Raising the Stakes (2005)

Steve and Bob are two guys who enjoy their fanboy role-playing lifestyles a bit too much. Their obsession with vampire role-playing games leads them to decide to become vampires and get ... See full summary »

Director:

Justin Channell

Writer:

Justin Channell

Stars:

Josh Lively, Zane Crosby, Ryan Stocking

Cast

Credited cast:
Josh Lively	...	Steve
Zane Crosby	...	Bob
Ryan Stocking	...	Maxwell Selwyn
T.J. Rogers	...	Chad / Homeless Guy
Jordan Hess	...	Mario
Drew Smith	...	Mike
Nino Mancino	...	Sex Offender Marty
Jessica Togias	...	Jessica
Ellie Santy	...	Julie
Jeff Channell	...	Store Clerk
Nick Shomo	...	Alex
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Michael Benzo	...	Ding Dong Ditcher #1
Justin Channell	...	Ding Dong Ditcher #2 / Robert Mesko / Panda Guy
Richard Crosby	...	Ding Dong Ditch Victim / Guy Eating a Sandwich / Tazer Guy (as Richard 'Nips' Crosby)
Chuck Deem	...	Blind Guy

Storyline

Steve and Bob are two guys who enjoy their fanboy role-playing lifestyles a bit too much. Their obsession with vampire role-playing games leads them to decide to become vampires and get revenge on a world that doesn't understand them. Unfortunately for them, it takes a bit more than cheap Halloween makeup to scare people, so their attempts just lead to even more ridicule and physical harm. But that all changes when they discover a dealer of the occult named Maxwell Selwyn who can give them want they want: a potion that will turn them both into vampires. They fork over the money and sure enough, their dream comes true. They set out to finally get revenge on the world that rejected them... only to find they were better off with the cheap makeup.

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Plot Keywords:

reference to ed mcmahon | 

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Taglines:

There's a sucker born every minute...

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Genres:

Comedy

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Did You Know?

Trivia

All of the scenes shot inside of businesses (convience store, video store, etc.) were shot during business hours. There was very little interference from customers and at least one ended up having a line in the final cut.

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Quotes

Steve: Just look at Tom Cruise: you know, first he played Lestat and then he got to bang Penelope Cruz.
Bob: You know, if they would've got married, do you think she would've been Penelope Cruz-Cruise?

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Alternate Versions

The original DVD version ran 74 minutes. In 2010, director Justin Channell went back and re-edited the film, cutting the film down to 62 minutes. Among the things excised were several bits of dialogue and the entire romantic subplot of the story. However, some scenes were expanded or feature alternate takes and an entirely different ending. This version is expected to be released sometime in 2010.

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Connections

References SpiderBabe (2003)

User Reviews

And to think these boys aren't even out of high school yet...

Yes, these overachieving li'l (well maybe not so little in Zane's case) bastichs put together a rather amusing little flick.

No, it isn't Citizen Kane, but what it is is a rather amusing buddy vampire flick. Not too many of those now. A few of the jokes do fall a little flat, but the majority of them are right now.

Zane and Josh, the two lead actors, obviously have been friends for awhile, because they didn't have to act too hard to make that obvious in the film.

All in all, a rather amusing ride. And it helped me come up with two drinking games that will be sure to send you to the emergency room by movies end. Any time TJ Rogers says the word "F*ck" you take a shot or drink of beer. OR any time somebody says the word vampire. Note: This second option WILL result in alcohol poisoning for any involved.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 February 2005 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Fairmont, West Virginia, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$110 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

IWC Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

62 min (Remastered Director's Cut Edition)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1