Greg Pritikin Movies
A reality show contestant who lost 150 pounds and gained a cool one million dollars falls prey to the capitalistic excess of the jet set as Dummy director Greg Pritikin sets his satirical sights on the Hollywood hangers-on who linger for far too long after their 15 minutes are up. Dennis Flotchky (Michael Panes) was an overweight loser with no money and few friends when he first applied for a role on television's top reality game show. All of that quickly changes, however, when Dennis endures to outwit, outlast, and outplay his fellow contestants while simultaneously dropping the majority of his excess weight and becoming a millionaire in the process. Now a celebrity wannabe whose face fills the tabloids and whose fortune is fast being depleted, Dennis must make a quick recovery before the vultures circling overhead swoop down to pick him clean of every last penny and tear away every remaining ounce of his self-respect. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Panes, Cheri Oteri, (more)
The sophomore effort from writer and director Greg Pritikin, who previously co-directed and acted in 1998's Totally Confused, Dummy stars Oscar winner Adrien Brody (The Pianist, Summer of Sam) as Steven, a recently unemployed ne'er-do-well who has difficulty expressing himself. Steven's best friend is Fanny, an aspiring singer played by Milla Jovovich (The Fifth Element, Resident Evil) who, along with Steven, is just looking for her niche. Eventually Fanny takes a shine to Yiddish music and Steven finds he has a knack for ventriloquism. Through his newfound talent, Steven discovers that he is able to overcome his social problems through his dummy and decides to try impressing and winning the heart of Lorena, played by Vera Farmiga (Autumn in New York, 15 Minutes). The winner of the Special Jury Prize at the 2003 Santa Barbara Film Festival, Dummy also stars Illeana Douglas and Jared Harris. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Adrien Brody, Milla Jovovich, (more)
- 1998
Gary Rosen and Greg Pritikin wrote, directed and co-star in this indie comedy. Nerdy Chicago bookstore clerk Wiley (Rosen) studies both gay and straight porn in an effort to make a decision about his life, while his pal Johnny (Pritikin), a rock-star wannabe who works in a record store, has a live-in girlfriend, veterinary student Anne (Jackie Katzman). Wiley claims to be jealous of Johnny and Anne, but the couple considers Wiley to be homosexual. To settle the matter, Johnny makes himself available in order to "help," but obviously, the situation can only get more twisted. Rosen approaches the role with full-blown Woody Allen stylistics. Shown at the 1998 San Francisco Lesbian & Gay Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Greg Pritikin, Gary Rosen, (more)
