Wrong Turn at Tahoe (2009) Reviews

• What? A direct-to-DVD movie with Cuba Gooding Jr. that's actually GOOD?

  Wizard-82009-11-27

  If you have kept an eye on Cuba Gooding Jr.'s career over the past few years, you probably know he's been churning out awful direct-to-DVD movies after being branded box office poison. Having seen several of these movies, I initially had no plans to see "Wrong Turn At Tahoe". I only decided to give it a whirl after reading a positive review of it at another web site. I was surprised by what I watched - this is a pretty decent drama. First, the production values are very strong for what was reportedly just an $8 million budget. It looks slick, while at the same time having a moody look that's appropriate for the nastiness that happens. As for Gooding, he is for once believable in his role, successfully showing a hard edge for his character. However, it is Miguel Ferrer who steals the show as Gooding's boss - he really commands the screen when the center of attention is on him. The dialogue is good, colorful yet not in a show-off manner. The characters are believable in their actions. And the movie travels at a relaxed pace (though not TOO relaxed). Some younger viewers might find it too slow, but I thought the movie kept interest despite its slow pace. The movie is not perfect. The decision to show part of the end at the beginning somewhat spoils things. The hand-to-hand combat at the climax seems out of an action movie, not a serious drama. And the "twist" at the last minute is somewhat silly; I could not believe the revelation would have stayed hidden for so long. There are a couple of other flaws I could mention, but overall this is an engaging movie that could have played in theaters.

• wysiwyg

  megrandad2009-11-30

  Thoroughly agree with Wizard 8; a tidy and unpretentious little gangster flick with solid performance from all the players. Miguel Ferrer does indeed hold the screen as a hard man living by a set of questionable principles, but Cuba Gooding is no slouch as the right hand man approaching a personal crossroads in life. The legendary Harvey Keitel just has to turn up on this one. The plot is fairly simple, the dialogue punchy, and it just moves right along. Not for the kids please – too violent - but it certainly deserves an adult look. It doesn't pretend to be Godfather Part 2 - what you see is what you get. Good flick.

• Cuba Gooding Jr. excels in this violent crime thriller...

  ajs-102010-12-26

  I do enjoy a crime thriller and this, even though it went straight to DVD, isn't a bad one. Some great performances, plenty of violence and a pretty strong plot all add up to an entertaining watch (if you like that kind of thing). I'll tell you more of my thoughts after the following summary (summary haters please wait in the car with Joshua; he'll take you for a ride if you ask him nicely). Joshua is the number one guy to Vincent, a medium sized drug lord and crime boss on the East coast of the United States. He hears, through a third party, that a dealer by the name of Frankie Tahoe is out to kill Vincent. Of course Vincent won't stand for that and they go and take care of Frankie. Now, unfortunately Frankie works for the biggest boss on the East coast, Nino, and he's upset at losing one of his best dealers. They meet and, well, let's say they didn't part as best buddies. After Nino takes his revenge on Vincent the gloves come off and it gets very violent indeed. Of course there is a lot more to tell but I'm not going to spoil it for you. This is a very dark and a very violent film with some great performances. I thought Cuba Gooding Jr. was excellent as the brooding Joshua who has a dark secret he has been carrying since childhood; in fact it's the best performance I've seen from him in quite a while. Miguel Ferrer plays the part of the, sometimes psychotic, crime boss Vincent perfectly and Harvey Keitel is also excellent, as ever, as Nino. It's a pretty well made film which, although the budget was obviously pretty small still manages to excite and enthral. It has a very well written script but it is one of those that you have to watch, you can't have it on in the background and expect to follow it. So, if you like a good crime drama and you're not bothered too much by some rather graphic violence, then this one's definitely recommended… otherwise, I would give it a miss. My score: 6.5/10

• Better then average production values for a DTV film of this nature. Cuba shines, and this movie is a solid success.

  callanvass2010-12-17

  (Credit IMDb) A small-time crime boss kills a drug dealer without realizing that the drug dealer works for the biggest crime boss in the country Wrong Turn at Tahoe could possibly be a potentially much-needed turning point in Cuba's falling career. This movie reeks of class, and ranks as one of the better mobster flicks. The shoot out at the end is not only exciting, but felt like a big theater epic. I was really surprised a film this solid was stuck going DTV, I've seen plenty of Theatrical movies that are worse then this one go to theaters, that shouldn't have. I also thought it was built up very efficiently. The opening paves way for what is to become of the movie, and I thought it paved off flawlessly. Pacing issues in the middle is a slight complaint, but that's really it. Performances. Cuba Gooding is excellent in his role. I saw passion, I saw the talent, and I saw the hunger that I haven't in a long time. I've been depressed and disappointed with many of his DTV films, except the solid Line Watch, so needless to say I am thrilled with his effort here. Miguel Ferrer is fantastic, and adds class to every movie he's in. His intensity is enthralling to watch, and I loved his chemistry with Cuba. Harvey Keitel is solid in his role. Screen time precious, performance just great. Bottom line. This is better then a lot of Mobster films that went to theaters. It's paced just right aside from the notion about the middle I said earlier in my review. Hopefully this is the start of a renaissance for Cuba of sorts. If, anything else he's headed in the right direction. Recommended 7 ½ /10

• Killer Rental!

  bobbalewicz2010-01-09

  This was a definite surprise. A Redbox dollar rental, it was worth full price at Blockbuster. Cuba Gooding? Best thing I've seen him in for couple of years now, since Men of Honor? But he ought to pickup more 'bad guy 'roles...he's very believable...hard and gritty. However Miguel Ferrar: you stole the show bro! You are so underused in Hollywood, brother, get your agent to get you onto your own 'Cop/Dick/ME/whatever' TV show, you are very, very good! This film not for kiddies or chix but a good time and really, for the budget I heard this was made for? Very, very good overall production, filming, staging, etc. Enjoy!