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Movie Reviews
'Wonderland'
(Val Kilmer, Josh Lucas, Kate Bosworth / R / 119 mins / Lions Gate Films)

Overview:Val Kilmer plays late adult film icon John Holmes in this biopic, but the plot isn't about porn. The story is about the real-life involvement of Holmes and his teenage girlfriend (Kate Bosworth) in a quadruple homicide on Wonderland Avenue in the Laurel Canyon neighborhood of Los Angeles in 1981. Holmes became hooked on cocaine in the late '70s, forcing him to leave the porn industry and work for Eddie Nash (Eric Bogosian), a drug kingpin. But Holmes' addiction intensified, leading to the botched robbery of Nash's house and a tragic, violent outcome.

Verdict: 'Wonderland' rates fairly high in style, the kinetic and dynamic editing coupled with a damn good soundtrack helps to smooth out some of the rough spots. There also seems to be some impressive performances here, though it's not always easy to tell because director James Cox is always feverishly cutting away to something or other. Unfortunately, director Cox felt that vogueing actors and a juicy murder were the stuff of real drama. They're not. In truth, without Kilmer's epileptic performance, 'Wonderland' would be little more than a particularly unappealing late night freak show!





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