Shoot or Be Shot explained

Shoot or Be Shot
Director:J. Randall Argue
Producer:J. Randall Argue
Ralph Linhardt
Michael Tarzian
Ralph Winter
Screenplay:J. Randall Argue
Steve Catanzaro
Alistair Salton
Starring:William Shatner
Harry Hamlin
Scott Rinker
Julianne Christie
Marcus Ashley
Music:Joseph Alfuso
Cinematography:Ralph Linhardt
Editing:Tom Dignan
Rich Mikan
Studio:PorchLight Entertainment
Distributor:20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Runtime:90 minutes
Country:United States
Language:English

Shoot or Be Shot is a low-budget independent film that premiered in Minneapolis–Saint Paul, Minnesota on January 25, 2002.[1] This comedy film satirizes the filmmaking movement Dogme 95.[2] The idea for the film was inspired by The Producers and .[3]

Shoot or Be Shot has a runtime of 90 minutes and was directed by J. Randall Argue.[4] At the time of the film's theatrical release, two other films Shatner was involved with were nearing their release dates: Showtime, in which he acted as himself, and Groom Lake, which he directed.[5]

Premise

William Shatner stars in the film as Harvey Wilkes, a patient who escapes from a psychiatric hospital to a desert, kidnaps a film crew there, and forces them to make a movie.[6]

Release and reception

Shoot or Be Shot was released on DVD by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment in May 2004.[7] Ian Jane of DVD Talk gave the film a negative review, saying that the film is "just not funny".[8] Michelle Fajkus of Hybrid Cinema, who also gave the film a negative review, wrote that the film promotes stereotypes with its use of stock characters, such as the dumb blonde.[9] Jeff Strickler of the Star Tribune called the film "a low-rent version of Bowfinger".[10]

Notes and References

  1. News: San Jose Mercury News. Shatner and Hamlin Join Forces for a Parody Film. 2A. January 27, 2002.
  2. News: Shoot or Be Shot. Matthew Tobey. https://web.archive.org/web/20140914002158/http://www.nytimes.com/movies/movie/304348/Shoot-Or-Be-Shot/overview. dead. September 14, 2014. Movies & TV Dept.. The New York Times. 2014. September 13, 2014.
  3. News: St. Paul Pioneer Press. At Least 'Shoot' has a Hair Trigger. January 25, 2002. E3.
  4. News: The Austin Chronicle. Shoot or Be Shot. Marjorie Baumgarten. January 25, 2002. September 13, 2014.
  5. News: Larry King Live. Interview with William Shatner. Larry King. Larry King. February 21, 2002. September 13, 2014.
  6. Book: William Shatner. William Shatner. David Fisher . Up Till Now: The Autobiography. 293. Macmillan Publishers. 2009. 978-1429937979.
  7. News: San Jose Mercury News. Face Time with... William Shatner, Actor. Mike Antonucci. 2G. May 14, 2004.
  8. News: DVD Talk. Ian Jane. May 19, 2004. Shoot or Be Shot. September 13, 2014.
  9. News: Hybrid Magazine. Shoot or Be Shot. Michelle Fajkus. September 13, 2014.
  10. News: Jeff Strickler. Star Tribune. 'Shoot or Be Shot' is a low-rent version of 'Bowfinger'. January 24, 2002. September 13, 2014.