Joe Dinicol Movies
A performer born in Stratford, Ontario, Canada, as the son of noted stage thespian Keith Dinicol, Joe Dinicol debuted as an actor in his early teens, with a supporting role in the 1997 farce Elvis Meets Nixon, then followed it up with a succession of unique, albeit low-profile, character parts in features including The Virgin Suicides (1999, as a troubled young man who commits suicide via a roof jump), the 2003 Kart Racer (as a school bully), and the Lifetime Network VD drama She's Too Young (2004, as the supportive best friend of a syphilis-infected school pariah). In 2007, Dinicol starred as one of several young men and women struggling to fend off hordes of flesh-eating zombies in George A. Romero's Diary of the Dead. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi
- 2011
An aspiring lawyer puts his education on hold in order to wait tables at a steakhouse, and encourages the staff to rebel after learning they're all about to lose their jobs. Growing up, Josh (Joe Dinicol) always wanted to be a writer. But later, in order to earn a more stable living, he decided to enroll in law school. Now that classes are about to start, he's having a little trouble quitting his job at Ranch Steakhouse. Upon learning that Josh can't summon the courage to quit his job at the restaurant, his girlfriend threatens to leave him. Unfortunately the timing couldn't be worse; an outbreak of food poisoning has most of the steakhouse staff down for the count, leaving Josh and a few remaining waiters to pick up the slack. Just when it seems like things couldn't possible get any worse, the staff learns that the new owners are sending out an auditor to check on the operations. Later, upon reading a secret memo from the new owners, Josh realizes that the time has come to stand up, and show them who's boss. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Joe Dinicol, John Bregar, (more)
Based on Bryan Lee O'Malley's Oni Press comic book of the same name, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World follows the eponymous slacker rocker on his colorful quest to defeat his dream girl's seven evil ex-boyfriends. Twenty-two-year-old Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) may not have a job, but rocking the bass for his band, Sex Bob-omb, is a tough job unto itself. When Scott locks eyes with Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), he knows she's the girl he wants to grow old with. But Ramona has some serious baggage; her supercharged exes rue the thought of her being with another man, and they'll crush any guy who gives her a second glance. Now, in order to win Ramona's heart, Scott will do battle with everyone from vegan-powered rock gods to sinister skateboarders, never losing sight of his gorgeous goal as he pummels his way to victory. Shaun of the Dead's Edgar Wright directs the film from a script he penned with Michael Bacall. Superhero veterans Chris Evans and Brandon Routh co-star in the action comedy as two of the seven ex-boyfriends. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, (more)
This mockumentary traces the exploits of an amateur men's hockey team that competes in a weekend tournament. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi
- 2008
- NR
Inspired by the stories once passed down to him by his grandfather, writer/director Paul Gross explores a defining period of Canadian history in this epic war drama concerning the Battle of Passchendaele. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Paul Gross, Caroline Dhavernas, (more)
- 2007
- R
- Add George A. Romero's Diary of the Dead to Queue Add George A. Romero's Diary of the Dead to top of Queue
Horror icon George A. Romero effectively hits the "reset" button on his hugely influential Dead series with this scaled-back look at the zombie apocalypse as told from the perspective of a student filmmaker who sets out to shoot a low-budget fright film, but instead captures the breakdown of modern society at the decaying hands of flesh-eating ghouls. Jason Creed (Joshua Close) and his crew are shooting a mummy movie in the Pennsylvania woods when media reports begin pouring in about the dead rising from their graves to feast on the flesh of the living. While self-centered star Ridley (Phillip Riccio) beats a hasty retreat to his family's fortified mansion halfway across the state, the remaining cast and crew are forced to fight for their lives despite having no weapons to speak of, and only a wobbly recreational vehicle in which to seek shelter. Immediately recognizing the gravity of the situation and outspokenly skeptical of the media, determined director Creed decides to use his own camera to capture the real story in a documentary entitled "The Death of Death." Now, as the group attempts to fight their way to safety, the skeptics will all watch as their greatest fears become reality, and the realists will attempt to process a nightmare that modern science would pass off as impossible. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Michele Morgan, Joshua Close, (more)
