Kill the Moonlight(1994)

Synopsis

This is a strange movie, but also one which is strangely good. I bought it mainly because I like motor racing and it sounded good on the cover, thinking it would be a sort of "Days of Thunder" meets "Napoleon Dynamite". Actually, it was more like another of my favourate movies, "Repo Man". The central character, Chance, is a slacker type guy who wants to be a stock car racer. Unfortunately his car needs a new engine, and he has no money. The movie follows his various attempts to raise money, by taking a variety of slightly bizarre jobs, selling drugs and stealing. Along the way he is poisoned by toxic waste, sleeps with his friend's girlfriend and tries to win back his estranged wife. As well as money, Chance also lacks intelligence, meaning that most of his money-raising attempts end in him being conned, busted, or injured. The funny thing is, although he says "I'm gonna be a winner", he's such a slacker he never actually focuses his mind on his objective.Overall, it's a good movie, with some great and slightly surreal scenes, good dialogue and strangely empathetic characters. It's low budget, so don't expect amazing cinematography, but its heart is in the right place and there are some interesting ideas. As a bonus, it features a great soundtrack with some good slacker tunes including some from a (pre-famous) Beck, who was in the band "Loser" with the movie's director.

Director

Steve Hanft

Cast

• Richmond Arquette
• Jaime Colindrez
• John Hanft

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