Wizard-8 In 1989 to 1990, Lawrence Hiton-Jacobs starred in three movies as detective Jon Chance: CHANCE, L.A. VICE, and L.A. HEAT. All three of these movies were also early efforts by the studio PM Entertainment. If you've seen any of the other Jon Chance movies - or any PM Entertainment movies made during this same period - I think you'll have a good idea what to expect with this movie. The production values are unbelievably low - it looks like they shot on videotape and transferred it to film. A lot of dialogue was obviously looped in post-production. The script and direction are awful; scenes end abruptly before the viewers get all the information they need, the dream sequences are goofy in nature, and for the longest time the story comes to a complete halt and the characters do nothing important at all. There is an occasional chuckle from the utter lameness, but for the most part the movie is painful to watch. If you do decide to watch the movie, beware of the DVD - the DVD manufacturer used a TV print of the movie, which not only results with all the foul language being bleeped out, but with some video glitches. Obviously, quality control was not a high priority for the DVD manufacturer, though seeing the movie one can understand why.

Corky1984 Wow! Where to start with this baby! I can honestly say that this is the lowest quality film I have EVER seen. It's so hideously cheap and blatantly filmed the day before it's due in. Time after time we hear the director saying 'cut' or even making the odd disparaging remark! Of course, the acting in a film of this type is truly atrocious. There's more acting talent on display in the intestines of a camel than in this 'movie'. Yet despite all this, I love LA Heat. It's incredibly funny to spot the constant goofs and revel in the dire performances. The basic plot, if there is one, concerns a cop who loses his partner (new story eh!) and then goes on the rampage (sort of) to get the killer. Along the way we meet various pathetic losers, none of whom have any screen presence. What I love most about this film is that when people get shot, they stand there waiting for ages to receive their date with death. It's ridiculous. In one scene a man is shot, but the guy next to him just keeps on playing pinball, compliantly waiting to be killed as well! The music is also sub-par and oozes cheese. Fans of Shotgun may well like this one. It's even lower quality and isn't as funny, but it's still worth a go. I got my copy for 75 pence! Go get yours and let the laughter commence.

yousrekh Ill keep this short; writing about stuff like this really makes me realise to what extent the English language is limited.From concept to post-production, this film is flawless. The direction and, specifically, the editing of the piece show years of creative experience in the field. Laurence Hilton-Jacobs returns to the screen with a proto-naturalistic approach to the portrayal of a broken man living in a world which does not appreciate him. The beauty of this is that it seems to reflect the life of Merhi so far. His unique style when directing his works has not always been accepted by an audience of which the majority are used to much more mainstream, commercial films.The overall 'feel' of the film is of perfection and finesse. It maintains this finish while keeping its art-house status and evading the glossy overcoat which is becoming more and more popularly associated with the industry in America. Over the years I've familiarised myself with the abstract writing style of Kanganis, and it has become a little habit of mine to expect these little surprises that he has for us with each release. The reflection mentioned above seems to have come about naturally; the troubled mind of Merhi and artistic aptitude of Kanganis come together to bring the film together with a fine-tuned taste, but not pretentiousness, and to end it with such a gritty climax as it does.Merhi is an overwrought genius whose presentation, when grouped with the textual gold of Kanganis' script and the on screen presence of Hilton-Jacobs of such charm and without antecedence is, frankly, magical.

dave1x Whenever Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs plays the character "Jon Chance" It's a helluva good show. I've seen several of these movies on late night TV and they're really good. I'm gonna try to get his works on dvd or video tape soon.