Dinner Rush
|
List Price: Our Price: $2.04 You Save: $3.93 (66%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $0.88 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Canada
Movie Reviews of Dinner Rush
Movie Review: Good Food, good acting, good story.
Summary: 4 Stars
The reason I give "Dinner Rush" only 4 stars is that this is not a movie that "goes home with you" and that you keep thinking about or feel like it made you "grow" ; another problem might be the fact that I did keep wondering what happened next? I mean, did the police accept the coincidence of all relevant people being at the restaurant on the same particular night? But getting into this would be letting out too much. These however are my only negative comments. Other then that, we are talking about a great movie involving all segments of great satisfaction - good food, suspense, some mafia hints, a love story and father- son relations. In fact father and two sons relations as I see Duncan as a second "son" to Mr. Cropa. I would like to add that the family issues involving father son, dead mother and so on are not chewed up or dragged along the movie. They get their right share in all the rest of the action and this is what is so nice about this movie. We only get a hint of the fact that Udo is not really happy that Mr. Cropa eats only the food Duncan cooks but not a lot more then that and we get a sense that all in all Duncan is the only person Udo really trusts and respects in the kitchen and the one he calls in time "of need" (a need to impress the critic) and the one he bothers to say "thank you" to.
All characters are beautifully played and Danny Aiello as Louis Cropa gives the movie the really human touch. He is so convincing and such a real character, a live human being. The movie ends with some hope in his regard - a hope for a romance and a beginning of a new life for Mr. Cropa. Duncan is truly loveable and the viewer is happy that Nicole thinks so too. I actually enjoyed the staff characters more then those of the snobbish guests. I loved the Latin kitchen workers and I loved Marty the artist-waitress. So more real then the snobbish food critic or the gallery owner... (but that's another issue altogether) I even liked the policeman's wife - a rather small, somewhat irritating character but so real and so well played (wanting one work-free night with her husband). However I think that Udo, who is not very likable at the beginning of the movie (he more or less makes his entrance by firing a kitchen worker whose knife is not sharp enough) is a person that changes throughout the movie. Its not really change but more of the different faces of him that you get to see and you end the picture thinking - "yes... he does deserve the restaurant...". . Also the food - of all kinds, sausage and peppers and the amazing lobster. I am willing to eat them all and truly enjoyed to see people enjoying good food whether it is new or old kitchen alike.
Movie Review: recommended
Summary: 4 Stars
Dinner Rush is a jazzy and upbeat movie that covers the bustle and drama of a trendy Tribeca Italian restaurant from all sides, with the clientele, the wait staff, the kitchen, and the management all under the same roof but in separate worlds. Anyone who has worked in an upscale restaurant will probably find this an accurate representation of that experience, aside from the mafia theme, maybe. Most of the enjoyment comes from the interactions among the wide variety of characters, but the movie has a solid plot, is tightly edited, and the twist at the end is a good one.
The owner of Gigino's, Louis Cropa, is coping with the recent murder of his partner Enrico at the hands of two low-level mobsters from Queens. When the mobsters arrive at Gigino's one busy evening to forcibly offer their `partnership' to Louis, a revenge story unfolds together with sub-plots, including the rivalry of the head chef, Louis's son Udo, and the sous chef, the impulsive Duncan, in cuisine and in women, an artist waitress waiting on the table of a snobby gallery owner feting artists who are successful, a picky food critic unhappy with her table, and a bland gentleman hanging out at the bar, who turns out to be more than he seems. Each part of the restaurant has its own atmosphere, and the film shows well the contrast between the feverish work on the part of the chefs and the relaxation of the guests, how a true chef can never serve bad food, no matter how much he dislikes who will eat it, and the random difficulties that arise on a busy night (power outage, etc.).
The editing is great, as the film is engaging to the last minute, and never slackens. The film mostly takes place in the restaurant (or `eatery' as it is called) uninterruptedly over one evening, and the action consists mainly of guests talking to servers, servers talking to chefs, chefs talking to guests (as in one funny scene when a heavy customer marches into the kitchen to threaten a chef) but the characters are established so well and so quickly by the actors, that they seems like real people, and they have chemistry in every scene.
Another reviewer described the film as insubstantial but very, very tasty, like linguini in cream sauce, and that's a good assessment. Dinner Rush could be the pilot episode of a good television series. Still, it's entertaining and funny. What more do you want from a movie?
