Search - Fifty Pills on DVD

K. K. (GAMER)
Reviewed on 9/18/2022...

Strange and more strange!

(Far) Beyond expectations

UMaine Guy | Orono, ME USA | 05/17/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As a movie critic for my college rag, the ole' interweb is my only outlet for writing movie reviews:

I peeped the trailer for this on a dvd rental a few months back and have been looking forward to it ever since. My anticipation was warranted for sure.

Not only is the script hilarious, the movie's execution is superb. I have never seen an indie film cast as perfectly as this one, seriously. I have been known to party in my time and this film captured my college experience so well that I felt like I was watching a movie about my life (minus the part about selling drugs lol).

The film takes a bunch of relavent, real-life issues facing just about any male under 30 and handles them in a succint (88 minutes) and hysterical fashion.

The drug selling aspect is merely the glue that holds the plot together. I mention this because many people (my fiance included) get turned off by "drug comedies". There is certainly drug humor-- but it is used sparingly and in all the right places. Not only that,I have never ever seen an ecstasy movie, with the exception of the British "Human Traffic", that encapsulates (yeah, I used a pun in this review) what it is like to roll (aka 'to take ecstasy' for the uninitiated).

The movie never takes a shortcut for an easy laugh and maintains a comedic integrity that I haven't seen since "The Girl Next Door". Did I mention that "Fifty Pills" also works off of virtually zero budget? Every cent is put in the right place though and it never feels like a straight-to-dvd movie. Major studios REALLY dropped the ball by not picking up "Fifty Pills" after the Tribeca Film Festival and giving it a limited theatrical release (to boost street cred) before really promoting a dvd release shortly thereafter. It will certainly find its audience but I doubt it will make the money for the filmmakers that it deserves to make. Those who were involved in making "Fifty Pills" (particularly writer/producer Matthew Perniciaro) have a bright future if this movie does some business.

On that note, if you dig teen comedies, drug comedies, or simply coming-of-age tales then give "Fify Pills" a shot. I guarantee that you will have a fantastic 88 minutes."

Couldn't stay great

LARRY | Capitol Heights, MD | 10/12/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Wow! I cannot believe how this movie got 5 stars.

I mean, if you really don't care for a great plot then maybe you'll enjoy this movie. However, I just felt that it was simplistic in nature.

Darren loses his college scholarship when he has been busted for having a chaotic party in his room again. However, it was his roommate who held a party while he was away on holiday.

Feeling guilty, his roommate assigns him as a substitute "E" dealer. With the money make from the sales, Darren will be able to keep it and pay his way through college.

However, "E" comes with problems: territorial dealers, profits, broken promises and the like. At the same time, Darren likes a gal on campus. This gal lives a drug-free life and expects him to do the same. Does Darren tell the truth or hides it from her and keep dealing?

*50 Pills* starts off interesting as the cinematic style is different. However, about halfway, I became bored with it. It's long-winded and nothing else was added to maintain my interest. Some characters are just cheesy and cliche'd, such as a talkative customer who tries to butter up Darren with the hopes getting "E"'s for free.

Just was not my kind of movie..."

Mike's Review

Amanda B. Mcadams | Charleston | 04/16/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A clever mix of Pulp Fiction, Risky Business, and American Pie with much better writing and extremely smooth production. It is a great movie if you just want to laugh and enjoy yourself without too much deep thought. With my normal overanalysis of movie plots, it might not hold up. However, I really do not think they would care. That was probably never the point. Kristin Bell is hot, and the other dude I've seen somewhere else was very good. For a straight to DVD movie I was very impressed and am curious as to why no one picked it up sooner. Top notch cast, excellent writing, directing and producing. 5 thumbs up."