Killing Zoe (1993)

Eric Stoltz attempts the kind of bank withdrawal that involves more than a signature and a smile. Unfortunately for him the people he chooses to work with are reckless assholes. His surprise when things go bad highlights a naivety someone in his role really ought not to have.
There’s a lengthy drug-addled scene that irks me, but it’s as well-considered as the rest when put into context. I do feel, however, that the same result could've been achieved in less time had the director wanted to do so.
Thankfully, the rest of the film is top class, well-framed and successfully paced, simmering constantly until the pot inevitably boils over.
The number of times its best moments have been copied over the years is a testament to how good it was at the time of release.

3½ party masks out of 5

THE RULES OF ATTRACTION [2002]

Director Roger Avary's theatrical follow-up to Killing Zoe is an adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis' unhinged dark satirical novel The Rules Of Attraction.
It's the surreal story of three attractive Camden College students who lead jaded lives filled with sex, drugs and a multitude of selfish deeds.  Easton Ellis excels at creating despicable characters who we can't help but be intrigued by, knowing damn well he makes sure they all get their dues by the end.  Here, Avary does a fantastic job at capturing the non-linear storytelling of the novel, while giving it a gnashing bite all his own, which quite often you wish would be just a bit more subtle than it is.  The film completely lacks any sort of charm or anything even remotely pleasant to make it a comfortable viewing.  Front-to-back, it's pretty disgusting and if you realize that's exactly what it sets out to be and you're down with it, then it's pretty damned entertaining.  Who doesn't want to see Kevin Arnold shoot up heroin or Dawson Leery attack a guy with an electric carver?

3 vaginal infections out of 5