Diggstown delivers the ultimate sleight-of-hand hustle to the viewer, by tricking everyone into thinking this is a great "con-job" movie. Look over here, guys and don't pay attention to the paper-thin plot and how the big con is just betting on unsanctioned boxing.
Let's just get this out of the way - this isn't a TERRIBLE movie, but it's pretty crummy stacked next to how good its telling us it is. The whole thing is a giant ruse. Maybe someone can take that as a sign of how well edited it is, but we can't. Our job is to breakdown stories and judge them and this story is ludicrously empty - it's borderline "idiot plot" except one of the requirements is that just ONE person has to show a sign of intelligence to prevent the whole movie - but even if there was one person who could show such intelligence wouldn't prevent anything BECAUSE NOTHING HAPPENS!
The plot is so thin it can be put to this: A retired professional boxer gets put into a bet to fight 10 men, one after the other.
Actually that sounds alright. Well what actually happens is that he only fights one boxer and 9 townies in an underground boxing ring where the rules sometimes matter and other times don't, fights 5 men in a row on separate days, to the backdrop of two guys betting on how much they can cheat each other. So the only plot is a guy beats up townies and his old boxing nemesis. There's no great con, guys. James Woods' Caine is NOT Danny Ocean or even Bret Maverick. He just cheats at boxing - the least noble thing one can do. He cheats at underground boxing, the most scummy and rookie crap a scumbag can do.
Then the resolution - Diggstown is now owned by an foreign (Florida IS a different country) convict now, instead of a local. What a deal! Why does anyone still live in Diggstown?
Diggstown is for those that like to get tricked only. The people who think Last Boy Scout is a great movie. But for the rest of us, it's just too thin on plot and outside of that there's not enough popcorn-eating to work with.
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You guys were talking about James Woods and Heather Graham being an item during/shortly after this movie. My take is that the general rule is the uglier the guy the bigger the wiener (I know Jacks will enjoy this theory) evidenced by confirmed big wiener owners Willam Dafoe, Milton Berle, and Liam Neeson. So that combined with James Woods big bucks of the time and influence makes sense that Heather Graham was into him. Listened to you guys for quite a while now and want to say keep up the good work! I know you did a comprehensive Bronson review but may I suggest '10 to Midnight" episode. Contains such gem scenes as when Bronson confronts the killer with an 80's predecessor to the flesh light and says its "for jacking off.... pure gold. Stay stinky you wonderful people!
Wow, just wanted to say it made my day to hear you guys (Justin) read my comment verbatim on the last episode. Was having a rough day at work (honestly super hungover) and I laughed out loud super hard! You guys are right "Jackie do no test the theory!" I know it sounds lame but was super exciting to me...I guess I need more excitement i my life. Anyway, I have Facebook and Instagram but can't bring myself to open a twitter, hence posts on the site here. Hope I can have some more comments you guys enjoy. Thanks again, Jeremy.
P.S. Sam, if leery of my suggestion then a safe Bronson bet is "Mister Majestyk" or "Death Hunt" the latter might actually not be "bad movie" enough. I love Bronson for some reason and I'm not sorry. All the best.