michael-f-passe Reviews

Showstopper (2012)

Jennifer Day Shines

[11 February 2018]

There's good news and bad news for beautiful Jennifer Day in the 2014 murder mystery, "Show Stopper". The good news is that she is sensational to watch, every bit the superstar she is portraying as the film's co-star. The bad news? She's dead.

Being dead doesn't stop Miss Day from sharing screen time with co-star Steven Bauer, the veteran actor whose Detective Vinnie Randall character is called upon to solve her murder. Confused? I don't want to give away spoilers, so watch the film, especially if you are a fan of Jennifer Day. Miss Day, the late-night TV singer, here plays "Sheera," a pop star who sings her own material (all of it available from Miss Day's own albums) but who gets knocked off to start the story. Enter Bauer to solve the case; between them Day and Bauer are in virtually every frame of "Show Stopper" via flashbacks and more. Bauer is a solid actor with good screen presence, who plays it straight in a series of interrogations that make up the gist of this movie that bills itself a "classic whodunit". There's a sizeable supporting cast of possible suspects who could all be after Sheera.

Miss Day is sensational, all gorgeous cascading hair, spectacular figure and an appealing wide-eyed expressive face. She has real screen presence too, whether playing sexy or sweet and friendly. In addition to brightening up the screen and writing her own music, Miss Day co-wrote and co-produced the film, proving she's not just another pretty face. Here's hoping we see more of Jennifer Day.

The Two Pamelas (2016)

modern film noir is full of surprises

[7 February 2018]

"The Two Pamelas" opens with a simple plot device - an aspiring actress passed out on a casting couch in her underwear, holding a gun, and the casting director's dead body slumped in a chair across the room. This could have been the setup for a standard "whodunit," and there are indeed lots of plausible suspects. But the film delves into some kinkier territory, and ends with a seasoning of Hitchcock. For the most part, thanks to good performances and cinematography, The Two Pamelas works.

The girl on the couch, Darlene (played energetically by late night TV's Jennifer Day), is just one of several suspects in the murder of the casting director, Burt Wald. The most intriguing suspect appears at first to be Wald's wife; that is until Wald's unhinged, Oedipally-confused son enters the picture (played with gleeful neurotic energy by Ilia Yourdanov). Nearly any explanation would by necessity contain spoilers, so we'll leave it at that.

The cinematography is one of the main charms of the film, affectionately borrowing lots of film noir conventions like so-called Dutch Angles from classics like "The Third Man" and filming in moody black-and-white and sepia tones. The musical score is from the David Lynch school of creepy minimalism. It may seem a tad derivative to some viewers, but genre fans won't mind at all. They truly don't make them like this any more.

There are some talky stretches, but "The Two Pamelas" holds your interest anyway. It has elements of a police procedural flick, with Detective Galento (veteran actor Robert Miano) working the crime skillfully. The acting is all strong. The plot continually pulls the Darlene character deeper into the mix. Miss Day, gorgeous as ever, is a revelation. She plays Darlene as nervous and jittery, like someone with a secret that she doesn't quite understand, and she plays it convincingly. Mr. Yourdanov, the other pivotal character, has a meaty role that he plays with gusto.

If you like film noir or detective fiction, this is a treat, and you don't have to travel back to the 1940's to enjoy it.

Trunk (I) (2009 Video)

Jennifer Day shines

[27 July 2016]

I like psychological horror and suspense, so I stuck with "Trunk" to see how it ended, and because of Jennifer Day. She mostly carries the film, and does it without stumbling. Miss Day is in the titular car trunk pretty much all the way through the flick, kidnapped by a killer and forced to try to outwit him. It's all psychological suspense that plays on claustrophobia, with lots of camera shots that zero in very tightly on the faces of the two leads. What action there is takes place mostly at the very beginning and end and a few flashbacks. What might have helped "Trunk" some, besides a bigger budget, is for the kidnapper/killer to seem more dangerous and scary. He does what he can. Ms. Day puts on a convincing performance in a difficult, movement-restricted role. Those who know Jennifer Day from her late night TV music show might be surprised at the range she shows here as a dramatic actress. Hopefully bigger and better things are on the way for her.

Jennifer Day TV (2011– )

Fun late night TV

[26 July 2016]

Pretty women dance and sing in this fun, light, sexy show full of dance pop and love songs. There should be a channel that shows this 24 hours, and guys should love all this glorious eye candy. My only complaint is all the writing on the screen, but it serves a purpose, telling you where to look if you want more Jennifer stuff, and there's lots more. The show is only on in a few places unfortunately. Singer and actress Jennifer Day is front and center in each episode, usually along with a few other pretty women. Jennifer is sweet and playful, with a strong voice. She's been in some movies, one of which has her acting her heart out from the trunk of a car for the whole film. She also has three CDs out, full of catchy dance floor-ready tunes and some ballads. I set my DVR to this show whenever I can find it, as it's on late at night, right when the bars close. If you love being entertained by talented, beautiful women, Jennifer Day TV is a breath of fresh air.