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| Special Features: |
Widescreen anamorphic format
Chapter selection
Commentary by Benny Silman, actor David Krumholtz, director Ernest Dickerson and producer Kevin Messick
NCAA sport wagering awareness video
Featurette: The Real Bookie: Benny Tells His Story
TV spots and trailers |
| Video Format: |
Anamorphic Widescreen (1.78:1)
[SS-DL]
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| Languages: |
English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround)
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| Subtitles: |
English, Spanish.
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| Captions: |
Yes
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| Casing: |
1-Disc Keep Case
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 "Big Shot: Confessions of a Campus Bookie" is a cautionary tale about the lure of easy money. Based on the true story of Benny Silman, "Big Shot" isn't sure what it wants to be. The film makes Benny's lifestyle look so inviting that the tacked on ending with the real Silman warning would-be bookies seems hollow. Maybe the preaching at the end was a condition of Mr. Silman's probation. I'm certainly mot promoting criminal activity, but if I wanted to hear the sermon, I'd have gone to church.
Benny Silman (David Krumholtz) is a wild-eyed kid from Brooklyn. Much to his mother's chagrin, Benny decided to go to Arizona State for college. Something about all that sun and skin lured the hormonally adjusted young man to the great Southwest. Benny is a sports fan. A local bookie hears Benny bragging about how the Dallas Cowboys are going to win a game. He dares Benny to bet. Dallas loses. The bookie makes a proposition to Benny. Take bets from his friends. Before you know it, Benny is the guy to see at ASU to place a bet. Benny realizes he is working hard for someone else and sets up his own bookie business. Before you know it the Mob, a local gangster wannabe and a crooked basketball star are surrounding the rich young Benny. All good things must come to and end. Enter the FBI.
 "Big Shot" follows the same format of Martin Scorsese's "Good Fellas." The movie is narrated after the fact by Benny. The movie's strong point is a wonderfully impish performance by David Krumholtz as Benny. Mr. Krumholtz comes across with a natural charm that I'd like to believe is closer to the real Benny than the solemn faced "real" Benny Silman who pops up at the end of the film to deliver the "crime does not pay" message. The movie was produced for the FX cable TV channel. It is rated R for nudity and drug use. Nice cameos by Alex Rocco and Nicholas Turturro.
Good movie. Fair picture. Good sound. OK extras.
Picture Quality: 6/10
 The picture is very grainy and flat. The flesh tones are pale. "Big Shot" has a made for TV look about it.
Sound Quality: 8/10
This isn't a sound effects or music intensive soundtrack. No loss of dialogue. Nice balance between the ranges. No distortion. Doesn't make much use of surround sound.
Menu: 5/10
Bland design. Easy to navigate. No Easter Eggs found.
Extra Features: 7/10
The commentary track is good. Some fun anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stories.
The "NCAA Sports Wagering Video" is 7 minutes of Benny warning youngsters about the evils of easy money. Yawn.
 "The Real Bookie: Benny Tells His Story" is a home movie made sometime before Benny went to jail. Another yawn. Sam Goldwyn said if you want to send a message, call Western Union. Come on folks, let the movie speak for itself and save the sermons for Sunday.
The DVD includes two TV spots for this film and theatrical trailers for "High Crimes" and "Super Troopers."
The Final Word:
A fun movie. Worth a rent. Forget the preachy extras.
Rusty White
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