 |
DVD The Hooker with a Heart of Gold
 Run time: 149 min Rating: 7.3 Genres: Action | Comedy | Thriller Director: Brad Jones Writers: Brad Jones Stars: Sarah Lewis, Brian Lewis, Brad Jones |
| Storyline An out of work surgeon creates a powerful prosthetic heart (made of solid gold) which he transplants into the body of a beautiful prostitute he accidentally runs over with his car. The two then find themselves on the run from her former pimp, and a team of gangsters the doctor owes money to. Written by anonymous |
|
| Details: Country: USA Release Date: 4 February 2011 (USA) |
|
| Box Office Budget: $10,000 (estimated) |
|
previous post
4 comments
The Hooker with a Heart of Gold is a fine example of why independent film making is still alive and well, even if said 'genre' is suffocated sometimes by big studio pretentiousness and over hyped advertisement. Hooker is a gem on the internet, in that it will remain a piece of modern cinematic genius for 20 years until someone picks up on it and tries to buy it off to Troma Entertainment or Asylum films.
Sarah Lewis plays the title role of the Hooker, a hard as diamonds girl with a need to be cared for, she brings about a performance that is truly reminiscent of actress Marisa Berenson as Lady Lyndon from Kubrick's Barry Lyndon. Lewis' husband Brian Lewis plays Dr Rogen, a failing medical inventor who's one goal to create a super artificial heart is met with great turmoil and eventual joy as he gets in deep with mobsters and crime lords, and Lewis bring in a performance that I couldn't help but compare to Rick Morranis as Louis Tully in Ghostbusters. Writer, Director, and Actor Brad Jones plays dual roles as pimp Zalman and crime boss Steele, one is a spaced out babbling character that the late Dennis Hopper would be proud of; the other is a sinister mad man, who only cares about money, power, and the feeling of being loved, done with acting that only could've been matched by Joeseph Pilato. And finally, Jillian Zurwaski plays Janet, best friend of The Hooker and love interest of Steele, and all I could think of during her performance was Jodie Foster as Iris Steensma of Taxi Driver.
The over all feel of the film is very much nostalgic, with the story feeling like something brought out of the 80's and into today. The use of classic music like Neil Young, Procol Harum, and Fleetwood Mac catches the music lovers mind and keeps them hooked into both the story and character development found within. Effects are fun to look at as you can tell that a lot of thought and effort were put into them, particularly the heart of gold prop, it gives off a sense of someone having had a good time finding the pieces for it and putting them together to the way that it was made.
Hooker with a Heart of Gold is a fantastic gem on the internet. I'm happy that I've seen it, and I can't wait to watch it again.
When I read the user comments and saw the rating this movie got I immediately got suspicious. Raving reviews bordering on fellatio, and 40% giving it ten stars. Unsurprisingly, the actual movie wasn't up to par with what the IMDb page let on. The director and his friends has put a lot of effort in promoting this movie/series here.
First of all, this is an amateur movie, and virtually anyone could have done this. All you need is a camera and some friends. I would be surprised if the cost of it surpassed $500.
All actors are amateurs, and the acting is as you would suspect not very good. Most likely they're friends of the director, and the casting process was without a doubt non-existent; everyone available got a part. The movie was shot with a cheap video camera, and all dialogue is on- set, so it's sometimes hard to catch what the actors are saying.
The directing and editing is at best amateurish, with awkward angles and weird cuts, many of them interrupting the pacing of the movie and/or making it coming to a screeching halt. Some shots are far too long, and some are too short or should have been omitted entirely. There is a story in there somewhere, but all of the above makes it hard to follow.
Since the video camera used is a cheap one, it's not HD, the colors are bad and most of the lighting is from whatever lights sources there were in that particular room. I say room, because obviously there are no actual sets, all of the movie is filmed in someone's house. There are no props or visual effects, apart for some blood and a wig.
The music seems out of place and seldom fits the scenes. All music are classic pop/rock songs, all of them well-known and I would be surprised if any of them are licensed, considering the overall production values.
The good thing is that it's free to watch on thecinemasnob.com. Anything else than that would be a rip off. Some of the written dialogue is OK, with a lot of references to other movies, which I like, because it makes me feel smart. It's also somewhat funny that one of the main characters is called Dr Rogen, since he actually looks and sounds a lot like Seth Rogen.
4 out of 4 points
NOTE: Available only at thecinemasnob.com for free viewing.
What begins like a sleazy exploitation film, THE HOOKER WITH A HEART OF GOLD becomes something much more and beyond. This film reminds me of MIDNIGHT HEAT, another triumph made by amateur exploitation filmmaker Brad Jones who also directed CHEAP and GAME BOYS.
What makes HOOKER great is that it's a mini series so it allows time to develop all of its characters. They all lovable no matter how bad or sleazy that they are, each of them are redeemable and honesty I didn't want to see any of them die, even the villain despite of his insanity.
The title is the best of all because it both literal and poetic. Its poetic because Sarah Lewis, our main character, is a lovable person and someone you want to be with despite she's a hooker and does coke. Its also literal because she really has a golden heart.
PLOT: Film begins with Dr. Rogen (Brain Lewis) attempting an operation on a corpse using a prototype mechanical heart that is painted gold. That is until he is stop by Don (Ryan Michette, the producer of HOOKER) and Mike (Jake Norvell). Rogen owes money to their employer Steele.
Then we are introduce to The Hooker (Sarah Lewis, and yes that is her name in the credits) snorting some cocaine with her customer. The Hooker is tired of the life and wants out which her pimp Zalman (Jones) does not take lightly.
The hooker escapes from his clutches until she is accidentally ran over by Rogen. He brings her to his basement and uses the prototype heart on her, replacing her old heart. The second she awakens, they hit it off and becomes friends and have a romance which is the most interesting part.
There is more to the plot which I will not reveal to you. Like MIDNIGHT HEAT, you should see it without being told about.
Overall, its Brad Jones' masterpiece. Out all the films he has done, its the best acted and most well crafted. According to interviews, Jones would like to do a DVD of HOOKER. I hope he does because I will be first in line to get it.
The Internet is a haven for independent films makers; some are good and some are not worth even talking about. Then there is Brad Jones a fan favorite on thatguywiththeglasses.com; Hid Cinema Snob character has created quite a large fan base, so naturally when he released his mini movie "The Hooker With A Heart Of Gold" his fans where exited.
The basic plot of the movie is a out of work surgeon is approached by crime boss Steele and gives him money to fund a project his been working on, Steele tells Dr.Rogen (the surgeon) that one day he might need a favor in return.
Sure enough that one day comes and Steele is indeed of medical treatment after a battle. Rogen saves Steele's life but Steele has gone even crazier then he already was, losing his eye and now wearing a prosthetic hand.
One night Rogen is driving a long the road and accidentally runs over a prostitute, he takes her back to his basement he's renting and begins using the experimental golden heart that Steele's money had help fund.
Soon the hooker and Rogen learn they both have the same enemies after them and begin to fall in love and work together to get rid of Steele and his gang once and for all, this is a must see movie for all Brad Jones fans.