Paparazzi

Plot synopsis:
Bo Laramie (Cole Hauser) is a rising movie star who has finally achieved major success with his latest film.Persistent photographers Rex Harper (Tom Sizemore) Wendell Stokes (Daniel Baldwin), Leonard Clark (Tom Hollander), and Kevin Rosner (Kevin Gage), harass Bo and his family, which includes his wife Abby (Robin Tunney), and their 8-year-old son Zach (Blake Bryan). The day after the big premiere of Bo's new movie, Bo takes Zach to soccer practice, where hes immediately troubled by the sight of Rex, snapping pictures of Zach on the field.Bo initially takes the high road, politely asking Rex to back off. Though Rex pretends to back off, he soon returns and gets punched by Bo, who is then sued for $500,000. Rex then vows to destroy Bo's life. Later, while Bo, Abby, and Zach are out in their car, Rex and his crew drive up beside them, in four different vehicles, and start taking pictures.Distracted, Bo is forced to stop at an intersection, and their car is rammed by a pickup truck. Rex and his crew rush out of their vehicles to snap photos of the wreck that they caused. While Bo is not seriously injured, Abby's spleen is removed and Zach is in a coma.Bo talks to LAPD detective Burton (Dennis Farina). Burton says that Rex, Wendell, Leonard, and Kevin each gave him the same story, that they drove up on the wreck some time after it happened. Burton says that until he gets any witnesses, that's all he has to go on.The next day, Bo accidentally causes Kevin to wipe out on his motorcycle, careening onto a precipice. Bo tries to save Kevin, but Kevin says "You think we were up your ass before? I'm gonna own you now, slick." Bo, flashing back to the wreck, lets Kevin fall to his death.Det. Burton learns that Leonard used to be an attorney until he got himself disbarred for distribution of narcotics. Leonard is still on probation for possession of illegal firearms. When Leonard was an attorney, he had once gotten Rex out of an attempted rape charge. Bo is also not the first actor who ever punched Rex before one of the Baldwin brothers did. After Baldwin punched Rex, Rex sued him, and then moved into a boat on a local marina.Bo next goes after Leonard. After calling 911, Bo describes Leonard's car, and says that the driver is waving a gun all over the place. Leonard is pulled over and finds a gun that he didn't know was in his coat pocket. When Leonard pulls it out, the cops shoot him dead.Rex and Wendell are convinced that Bo will target them next. So, they plant tiny cameras in Bo's house. Abby runs into Wendell who threatens to kill her son if she tells the cops. Soon after that, Deputy Walker (Forry Smith) and Deputy Wilson (Donal Gibson) come by. Burton sent them to provide extra security.Rex is furious that Wendell attacked Abby, because that gives Bo even more reason to go after them. Bo sneaks out past the two deputies and makes his way into Wendell's house. Bo is infuriated upon discovering that there are cameras planted in his house. Wendell arrives home, and Bo confronts him with a baseball bat. In the morning, Bo puts the car back where it was at, and he notices that Burton is on his way to the house. Bo races to the house, and lets Burton in, who shows Bo a video that was taken by a camera in a button of Leonard's shirt on the set of the movie. Burton thinks someone planted the gun in Leonard's coat.Rex arrives at Wendell's house, looks through a window, and sees Wendell's body. Rex goes back to his boat, finding the bloody bat. Rex realizes that Bo is trying to frame him.With police approaching, Rex grabs a gun and ducks out of his boat. At Wendell's house, Burton notices the video feed from the cameras in Bo's house. On the feed, he sees Rex entering the house with the gun. Rex goes to Bo and Abby's bedroom and opens fire, only for Bo to hit Rex and throw him to the floor. He viciously beats Rex, gloating about how he got his revenge.Rex is arrested. As he is led outside, he is relentlessly photographed by paparazzi. Later, as Bo is preparing to finish up the movie he's been filming, he's called to the hospital, where Zach has awakened from his coma. Later, Bo, Abby, and Zach are at the premiere of 'Adrenaline Force 2', the sequel to the movie that made Bo a star. Abby is now pregnant with a girl. After the film is shown, Abby and Zack leave covertly, as Bo goes to meet the press out front, by himself.

Tags: revenge, murder

Review:
In Beverly Hills, the Montana family-man actor Bo Laramie (Cole Hauser) becomes a superstar with the franchise of his action movie "Adrenaline Force".
This is Hollywood's revenge movie against the Paparazzi, those goon photographers obsessed with getting celebrities' pictures at all costs, totally invading their privacy and often using the pictures in a dishonest way to invent gossipy stories for the tabloids.
In this film, the photo guys mess up and the victim - an actor (Cole Hauser) - takes revenge by going after them.
