Joel Bissonnette Movies

A man who talked into doing a favor for his brother discovers the good deed is unexpectedly complicated in this independent comedy-drama from writer and director Matt Bissonnette. Michael (Adam Scott) is a struggling writer who lives in Los Angeles and has a strong aversion to most post-1970 technology -- he hates cell phones, color television, compact discs and reading news on-line. He also hates answering machines, which is why he ends up taking a call from his younger brother Tobey (Joel Bissonnette) early one morning when he'd rather be asleep. Tobey, a recovering drug addict with a checkered past, doesn't have a car and asks Michael if he'd be willing to give him a ride across town. Tobey grudgingly agrees, but en route to his appointment, Michael asks to make a few stops, and what Tobey expected to be a short errand ends up being an all-day road trip through several seedy parts of L.A. As the day wears on, Tobey begins to suspect that his brother's errand isn't as benign as he'd been led to expect, and that they're both in for more than they bargained for. Passenger Side received its world premiere at the 2009 Los Angeles Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

In this disturbing psychological drama, Molly Parker plays Leila, a receptionist at a rundown hotel who pads her paycheck by turning tricks with the hotel's customers. When she meets Gary (Callum Keith Rennie), a brutish psycho, Leila endures his physical abuse with troubling insouciance, preferring his rough treatment to the passionless marriage waiting for her at home. Some clues to her demeanor are given in a parallel story, in which a young girl plays powerless witness to her mother's sexual encounter with the girl's violent uncle. ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, All Movie Guide

In yet another modern-dress version of The Prince and the Pauper, Joey Lawrence plays Ricky Prince, a famous pop star who has grown tired of the spotlight and the pressures of fame. Ricky makes the aquaintance of Ralph Bitondo (also played by Joey Lawrence), a pizza delivery boy who looks almost exactly like Ricky -- so much so that the two decide to trade identities for a while. Ricky enjoys being able to live like an average guy for a change, and Ralph gets a kick out of the perks of stardom, but predictably enough they both learn the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. Also known as The Prince and the Pizza Boy, Prince for a Day also stars Richard Belzer and Khrystyne Haje. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

This suspenseful thriller follows the exploits of a young wife as she tries to escape from an abusive mate and ends up on the gritty city streets. Jenefer manages to get away from her husband but must give her baby up for adoption before she can do so. Alone on the scary streets she encounters Ola, a street-wise hooker who takes her under her wing. Ola also tries to protect Jenefer from the murderous Hassan, her pimp and king of the neighborhood. Ola sees Hassan brutally kill another whore, but refuses to testify against him. She resists McClaren, a harsh police officer, and his attempts to interrogate her. She is then deported. The suddenly bereft Jenefer gives into Hassan and becomes a prostitute. This helps her become stronger and streetwise so that she is finally able to confront and dispatch her husband in the blood-filled conclusion. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide