The Art of Dying (1991)

Powerful

Overrated and overhyped

Crappy film

This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

Jack (Wings) is an L.A. Vice detective who plays by his own rules. Sure, he does what he wants when he wants, but he always helps the teenage runaways who come to town. He develops an especially soft spot for Janet (Warner), a 16 year old girl who has come to Hollywood to be a star. However, something sinister is brewing in tinseltown. A psychotic filmmaker named Roscoe (Werntz) and his assistant, a man by the name of Latin Jerry (Hara) are luring aspiring actors into their studio. They then recreate famous death scenes from movies such as The Deer Hunter (1978), Psycho (1960) and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974), but they do it for real! Roscoe even claims directors like Cimino, DePalma, Scorsese and Hitchcock are just fakes, and he's the real thing. When Janet gets mixed up in this world - as does his gal-pal Holly (Kinmont) - Jack goes rogue to take down the nefarious filmmakers. That's after he's suspended from the force, of course. Will anyone actually see the ART OF DYING? This is Wings' third directorial effort, after Coldfire (1990) and Living To Die (1990). And while PM movies are known for showing the seamier side of L.A., here they go all out and portray it at its seamiest - nothing more than a trap to ensnare young people who don't know any better into a horrible life, or even death. Wings, as Jack, a man who's struggling against the tide of filth to help the kids, is his usual charismatic self, and the relationship issues he has with Kinmont allow for some good interplay between them. It's nice to see Kinmont in a non-Lamas-supporting role. She works very well with Wings who controls this dark thriller (it's not really an action movie per se) quite well.Backing Wings and Kinmont up are a nice cast of supporters: Sarah Douglas of Steele Justice (1987) fame plays Wings' fellow cop who seems to have a crush on him, Sydney Lassick has a bit part as a roadside cafe owner, and last but not least is Michael J. Pollard, who brings his weird mush-mouthiness and strange affect to the role of some kind of police psychologist named Delbert. It seems to fit.Seeing as The Art of Dying has a "movie within a movie" theme, as well as its meditations on the concept of the snuff film, while it probably wasn't influenced too much by Snuff (1976), it does seem to have Michael Powell's Peeping Tom (1960) in mind. Regardless, AOD truly was the 8mm (1999) of its day. To relate it back to movies discussed here on this site, the plot is really very similar to King of the Kickboxers (1990), in the idea that it lures unsuspecting actors into their death on film. To add another layer of "meta", if I may, Wings passes a movie marquee playing the movie Misery (1990). So there's a lot of layers here.While the movie can be a tad bit unfocused at times, dealing with bunch of different issues and characters right from the jump, and it moves at what would be considered a slower pace than the kids of today are used to (but who cares about those stupid little punks anyway), it's all worth it when Wings is suspended from the force by a perfect BYC (Ring of Steel's Brown), and he spends his days at the beach wearing a nice trenchcoat/bathing suit combo with sunglasses, and feeding a rabbit tequila! Isn't that what you would do if you were kicked off the force? It wouldn't be a Wings-directed PM movie without a sax-drenched soundtrack, and The Art of Dying doesn't disappoint. It underlines the seedy elements at work. This whole movie screams "Cinemax in the 90's", what with its overall smutty/sexy/steamy tone or whatever you want to call it. But it has some nice ideas at work, a very good cast, and Wings in top form. To see Wings doing what he does best, check out The Art of Dying.For more action insanity, please visit: www.comeuppancereviews.com

Wings Hauser is in full "Dirty Harry" mode, not respecting his superiors, getting himself suspended, putting his partners welfare last, and apprehending criminals while breaking every police rule in the book. The basic story involves two gay freaks who turn acting parts into body parts, luring innocent would be actors and actresses into their snuff film. "The Art of Dying" certainly has a high sleaze factor, but the story is marginal at best. Although Hauser's ego is constantly being stroked with numerous sex scenes, much of the film lacks the action necessary to move things forward. There are a few moments of humor, such as when Wings tells his girlfriend "You're like a one night stand that never goes away." Not bad of it's type. - MERK

It's far from being a classic, but there is something undeniably engrossing about The Art of Dying. It's an extremely violent film with an excellent, jazzy score by John Gonzalez and some decent and atmospheric cinematography. It's also a right wing fantasy writ large: here is the film that ties 'the gay agenda' and the fictional world of snuff movies together. Connect the dots: a gay couple are luring innocent young Americans into their web of murder and deceit, selling them a bill of goods about fame and fortune that end in their violent and bloody deaths. Add in star Wings Hauser's reverse racism rant to his African-American commander ("you're a racist asshole!") and a copious assortment of bared breasts and simulated straight sex, and you have a film which will have red-blooded hetero white American males pumping their fists in the air.