Tom Sizemore nailed the role of a true scumbag.Keep an eye open for Chris Rock, the coolest Pizza Guy you are likely going to see any time soon.If you are looking for an entertaining end of summer movie this certainly might be worth your while to check out..
The film actually lived up to the trailer, which made me want to see it.Cole Hauser carried his role of Bo Laramie well.Tom Sizemore oozed the right amount of SCUMBAG for the role, but that comes as no surprise to me.My only real problem was the rather blatant lobotomy they gave Dennis Farina's character.
The ending is OK, I don't think there will be a Paparazzi 2, but you never know these days :)All in all a good, enjoyable movie you can watch without overpowering your brain..
Working on Forrest Smith's screen play, the director show us how an actor, Bo Laramie is the victim of a group of photographers that follow him and his family from openings galas to daily situations that will be turned into sensational articles for the naive to read.Basically, the film is Bo's revenge on the same people that cause an accident that leaves his young son in a coma and his wife in a critical condition.
While the film doesn't show anything new, it is not as bad as some commentaries make it out to be.Cole Hunter, as the movie star, Bo Laramie, has some good moments.
Tom Sizemore, Daniel Baldwin and Tom Hollander are seen as three of the pest photographers intent in ruining the star's life.There are two cameos by Mel Gibson, the producer of the film, and by Chris Rock, that are a surprise in that they appear out of nowhere..
There's always some story of some actor taking a weaselly photographer to court.Or you could do it the way Bo Laramie does.Laramie (Cole Hauser) is a former Montana carpenter who has, by pure chance, become a star in Hollywood through various xXx-style action movies.
He responds by punching out Harper, only a group of his Paparazzi pals (including Danny-the best Baldwin, the psycho killer from Heat, and some highly annoying English guy you can't wait to see hanging from a tree) catch the whole thing on film and whore out their footage to the highest bidder.Now with a personal vendetta between them a childish game is promptly brought to an end (or only just beginning) when they involve Laramie and his family in a Princess Diana-style car wreck.
But Tom Sizemore (aged "34", according to a TV show in the film) and Daniel "I live in a Sombrero house" Baldwin, renegade "bad seed" employees of 'Paparazzi' magazine have other plans for Bo. They terrorize him in his lovely Malibu home, take incrimininating photos of him and Sierra at the local Wild Oats, and inflict a tacky car chase-by-way-of-Lady Diana accident harming his family.
It's the latest movie produced by Mel Gibson (he has a funny cameo in it), and it's another one of the few conservative, fun, get the bad guys movies that are becoming so rare in the Theaters nowdays.Cole Hauser (one of Bruce Willis' navy seals in Tears of the Sun) plays the main character, a new action hero in Hollywood who finds his family being stalked and harassed by Paparazzi.
You know the movie's got to be good when the headlines refer to it as "A Mean-Spirited Revenge Movie", "Mel Gibson's Insanity" and "A Crude, Violent Tale."Cole Hauser actually makes a pretty good action movie good guy here.
In the real world rarely people get away with a murder especially in California with the powerful police force, so I don't how (Cole Hauser) played as Bo Laramie got away with three.In conclusion I liked the movie and others will too, it wasn't too long or too short and the story was interesting, it kept me to curios about the ending..
Relax and have fun at this film.Cole Hauser plays a great movie star.
Up-and-coming action movie-star, Bo Laramie, is almost killed with wife and child in a traffic accident, as the family was being chased by paparazzi photographers.
I think you dropped something.I guess it's some indicator of how bad PAPARAZZI is, that two days after seeing it, my partner and I were coming out of a MUCH better movie, and it took us nearly an hour to recall having seen this one.
And if you doubt that, check out the poster art in the movie for Bo Laramie's film series, a suspiciously familiar franchise called 'ADRENALINE FORCE'.Cole's Bo is a newly-minted action star just beginning to find his feet in the world of Holly-weird, about to have his life and career turned upside down by those Nikon-eyed nincompoops who can make or break you in La-la land with a few well-placed shutter clicks.
As the nastiness of the paparazzi's attack on their family escalates, there are some faint glimmers of how great some of her scenes with Cole could've been as her character wrestles with doubts about her star hubby's fidelity and truthfulness, but hey, why spoil such a great B-movie plot with crap like "nuance?"To some extent, one of the best character guys working right now, Dennis Farina, just about phones this one in; shocking coming from an actor who can always be dependable in even the biggest stinker this side of GIGLI.
It smacks of something that Mel himself might have written (and who's to say he didn't?), a near-parody of a rage-fueled revenge fantasy about burning down the super-leeches with zoom lenses, whom he feels have made his life a living hell.The whole "Princess Diana crash scene" angle seems to be where the screenwriter started, and it does distinguish the film in a nauseating yet fascinating kind of way, and provides the ample motivation and even justification that 'Bo' needs, when he makes his transformation from peeved action star to Dirty Harry Callahan without the Mag. But is it worth your nine bucks, bottom line?