Two luckless stoners begin a truly awful evening when they discover they have a dead girlfriend on their hands in this black comedy from writer and director Allen Moyle. Dexter (Scott Speedman) and Royce (Wes Bentley) are a pair of half-bright slackers living in a nowhere town in Northern Ontario. Dexter and Royce's lack of ambition is compounded by the fact they're both heroin addicts, and they support their habits by dealing dope for Omar (Raoul Bhaneja), a ruthless dealer who's not to be trifled with. Matilda (Taryn Manning), Royce's girlfriend, makes the mistake of dipping into their product one night and suffers a serious O.D.; frightened, Royce and Dexter decide they have to get rid of the body, and Dexter suggests they bury her in the boiler room of a drive-in movie theater where he used to work. The guys take Matilda's body to the drive-in and are about to cover her up when they realize she isn't dead yet; however, their timing is flawed, as this discovery coincides with the arrival of a gaggle of would-be Satan Worshipers, who are looking for a likely candidate for their first human sacrifice. Weirdsville was chosen as the opening night presentation for the 2007 Slamdance Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Scott Speedman, Wes Bentley, (more)
Tom Sizemore stars in a horror film that looks beneath the safety of the surface to show just what kind of terrors can lurk in the darkness below. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
Haunted by gruesome visions of violence and death that would be far out of place in her successful series of children's books, a sophisticated author embarks on a brief sabbatical into the countryside that turns out to be far from the convalescent getaway her doctor had prescribed. Claire Holloway (Gabrielle Anwar) is an author whose rich imagination has fueled a successful career in children's literature, but one glimpse beneath the surface of her fragile psyche reveals a woman whose life has been far from storybook perfect. Tortured by a darkness that seems to grow blacker with each passing day, Claire follows her doctor's advice to leave the city behind and collect her thoughts at the picturesque Rose Marsh Farmhouse. Upon arriving at the remote farmhouse, however, Claire quickly realizes that the formidable estate bears an uncanny resemblance to the house that plagues her nightmares. When a series of strange and seemingly supernatural events lead Claire to believe that the ghostly young girl who dwells in her dreams may in fact be real, the frightened author seeks out the aid of handsome newspaper publisher Noah (Justin Louis) and paranormal consultant hunt (Forest Whitaker) in solving the mystery of this cursed village. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Gabrielle Anwar
A syphilis outbreak rocks an upscale suburban high school in this made-for-cable movie. Freshman Hannah Vogul (Alexis Dziena) does everything her loving parents (Marcia Gay Harden and Gary Hudson) want: excels at music, makes good grades, and always tells the truth. That all changes when Hannah falls for the attentions of campus stud Nick Hartman (Mike Erwin). Supremely confident, the boy successfully pressures her to fellate him on their second date, then unsuccessfully invites her to an orgy for their third. Soon Dawn (Miriam McDonald), one of Nick's countless other conquests, confesses that she's contracted syphilis, which sets off an investigation by horrified public-health officials. When Hannah turns out to be one of dozens of infected students, her mother joins the crusade to bring their parents together and confront the underaged partying and casual sex that have led their children to this predicament. But with Hannah's self-esteem rocked by Nick's rejection and the ostracism of her peers, it may be too late to save her. She's Too Young premiered in February 2004 on the Lifetime cable network. Megan Park co-stars as Becca, another promiscuous 14-year-old, while Joe Dinicol appears as Hannah's supportive friend Tommy. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi
- Starring:
- Marcia Gay Harden, Alexis Dziena, (more)
A teenager looking to regain his self-respect and his relationship with his father finds the answer in an unexpected place -- go-kart racing -- in this family-friendly drama. Watts Davis (Will Rothhaar) is a 14-year-old boy who has been nothing but trouble since the death of his mother. Feuding with his father Vic (Randy Quaid) and causing problems at school, Watts has only one desire: to someday become a race-car driver. When Watts discovers IKF go-kart racing, he sees he's finally found a way to start living his dream and mend fences with his dad, who was a go-kart champ in his youth. With the help of Vic and fellow racer Scott (David Gallagher), as well as some unexpected moral support from Dhalia (Amanda De Martinis), a cute graffiti artist who has caught his eye, Watts has his eye on the local IKF go-kart championships. But can Watts beat Rodney (Joe Dinicol), the class bully who also happens to be a hotshot on the track? Kart Racer also features an appearance by comedian Harland Williams as Zee, the proprietor of a local video-game arcade. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Randy Quaid, Will Rothhaar, (more)
The fun begins when Kenny Witowski, a typical middle school student, begins seeking out e-mail pals on the Internet. Thanks to a glitch in the system, Kenny is connected with a correspondent who signs himself "Average Joe," and who solicits our hero's opinion on practically everything. Little does Kevin realize that "Average Joe" is actually one A. Thorton Osgood II -- President of the United States! Mail to the Chief was first telecast on April 2, 2000, as an entry in the ABC anthology The Wonderful World of Disney. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Randy Quaid, Holland Taylor, (more)