In the profane streets of Hollywood, California, dreams are realized...and lives are wasted. Hollywood, California is home to not only the stars, but to the absolute abject who are desperate to make a living. Jack (Wings Hauser) is a police detective who works for the vice squad. He is aggressive yet compassionate with a soft spot for teenage runaways. This tough, street-smart detective is about to be thrust into the depraved world of snuff films...Several aspiring actors and actresses with stars in their eyes are accosted by two mysterious filmmakers. They have promised each individual model the "role of a lifetime." Little do each of these people realize that the price for stardom includes...their very own lives...Meanwhile, Jack's one-night stand with Holly (Kathleen Kinmont) has somehow mounted to a six-month long affair. Though Jack has enjoyed every single moment with Holly, he must still find a way to rekindle their fading romance...As the body count rises and the tension mounts, Jack must spring into action. He must investigate the case and find out who are the culprits responsible for these grisly, murderous acts. What's even more terrifying is that the staged premeditated murders are copycats from (in)famous horror movies...People know that THE ART OF DYING is perversion in the first degree. Yet, the viewer will find him/herself strangely engrossed in the nefarious world of "murder on film." Horror film buffs in particular will take pleasure in seeing homage to such classic films as PSYCHO (1960), THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE (1974), etc. THE ART OF DYING is one of the most psychologically moving horror flicks in years. The tough, film noir -type detective knows that he has a lot to handle emotionally in dealing with psychotics who enjoy capturing the suffering of others on film. Yet, this detective knows that once he gets involved in this case, he is plunged into a decadent world of evil where escape is impossible...A huge asset in THE ART OF DYING is the prevailing atmosphere for the moribund souls dying to be in the pictures... The jazz score played as background music only heightens the suspense to an immoral atmosphere. There are lots of violent bloodshed and nudity, but unlike most films from PM Entertainment, this movie contains no car crashes or explosions so action fans may feel alienated. However, for those who are willing to immerse themselves into a strange world where reality and illusion collide will find this film a surprise...The supporting cast is excellent. Michael J. Pollard is a standout as Delbert, an informative criminal psychologist who seems to know too much about the criminal mind. Gary Werntz is frantically devious as Rosco, a filmmaker pushed over the edge of sanity. He is appropriately unbalanced as a struggling albeit conceited filmmaker who considers himself superior to such highly regarded film directors as Brian De Palma, Martin Scorsese, and yes, even Alfred Hitchcock. Rosco always adds a touch of "realism" in all of his scenes he directs. Mitch Hara is woefully nasty as an assistant snuff filmmaker, "Latin Jerry." Kathleen Kinmont is also a visual treat for the eyes. She is amazing sexy.What is engaging about this film, THE ART OF DYING is that it gives a glimpse of the dark side of Hollywood. Beneath the glamour lies the phone-sex businesses which are common, prostitution which is rife, and struggling actors and actresses who are frantic to make ends meet (and also to make a few extra bucks). THE ART OF DYING is a sardonic satire on the film industry and the independent filmmaker. In this art of perverse filmmaking, money does not always equate pleasure...Unfortunately, as superb as THE ART OF DYING may be, this film always has its weaknesses. The most significant weakness is its lapses of characterization. For example, no explanation is given as to why the crooked filmmakers behave the way they do. No motive is given to justify their sickening actions. Another weak point in this film is the chemistry between Jack and Holly. Even though these two share a wonderful relationship, their vacillation between love & kisses and then to arguments & abuses is rather unconvincing. As observed, logic and credibility sometimes take a backseat.THE ART OF DYING is a slick, well-made thriller with strong performances and powerful subtexts about the other side of Hollywood. Stylishly directed by star Hauser himself, THE ART OF DYING is a sinister, first-rate masterpiece. Fine acting, a morbid tone, scathing one-liners, and a grim sense of humor buoy this modest sleeper hit. Although this film is an unnoticed hit for now, it will eventually earn its much-deserved recognition. RATING: *** out of ****.