MovieChat Forums > Wrong Turn at Tahoe (2009) Discussion > @Mr. Nickerson

@Mr. Nickerson

posted 14 years ago by dragons2607
17 replies | jump to latest

I don't really care what people say. I thought the film was great, especially for a straight-to-DVD.

It's clear that your original idea of the script, characters, and plot may have been lost in translation when it comes to the studio and director. I have friends who work in your industry, and my only suggestion is to perhaps, next time, get some things in writing. It's one thing when a well known, well respected actor ad libs a line that isn't going to derail from the movie - but fact is we didn't have much opportunity for in depth character development. Just when it starts to get good (as in, watching Cuba act again) - inevitably, it falls back into some action packed scenario or completely switches from what was initially going on, and we lose that level of interest that was previously building.

I think you have a lot of skill - and I'm very interested to follow your work as you continue in your career.

Good luck - and this was most certainly a good start.

[–] eddienick96 14 years ago

Thank you, dragons2607. As a new writer with no representation, I was just thrilled to get the script produced. It would be nice, however, to get to that place where my vision from the page to the screen remains intact. As it stands, I'm a solid 80% happy with 'Wrong Turn at Tahoe'.

Best,

Eddie

[–] Lucas_Stroud 14 years ago

Strange, as someone who just watched the movie I was about 80% happy with it. Honestly though, this was the best thing I rented all year. In fact, I think I will get a copy. Oh and the scorpion/toad story barely bothered me. What did bother me, and you can clear this up once and for all since it is your story, is whether or not Mickey really slept with Vincent's wife.

[–] eddienick96 14 years ago

Hello, Lucas.

In the original script, I had written a flashback showing the moment Vincent discovered that Marisa was cheating with Mickey. The director wanted to have Vincent as more of a loose cannon, losing it under the pressures of his position in life. So, he cut the flashback, leaving the audience to wonder. This was one of several changes that really bothered me.

You have good instincts.

Best,

Eddie

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] eddienick96 14 years ago

Thanks for adding the DVD to your collection. Private message me your e-mail address, and I'll send you the original script.

Best,

Eddie

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] davenjohnson 14 years ago

I agree, it was pretty good. At least it is not just another lame remake. Rather than being a cops and robbers movie like Heat, it's a robbers and robbers story. Some people missed the relationship between Vincent and Joshua for the real story line. If you watch the making of feature, you may realize with all of the shooting, no one is shot the same way, which to me says the director paid more attention to detail than many other big budget movies. The way Hollywood is now, a direct to DVD does not mean the movie is bad, but is saving cutting promotion out of the budget. Word of mouth can be more cost effective than spending millions on lavish trailers, standees, and printing millions of posters. I have quite a few DVD movies I purchased, watched once, wondering why I wasted my time. This is one I will go back and watch again. If you only knew how many times I have watch Blade Runner. If anyone says the script is bad, then write something better.

[–] eddienick96 14 years ago

Good, bad, better... It's all subjective. A writer will never please everyone. If you can maintain a majority vote, you're doing pretty well.

Just the fact that you said you'd watch it again, speaks volumes.

Thanks,

Eddie

[–] daver255 14 years ago

I just watched it. It was riveting. I am fond of all the known actors in the film and I thought the writing was very very good. I look forward to more of your work Mr. Nickerson.

[–] eddienick96 14 years ago

Thanks for checking it out, DAVER255. I appreciate the kind words.

Best,

Eddie Nickerson

[–] raragona 14 years ago

Sorry if I missed it, but how was Vincent so successful in his business with only a couple of guys (one being fairly new) working for him? I assume you didn't want to over-complicate things with a whole squad of random guys helping Vincent and Joshua storm the mansion at the end of the movie.

Other than that small question, my wife and i both thought it was a very good film

[–] eddienick96 14 years ago

I always felt Vincent had trust issues, and preferred to rely on one solid collector and his own tenacity and financial status to get things done. That's why I added Vincent's 'Quality over quantity' line when Nino refers to Joshua as a real pitbull who could teach his guys a few things... (And, I just really dug the idea of the two of them storming a mansion full of armed goons.)

Thanks for checking it out.

Best,

Eddie

[–] Jonny_B_Lately 11 years ago

Eddie:

Yes, very true. And that's a good thing in my opinion. If we all liked the same things we'd have a lot less writers, directors, and movies in general to view and enjoy.

I like your style and I think this was an excellent movie. I put this film right there with "Illegal," "Sniper," "The Big Combo," and "Woman on the Run."

Watta ya lookn here for?

[–] eddienick96 11 years ago

Yeah, I always give the disclaimer of "Hey, it's not for everyone". Hell, my wife didn't like it. Her exact words were, "You know I'm proud of you, but I don't ever want to watch that again." - True story.

[–] ahhauptman-1 9 years ago

One way I know something will appeal to guys is if my wife doesn't like it!

By the way, I write this as I'm watching the movie on TV (Bounce TV) as I write this (during commercials). I thought the bit about "foreshadow" at the Scrabble game among Nino's bodyguards was very clever - a mark of excellent writing in my opinion. I was just about to write that I also appreciated that you didn't have Vincent and Joshua do the dumb things that often frustrate me watching these types of films, for example, not giving a guy you shot a few extra bullets to make certain they're dead so they don't get up and shoot you later. But then you have Joshua getting into a fistfight with Nino's bodyguards instead of just shooting them. Irealize the scene is a good anf realistic fight scene but it was neither smart nor necessay from a logical standpoint. Nevertheless, this film was one of the better crime/gangster films.

I'm a very big film fan and used to work in the industry.

[–] eddienick96 9 years ago

Thanks for the note and the compliment. Unfortunately, I cannot claim responsibility for the Scrabble game. That was the director's choice. Originally, they were playing poker. However, I agree with you on the fight. In the script, Joshua lost his ammo magazine while trying to reload and had to fight his way to recover it.

Best regards,

Eddie Nickerson

[–] activista 8 years ago

WRONG TURN AT TAHOE is being shown on the MOVIES channel for anyone who wants to see it---they might rerun it again soon. Nice to see some discussion of the script by the writer---that's really cool. I love film noir flicks, so I'll check it out when I get a chance.