Diamonds and Guns
This DVD is
regionless and will play worldwide in Dolby and Stereo
Bonus Features:
Commentary by Renee O'Connor, Helena Beaven and Dawn Higginbotham
Behind-the-Scene Music Video
Bonus Features:
Commentary by Renee O'Connor, Helena Beaven and Dawn Higginbotham
Behind-the-Scene Music Video
US customers can order ONLY through amazon.com
International customers can pay with a credit card using paypal's send money feature.
Send money to the Diamonds and Guns account at renee@diamondsandguns.info
Subject: Diamonds and Guns DVD
Include your full name and shipping address.
International Totals with Shipping
Canada -- $21.65 PER DVD
All other countries -- $24.72 PER DVD
You can also order via mail. Send money order, in U.S. Funds, made out to:
Diamonds and Guns LLC
1601 N. Sepulveda Blvd. #612
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Click image to see QT sample of Music Video
(wmv version)
Diamonds and Guns - A Review
by MaryD
What a fun movie! I can honestly say that if you don't laugh just once in this movie, your sense of humour has gone on a holiday. Slapstick comedies don't float my boat but this is such a good movie and the slapstick is so well done. Sometimes the humour in this movie is so understated and other times it just hits you over the head. I think it needs more than one viewing to catch all the jokes.
Renee's timing is PERFECT. She can do comedy so well and she shows her versatility in this movie. I don't know much about production values in movies but I do know when I've had a rollicking good time watching one. This is one of those times. I would happily watch this movie again.
The Cast
Renee O'Connor is Ashley
Helena Beaven is Bria
Jed Sura is Frances
Jonathan Fraser is Johnny B
Ray O'Connor is Mr. Gretano
E. Sean Griffin is Desk Clerk
Cynthia Szigeti is Mrs. Antignatti
Julian Moses is Connie
Ted Raimi is The Landlord
About The Movie:
In this romantic comedy, set in Las Vegas, "Diamonds & Guns" follows best friends Ashley(Renee O'Connor) and Bria as they set off to change their luck. From the Sunset Strip to the Vegas Strip, they cannot seem to escape their troubles. In a comedy of errors, they find themselves wrapped up with the mob, chased by a hitman, and falling in love with the least likeliest guys. What happens in Vegas...just may alter their fortunes forever. Who will make it out alive? Who will end up with who? Place your bets... "Diamonds & Guns"
(Internet Movie Database)
Some highlights:
• Ashley (Renee) dancing and singing while wearing Mickey mouse ears...very off key and just so cute!
• Ashley in the pink outfit...
• Ted Raimi in a cameo as the land lord...who signs his name as Land Lord! LOL!
• The porter taking their "luggage" to the honeymoon suite was hysterical. The scene is so understated and you nearly miss the point until you realise they don't have luggage and it's just two sweaters on the luggage cart!
• You CAN get sick eating tofu and beans...
• Dramamine does NOT cure food poisoning! LOL!
• There are 18 holes on a golf course...heh. Slapstick at it's best....
• I don't find bodily functions jokes all that amusing but I couldn't help but laugh - it's Renee and you just don't expect it which only makes the scene all the more funny.
• Ashley "playing" with the biday...
• Watch for the Ashley Doll...heh
• Kitchen performance art...
• Elvis the Celebrant...love the jumpsuit!
• Kittens Kittens Kittens - MEOW!
Hmm moments...
• A warning for the kiddies - One scene does have some parts of a porn movie playing while Ashley (Renee) is watching. Nothing too iffy but it is rather jarring (although it's a tad funny watching Renee watching the porn movie).
I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. If you want a good laugh, this is going to be a movie that will do that. You can't go wrong, Nurse Frankie says so! <g>
Congratulations to Renee and the rest of the team behind this movie. It was well worth the wait.
I really enjoyed this movie. Your comedic talent is extraordinary. The whole cast was great. Everybody seemed to fit their role perfectly. It was well written and well cast.
