Customer Reviews

Sex and Death 101 [Blu-ray]

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(15)
2 star:		(16)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

Told through first-person narration, Sex and Death 101 is a little like the Wachowskis' The Matrix collides with Shainberg's Secretary (stick with me here). The premise: a (sentient?) "machine" has begun interfering with humanity, issuing e-mails that reveal a person's fate. While many people received an e-mail revealing their death-day, Roderick Blank was "gifted" with a list of every woman he has and WILL sleep with. Sounds great, right? Well, what the viewer learns is that "the chase" is fairly boring when the results are a given. Watching Rodrick try to plow through his list is dark and hysterical (especially when we reach Bambi and Thumper ... a world-class, lesbian power-couple). Now for the twist, the FINAL person on Roderick's list is a notorious serial-killer ...

With a budget of five-million, Waters created a pretty slick film. The casting is quirky (in a fantastic way!!). Patton Oswalt (The King of Queens and Ratatouille) plays a lascivious lackey to the "Morpheus-like" Alpha. I'm entirely biased here (since I think Oswalt is one of the most adorable, underrated actors in Hollywood), but his character alone makes the film worth watching. Moreover, Mindy Cohn (The Facts of Life) was a brave and fabulous choice. All grown up, Cohn rocks her character. She adds sweetness to (what could have been) your typical "lesbian" character. Kudos!! Julie Bowen, Winona Ryder, and Simon Baker nicely round-out the cast. Overall, the acting is wonderfully on-point. We could genuinely loathe the character of Roderick BUT Baker brings an irrefutable charm to him. And, this is where the film is a success. Roderick may be a slick, handsome, fast-food King ("Have a startling and unique day!!"), but as he resigns himself to fate he becomes brooding and vulnerable. Love it.

Why should you watch this work? One: it has a montage of lower-back, Chinese-symbol tattoos to represent the passage of time (a great joke resides in this moment ... pay attention). Two: watching Roderick don faerie-wings just to join Bambi and Thumper (in slow-motion) ... TOTALLY WORTH IT! (And so funny). Three: the scene with the school bus ... that's all I can say (by far, the absolutely most unpredictable, wildly amusing moment).

I noticed that this work is receiving some seriously scathing reviews. As a harsh-critic, I respect the opinions of others. I have a feeling this film appeals to a niche crowd: one which seeks dark, erotic, adult faerie-tales (a la Shainberg's Secretary ... see, I told you to stay with me). If, like me, you find the American Pie style of films trite and juvenile, give Water's work a spin. It won't disappoint.

Spoilers warning and adult themed review to follow.


How can a sex comedy go wrong with such themes as turtle diarrhea, a lesbian power couple named Bambi and Thumper, a religious school bus group devirginization marathon, and/or knowing your sexual future? Or with script writing that includes a "sloppy fusion of genitalia", an "intercourse buffet" and a reference to that "whore-bitch Jane Austen"? If you are not amused or are even offended right now - you might want to skip this movie (and review).

Daniel Waters has made a fun, original film about a man who is given the "gift" of knowing his future, specifically his upcoming sexual conquests, whether man or woman, all categorized on a nice list. Waters is oft remembered for his deviant writing with Heathers or Happy Campers, but in this case he gets to indulge a high volume of sexual perversions into one film.

The two leads were cast appropriately with a needed "pretty boy" in Simon Baker (I remember him most from his brief role in LA Confidential) and Winona Ryder playing the femme fatale/serial coma-inducer. A great supporting cast in Mindy Cohn, Julie Bowen (who I liked in the Ed TV series), the Janitor from Scrubs, Natasha Malthe, etc.

The film has two story lines, one involves the man who has it all that receives this list (origins of which can only be seen in the film to understand) containing all of his past and future sexual escapades. He gets this the week of his wedding - only to find out there are 60+ names listed after his soon to be wife. The other story is Winona's character resolving her past sufferings by inducing comas upon every man she sleeps with. The remaining twists and interlocking plots need to be watched as they can't be explained without spoiling too much. Which leads me to the extras...

