Who's in It: Sam Shepard, Jessica Lange, Tim Roth, Fairuza Balk, Sarah Polley
The Basics: Shepard is a has-been cowboy actor AWOL from his latest picture and on the trail of women and children he left behind. But he and his problems are a slow, dull pain in the butt, and it's no wonder the abandoned family members didn't try harder to track him down.
What's the Deal? When this movie slinks out of the limited number of art-house theaters it's playing in, I recommend that the Sundance Channel or IFC or whoever gets hold of it only air it between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m., as a public service. That's when most people have insomnia. At least this thing is better than Ambien.
How Many Times I Dozed Off at the Press Screening: Twice. And the second time must have been pretty good, too, because people turned to look at me when I woke up again with a startle. I must have snored a little bit. Whatever.
Come Back to the Five and Dime, Wim Wenders, Wim Wenders: This is from the director who made Paris, Texas and Wings of Desire and the stunningly odd five-hour masterpiece Until the End of the World. I even sort of liked The End of Violence. I'm a big fan of this guy. So I don't know what gives here. Guess everybody strikes out sometime.
Shouldering His Share of the Blame: Sam Shepard's self-indulgent, go-nowhere script.