B-pictures can be made as well as they were back in the old days, and with so many high-gloss blockbusters with low-maintenance plots hidden beneath the veneer, there are bound to be a few good ones here and there you may bump into, (see CELLULAR.)As for PAPARAZZI, if you want to be just as entertained as you would be by actually going to see it, here's my advice: go to your local supermarket and get all the fixin's you need for a great barbecue.
The joke: Cole Hauser as Bo. The greatest performance I've ever seen that came out that same year: Tom Cruise as Vincent in the movie "Collateral." Definitely worst acting, dumbest plot, and cheesiest action scenes I've ever seen..
The film plays it straight: the Hauser character shows no charisma, the bad guys are the lowest of the low, and we know how it will all end.Why make this?.
The guy looks like he's never acted in a movie in his life.
When I saw the preview to this movie I said in disbelief, "That guy is playing the hero?" Many actors where offered the lead for this and Cole Hauser was the only idiot that they could get.
In the therapy scenes his acting was so terrible that I found myself saying, "Is this guy for real?" Another ridiculous thing about this movie that I remember is how the first paparazzi dies and Dennis Farina informs Hauser.
I could understand if Sizemore just said, "I am going to destroy your life." But "eat your soul?" The bottom line is, the movie has a good plot, but it all goes down the drain from a horrible script and horrible acting.
Cole Hauser was pretty darn good, but the best performance hands down goes to Tom Sizemore, as the sleezy lead photographer.
Then they harm his family, and thats where they crossed the line, now its pay back time......All in all Paparazzi is a fun flick, the story is not too bad and the random cameos in the film make it fun.
who have had problems w/paparazzi.I thought the movie was enjoyable, with pretty good acting.
While Mr. Farina sniffs around mysteriously dropping dead photographers, Bryan remains in a coma, director Paul Abascal films "Adrenaline Force 2", and Hauser meets producer Mel Gibson in anger management.
Matthew McConaughey, Chris Rock, and Vince Vaughn are other actors appearing in small roles.*** Paparazzi (9/3/04) Mel Gibson : Paul Abascal ~ Cole Hauser, Robin Tunney, Dennis Farina, Tom Sizemore.
And one look at director Paul Abascal's resume gives us a likely reason--this is his only feature film as helmer so far, although he has close to twenty television credits on his resume, plus an impressive list of titles behind him as a Hollywood hairstylist (which causes me to try to remember the hairstyles in Paparazzi .
BECAUSE PAPARAZZI ARE EVIL CHILD KILLERS, REMEMBER?The movie star (handsome-enough and little else Cole Hauser) is portrayed as a fresh-scrubbed, corn-fed farm-boy who had just made it big and is suddenly, mercilessly hounded by the press.
4) He's super nice to almost everyone, including the coach of his son's soccer team and the young grocery store clerk.This film is basically Hollywood's revenge - everything bad about the paparazzi is magnified (because yes, I agree, they certainly are bad) and everything decent about the film stars is thrown up in our face (he just wants to watch his son's soccer game!
This is on of those films.Paparazzi takes place in sunny California where actor, Bo Laramie (Cole Hauser), has become the hottest ticket in Hollywood.
I think the reason why is that you can tell the people who made this film enjoyed themselves and had fun making it as they poked their pointed sticks at the Paparazzi industry.
That is of course once you stop laughing at Mel Gibson for choosing to have the hair stylist from Judge Dredd, Paul Abascal, direct this film.Some of the terrible things about this movie beyond the acting are the incompetence of the police.
Instead of wasting 90 minutes, just read about the assaults on paparazzi by Sean Penn and Alec Baldwin.Not one creative brain in this movie.So laughable and predictable I was surprised on what a lackluster effort this was.Tom Sizemore played a slimy scumbag which doesn't veer too far off from his real life persona anyways.Lame.
This film, produced by Mel Gibson's Icon Films, is the proof that celebrity photographers are the spawn of Satan.Rising star of action pictures Bo Laramie (Hauser) begins to realize that living life in the fast lane isn't what it's all cracked up to be after the glitzy Hollywood premiere of his first name above the title franchise-to-be 'Adrenaline Force' when he is accosted at his young son's soccer match by vile photog Rex Harper (Sizemore at his slimiest) a slick, gusto chasing jerk who provokes Bo to hit him  getting the knockdown on video and Bo promptly into anger management.Laramie attempts to remain cool but when push comes to shove  or rather when Harper and three of his low-life cronies roust the Laramie brood by boxing their car in with their vehicles leads to a nasty spill on the road (again echoes of Lady Di) that lands Bo's clan into the hospital (his boy is in a coma and wife Tunney has her spleen removed; venting spleen - get it?) Cue Bo seeing red and all bets are off.Despite his attempt to get the law on his side with world weary Farina as a police detective a la Columbo (he's seen it all and hates the paparazzi as well) assigned to the case Laramie inadvertently takes the law into his own hands when one of the vile camera-clickers accidentally gets killed in his vicinity.