The DVD docu titled "101 Perversions" is an excellent insight into the minds and motives behind this film - and for the first time on a disc docu - they actually disclaim the piece as containing spoilers and recommend that you watch the film first. Waters' interview gets some nice slams on present day big comedy films "that suck", but includes some nice homages to Benny Hill and Fellini for this film.

I think this is what my customers have been looking for in a "good adult comedy" that doesn't involve lowbrow humor or have National Lampoon in the title (the later NLs).

While I feel a little bit guilty for saying this, I liked it. Yup, that's right. In its off the wall & unexpected way, this was a uniquely entertaining movie. I readily concede that this DVD will not be accepted in the same way by all people.

The premise of the film asks an interesting question: what IF you knew the names of all the women you would sleep with between now & the grave? Sounds great, right? Some supercomputer somewhere (I presume using chaos theory or something) has learned how to tell the future. It accidentally sends an e-mail to the persona (Simon Baker) which lists all the women he's ever slept with, as well as all the women he ever will become intimate with.

Problem is, the poor fella is supposed to be getting married, and this list messes everything up. So, he turns into a playboy and begins going down the list. Problem is, there is no longer any "challenge" in it. As soon as he's struck one girl's name off the list, he's ready to go on to the next one. The best analogy in the movie is when he says that his life is like a taped-delay game of a football game. He already KNOWS the final score & that his team won, but he doesn't know HOW they won. Along the way, he is offered consolation / guidance by his lesbian secretary (Mindy Cohn; the first time I've seen her in anything since The Facts of Life - The Complete First & Second Seasons way back in the 1980s).

The main issue with the list is the name of the last girl on it. Her nickname is "Death Nell" (played by Winona Ryder) and she is a sort of black-widow who is out to have revenge on the male gender due to the fact that she was mis-treated by her ex. Uh oh!

There should be a rule that any movie with the word "sex" in the title should automatically have some obligatory nudity. Well, this film delivers on that, and we get to see some hot babes minus their clothes. The film was written by Daniel Walters (who also wrote the equally whacked-out Heathers). In the DVD extras he said he intentionally cast most of the actresses from Australia, due to the fact that Aussie babes don't have a problem stripping down on-film. We even get an ever-so-brief glimpse of Winona's left nipple, although it's from a distance & a bad angle.

This is what you would call a dark comedy, but it's one with a silver lining. It has some very warped imagery of Sleeping Beauty (Special Edition) and is a tour-de-force of every twisted male sexual fantasy out there - including a few which are downright repulsive. With all that in mind, you should have an idea of what you're in for should you decide to purchase this DVD. People who are socially conservative should avoid this film @ all costs!

Sex and Death 101 reunites Wynona Rider with Daniel Waters, respectively star and writer of the great 1989 cult dark comedy Heathers. Unfortunately, Sex and Death 101 misses the high standard of Heathers. The film is a blatant and rather tiresome sex comedy that needed a film editor. The premise is excellent: star Simon Baker plays the head honcho of a trendy fast food outlet (Starbucks meets McDonalds). He receives a mysterious email listing all the women with whom he has had sex and with whom he will have sex in future. He becomes obesessed with the list and the big question is: Is the list destiny, or is he making the list into a self-fulfilling prophecy. Now, throw in a female serial killer (Ryder) called Death Nell whose goal is to liberate women from abuse. Baker and Ryder's characters hurtle toward an inevitable meeting and relationship. Unfortunately, the film suffers from a confusing subplot involving a semi-divine supercomputer Oracle that sent out the list (and apparently runs on keypunch cards - so odd) and the computer's "angelic" tech guys. The film also suffers from distasteful and distracting sexual content, including necrophilia (not for the faint of heart). The best episode in the film occurs about one hour into it, when Baker falls for a woman not on the list who "just wants to be friends". Baker's inherent charm, boyish good looks and comic talent make this episode very sweet and interesting. Baker also pulls off a marvelous sequence involving a relationship with a lesbian "power couple". Unfortunately, much of the comedy in this film falls terribly flat. Quite frankly, Adam Sandler is much more adept at the type of raunchy comedy to which this film aspires. Sex and Death 101 is worth seeing once, but be advised that it contains content that some will find objectionable. Running time: 117 minutes. Check out Heathers - 20th High School Reunion Edition instead!

