Mad Bad

Following a ten-year prison sentence for murdering his father, an ex-con named Justin falls back into crime to fund the singing career of his estranged sister. But things go horribly wrong when he steals the wrong car and a violent drug dealer begins tracking down everyone involved, including Justin’s sister.

Mad-Bad isn't bad at all. I can see why it won a film-festival award: It's briskly-paced (with some flashy editing), has a great soundtrack, and also happens to be thought-provoking (with hints of Menace 2 Society and Execution of Raymond Graham). Vincent Riverside plays the Michael Madsen-esque villain here (although I don't recall seeing Madsen quite this sinister), and the lead role is competently played by Denton Blane Everett. There is a dynamic concert sequence (with Landon Dunning's character singing a tune), that almost single-handedly makes the film worth seeing. The audio is fine, and while some of the characters' choices lack credibility, their words do not (there is no wasted dialogue here). A young Katherine stumbles upon Justin in the middle of one of his car-thefts, and winds up falling in love with him. Justin was previously incarcerated for a murder (that of his own father), and Katherine has a hard time believing he actually committed the crime. She thinks there is a redeeming lining to all of Justin's dark clouds, and she may be right. The climax (and it's preceding revelation) must be seen to be believed. Upon my first view, I am an instant fan of Mad-Bad.