie " Priest".

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Sad Bad and Not good to know...or see., January 28, 2008

By 

BME "BME" (NZ) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Ordinary Sinner (DVD)

Not so ordinary. It is FREAKIN BAD. Where is the gay twist? A Matinez is a priest - he is gay, but he is not the main character. He has a 'friend' - cool. Also not the focus. Peter is a former divinity student who comes to rural Vermont to sort out crisis of faith and gets involved in a triangle with pal Alex and Rachel. Sounds cool...sounds sexy...is NOT. There IS no real triangle...Alex wants there to be but Peter doesn't know that...until Alex tries in a wishy-washy, why-even-bother way. A Martinez, the priest, gets more action...and we don't see that either. Then Alex tries to ensure he gets Peter by getting rid of the main competition...who is not who you would think really. Could have been good - wasn't. What it was? Slow, bad, disappointing. Not a first rate thriller as the cover purports - maybe a first rate coaster for your coffee. This is like crap on a stick, you shouldn't touch it...it STINKS.