What would you do if you know what would happen in your lifetime? Would you try to change your decisions, avoid the displeasing parts or meet everything head on? Well, writer/director Daniel Waters (Heathers, 1989) attempts to answer this question. What results is a satire of somewhat dark elements, oddly clever and maybe also be considered a horror flick in a certain way. "SEX and DEATH 101" is a sex comedy that is refreshing since it leaves the usual stereotypical elements of over-sexed teenagers and delves into the sex life of a guy over 30 (or 35?).

Roderick Blank (Simon Baker) is guy who seemingly has it all; he's about to get married, has a great job as an executive in a fast food franchise called "Swallows" and has a lot of friends. His entire life is turned upside down when he receives a mysterious e-mail that lists all the woman he has and will ever sleep with; PAST, PRESENT and FUTURE. 101 names to be exact, and the funny thing is, his bride to be is only number 29. What's a guy to do?
Meanwhile, an enigmatic femme fatale called "Death Nell" (Winona Ryder) has become an urban folk hero because she targets those men who have committed violence against women.

"Sex and Love 101" is a dark comedy that somewhat reinforces the male anxiety. To settle down or to stay a bachelor forever? There are certain advantages and disadvantages, of course, and the character of Roderick Blank explores the why, the how and the when questions. I rather thought there were three acts in the film; Knowledge becomes power and power corrupts absolutely, the pursuit of an unreachable goal and the fear of your inevitable destiny. Personally, if I do come across such a list, I would probably be a little frightened but at the same time very curious. There is nothing like knowing exactly what your future holds, don't it? Yes and no.

Roderick Blank goes through his list and the film results in showing quite a bit of nudity. From a stripper, a centerfold named Cynthia Rose (Sophia Monk), a busload of beautiful virgins, to ultra-hotties: Bambi (Natassia Malthe) and Thumper (Pollyanna McIntosh), from a homeless woman to a leper, Blank goes through his list and the greatest relief from all of this is the fact he won't die until he has slept with each and every woman on the list. For the first half of the film, once you see a female character, you know that she'll be around for the next 5-15 minutes and she'll probably play a turning point in Blank's life. Miranda (Leslie Bibb) also represents the woman that Blank considers a pursuit and conquest---the one who put him in the "friend zone" and she isn't in his list. This element actually represented the idea that one can change his destiny. Well, Blank even considered necrophilia and castration just to offset the inevitable. The proceedings do have a `dark' humorous side as Blank considers his options and does contain some hinted amount of surprises.

Now just how did this list come from? Actually, the answer may be simpler than you may expect and well, it`s a bit hazy. Three men called Alpha (Robert Wisdom), Beta (Tanc Sade) and "Fred" (Patton Oswalt) are the guardians of an enigmatic group. Alpha is the intelligence, Beta is the deduction and Fred, well, he's the wild idea. You won't be far off in comparing this trio to the three "Norns" of fate in Norse Mythology and the these mystical beings of destiny are even present in Greek myth; who foresee the fates of both Gods and Men. Only instead of being women, this trio is made out of men. Fred is the one who feeds Blank with all the crazy ideas that he is about to have a lot of sex. Alpha well, he puts everything into play in a manner of speaking, he manipulates Blank into making his own direction.

For someone destined to have a lot of women in his lifetime, the actor has to be real smooth and devilishly handsome. I'm no judge to the male attributes but I thought that Simon Baker was convincing enough to pull it off. The film does have a clever script so whatever requires a large suspension of disbelief can be bought into, even though his acting may seem a little mechanical quite often. The supporting cast is led by Mindy Cohn (who plays Simon's confidant Trixie) adds a lot of depth and charm to the film's screenplay whenever she says "I'm so glad I'm a lesbian". Blank's interactions are competent enough that it does assist the film in its "non-sex" moments and rather fleshes out more of Simon's character. Why the heck does he have the last name "Blank" anyway? Winona Ryder may have limited screen time but her role is very significant. She plays the woman who has been abused and who finally realized that she is her own "Prince Charming". I do believe her character of "Death Nell" is a social metaphor or maybe for feminism. Winona is charming in her portrayal, well, in an imbalanced sort of way.

