MovieChat Forums > Hard Luck (2006) Discussion > My Sneak Peak of HARD LUCK by 'Eugene' (...

My Sneak Peak of HARD LUCK by 'Eugene' (I'm in the film)

posted 18 years ago by messierfilms
10 replies | jump to latest

{Hard Luck is a straight to video movie, in which I play EUGENE, aka Cybill Shepherds retarded son. Mario Van Peebles directs and stars the movie which also stars Wesley Snipes and Luis Guzman. The movie will be released on Tuesday, October 17th}

10/12/06 11:30 am
So, I'm in a remote New England state...far away from Hollywood, New York or even my home of Providence, RI.

I was lucky to meet some nice guys at the local video store who allowed me to come in before business hours with my trusty portable DVD player and skim through HARD LUCK , looking for my scenes.

So the experience was "pretty cool".
Admittingly seeing myself on a 8 1/2 inch monitor wasn't quite what I was hoping for in my "big screen" debut; but just being able to go to a video store and seeing myself in a "real movie" is a big deal for me.

The guys at the video store liked the movie mainly because it's "got some nice titties".... but they also seemed to aprecciate my tittiless contributions.

By the way, the video guys are right, there are some gorgeous women in HARD LUCK, especially "Jackie" who plays opposite of Wesley Snipes.

OK, here's some some self indulgant "very actory" thoughts... I loved the fact that all three of the scenes I shot are actually in the movie and so I share screen time with Cybill, Mario and Wesley.
However, being the self loathing bastard that I am, watching the final product I can put myself back to when we shot those scenes and tell myself what I could have done better. Little subtle things, but little nuances make a difference.

(There is also a scene in a "Job Lot" type store where two actresses from Rhode Island, Jennifer Hayes and Darya Zabinski are both on screen. I've worked with both of these actresses, and so I got a kick out of seeing them in the movie too.)

I didn't get to watch the whole movie, as I was pushing "my luck" with the video store guys, who had a business to run,as it was. But what I did see , I liked ... and I'm really looking forward to seeing the whole film.

I did watch the majority of the DVD bonus "Behind the Scenes of HARD LUCK with Mario Van Peebles" and this section really re-inforces my respect for Van Peebles as a director and a person. Mario is a class act and in my opinion he is perhaps a little underrated as an actor and filmmaker. ( My favorite Mario acting is in an obscure movie called STAG from 1997 which also has Andrew McCarthy and Kevin Dillon.)

Anyway, watching the Behind the Scenes made me really wish HARD LUCK had a theatrical release; although I have a feeling it will end up on HBO or Showtime sooner than later.

I'll be pulling for Mario in his next project, whatever that might be... and I hope HARD LUCK does well in the sales and rental departments.

thanks for indulging me in my HARD LUCK thoughts...

Mike Messier
"EUGENE aka Cybill Shepherd's Retarded Son"
mikemessier.com

[–] Kitale 18 years ago

Hahahaha.
I thought you only had 2 mins. of screen time Eugene, but there was a nice surprise later!
It's really a good movie. Mixed genres that worked out pretty good.
Should have been released in the theatre.

"Jesus died for somebody's sins, but not mine." Patti Smith - Gloria.

[–] messierfilms 18 years ago

thanks Kitale...

yes, I pull the "it's not quite over" stint

glad you enjoyed the movie HARD LUCK, and I thought it should have been in theatres too...
maybe there will be a sequel? you never know...

thanks for watching, maybe it will get on cable
MIKE

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] iipigbear 17 years ago

Hey, ya, damn this is a straight to dvd movie? Allright, I didin't love it but to put it out only on DVD.. that's just wrong.

[–] ajy1 17 years ago

Good job, Mike! It was a pretty convincing performance and I loved your final showdown sequence. Fun film, if quite strange.

[–] messierfilms 17 years ago

thanks for your support... i'd love to work for Mario Van Peebles again... cool guy, Mike mikemessier.com

[–] hudsmack 13 years ago

This movie is a mess. You are surprised it didn't go to theaters?! Are you crazy?! The cinematography, editing, and sound are all extremely low rent. This can be over come by an excellent story and performances (a la El mariachi), but this movie had neither. It was a wreck from start to finish. "You went full retard, man. Never go full retard."

[–] skullgame 14 years ago

Just finished watching the film. The end "surprise" cracked me up too, especially with the "Bros take care of bros" way of justifying letting Snipes off the hook. I had totally forgotten that Eugene may be lurking around still, & loved the fact that "Cybill Shepherd's Retarded Son" got one last fun scene to top off a ridiculously silly ensemble film. It may have had it's plot gaps, but I definitely had fun watching it.

[–] iggytoole 14 years ago

I just finished watching the (most likely) heavily edited version on cable. I didn't expect to like it but I did.

I like the scene you did with Mario that had some MMA to it! You busted through that wall like an animal!