Movie Review: A Very Unexpected Surprise (4.5 stars)
Summary: 4 Stars
Hard to believe that I have never heard of this movie until I picked it up one night. I like Danny Aiello and I like Mafia type movies. I also like films that revolve mostly around characters and dialogue, as this movie appeared to be just that. So I decided to give it a try. "Dinner Rush" is a highly entertaining film that is both enjoyable and unpredictable.Owner and bookie Louis Cropa is trying to run a legitimate business. He runs a restaurant and takes great pride in it. However, things get out of hand after his partner is murdered and his chef's gambling problem attracts some unfriendly gangsters to the restaurant. Not to mention that Cropa's son is giving him an attitude, being that he's the head chef and he thinks that he can run the place alone just fine. One thing is for sure, this New York's busy restaurant is the set-up for one wild and unpredictable night to remember.
I was very impressed by this film, being that I wasn't sure what to expect. The acting was great by everyone, the movie was shot and done very well, and the story was engaging from start to finish. It is very hard to have a film rely heavily on only characters and dialogue, but this film does it almost perfectly. I guess my only complaint is that it's a bit short and I think there could've been more outrageous things going on, since there are so many characters around and different opportunities at every corner. Still, I was overall very pleased with it all.
The DVD really doesn't have much to offer, being that it's not a very big budget film. It's probably also due to the fact that not many people know this film even exists. The picture and sound quality was really good. Special features included are: both widescreen and fullscreen formats, Dolby Digital 5.1 audio, and a theatrical trailer. There's also DVD-Rom content, but that I have not tried out. I did enjoy the trailer though; not too revealing, but at the same time wets your appetite.
"Dinner Rush" is a complete joy to watch. Like I said, I love it when movies revolve around characters and dialogue rather than on a complex plot. If you're looking for a movie with a simple plot, unpredictable situations, and outrageous characters, this might be the perfect choice for you.
Movie Review: Dinner Rush....and what a rush it is
Summary: 4 Stars
Danny Aiello (The Professional, 2 Days in the Valley) plays restaurant owner Louis Cropa. One of his best friends winds up dead. His son Udo Cropa, played by Edoardo Ballerini (Romeo Must Die, The Sopranos) is the head chef in his father's kitchen. He's the boss and he wants the food his way and not what everyone else wants. Duncan, played by Kirk Acededo (Bait, Boiler Room), who is one of the chefs in the kitchen is in big time trouble because he owes 2 Mafia guys a spit load of money. He's also in a love mix with Udo's girl played by Vivian Wu (Strange World, The Last Emperor). John Corbett (Northern Exposure, Lucky) plays a lonesome stranger who's reason eventually comes unfolded towards the end...his business of why he's in the restaurant which is a great twist. Delicious looking food with a great cast of characters and great dialouge mesh well with this fascinating drama which mixes suspense and humor in as well. Aiello is once again superb...love that guy. Ballerini is equally good, Corbett turns out a fantastic little role and Jamie Harris (Rick, Made), who plays Sean The Tender was hilarious. The scenes where the power goes out and he's being asked tough questions to answers were fun. Also starring Mike McGlone (The Bone Collector, Get Well Soon), John Rothman (United 93, I Heart Huckabees), Ajay Naidu, (Office Space, Suburbia), Polly Draper (Heartbeat, Shooting Livien), Summer Phoenix (The Believer, SLC Punk!), Manny Perez (King Rikki, Brother), Sandra Bernhard (Hudson Hawk, Expose) and Mark Margolis (Stay, House of D). Bottom line: Good movieMovie Review: A sleeper hit...
Summary: 4 Stars
The story of a low level "family" man who runs an Italian restaurant. Louis Cropa (Danny Aiello)has a little trouble with some local up-and-comers, which he has to deal with while paying off his favorite chefs gambling debts, handing the restaurant over to his son, and entertaining a packed house on a "ordinary" Tuesday night in one of the hot restaurants of New York. With colorful side characters (the artist-waitress, irritating customer, beautiful hostess, eccentric food critic (underused Sandra Bernhard)) the movie easily keeps you occupied and interested from start to finish.Dinner Rush takes place almost entirely within/around the confines of Louis Cropa's restaurant. The suave Aiello does a good job of relaxing you when everyone else in the movie is falling apart. The contrast of an in-control main character, and an out-of-control supporting cast makes for good cinema. The supporting cast turns in a strong performance (actors you know you've seen but can't quite place) and you are easily caught up in the hustle and bustle of running a busy Italian restaurant. One notable exception, at least for me, was the wooden performance of Mike McGlone. His only qualifacation as a gangster seeming to be his slicked back hair. ...though he does do that well. (Brothers McMullen & She's the One)
With my one piece of criticism aside, this lesser known movie is well worth watching. And if you're a fan of food, and a fan of New York it's hard not to be entranced by this stylish piece of cinema.
4/5 Stars