The direction was competent enough to keep me interested for its entirety. I was entertained but not really to the point of giving praise. The film clocks in at almost two hours, and for a movie like this, it may seem somewhat overlong and slow-paced. However, the film did attempt to fully flesh out the lead character, although, the plot itself had very little to work with. It took me a bit longer to warm up to Simon Baker but I did find the film to be a satisfying enough diversion. It's a welcome departure from the stereotypical sex comedies.

SEX and DEATH 101 is worthwhile effort, it's sexy, funny and twisted in its own way; and yep, there`s lot of skin in this movie. There were moments that were downright hilarious that I rather forgave its perfunctory climax and I thought it`s a charming piece of comedy. Sometimes it's better not to know and just go along for the ride of life.

Recommended! [3 ½ Stars]

"Sex and Death 101" is a dark and savvy little romantic comedy that gleefully dances away from many of the stale and stuffy conventions generally associated with the genre.

Simon Baker stars as the allegorically named Roderick Blank, a handsome, seemingly insatiable lady killer who's decided it's finally time to put an end to his womanizing ways in favor of marriage to the beautiful Fiona Wormwood. Yet, literally on the eve of his bachelor party, Rod receives a mysterious email listing in chronological order not only all the women he's already slept with throughout the course of his life but all the women he is destined to sleep with in the time that still remains to him (the total is 101, if you haven't already surmised that from the film's title). Adhering to the adage "the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak," Rod allows the list to essentially take over his life, waiting for the next promised woman to fall into his lap (sometimes quite literally), then crossing her name off the moment he`s had his way with her. But is this truly the route to a satisfying life, even for a notorious playboy like Roderick Blank?

Part science fiction and part metaphysical morality play, "Sex and Death 101" also boasts two wacky subplots that run contrapuntal to the main story: one featuring Winona Ryder as an avenging feminist who comes in the guise of a serial killer, luring unsuspecting misogynists to their well-deserved destruction; and the other involving three mysterious figures (mad scientists, intervening angels?) who kidnap Rod to inform him that he has been the victim of some bizarre cosmic prank and that he needs to destroy the list before it destroys him.

"Sex and Death 101" is not a perfect film by any means. Its attempts at surrealism are frequently heavy-handed and strained, and its black-comedy edge isn`t always as razor-sharp as it could be. But, on the whole, this is a wildly original and surprisingly incisive look at the different ways in which men and women view sex and romance and the different ways they use both those things to get what they want. Writer/director Daniel Waters knows how to set even the most hackneyed romantic comedy cliché spinning on its head. For instance, the movie takes the obligatory "gay best friend" stereotype - who usually comes in the form of a flaming interior decorator or wedding planner - and turns it into a wise-cracking lesbian (smartly played by Mindy Cohn, best known as Natalie from "The Facts of Life"), whose duties as Rod's personal secretary go far beyond merely scheduling his appointments or knowing where his briefcase is.

Although Rod is, in many ways, a typical character for a romantic comedy - afraid of commitment, obsessed with nailing every woman who comes his way, etc. - the route the script takes to get him to his admittedly rather predictable pro-woman/pro-romance epiphany is anything but typical. This freshness is further enhanced by the devilishly playful and utterly disarming performance turned in by Baker who completely captivates the viewer with his easygoing charisma and charm. The scene in which Baker and Ryder finally share screen time together is exceptionally well acted and staged.

Even though the movie feels a little disjointed and unfocused at times, Waters does a nice job dovetailing all the seemingly unrelated plot elements into a satisfying whole in the end.
"Sex and Death 101" is for those who like a little spice with their romantic comedies.

