From the early to mid-90s, PM Entertainment was my favorite exploitation, DTV company. They delivered competent productions that delivered some of the best slam bang action of the time period. Forget the computer enhanced stunts in TRUE LIES or ERASER...PM is where it was at. This crime flick marks the third directorial effort by actor C. Thomas Howell (his second for PM Entertainment after the detective film THE BIG FALL) and is a perfect example of the "everything must be like Tarantino" era in Hollywood in the wake of PULP FICTION. Howell stars as Johnie Dean, an ex-con now working as a short order cook. When a bag of diamonds fall into his lap, Johnie and his waitress girlfriend become targets of several gangs looking to steal the diamonds. Yes, it is TRUE ROMANCE with diamonds instead of cocaine.
Howell and company seem to be having a good time with this production. It never takes itself too seriously (how could anyone take Howell seriously with that mustache?) and features an amazing final chase scene coordinated by Spiros Razatos. Seriously, this car chase is one of the scariest things I have ever seen featuring real cars screeching, exploding and flipping right in front of each other. I am still trying to figure how they got permits to film this stuff on LA's streets and highways. John Landis would be proud. Howell also populates his cast with some familiar faces including Leon (dressed exactly like Samuel L. Jackson in PULP FICTION), Michael Russo, Macrus Chong, Irwin Keyes and Carrot Top!
