The Hoboken International Film Festival 2012

"Two-Minute Heist" is an official selection of The Hoboken International Film Festival!"

Festival Photo

Justine Mascioli - Executive Producer

Paul Sorvino and Natalie Diorio

Justine Mascioli, David Brown, Natalie Diorio, Dan Deluca and Danny Buonsanto

Natalie Diorio and David Brown

Watch, Buy or Rent "Two-Minute Heist"

"Two-Minute Heist is on multiple platforms! Buy, Rent or Watch "Two-Minute Heist" on:

~iTunes, ~Hulu, ~YouTube, ~Amazon, ~Snag Films, ~Distrify, 

~Film Baby, ~Roku, ~Google Play, ~Comcast VOD,

~Verizon VOD, ~Crackle Movies

"Stu Palmer's Commentary"

Stu Palmer of Stu's Discount Casting Comments on "Two-Minute Heist"

David Brown as Stu Palmer

Digital Production Buzz Radio

Dan is interviewed about "How to Make a Successful Independent Film and Survive."
http://www.digitalproductionbuzz.com/BuZZ_Audio/Buzz_110602_Deluca.mp3

Dan Deluca hard at work on the set of "Two-Minute Heist"

The Ron and Fez Show - Sirius Radio

Dan Deluca is interviewed about "Two-Minute Heist" on the Ron and Fez Show, Sirius Radio!!!
http://ronbenningtoninterviews.com/2011/09/16/dan-deluca/

Film Showcase Blogspot Review of "Two-Minute Heist

FILM REVIEWS AND COMMENTARIES 

By Gerald Wright 

http://www.filmshowcase.blogspot.com

TWO-MINUTE HEIST

Directed by: Kris Arnold & Dan DeLuca

Running time:  95 min.

Genre: Comedy

Tom Graham as Officer Stynke and Dan Deluca as Dino Rado

Many films are funny and some are quirky, but there are very few that are brilliantly funny and quirky.  Debut directors Kris Arnold and Dan DeLuca created this clever satire of the film industry's casting profession.  In this case, it is considered a dysfunctional casting business that finds itself on the brink of going out of business.

Dino Rado and Steve Scheere (Dan DeLuca and Kris Arnold) are two misfits who run a casting office whose last picture was a major flop.  It's not too hard to take a failure in the movie business, however this flop was financed by the Jamaica Mob, who are in the "weed" business and desperately want their investment money returned to them.  The mob goes as far as kidnapping the dip-witted goodie two shoes office manager Ryan (Brian Sherman) as a means of collection.

While watching this film, my first thoughts was of the silly humor that the "B" movies showcased during the 1940s and 1950s.  Yet, the well crafted script kept the theme in a contemporary setting, giving the audience a real since of connection.

Kris Arnold as Armando

This plot driven presentation adds quirky drama when the two protagonists quickly devise a plan to conduct a casting call for a heist on the Jamaican mob's casino.  At this time, the story introduces the love interest of Dino who is a gun-toting street smart Claudia Brit brilliantly portrayed by Natalie Diorio.  Dino auditions Claudia for the heist after viewing her martial arts demo tape and finds his attractions to her growing.
     

Other hilarious characters shine in this crisp paced film , such as, the misguided actors who go for the try-outs for the various parts in the soap box parody.  They are zany individuals who had me holding my stomach from laughter.  This is not to forget the humorously frustrated Jamaica Mob who seem to stumble constantly on their recovery of their money.  Not to be a spoiler, but the plot of the soap box parody is to rob the Jamaicans of their drugs and money.

This film includes high energy pacing with plots deliberately designed to amuse and provoke laughter (with one-liners and jokes) by exaggerating the situations, language, action, relationships and characters. 

Brian Sherman as Ryan

Additional fine performances are from Kate Debelack, Allana Kirk, Carlyncia S. Peck, Menchu Estaban, David Herscheld, Charles Winter, Michael Trott, Pam Gingsberg, David J. Kenney, Joe Sampson and Edward Willson who make this a complete funny cinematic package.

FILM RATING (B+)  

Filmmakers to Watch

By Independent Film Quarterly

Interview with Justine Mascioli, Executive Producer of "Two-Minute Heist"  Indie Festival Winner.

"Two-Minute Heist" is a surprise. It is a grown-up’s comic book that is quirky, campy, kooky, and just plain funny.  It also won a number of awards including one for Best Comedy Screenplay from former Saturday Night Live writer Craig Kellum of Hollywoodscript.com. The NYIIF Festival also bestowed their awards for Best Directorial Debut in USA for first time directors, Dan DeLuca and Kris Arnold, and Best Actor for Dan DeLuca in his role as Dino Rado, the down and out slacker casting director.

Natalie Diorio as Claudia Brit

Filmed in Washington D.C., the clever story is told through a gifted ensemble cast. Dino Rado and Steve Scheere run a casting office and have only one paying client who is obsessed on directing a film. Unfortunately, the last film they made was a huge flop and the Jamaican mob that financed them wants their money back.  Ryan, their office manager, is kidnapped and held ransom for the movie money or better yet Dino’s stash, which he also doesn’t have.  They cast unsuspecting actors to stage a real heist and plan a getaway.  One of the film’s highlights is the casting scene featuring a variety of wannabes lining up to get hired.

Dan Deluca as Dino Rado and Kris Arnold as Steven Schreere

There is also an amusing movie –within- a movie subplot in the recurring “El Corizon Caliente”, a parody of a soap opera on Spanish TV as well.  Performance wise, Natalie Diorio shines as the quick, street smart, and vulnerable gun-toting actress Claudia Brit who steals Dino’s little, black heart. Dave Brown is Jackie Gleasonesque as the smarmy Stu of Stu’s Discount Casting. Bryan Sherman is over the top as the prissy, do-good office Boy- Friday.  Additionally, the comic book fade-ins are a touch of creative, visual flair and a tribute to today’s cinematic editing technology. All in all, these” pows and wows”, a great musical score by Planet Melvin, Evil Weiner and the renown Thievery along with the inspired script and performances make this smart, fun film a terrific good time.