The chase sequence was hilarious. You lined up with the dolls in the gift shop cracked me up! What was written on that sign that you had on? That was my favorite. I also enjoyed the bidet humor and you watching the porn. I enjoyed any scene that had Marvin in it. Andrew Pinon is a cutie. He and the guy that played Robert the desk clerk (sorry, I can't remember his name) were very good with their facial expressions. Ted was perfect as the sleazy "lanlord" :) Hell! All of you were just great! :)
Thanks for the chance to get this limited edition. I will be ordering more for Christmas gifts after my credit card recovers from Chicago. Thanks for the bow to the Xena fans in the credits. You are such a kind and generous person! See you in Chicago! Have a safe trip.
Best regards,
Claudia Stamey
“Diamonds & Guns” is delightful! So fun and funny to watch, and very well acted. My favorite character is JonnyB and Jonathan Fraser is brilliant in the role. I found myself smiling the moment he came on screen because I knew he was about to deliver a line that was going to be priceless. Next had to be poor Robert, the front desk guy, played by E. Sean Griffin. His look of beat down misery at all times was also priceless. You just felt sorry for him every time he was on screen.
Renee is hysterical in this movie. She is one of the best comedic actors I know. Her pratfall, slapstick timing is brilliant. In the commentary they talk about making a drinking game out of Renee’s character, Ashley, being sick. Good God, Renee is so convincing, if you could eat or drink while watching her throw up, more power to you.
Also hilarious – is the interaction between Renee’s Ashley and Ted Raimi's landlord character. Ashley’s, “you’re a total moron” look projected towards Raimi’s landlord is laugh out loud funny. The moment Renee opens the door and sees Ted standing there, her face transforms into “oh my God, yuck” mode -- I had to rewind and watch it again after I stopped laughing. I don’t think I ever truly appreciated these two actors together, but they are wonderful. I would love to see them work together more.
The feel of this film really amazed me. I was very eager to see it when I found out it was shot in digital video (DV). Working in television you are taught early the differences in using film vs. video, and what those differences will achieve in what you’re trying to create. I am truly impressed with the look and feel of the DV. It looks like film. I was honestly surprised. Also liked the editing of “Diamonds & Guns”. The split screen transitions really help add speed and the reaction cuts are done very well. You don’t ever feel bogged down during some of the longer dialog scenes. I can see where the speed in which this film had to be shot was an issue, but the editing truly overcame it.
I have always felt it was an honor to be able to help Renee make this film by purchasing her items, but now that I’ve seen it, I am truly proud to have had a small part in helping her finish it. Great movie, Renee!
Sincerely,
Christa Morris
Hi Renee,
I received my copy of Diamonds and Guns and wanted to let you know I loved it. I laughed my butt off in quite a few places. It was great seeing you in a comedic role, outside of Xena. The other cast members were really good. I recognized a couple of them too - Johnny and the dad, I know I've seen before. I loved Joe's music! It was spot on! Watching the music video I recognized the DP, thanks to the Xena commentaries. I yelled out to my roommate "He's from Xena!" LOL. And it was cool seeing Ted. You guys did a great job adding that whole beginning. Knowing that was an added part, I wanted to let you know I think it worked great.
Knowing the time, effort and money you put into this project, when it wasn't originally your project -- outstanding! I applaud your determination and willingness to go the extra mile to make this a film worth distributing. And in my humble opinion I do believe it is a movie more than worthy of distribution.
Congratulations on a great movie. Good on ya! ;)
Oh one more thing... why are you so surprised that your fans would buy it?? You are loved and respected, Renee, and it goes way beyond Gabrielle. Your fans will always support you, in everything you do.
Speaking of support, I've added a Diamonds and Guns page to my Xena site. I hope you don't mind. I put some screen caps up, and links for people to order it. If you'd rather I not have a complete page, screen caps or if you'd like me to use a different logo (I made one from the film) please let me know and I'll make any changes that you request.
http://xenite.net/ROC/DG/
Again, great job!
All my best,
Kelly Neal
Hi,
Okay...so feedback on the film. I am not sure how in depth you want the feedback, so I will apologize in advance if I say more than you were asking for. You may have only wanted an "It was awesome!!!" or "It sucked out loud!" :-) What can I say, I am an over-thinker!
