| Heard about it. Siskel & Ebert reviewed it. You get something like 12
votes per decision point; there are three choices. For five dollars,
you sit through two shows, so you can see another ending. S&E disliked
it on general philosophical grounds; movies are suppose to act upon you,
rather than vice versa. They also objected to it on cinematic grounds,
since the movie is essentially an exercise in sadism. What you're
voting on is what form of damage the various characters will inflict
upon each other.
It would be an interesting experience, with a different movie. Perhaps
a detective yarn.
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| Having tried this, I feel obligated to report:
Think of it as a video game, not a movie. That's the only way to endure the
wretched plot and acting. Even the normally excellent Christopher Lloyd is
hard to take here. Fortunately, it only lasts about 20 minutes. Also, at
least Billy Warlock in the title role is endurable.
Like a video game, it's much more fun when you "win". What I hadn't expected
is that there's actually a running score you get for picking the "right"
scenes in certain places; other choices don't matter. If you get a high
enough score, you get an extra bonus scene at the end.
For those interested in the game tree, check out
http://www.music.sony.com/m2/ftp/Pictures/sonytheatres/interfilm/mrpayback.html
Though it's not obvious, if you click on the game tree in that screen, you
can then see the other 3 parts of it.
One tip: apparently the screen at the Framingham 14 is much larger than the
one at the Copley place; ordinarily, this would recommend the F14, but because
this is actually projected video, the quality is much worse. If you must, go
to the Copley (this based on a chat with the guy at the F14). Also, go on a
weekend night when there's a crowd, since this is definitely an audience
participation movie. But a better tip: don't go. Wait for the next movie,
which is supposed to be much better.
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