Customer Reviews

Spanish Judges

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Greed and revenge are at the heart of director Oz Scott's, Spanish Judges, an offbeat crime drama. Jack (Matthew Lillard) is a criminal type, hired by a wealthy collector to steal the "Spanish Judges" a valuable antique collector's item. Things don't go well for Jack, when the "Judges" are stolen first by another group of criminals, and he unfairly faces the violent wrath of his employer.

Max (Vincent DiOnofrio) is a small time hustler, with big ideas about his place in the world. A recent streak of bad luck, is but a temporary setback on his path to becoming a "successful man". A collector of fine antiques, he returns to his apartment, to find that his girlfriend Jamie (Valeria Golino) has home invader Jack, tied to a chair in the middle of his collection. In a conversation on the roof of the building, Jack claims that he has recovered the mysterious "Judges", and plans to exchange them for a million in cash. In return for watching his back during the swap, Jack promises Max and Jamie, a share of the loot. Short on cash, and in need of a breakout score, the pair agree to take part in the nebulous scheme.

Piece (Mark Boone Junior), a trigger happy, criminal associate of Max, is also cut into the deal to provide added muscle. Piece's companion, a strange childlike waif, who believes she is from another planet, and is known only as "Mars Girl" (Tamara Mello), completes the rag tag group. Jack is obviously not telling the whole truth, and actively attempts to influence the dynamics between, Max and Jamie, playing to each of their weaknesses and insecurities. All is not what it appears, and soon chaos will erupt among the inept band of criminals.

The scheduled exchange takes place, and things take a violent turn. In the aftermath, things quickly start to unravel, and greed takes over. The truth about the "Judges" is revealed, and the mysterious girl from Mars, shows that she may indeed have some strange powers, as both Max and Jack, loose focus at critical moments.

Spanish Judges is a quirky little tale, that at its finish, seems to answer most of the questions we may have. The characters are certainly odd, and not particularly likeable, but do strangely come across as believable. Matthew Lillard gives an interesting performance as a man engaged in constant manipulation. And Vincent DiOnofrio"s (TV's Law and Order Criminal Intent) performance as the whining, self absorbed Max, has an enjoyable "theatrical" quality to it. If you like crime stories with a twist, you may want to check this out. Not great by any means, but not a complete waste either.

I loved this movie. It is one of those movies where you get to see the ability of Vincent D'Onofrio's wide range of acting varity. The story keeps you guessing what is coming next. It also had a hint of humor. It certainly kept me interested and guessing how it would turn out. This is a movie I will watch again and again.

Vincent D'Onofrio, looking kinda like Max Schreck here, is a shady antiques dealer fallen on hard times, reduced to sitting in the no-complementary-cashews section at his favorite underground combination all-in boxing match/antiques auction. (They auction off (fake-looking) swords & stuff between rounds--hey Mr McMahon, there's an idea!) A mysterious stranger recruits him and his motley band of whackos to help in recovering a little-known but priceless set of objects known as the Spanish Judges. Dark hijinx ensue.
The kind of film that WANTS to be called "stylish", which is usually a guarantee of disaster. But it works out to be pretty cool, in a dumb fun sort of way, in spite of its Mametoid/Tarentinoish aspirations. Good acting all around helps.
Kind of thing you might well have several different sets of friends over to watch (or the same friends over several times & you can make a thing of yelling "Don't trust him!" or "Look out!" at the right moments, whatever), so probably cost-effective to buy it, once the price gets real.

This is a movie that keeps you guess from the second it comes on until after the movie. Vincent D'Onofrio had an amazing role and he mastered it. Matthew Lillard was tramendious in here, he was so convincing. I highly recomend this movie.

I liked this movie, Vincent D'Onofrio is amazing. The first half hour is slow but it really picks up after. The dialogue is good and keeps it snappy. A good rental or buy when the price comes down.

Vincent D'Onofrio,apparently taking time off of "Law and Order" stars as a sleazy,bald antiques dealer who wants some valuable antique guns. Matthew Lillard stars as a conniving con man who's married to a woman expert in poisons.

The movie is wannabe Quentin Tarantino&David Mamet. Characters get shot,poisoned,the ending leaves you hanging (in more ways than one)It's artsy,pretentious nonsense. It makes for good early morning "huh?" viewing,but don't take it too seriously (though the director apparently does)

Vincent D'Onofrio of "Law and Order" takes a brief respite from crimefighting to star as Max,a bald antique dealer on hard times. Matthew Lillard stars as fast-talking Jack,a con man,and Valeria Golino is Jamie,his girlfriend expert in poisons. The plot centers on antique guns,a pile of cash,and alleged "Spanish judges."

It's wannabe David Mamet and Quentin Tarantino. Characters are shot and poisoned. A creepy little girl leaves the story hanging--literally. The plot is complicated,and it's supposed to be "neo-noir." It's not a great movie by any means,but it makes great "huh?" early morning viewing.