Overall I found the film to be very entertaining and pretty darn cute. It had me laughing quite a bit. I have to be honest though, although the acting was solid, the storyline didn't really flow for me; HOWEVER, I was still able to enjoy the comedy of it. What specifically am I talking about? Well, for me, there isn't enough set up to get me invested in the character of Bria and what she needs to do before we are in the thick of it. The opening is extremely cute and fun but it is such a quick blurb about her predicament. On the same lines, as a whole, I didn't feel there was enough time and/or interaction for the two couples to become invested in each other as it appeared that they were only in Vegas for one day. However, that is the more analytical and anal retentive side of me. <grin> I can suspend my disbelief while watching a film/tv show though so it doesn't necessarily take me out of the film or become too distracting, at least not in a comedy. Like I said, the film still made me laugh quite a bit and I was still able to enjoy it. It is definitely a movie that I would watch more than once on its own merits.
Some of the parts I found funny: the bell boy using a cart to bring up two jackets and a purse, Bria's horror movie run from Johnny (the classic heroine running from the "bad guy" while bad guy just walks and still manages to keep up), Ashley's reactions to the porn, Frances' father asking him if he played for the boys' team especially after a number of the females in the film have told him that he isn't their type (except for man crazy Ashley), Ashley in the store propped up with the dolls for sale (that got the biggest laugh out of me. I just visualize that scene now and it makes me chuckle all over again), the bidet jokes, and the sound effects (with the squeaks and whooshes and such) especially in the opening sequence. I did however feel that the vomit/body function humor went a little into overkill. It was funny in the beginning but by the time we got to the flatulence I was thinking "okay already!" If the film needed farting humor, it would have worked better at the beginning of the illness. :-) I find myself curious if it was planned to have those sound effects while filming the scene because there didn't seem to be much reaction to it from either gal. It came across as just laying down some farting sounds just for the heck of it.
As I mentioned earlier, I felt that all the actors gave solid performances. Surprisingly, as much as I enjoy watching you perform, Ashley turned out not to be my favorite character of the film. To me, she came off as a man crazy bimbo. LOL! How ga-ga she was over the INS agent kind of makes her attraction to Frances later on meaningless...he becomes just another cute guy. That aside, you were very good in the role. In my opinion, you can really pull off comedic roles...good timing, funny yet realistic and usually not too campy. My favorite character? Johnny. I loved him. I thought Jonathan Fraser did a great job of being a tough guy, yet still adding comedy to the piece. I just loved some of the looks he would give various characters. He was a hoot.
I don't really know too much about the technical aspect of filmmaking, so I can't really give much input here. Other than a couple scenes where the backlighting from the windows left people in mostly silhouette which didn't quite fit the moment, it seemed very well done to me. Visually, it flowed very well. The editing was very smooth and the music really fit. It was really amazing what you all were able to accomplish, especially given the constraints and obstacles you had to overcome. Well done!
So, overall, I was very happy with my purchase and had a good time watching the DVD. I would recommend it to anyone who liked a good comedy. Thanks!
Wendy :-)
Hi!!
My name is Jennifer Crawford (my friends call me Jen). I just wanted to let you know that I got my copy of Diamonds and Guns yesterday--thank you very much--and I LOVE IT!!!
I laughed my @ss off the whole way through. That luggage rack with only two sweaters and a purse had me rolling on the floor!! And that bidet....!!!!!!!!!! I have to watch again just to see if there was anything I missed (because I'm sure there was I was laughing so hard). Thanks for a GREAT film!! I'm going to order copies for my sisters, whom I think will all love it, too!
Keep on doing what you do because it makes life that much more enjoyable for folks like me. Thanks again!
Jen
Hey, Renee. First off, I have to say your performance was spectacular. I laughed my butt off at some points- watching you sit there watching porn, and then having a gay ol' time with the bidet- I wasn't sure whether to laugh harder or be totally disturbed. lol! As much as I loved you as Gabrielle, it was truly wonderful to see you in such a drastically different, contemporary role. I have to ask- just how uncomfortable was that massive headdress?
The rest of the characters were well-cast for the most part. Loved the guy who played Johnny. Very funny, as well as Francis' father. I've seen some of those folks before, though can't place it. I'll have to go snoop on imdb. The story was extremely amusing, especially the first 2/3 of the film. The ending, though amusing, was slightly limp comparatively, but I didn't feel it diminished from the film at all. Lo Duca's music was perfect, though such a huge change from his Xena score. Ted Raimi, of course, was fantastic.