- 1999
A man learns that hard way that not all high school memories are pleasant in this thriller. Paul Preedy (Daniel Baldwin) is invited to a high school reunion, but figures someone is playing a trick on him when he discovers he's one of only three people asked to attend. However, Paul soon learns what's going on is no joke; his two fellow alumni are dead a few days later, both the victims of a killer who used a water torture on them before they died. Paul finds himself the key suspect in the police's investigation of the crimes, and Paul is forced to come to terms with a disturbing incident from his past that links him to the killer. Water Damage also stars Dean Stockwell, Leslie Hope, and Mimi Kuzyk. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Daniel Baldwin, Leslie Hope, (more)
A dark comedy punctuated by moments of drama, The Virgin Suicides explores the emotional underpinnings of a family starting to come apart at the seams in 1970's Midwestern America. The Lisbons seem like an ordinary enough family; Father (James Woods) teaches math at a high school in Michigan, Mother (Kathleen Turner) has a strong religious faith, and they have five teenage daughters, ranging from 13-year-old Cecilia (Hannah Hall) to 17-year-old Therese (Leslie Hayman). However, the Lisbon family's sense of normalcy is shattered when Cecilia falls into a deep depression and attempts suicide. The family is shaken and Mother and Father seek the advice of psychiatrist Dr. Hornicker (Danny DeVito), who suggests the girls should be allowed to socialize more with boys. However, boys soon become a serious problem for Cecilia's sister Lux (Kirsten Dunst). Lux has attracted the eye of a high-school Romeo named Trip (Josh Hartnett), who assures Father of his good intentions. But Cecilia finally makes good on her decision to kill herself, throwing the Lisbons into a panic; and after attending a school dance, Trip seduces and then abandons Lux. The Lisbons pull their daughters out of school, as an emotionally frayed Mother keeps close watch over them. Meanwhile, Lux continues to attract the attentions of the local boys, and she responds with a series of clandestine sexual episodes with random partners as often as she can sneak out of the house. The debut feature from Sofia Coppola (whose father, Francis Ford Coppola, co-produced this film), The Virgin Suicides also features supporting performances from Scott Glenn and Giovanni Ribisi. The film was shown as part of the Directors Fortnight series as the 1999 Cannes Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Kirsten Dunst, James Woods, (more)
- 1998
- Add Jacob Two Two Meets the Hooded Fang to Queue Add Jacob Two Two Meets the Hooded Fang to top of Queue
Based on noted Montreal author Mordecai Richler's classic children's adventure of the same name, the film is about a boy named Jacob (Max Morrow) who has to say everything twice to be heard, simply because he is the youngest of five children. Desperately needing to be taken seriously, he offers to go to the grocery store for his Dad, embarking on his first solo journey. The quest goes horribly wrong when he loses his nerve and runs off, only to bump into a ten-pound hanging salami. He wakes up to find himself in court charged with insulting a grown-up. The Singing Judge sentences Jacob to the children's prison on Slimer's Island. The fog-bound and crocodile infested prison is presided over by the fearsome Hooded Fang (Gary Busey). Help is supposed to be on its way in the form of the heroic Child Power Masters. When that is delayed, Jacob Two Two hatches a cunning plan to take on the Hooded Fang himself. Fraught with childhood fantasies and fears, the film encourages children to feel strong in the threatening world of adults. ~ Gönül Dönmez-Colin, Rovi
- Starring:
- Gary Busey, Miranda Richardson, (more)
- 1997
- PG13
Two of America's great cultural icons meet in this highly amusing comedy (which, as the film reminds us, is based on actual incidents; check out Peter Guralnick's superb Presley biography Careless Love for a more direct recounting of the facts). One evening Elvis Presley (played by Rick Peters) is alone at his mansion, feeling out of sorts, and he gets an idea -- he wants to be named an FBI Agent At Large to do his part in the war on drugs. And how better to achieve this lofty goal than to go to Washington, D.C. and speak with President Richard Nixon (Bob Gunton)? For the first time in years, Elvis leaves the house by himself, hops on a plane, and jets to our nation's capital, determined to get in touch with Mister "I Am Not A Crook" himself. Director Allan Arkush plays this story for all the absurdity its worth, but still hews pretty close to the truth (with several real-life "witnesses" offering their view of the events, including Tony Curtis, Wayne Newton and Dick Cavett) and presenting a convincing argument that Presley and Nixon had a lot more in common than you'd imagine; both title characters come off as cartoonish, but affectionately so, and this ranks with the most likable and sympathetic portraits of Elvis Presley committed to film. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Rick Peters, Bob Gunton, (more)
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