Clay Pigeons

Amazon.com

Set in Montana's Big Sky country, shot in Utah, lensed by Eric Alan Edwards (cinematographer of My Own Private Idaho)--no wonder it's hard to tell where Clay Pigeons lives, or where it's going. A Ridley Scott protégé previously at home in commercials and videos, debuting director David Dobkin aims to deliver us into the blackly comedic badlands of neo-noir, territory mined by the likes of Red Rock West and Fargo. Pigeons launches strongly, with several cruel turns of the screw. Out target-shooting, Clay Birdwell (Joaquin Phoenix) is hit with the news that his best pal knows he's been boffing his ur-slut wife (Georgina Cates) and could take Clay out on the spot, but chooses a creepier revenge--committing suicide in order to frame the guy who's cuckolded him. Naturally, Clay covers up the mess, thereby opening the film's can of very nasty worms. A slick, fast-talking cowboy (Vince Vaughn)--the funhouse-mirror-opposite of Phoenix's sweet, slow farmboy--turns up, and a string of ugly murders begins to play out. Once Vaughn's Lester Long is on the scene, spreading his psychotically giggling bonhomie, Dobkin's skin-deep riff on Hitchcock's Strangers on a Train pretty much belongs to him. The rest of the cast looks more or less like clay pigeons set up by a scattershot script: exceptions include the always-estimable Scott Wilson who transforms his caricature-prone Sheriff Mooney into a character of nuanced humanity, and Janeane Garofalo, as an urban-hip FBI agent, whose single-chick sarcasm goes down in flames when Lester unholsters those big guns of come-hither charm. John Lurie of Lounge Lizards fame contributes a distinctive score, but Elvis Presley acts as the film's patron saint in more ways than one: Clay Pigeons' sexiest, scariest wet work is choreographed to "It's Now or Never." --Kathleen Murphy

Customer Reviews:

Great show.......2007-06-12

This was a great show. Vince Vaughn does a spectacular job in his part. Very funny and twisted movie.

hidden wonder.......2007-05-07

nobody knows about this movie, fantabulous performances by joaquin phoenix (as to be expected) and vince vaughn, the perfect additive to a twisted comedy.

Winning performances from a solid cast in this dark comedy / psychological thriller.......2007-04-20

Clay Pigeons manages to combine the best of the dark comedy and psychological thriller genres, something that rarely works well (11:14 and The Boondock Saints might be two other good examples). It's hands-down my favorite Vince Vaughn performance. He plays a creepy lady killer (in the literal sense) with a charming twang and boisterous attitude. As a viewer, I found myself empathizing with women who fall for serial killers!

Vince Vaughn plays the foil to small town boy Clay (Joaquin Phoenix), a nice kid who gets tangled up in a web of lies stemming from a desire to cover-up one romantic indiscretion. In shocking succession, Vaughn's cowboy character racks up a series of murders and gotchas for the innocent Clay. Toss in a sheriff who is straight out of Mayberry and a no-nonsense FBI investigator who occasionally imbibes in marijuana (Janeane Garofalo), and you've got a gripping crime story full of twists and comedic turns.

Clay Pigeons.......2007-01-29

I liked this movie! This was the first movie I saw Joaquin Phoenix in and without him the movie would not have been a success. He was perfect for this role. THis is the second movie I saw Vince Vaughn in other than Psycho. He played a perfect manipulating psycho path and truly makes the film. Vince, Joaquin and Janeane Garofalo have perfect chemistry for this movie! I also liked the way the movie was directed. Very entertaining and a keeper for my movie collection.

Vince Vaughn fans must see.......2007-01-19

The plot is a little iffy, but this is worth watching just to see Vince Vaughn in action. He is at his best with his hilarious and witty portrayal of a truck drivin, hillbilly, ladies man serial killer.

Average customer rating:

Great show
hidden wonder
Winning performances from a solid cast in this dark comedy / psychological thriller
Clay Pigeons
Vince Vaughn fans must see

Clay Pigeons
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix , Gregory Sporleder , Georgina Cates , Scott Wilson , and Vince Vieluf
Director: David Dobkin
Manufacturer: Polygram USA Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Black Comedy | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Suspense | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

Neo-Noir | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: 6305353212
Release Date: 1999-04-27