My only complaint would be I wish there was more Ashley in the story. Other than that, it was well done, funny as hell in places, and my hat is off to you in making this film happen. I know you've been at it for the past four years or so, and I know how difficult it can be in the industry. Good for you! And, I don't know why you're so surprised by the amount of support from your fans. You mean a lot to them, Renee. They'll follow and support you in whatever you do.
Best of luck with this.
Kim Pritekel
LOVED IT!!! You have great comedic timing. My husband and I watched it together and laughed our butts off. Really enjoyed the movie. Very well done, especially for a first effort and knowing some of the problems you had. You've got to do another one. So glad the Xenaverse helped get the movie finished. Thanks for getting it out there to the fans so quickly.
See you in Chicago!
Pat V.
It was 9:45 p.m. when I popped it into the dvd player. I spent the next hour plus transfixed.Every single actor was *great*. Certain scenes were hysterically funny!
I have to admit I've been anticipating this movie for so long, I was afraid my expectations would be too high, and that it would be an anti-climax. As high as my expectations were, it far exceeded them!
After watching the film itself, I watched the commentary version, which was amusing and very interesting.
The *only* I would changed would be to give Ted Raimi a bigger part, but he was so good as The Landlord I can't think of any other character he could've played.
Up until now I though no one could fake barf better then my sister, but you have her beat hands down!
The cast and crew did an excellent job, if I didn't know any better, I'd've thought it was made by people who had been making movies for years.
I've heard that doing comedy is more difficult than drama, but your timing was perfect and the dialogue more so; but then, you're such a goof [in a good way :)], it probably wasn't much of a stretch.
I really hope you makes another movie in the future!
Caley Woulfe
I don't want to write an essay (though I COULD, easily!! *G*) Just to say, LOVED it, from the ROC Pictures logo at the
start to the 'what happened to them' subtitles at the end!! I must admit to feeling a bit queasy when you kept being sick. Damn that empathy!!
The whole cast were GREAT. It was well worth your extraordinary effort...and the long wait for us viewers *BG*
MORE PLEASE!! *L*
Sue, never satisfied!! *G*
xx
x
p.s. Jed seems really cute *L*
OMG I thought that it was great. For such a low budget and time it was great. I laughed my butt off. Great acting. I just have to say this I thought it was so funny what "Ashely" did with the baday. I OMG I just laughed so hard my side hurt. But I just want to say that it was great and I cant wait for more of your work to come out you are a great actress, and thank you.
Amanda
Hi Renee,
I received 'the package' in Wednesday's mail. It was just too cute to see your address label on the corner of it.
So I rushed right over to the DVD player to watch it. It was a totally enjoyable film! You were too funny and I laughed at all the comparisons I could make to a Xena episode, like your retching when you were sick. Ok so it was usually on a ship with Xena, not a wastebasket, but the sounds were the same!
Your reaction to the bidet was pretty much like mine was the first time I saw one in Italy. And your facial expressions when watching the porn movie just about had me on the floor from laughing so hard.
It was fun to watch and tomorrow I'm taking it to my Mom's for my sister and I to watch with her.
When I saw the thanks that you gave to us Xenites at the end of the credits my first reaction was that we should be thanking you for giving of yourself to us as much as you have done. I know that you and Lucy could have just kissed Xena and all it's fans goodbye when the show ended. But you have shown us that you care about us just as much as we care about you with all the things you continue to do.
So with that said, I will follow your career and anything else you'd like to share with us for as long as you continue to allow it.
Thanks again!
Carm DiBenedetto
from CT USA
First, let me say I hope my information is correct and this email reaches you and you are well.
Originally I bought D&G to simply be supportive of your art.You had worked to hard and long and had raised the money yourself. I did not know what to expect of the movie itself. Two women going to Las Vegas because one of them thinks she is going to be in 'CATS' has disaster written all over it.But the movie is hilarious. I laughed so hard, my wife was genuinely concerned. It is a great movie. I have offered to let some of my friends see it. I look forward to the other projects you have yet to be released.
David Moran
Cape Cod MA
Hi Renee I thoroughly enjoyed D and G. The smart and often gripping mix of comedy and a little drama was just fun. But just one thing. Why did your girlffiend jump into the pool? Didn't get it. Renee hope to see you again in the movies or on TV. A fan.
Julie