"Sex and Death 101" sounds like the name of a college course, and indeed, it could work well as a study companion for critical theory classes, specifically those covering the Fate versus Free Will debate. I'm reminded of "The Golden Compass," a wonderful fantasy film about keeping free will on a short leash; there are those who oppose it, which by default suggests that it exists. "Sex and Death 101," a fascinating dark comedy about a man and a list of names, seems to take the exact opposite approach. Fate determines what will happen to us, not free will. Writer/director Daniel Waters regards this idea with a tragic sense of awe, and this is despite the fact that (1) the film is often times very funny, and (2) that it ends on a very satisfying note. It could be that, even if we're made to live the happiest of lives, there's no comfort in knowing that we have absolutely no control over what we say or do.

This movie tells the story of Roderick Blank (Simon Baker), a thirty-something executive for a successful fast food chain called Swallows. He has everything a man could want: a great job, a great fiancée named Fiona (Julie Bowen), and great friends. After marrying Fiona, he would like nothing more than to settle down and have a family. One day, his office computer receives an anonymous e-mail containing the names of 101 women. When his assistant, Trixie (Mindy Cohn), reads off the first few names, he thinks that it's a list of the women he slept with before meeting Fiona. It stands to reason that her name would be at the bottom. Unfortunately, it isn't; she's only number twenty-nine. Roderick briefly considers the idea that it's all a practical joke, or maybe someone is reminding him of what he'll be giving up in order to marry Fiona. Then he actually meets one of the other listed women, and lo and behold, they somehow or another end up having sex. This list knows all.

Initially, Roderick believes he's hit a stroke of good luck. But as he crosses names off of the list, he begins to wonder if the thrill of the hunt is more enticing than the catch. Within no time at all, sex has become chore. Some of his flings are entriely accidental, and this definitely includes the leprosy-stricken grandmother of a sexy centerfold. Some are just plain bizarre: Who would have thought he had a chance with a power lesbian couple, who also happen to be reality TV stars? At a certain point, Roderick begins dating a quirky but loveable veterinarian named Miranda Storm (Leslie Bibb), and for the first time since losing Fiona, he believes he's found the one woman he can settle down with. But does she feel the same way about him? And what about the fact that there are more names on the list? What about fate?

Intertwined with this story is a feminist vigilante known as Death Nell (Winona Ryder), who's striking fear into the hearts of men. Her trademark: Putting sex criminals and misogynists into permanent comas after seducing them. Her real name is Gillian de Raisx, a reference to Gilles de Rais, a fifteenth century French nobleman who was tried and executed for murdering dozens, if not hundreds, of children. One wonders why Waters named his femme fatale after such a horrible man; Gillian has legitimate reasons for doing what she does, which is probably why a number of feminist organizations consider her a hero. "Did they really catch that satanic succubus?" asks one of Roderick's obnoxious friends. "No," Trixie responds, "and the word is `freedom fighter.'" What exactly does this have to do with Roderick? As it turns out, Gillian is the 101st name on the list.

Keeping tabs on both Gillian and Roderick is a mysterious organization. That's about as specific as I can get, which doesn't mean that I'm intentionally keeping a secret from you; it means that virtually nothing about it is explained. There are only two things we know for sure. First, within a mysterious white room sits a special computer that relies on quantum mechanics to predict the future, the same computer that e-mailed the list to Roderick. Second, gray-suited men named Alpha (Robert Wisdom), Beta (Tanc Sade), and Fred (Patton Oswald) are apparently the only three people running the organization. These characters work in and of themselves. Alpha was even given one of the film's most telling lines during a scene with Roderick: "Horoscopes, psychics, tarot cards, coming attractions that give away the whole movie--why must you people know everything?" But the entire concept of the computer and the organization utilizing it is just plain maddening.

Then again, that could have been the intention all along, and I have to admit that I enjoyed every scene featuring the gray-suited men. We may not know who they are, but at least their dialogue is interesting. And their cryptic observations on fate keep the audience alert. Keep in mind that the very idea of fate will always raise certain questions. Here's the most famous one: Would you want to know the exact date, time, and location of your death if given the opportunity? I think the message "Sex and Death 101" is sending is that, because you can't change fate, there's no point in knowing ahead of time what will happen. This is a strange but deeply thought-provoking film, often hilarious, often irreverent, and even at its most outrageous, it's always compelling.

