Las Vegas Sun

June 19, 2013

Currently: 83° | Complete forecast | Log in

Modus Operandi

Image

Danny Trejo in Modus Operandi.

Washed out CIA hitman Stanley Cashay (Russell) is recruited back into the agency to retrieve two briefcases belonging to a presidential candidate. What happens after that is anybody’s guess.

CineVegas 2009

Modus Operandi
One and a half stars
Randy Russell, Danny Trejo, Mark Borchardt.
Directed by Frankie Latina.
IMDb: Modus Operandi
More CineVegas
Complete coverage of CineVegas 2009
Film reviews

Modus Operandi is a mash-up of crime, espionage and spy-thriller movies. It’s full of chases, double-crosses and exploding heads. Most of the sequences begin with guys drinking alcohol and enjoying the company of naked women. As the title suggests, it exists mostly as a way to see how many different ways there are to kill a person.

The madman behind all of it is writer, director, editor, cinematographer and actor Frankie Latina. He’s enthusiastic and full of ideas, and isn’t afraid to put anything on screen. He also doesn’t appear to be concerned with things like continuity, style, pacing or storytelling. Scenes shift from black-and-white to color with no rhyme or reason, interrupted by random shots of nudity and feedback from the overbearing soundtrack. If you ever wondered what a James Bond film directed by Ed Wood would look like, here is your answer.

Behind the Lens: Modus Operandi

Behind the Lens: Modus Operandi

Viewing video requires the latest version of Adobe's Flash Player

Mark Borchardt, from the documentary American Movie, and Michael Sottile, both of whom appear as actors in Modus Operandi, which screened at CineVegas, talk about their latest film.

Post a comment

Commenting requires registration.

Comments are moderated by Las Vegas Sun editors. Our goal is not to limit the discussion, but rather to elevate it. Comments should be relevant and contain no abusive language. Comments that are off-topic, vulgar, profane or include personal attacks will be removed. Full comments policy.

If you would like to submit your comment as a letter to the editor, you may submit it here.

Most Popular