Loaded Tagged Articles at Cinematical

Have you ever seen Prayer of the Rollerboys? It was this movie about a bankrupt, racist and violent society where this group of guys in white, on rollerblades were setting themselves up to be rogue saviors. They'd skate around, trying to look cool and tough with their white coattails flowing in the wind, but Corey Haim -- he could see through it, even though his old friend was the leader. Awesome, eh? Now it's time to rejoice! The flick's writer, W. Peter Iliff is going to be making his directorial debut. Okay, okay. That's not the only film he's written. He then went on to write Point Break (a little better), and followed that up with Patriot Games and Varsity Blues (much better).

The new film, which he is making with the help of the Yari Film Group, is called Loaded, and has been written by Iliff as well. The Hollywood Reporter says it's about an FBI agent who gets addicted to drugs when he "is forced to smoke cocaine in the line of duty" and then struggles with his life of drug addiction and his life as an agent. His partner is a woman who is also hiding a secret life -- as a sex addict. "When he stumbles onto the case of a missing baby, they're forced to help each other solve their problems to finish the job." How sweet!

The new director says: "The film takes a straight procedural FBI story and does it in a Tarantino style," Iliff said. "We meet the characters at the bottom of their addiction and see them rise out of it. It's a hero's journey." It's not only sweet, but inspiring! Sorry, I'm just a bit apprehensive about the cliched elements, but maybe Iliff has got some surprises up his sleeve as well. Apparently, he wrote the script years ago and he says that it defines him as a writer. Let's hope he can do his defining work justice, and make it seem fresh.

Back when I was in college, there was a brief period (about six months or so) where I suddenly found myself wrapped up in New York City's club scene. Don't ask me why (peer pressure) or how (peer pressure) this happened, but it's safe to say I managed to survive without permanently melting my brain. Since then, I've always found myself somewhat curious every time Hollywood attempts to re-create the club scene. Are they accurate? To date, I have yet to watch a film that correctly captures the essence and mood of a bumpin' (slang for really good) club, packed full of intoxicated teenagers all grooving to music as if it's taken over their every movement.

2004's It's All Gone Pete Tong came pretty close, as did 2000's Groove, however it always feels as if something is missing. Is it the acting? Is it because the filmmakers themselves have never experienced a week full of all-night clubbing? Not sure. But until a film comes along that accurately depicts the scene, most people will have to stick by their pre-conceived notions of these clubs being full of glow-sticks, ecstasy pills and not much else. With that said, Jesse Metcalfe (John Tucker Must Die) has signed on to star in Loaded, where he'll play your typical rich club kid whose life spirals out of control once he's introduced to a world full of drugs, sex and violence. Also starring in the pic are Nathalie Kelley, Monica Keena, Johnny Messner, Vinnie Jones and hip hop performer Kurupt.

Will Loaded finally get right what so many previous films got wrong? Probably not -- I mean, this is Hollywood and they're going to throw as much conflict at this sucker as possible making it so the club is the villain, and not the individual. So, this question goes out to all you former (or current) club kids: Have you ever watched a film that accurately captures the clubbing experience?