When a mysterious e-mail provides the handsome, successful Roderick Blank with a list of every woman he's ever slept with and every woman he ever will sleep with, it turns his life upside down, and, at first, he enjoys it immensely. However, when it starts to turn him into a sex addict, Roderick attempts to take control and is soon thrown a heartbreaking curve ball that sends him to a very dark place. A lifetime of dating and sex in a single year takes Roderick on a physical, mental, and emotional rollercoaster ride as he is forced to grow from his experiences and ultimately elude one most dangerous temptress who could be his last shot at whatever it is he is trying to find or figure out.

A thoughtful, dark, very adult comedy/drama with slightly noticeable but fully essential sci-fi elements from the writer and director of the '80's cult-classic "Heathers", Daniel Waters, "Sex and Death 101" is very much a film about sex (though the dialogue is more graphic than the visuals, in my opinion anyway) and not for the prude audience member. It observes one supposedly average man (hmm...) in a process of learning to be a worthy counterpart to... whoever he ends up with, if anyone. The film is a great piece of entertainment, as it has a fine cast and never really gets boring (though maybe pushes it now and then; after all, it has a repeating plot point: meeting women and engaging in sex with them), though it intends to be rather thoughtful/inspirational I think, and in that regard I think it will only work for a section of its audience. Most of the film's introspective qualities are aimed at the serial dater, one-night stand aficionado, sex addict, whatever, but, of course, come from the Hollywoodland mindset, where people seem to think everyone falls into that category (and the public sadly buys into it). There's this long-standing idea around that all normal males spend their first 30 to... whenever they get married years attempting to mount anything that moves, and it's widely believed because, A. People who ARE that way like to say everyone is that way, and B. It's the way women think all men are (but that's just because those are the only kind of men they'll date). So, if you are one of the rare breed who doesn't buy that every guy lives his life on a quest to cut as many notches into his bedpost as possible, or that everyone in real life has engaged in meaningless fast-food sex at one time in their life or other, this one will probably stop at "entertainment value" for you. Luckily, it succeeds in that arena enough that it should work for anyone.

The film's cast is one of its best qualities, and Simon Baker, whom I know best from George A. Romero's "Land of the Dead", a great film, is truly the star here as charmingly screwed-up Roderick Blank, but there is a fine roster of leading ladies too, the most memorable being the beautiful Leslie Bibb, who gives Roderick his first experience with "the friend zone" (Leslie reminds me of Tuesday Weld as Thalia Menninger here, she even looks like her; but I must say that the constantly pushed by the media and this character idea of a plutonic male/female friendship is entirely idealistic and impossible, a pure female fantasy, and that doesn't mean it's always about sex either), not to mention Winona Ryder, whose path doesn't even cross with the star's until close to the end of the picture. The gorgeous Amanda Walsh makes an appearance in the film that I feel like mentioning too (she's so cute, has the face of TinkerBell), but unfortunately isn't even onscreen for a full minute. I'll also throw in a mention of Patton Oswalt, who you'll possibly recognize as the voice of Remy in "Ratatouille". He has a small recurring part in the film as some great comic relief playing one of the guys tied in with the source of "the list", but I don't want to give too much away about that.

The writer/director of the film, Daniel Waters, is most closely associated here with the movie "Heathers". For the record, and I'm sure few will agree with me, despite the fact that I don't agree with him in all of his ideas presented in this movie (no doubt, most people probably WOULD agree with him on them rather than with me), I think "Sex and Death 101" is the better film. I used to enjoy "Heathers" back in the day, though the target audience was more my older sister's generation, but when I revisited the film sometime last year, I found it to be rather dated and unfunny. I don't think this one will seem so dated. "Sex and Death 101" is a fascinating ride. I disagree that people in general are as lascivious as Hollywood tends to present them (not that they don't pretend to be, and not that most folks in Hollywood aren't that way), I don't buy that as many people as film and TV tells us are having sex whenever they take a notion to, wherever they happen to be, with whomever they see that's halfway attractive (though probably more are nowadays since they've been seeing it on TV the past 30 years), but it's still fun to watch what one guy did when he came across a very strange list. The movie was full of surprises and had a good cast, and that kept it interesting. It's well worth checking out at least once if movies about sex don't scare you away. The DVD provides the trailer, a behind the scenes featurette, and a very informative director commentary (which teases us by talking about deleted scenes at one point that didn't actually make it into the extras in the end). If you're a fan of any of the actors in Sex and Death 101, you'll probably want to pick it up, though the only one who is truly in it from beginning to end is Simon Baker (well, and The Facts of Life's Mindy Cohn as his assistant, Trixie). If not, you should probably see it before buying.

