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Movies / Upcoming / Dark Streets
Dark Streets

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Dark Streets (2008)

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Reviews Counted:34

Fresh:5

Rotten:29

Average Rating:3.8/10

Consensus: Dark Streets is a film noir musical that's too gimmicky for its own good.

Runtime: 84 mins

Genre: Musical & Performing Arts

US Box Office: $0

Synopsis: An atmospheric film noir musical fantasy, Dark Streets tells the story of Chaz Davenport (Gabriel Mann), a dashing bachelor who owns what promises to become the hottest new nightclub in town—if... An atmospheric film noir musical fantasy, Dark Streets tells the story of Chaz Davenport (Gabriel Mann), a dashing bachelor who owns what promises to become the hottest new nightclub in town—if only the lights would stay on. Surrounded by the sumptuous blues music he adores, and with his pick of the gorgeous women who perform their sensual dance numbers onstage every night, Chaz is the envy of every man.

But with the city thrown into darkness by frequent blackouts and a menacing loan shark closing in, Chaz is in danger of losing the club—and far more. At the same time, he finds himself embroiled in a love triangle with the club’s alluring star singer, Crystal (Bijou Phillips), and a new arrival at the club—the mysterious and seductive chanteuse Madelaine (Izabella Miko).

When people close to Chaz begin turning up dead, he doesn’t know where to turn or whom to trust. And the harder he tries to uncover the truth, the further he’s drawn into the darkness of lies and betrayal—a darkness as black as the city’s streets during yet another power outage. Welcome to the Blues.

Directed by Rachel Samuels (The Suicide Club) from a screenplay by Wallace King, the film stars Gabriel Mann (The Bourne Supremacy), Bijou Phillips (Choke), Izabella Miko (Coyote Ugly), Elias Koteas (The Thin Red Line), Michael Fairman (Thirteen Days) and Toledo (Don’s Plum). The film is produced by Andrea Balen, Claus Clausen, Corina Danckwerts and Glenn M. Stewart; and executive produced 2 by Steffen Aumueller. The film’s rich blues score is composed by George Acogny (Blood Diamond), featuring BB King.

Dark Streets features 12 original songs written by James Compton, Tim Brown Tony DeMeur and Bijou Phillips. The film’s stylish and sultry dance numbers are choreographed by Keith Young (Rent) and performed by sensational underground performer Toledo and a stage full of L.A.’s most talented dancers. The Dark Streets soundtrack will be released by Atlantic Records in November 2008. [More]

Starring: Gabriel Mann, Bijou Phillips, Izabella Miko, Elias Koteas

Starring: Gabriel Mann, Bijou Phillips, Izabella Miko, Elias Koteas

Director: Rachel Samuels

Director: Rachel Samuels
Screenwriter: Wallace King
Producer: Glenn M. Stewart, Claus Clausen, Andrea Balen, Corina Dankwerts, Steffen Aumuller
Composer: George Acogny
Studio: Samuel Goldwyn Films

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Reviews for Dark Streets

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1 - 20 (sorted by rotten rating; Australian critics are listed first)
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Looks great and sound great, but it doesn't have enough heart and soul and, ultimately, seems too artsy-fartsy while leaving feeling cold.

Full Review Source: NYC Movie Guru | comment Comment
01/31/09
Avi Offer
Avi Offer
NYC Movie Guru

This misbegotten musical noir homage could have been written for Garrison Keillor’s Guy Noir sketch, and it mistakes shooting out of focus for stylishness.

Full Review Source: Time Out New York | comment Comment
12/10/08
Ben Kenigsberg
Ben Kenigsberg
Time Out New York

It's like a high school play version of noir with musical numbers written by the drama teacher. In the end, these streets aren't nearly dark enough.

Full Review Source: Movie Retriever | comment Comment
12/12/08
Brian Tallerico
Brian Tallerico
Movie Retriever

Dark Streets lost me early, real early, like still-adjusting-my-eyes-in-a-dark-theater early: Welcome to the blues, growls the entertainer with the mohawk and the full-length ringmaster gown.

Full Review Source: Chicago Tribune | comment Comment
12/12/08
Christopher Borrelli
Christopher Borrelli
Chicago Tribune

The flimsy plot -- less a whodunit than an isn't-it-screamingly-obvious-that-that-guy-done-it! -- will have thriller fans singing the blues.

Full Review Source: Entertainment Weekly | comment Comment
12/10/08
Clark Collis
Clark Collis
Entertainment Weekly

There's nothing worse than a soft-boiled noir. Dashiell Hammett this is not.

Full Review Source: ColeSmithey.com | comment Comment
12/30/08
Cole Smithey
Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com

Time for a moratorium on film noir attempts.

Full Review Source: Film Journal International | comment Comment
12/12/08
David Noh
David Noh
Film Journal International

An unwieldy combination of film noir and film musical, Dark Streets doesn't manage to be effective on either level.

Full Review Source: Hollywood Reporter | comment Comment
12/22/08
Frank Scheck
Frank Scheck
Hollywood Reporter

Less unusual than simply nutty...while it's kind of intriguing, it comes nowhere near to being satisfying.

Full Review Source: One Guy's Opinion | comment Comment
12/10/08
Frank Swietek
Frank Swietek
One Guy's Opinion

A film noir musical fantasy that falls flat due to a weak screenplay.

Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice | comment Comment
12/16/08
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Spirituality and Practice

So leaden and obvious it doesn't even work as camp.

Full Review Source: Metromix.com | comment Comment
12/11/08
Geoff Berkshire
Geoff Berkshire
Metromix.com

This charmless fantasy tries to recapture the mix of hot jazz and cold cynicism that lit up Chicago, adding a dash of punk for good measure

Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
12/11/08
J. R. Jones
J. R. Jones
Chicago Reader

According to its press kit, this is 'an atmospheric film noir musical fantasy,' 'a noir fever dream' and a 'blues-infused noir mystery.' If you suspect those are code words for 'pointless hooey,' you're right.

Full Review Source: Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN) | comment Comment
12/12/08
John Beifuss
John Beifuss
Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)

The roster of R&B artists heard on the soundtrack is impressive; the movie is not.

Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine | comment Comment
12/15/08
John P. McCarthy
John P. McCarthy
Boxoffice Magazine

A collection of 1950s B-movie mannerisms that would have made for a great parody if only it were capable of laughing at its own hard-boiled absurdity.

Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | comment Comment
12/12/08
Josh Rosenblatt
Josh Rosenblatt
Austin Chronicle

I love musicals, but I'd be hard-pressed to recommend this curiosity.

Full Review Source: New York Post | comment Comment
12/12/08
Lou Lumenick
Lou Lumenick
New York Post

The script is just all kinds of terrible.

Full Review Source: Oregonian | comment Comment
12/12/08
M.E. Russell
M.E. Russell
Oregonian

The cast of lightweights come off as kids playing dress-up in their parents' old clothes.

Full Review Source: TheMovieReport.com | comment Comment
12/30/08
Michael Dequina
Michael Dequina
TheMovieReport.com

A flimsy blues-oriented Moulin Rouge with a touch of Chinatown-style public corruption thrown in.

Full Review Source: Times-Picayune | comment Comment
10/09/09
Mike Scott
Mike Scott
Times-Picayune

Dark Streets has atmosphere coming out its ears, but not much going on between them.

comment Comment
12/12/08
Nathan Lee
Nathan Lee
New York Times
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