Quality Time (2008/I)

User Rating:

5.1/10   

Director:

Chris LaMont

Writers:

Craig Belanger (writer)
Jay Holben (writer)

Release Date:

2008 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Plot:

In an apocalyptic future, a serial killer holds his family and another family hostage in an attempt to change his life.

Plot Keywords:

Independent Film

Cast

Corin Nemec	...	Stewart Savage
Bruce Weitz	...	Jack Savage
Nancy Allen	...	Linda Savage
John de Lancie	...	Nathan Eastman
Gail Strickland	...	Victoria Eastman
Meredith Salenger	...	Susan Stone
Jesse Harper	...	Victor Eastman
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jennifer Blanc	...	Victim #3
Rollin Herold	...	Housing Official #2
Rif Hutton	...	Housing Inspector
Misa Koprova	...	Victim #4
Jeff Kueppers	...	Housing Official #3
Mary Elizabeth McGlynn
Lex Medlin	...	Housing Official #1
Jeanette Miller	...	Talk Show Guest #2
Jerry Penacoli	...	Dave the Anchorman
Tito Salgado	...	Flood Authority Official
Alli Spotts	...	Victim #1
Beth Taylor Hart	...	Sandy the Anchorwoman
Meredith Louise Thomas	...	Victim #2

Also Known As:

My Apocalypse (USA) (new title)

Runtime:

82 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Company:

Valley Films

Dark doings in the soggy future!

This was screened last night at the Phoenix Film Festival. It filled the theatre. Who knew this was going to pack the place? The director came in before the movie and seemed pretty surprised. He even commented to everyone that there were plenty of other movies they could be catching! First off the title has been changed to "My Apocalypse". "Quality Time" works A LOT better for me. During the Q&A it was explained that the distributor pushed for the new title to make it sound more on the edge. OK, if you say so. After seeing the movie, "Quality Time" seemed perfect but that's just me.

The movie has been in the works for a long time. It was shot over a decade ago believe it or not. But then it went in to a moviemaker's hell of dishonest producers, post-production nightmares in India, magical disappearing budgets, real life rearing it's head, the birth of 2 children.... you get the picture. But the film was never forgotten and it was well worth the time and trouble.

My movie going buddy and I went in pretty much expecting a trainwreck. A low budget movie that has been shelved since Clinton was Prez? Come on! Imagine our surprise as it became clear that this was actually pretty darn good. It was absolutely fascinating and completely entertaining. This is one of those rare flicks that keep you wondering what is coming next.

Chris Lamont had himself a superior cast (Bruce Weitz is especially great here) and they all clearly were committed to putting this odd story across. I won't go in to the plot but I will tell you that this is a small ensemble piece with a massively twisted story to tell. Let's just say the future does not sound like a pleasant place in this particular world! After catching the movie last night I can only hope that this finds a release and it's audience. It's an odd one but it really deserves to be seen.