This film has more charm and fun than it has been given credit for but don't expect it to appear on AFI's next list of 100 best comedies. "Sex and Death 101" stars Simon Baker as Roderick Blank, a successful fast food entrepreneur and randy "ladies man" who has decided to get married to escape the rat race and embrace the committed life of his married friends.

However, a mysterious computer/Oracle sends him an email with a list of every woman he has ever had sex with or ever will have sex with, in chronological order. Baker realizes that if the list is accurate, and it seems to be, he will have sex with many more women after his marriage so he cancels the marriage he didn't really want. Instead, he becomes obsessed with the list and contrives ways to meet each name on the list with the growing certainty that sex will result.

This is an innovative premise for a movie and certainly explores some provocative ideas. If presented with such a list and the knowledge that it was accurate, what would you do if you knew you had "carte blanche" for "sure things?" How rapidly would you approach exhausting the names on the list if you knew it was chronologically there for the taking? Would you be apprehensive about what happens after the last name on your list was "crossed off?" Does sex and intimacy ultimately have personal meaning if there is never doubt or challenge involved? And the ultimate question, who is in charge--the list (or machine which created it) or the protagonist?

Such an intriguing set up is never quite maximized as it could have been. Unfortunately, the movie's tone shifts at times from comedy to fantasy to serious to philosophical resulting in an uneven ride for the viewer. Baker's obsession leads him from a spirit of wonder to arrogance and predictably to boredom. Some of his assignations with women will make you smile but mostly they are there to be endured as Baker begins an inner soul searching as to what love and intimacy should really be.

A concurrent story line presents Winona Ryder as a dangerously alluring femme fatale, Death Nell, who has sexual meetings with men who have committed sex crimes against women and , Black Widow-like, leaves them in a drug induced coma while spray painting graffiti and poetry on their walls. Ryder and Baker have a number of instances where they just miss crossing paths as she leaves one victim and he leaves one of his "conquests"--we just know these two star-crossed protagonists are bound to meet sooner or later.

The subplot of three mysterious men in gray suits locked in a white room with the giant machine/computer/oracle that spits out the fate of mortals and who project an all-seeing, all-knowing glibness to Baker is never fully realized. Also, I felt the casting was off in a few cases--most notably with Baker's assistant. Several key changes in the cast utilizing some more appropriate comedic talent might have changed the overall appeal of this film because the plot was innovative enough to succeed more than it does.

The film has some funny and some poignant scenes, just not enough of them. I liked the scenes of Baker's awkwardness with his buddies'wives at group outings that are counterbalanced by his buddies when they are alone with him. It is a clever story that does not reach it potential yet can be recommended as a fun and charming movie if the viewer has realistic expectations.

This is by writer/director Daniel Waters, same guy who did Heathers & Hudson Hawk.

I couldn't really get into this movie. Then again, I was not a huge fan of Heathers. I will say, though, the acting was solid, and it was good to see Julie Bowen (from Boston Legal) on the big screen.

Based on conversations with friends, reviews on other sites, I take it this movie requires a certain type of perverted sense of humor. I fully realize not all art appeals to all people - which is why I gave it a neutral rating. Just not my cup of tea, but I guess Daniel Waters wasn't really writing it for me.

So, I'd say, if you enjoy slightly twisted movies in the same vein as Heathers, Reality Bites, Better Off Dead, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Clerks, Mallrats, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, etc, then go ahead and check it out.