This leads to Bo to go all action star on the remaining trio with guilty pleasure brio.Hauser, who looks uncannily like Paul Newman circa 1961, does the best he can with the material at hand giving a rather likable turn as a family man who simply wants to enjoy his new found fame without the horrors he's faced with (seemingly) unable to stop from coming.
Farina, always a pleasure to watch on screen, has some fun as well but sadly the sweet Tunney is reduced to the suffering spouse.Novice screenwriter Forrest Smith gleefully adds to the tackiness of the timely storyline with nifty full-proof ways of getting revenge that seem to be exec producer Gibson's wet dream (he has a funny cameo as do a few of his Hollywood buds) while director Abascal a former show biz hair stylist also acquits himself as best he can with the proceedings of vengeance is a dish best served cold.
Paparazzi is one of those ones that probably sounded pretty silly on paper, but one of the studio execs had a good sense of humour on a morning after getting laid and said "aw hell, green light this just for kicks." It doesn't hurt to have Mel Gibson as a producer either, who also makes the teensiest cameo.
The concept is simple: action film star Bo Laramie (Cole Hauser) is harassed by a sleazy hyena pack of determined celebrity photographers, until they take it one step too far, resulting in tragedy.
The same can be said of the newer Cole Hauser, who gives it his all in "Papparazzi".Big-time movie star Bo Laramie (Hauser) is being stalked by Rex Harper (Sizemore) and his group of reporters (Kevin Gage, Tom Hollander, and Daniel Baldwin), which eventually leads to a breathtaking accident that injures his wife (Robin Tunney) and son.
Entertanig crime-thriller with important message,and feels like actually also for those are in the title,this will makes them think how to work in the future.There is a cop in the story,who is very smart,but some of the users do not understand all of the twists,and we actually have some mild twists.This film works as dark comedy,but decent for that in all terms,good acting,script,and short roles for famous actors.All of us waited this movie,maybe is not all of us will tells the truth honestly,but this film was a good lesson as warning for those does not respect you all the time,in any way it would be important to others.7/10-has interesting elements,and message..
The film shows nasty paparazzi hounding an upright, decent family man (Cole Hauser) who's just become a major movie star.
Bo Laramie (Cole Hauser) is a new rising action movie-star in Hollywood.
This film about sleazy paparazzi and Hollywood actor fighting back is certainly an fascinating curio movie.
The movie was much better than I could have hoped for.While expecting a bit more from reading the plot 'complex revenge' it was just a simple kill the guys who almost killed me and my family.The acting was good, Farina is a good detective, nice and not too annoying, though he comes off with an underlying no nonsense if hes pushed.Looking at Hauser's credits he was in one on my favourite's Good Will Hunting.
Hes good here, playing a movie star with some real nasty paparazzi after him, including 2 who worked as lawyers and cops.People may go to these lengths for disgraceful photos, thats because they can go for thousands of dollars.You have to expect the victims to retaliate at some point, though maybe he went too far..
It's sad that there are still bad movies like this one with so many good actors.
I think Cole Hauser has the style and moves to be the next big secret agent.Not James Bond since you have to be British.Plus, I am so glad to see that someone (Mel Gibson) is following in Hitchcock's tradition.I hope to see Mel in every film he directs.I loved it!!!!!!!!!!!And as for as any Paparazzi or the general public-- DO NOT have the right to invade ANYONE's privacy, famous or not.Paparazzi or peeping Toms, in my opinion, is NOT a professional like everyone wants you to believe..
However, I have no doubt that many film stars encounter people like this.Probably the thing that brought the movie down a bit for me was utilizing Cole Hauser as a leading man.
These psychos would have deserved it.I think Cole Hauser is a good actor, for what he is, but he's probably best in a character or secondary role.Not a bad movie, although a little disjointed.
While some people may not like that aspect of the movie, I thought it was refreshing and made me find the film much more interesting than the run-of-the-mill Hollywood formula.
The paparazzi in this film are portrayed as monsters that do really bad things which is why Daniel Baldwin and Tom Sizemore both fit the role perfectly.
The basis of the story is a good one however it all gets a little far fetched with the Columbo like character of Tom Sizemore and loses credibility with the average "over-acting" of the paparazzi characters.
Also in the back of my mind were the real life battles stars like producer here, Mel Gibson have had with paparazzi intrusions into their privacy.
The revenge plot begins, and the action takes off.The film looks great, it has an independent feel, with just the right amount of Hollywood to make it not seem like a USA movie of the week.
I've never liked the way action movies so often end with the hero killing the villain, but I know that's just the way Hollywood works.