13 Moons (2002)

User Rating:

5.7/10   

Director:

Alexandre Rockwell

Writers (WGA):

Brandon Cole (written by) &
Alexandre Rockwell (written by)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

Can you solve the mystery of the 13 moons? |

Plot Keywords:

Number In Title

Cast

Jennifer Beals	...	Suzi
Elizabeth Bracco	...	Louise Potter
Steve Buscemi	...	Bananas The Clown
Peter Dinklage	...	Binky
Daryl Mitchell	...	Lenny
Karyn Parsons	...	Lily
David Proval	...	Mo Potter
Rose Rollins	...	Sanandra
Peter Stormare	...	Slovo
Pruitt Taylor Vince	...	Owen
Gareth Williams	...	Thad
Austin Wolff	...	Timmy
Francesco Messina	...	Robert
Sam Rockwell	...	Rick
Matthew Sussman	...	Doctor Monroe

MPAA:

Rated R for strong language, sexuality/nudity and some disturbing images.

Runtime:

93 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Finland:K-15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

13 Moons Productions LLC

Quotes:

Bananas The Clown: Making people laugh is overrated.

Terrific indie cast in gawd-awful movie

Proof positive that just the presence of a great indie cast doesn't guarantee you a great indie film.

The story revolves around the relationship of a number of people in need of a bailbondsman ("Sopranos" David Proval) during one wild night in L.A. The story switches about mid-point to the search for a manic runaway Santa who was supposed to be an kidney donor for his son. Sounds full of possibilities, huh? With a flat, uninvolving and very unfunny script and a cast who looked like the were lost, wandering from scene to scene, making it through the screening of this film was a grueling experience for me. Major plot motivations are lame and unplausable. For example, three of the characters in the film are priests who wander into a strip club. One priest gets arrested...for what, were not sure, except that he didn't run fast enough when one of his friends causes a fight (hey...it got the priests to the bailbondsman...won't that be funny!). But then the young son is diagnosed (in about 5 minutes, without any diagnostic tests being done) that he only has one kidney and needs another THAT NIGHT, and hey, there just happens to be a donor in the e.r. right now (the manic Santa), well...there were just so many things wrong with the scene that I lost all hope that the film could ever redeem itself.

The full house at the Seattle Film Fest. screening sat quiet and emotionless throughout the film with a few scattered walk outs and tepid applause following the film (this is a rabid group of moviegoers who are usually supportive of the films here, especially when the director and two stars are in attendance). I couldn't stay for the Q&A afterwards...the carnage had already been brutal enough.

What's the secret of the 13 moons? I'm not sure, I don't care and you won't either.