Marcia Cross Movie:

Bad Influence [Region 2] Reviews:
Call Me Mick
2009-07-30 - Michael (James Spader) is a stock analyst who seems to have it all:a high paying job, a loving fiancee (Marcia Cross) whose father knows all the right people, an expensive and well furnished apartment and respectability. The truth is he's suffocating and longs for something more in his life. Michael is terrified of settling down and hopes to land a higher position at work. In order to do that he has to best a snooty co worker out to undermine him at every turn. Enter Alex (Rob Lowe) a stranger who intervenes on Michael's behalf during a bar fight. Alex is good looking, fearless and in total control of his life. Michael is immediately impressed and the two men start hanging out. Alex does his best to spice up Michael's life by taking him to after hours clubs and mansion parties where the women and drugs are plentiful and free. He even offers to help Michael in other areas of his life : notably his engagement and his job. The only problem is that Alex's methods are extreme. Too extreme for Michael who soon finds himself at risk of losing everything he's ever worked for. Even though the film was made in 1990 it has all the style and seductive energy of an 80's film. Lowe and Spader turn in excellent performances. Lowe in particular is genuinely chilling as the dangerous Alex and Spader is a relatable everyman who gets way more than he bargained for. In a way this film plays like 'Fight Club' eight years before that film came out. When you think about it they have a lot in common: a timid businessman living a restless life looking for someone to come along and show him a more exciting way to live and then meeting a charismatic stranger who slowly makes his life a living hell. I thought so anyway.

'Alex:' One Of The More Evil Characters Of The '90s
2009-07-13 - "Bad Influeince:" Yup, that's a good title for one of the main characters in this movie: "Alex," played by Rob Lowe. His grin alone is pure evil! In fact, Lowe's character is one of the lowest I've encountered in these modern-day thrillers.

This also could be called a modern "noir," because it has a lot of that genre's qualities. It's different from the normal cops-vs.- crooks film.

As bad as "Alex" was, I couldn't root for the other main character, either: "Michael Boll" (James Spader). Spader is one of these actors that seems to play very snotty, unlikeable people. Maybe he's just good at play annoying characters.

An odd character, and one that added to this film, was the guy (Christian Clemenson) who played Spader's older, stoned-out brother "Pismo." What a loser.....but an interesting person.

Overall's it's recommended for crime fans, or people who just plain like evil characters.

Bad Influence DVD movie
2008-08-10 - This is a fine suspense film, delivered prontissimo by a fine seller! Rates triple A++++.

A very dark and dangerous Rob Lowe!
2007-07-24 - Easily Rob Lowe's best on-screen performance as the expert con-man who keeps a veneer of civility over an extremely sadistic and violent nature.
And the always intriguing James Spader, who gives a sublime performance as the unsuspecting victim to Lowe's sociopathic character, that is well worth the watch. Also an appearance by a young Marcia Cross who plays the sheltered and wealthy daddy's girl and is Spader's fiance...at least until Lowe comes onto the scene. This movie moves at a fast paced rhythm, and I higly suggest giving it a try.

Lowe's best film performance...
2007-05-30 - Saw this movie when it was originally released- shortly after the sex tape weirdness of the '88 Democratic convention; it was serenely ironic that at the precipice of career suicide by Lowe, he would in this film provide his best performance. Although recent work in West Wing & Brothers & Sisters has helped him reclaim a bit of appreciation, this character still resonates as a well-played, against type evildoer. A tight script, another high quality performance by Spader and an ecellent soundtrack all add to the guilty pleasure.