Devil's Knight

OK, first things first - i admit that Elizabeth Alvarez is the kind of woman that makes some men very glad to be heterosexual; they say nights last six months up at the north pole, ms. Alvarez is tops on my list for arctic roommate.

she can also act, given the right role with the right lines; unfortunately, she's no action hero, and she is wholly unconvincing as a soldier. to appreciate her talent, give her a chance to engage in conversation, fast-forward the action scenes.

whoa, wait a minute - but this is an 'action movie'; we shouldn't be fast-forwarding the action scenes.

there are actually a lot of talented people in this film, i.e., e.g., ms. Alvarez, Garry Marshall, Pepe Serna. unfortunately, writer-director Phillips is not one of these.

you know, a lot of action films have been showing up direct-to-video, lately. look, if you cannot afford the budget even a mildly entertaining action film requires, don't bother; make some other kind of movie. if the action is badly handled - as in this film - you could lose any respect you need to hustle the making of your next film.

to be fair, the writing isn't bad - but the direction is strictly high-school student level. that not only disgraces the actors - and gives them little to accomplish - it even disgraces the script and all of its Chicano-pride intentions, which Phillips could not afford.

so - no go; but if you ever meet ms. Alvarez, be sure she get's my number; i'll be waiting....