The Prophet's Game (2000)

An Exercise In Nonsense

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

Released in 2000 and directed by David Worth, "The Prophets Game" is a crime thriller starring Dennis Hopper as Vincent Swan, a retired detective from Seattle who is asked to fly to Los Angeles to help solve a new rash of murders similar to a case he supposedly solved a dozen years earlier. Stephanie Zimbalist co-stars as "Al," a frustrated officer assigned to keep an eye on Swan while Joe Penny plays the hardboiled chief of detectives. Robert Yocum, Shannon Whirry, Greg Lauren, Michael Dorn and Sondra Locke are also on hand.While this went straight-to-video in the USA & most other countries it had a theatrical release in Spain and Korea. Having a more modest budget than feature thrillers, it lacks the polish of the similarly themed "The Dead Pool" (1988), not to mention it lacks a super-cop like Dirty Harry and the corresponding fast action, although it has some action. What "The Prophet's Game" has in its favor is an impressive character-driven script by Carol Chrest only hampered by convolution. On top of this you have zesty performances by all the principle cast members. Both Swan and Al are nicely fleshed-out and you care about them and the outcome of the story. Penny and Locke also give knockout performances, although their roles are relatively minor. Shannon Whirry shines as one of the most beautiful women to walk the earth in a peripheral part.This is an R-rated flick and therefore contains cussing, gruesome gore and female top-nudity, but none of these are overdone. Some people don't like it because of the limitations of its modest budget, but I was nicely entertained from beginning to end. You'll probably like it too if you favor dialogue-driven stories and don't insist on blockbuster budgets. I wouldn't want to pay top dollar to see it at the theater, but it works well for TV, DVD or rental.AN INQUIRY: There's a scene well into the second half where Swan (Hopper) is walking with two other characters through a campus and a few extras pass between the camera and them. One is a woman wearing white pants who is talking to another person. She is seen again in the same sequence in the background. I need to know who this woman in white pants is. I presume she's an extra provided by the casting agency that hired extras for the movie. I must see more of this actress; it's of the utmost importance.The movie runs 106 minutes and was shot in Ventura and Santa Barbara, California.GRADE: B-(PS: The "INQUIRY" is a joke)

Dennis Hopper is intense. He is by far the best thing in this by the numbers serial killer 'thriller'. The idea of the prophet's game itself is interesting, and could make a pretty good movie, but this isn't it. It's too bogged down in revenge, police politics, and laughable action to go anywhere, and the ending is unbelievably unsatisfying, with so much still left unanswered. As for the direction, there is really nothing to distinguish The Prophet's Game from a million other B movies, and although the supporting cast try hard, (with a few notable exceptions) they can't lift it from its dire script.

The storyline of this movie had the potential to be good and intriguing, however the writer massacred it. The characters' motivations where sketchy and overacted, even by the usually charismatic Dennis Hopper. Some of the lines had me laughing when it was obviously meant to be suspensful, serious, or cathartic.Overall, it is worth a watch for a Dennis Hopper fan. He saves this otherwise sinking ship.

I saw the DVD version of this mystery/thriller. I must say that Dennis Hopper and Stefanie Zimbalist are highlights of the movie but it kind of ends with their performances. Hopper shows he can act with his face and develop the unsaid script. Zimbalist is a revelation as she portrays an aging, slightly dumpy vice cop who has about had it. Remembering her TV work I gained respect for her acting and personal strength in avoiding face lifts et al. The movie is a bit formula although it has its moments. I cannot determine if the director feels the audience remembers "Psycho" or has forgotten it, but there are references. Many scenes are too long and others, especially the finale and tie in explanations, too short. People who like the serial killer genre with game playing and shock effects will probably like it. It is nice to see Michael Dorn without his Star Trek makeup but his part is much too small. How much mystery can there be when you are almost through the movie and Sandra Locke has not shown up yet? The DVD is full screen, sharp, but a little grainy on my system and DTS sound is an option. Overall a disappointment but Hopper and Zimbalist are worth every penny of rental money.