FINAL EXAMINATION
PLOT-Someone is murdering binkini models at a college class reunion.
VIOLENCE-Strangling, stabbing, shooting, and a suicide. Nothing particularly gory or bloody though.
SEX/NUDITY-At least 3 fairly tame sex scenes and multiple topless shots of most of the main cast.
WHY I WATCHED IT-Although not noted on the box, Debbie Rochon plays a substantially large role in the film. For those of you that have been living under a rock, I consider Debbie to be the single greatest actor working in independent film. Her presence elevates the quality of any project she appears in by a considerable amount.
THE DOPE-This is one of those old-school style detective thrillers that you'd expect to see on late night cable television. You know the type...at first you think it's cheesy, but sometimes you end up being drawn in and watching the entire thing, staying up a lot later than you should have. Stars Brent Huff and Kari Wuhrer are the main focus as the cops, but this movie held my attention due to the presence of b-movie veterans such as Jay Richardson, Richard Gabai, and of course Miss Rochon. Richardson plays a character called Lt. Hugh Janus (!) despite the fact that this isn't a comedy...which shows the filmmakers definitely have a solid sense of humor. I always say, if you can't get Bruce Campbell or Leslie Nielsen, get Jay Richardson. He's awesome. Gabai is excellent as "Fergie" the forensics guy (and seems to not have aged at all since his ASSAULT OF THE PARTY NERDS and VIRGIN HIGH days). I'm glad he's still making the rounds as an actor and director. Debbie's (third-billed) performance is a crescendo that showcases her great instincts as an actor, knowing exactly how to be subtle and yet remain a huge screen presence, all the while serving the story and character precisely the way it needs to be. Saying any more about her role would definitely lead to spoilers, so I'll leave it at this: fans should definitely NOT miss this one.
I feel compelled to mention that I've always been a fan of Kari Wuhrer, all the way back to her days as a hostess on the 80's MTV game show REMOTE CONTROL (along with Colin Quinn). She's bounced back and forth between lead roles on both cable b-movies like SENSATION or BEYOND DESIRE to big-budget hollywood stuff like ANACONDA or EIGHT LEGGED FREAKS her entire career, which to me is really cool. Lately she seems to be cranking out the indie projects at quite a pace...she has an impressive resume to say the least. She does an Ashley Judd thing in FINAL EXAMINATION, played pretty straight, but still effective.
MEMORABLE SCENES-When Jay Richardson answers the phone at his desk, "Hugh Janus!", I fell out. Despite being really out of place in an otherwise serious-minded flick, I loved it this scene.
NOTES-The DVD's "Special Features" consist of trailers and that's it, so if you rent the VHS you won't be missing anything.
(October 2003)