If you are looking for a different kind of comedy caper that takes place in the business world, then try Bank$tas for a few good laughs. Now on DVD the movie has good acting, directing and a modern day loan problem for its storyline. Not your everyday situation comedy, this one drives home a point while making fun of the banking industry.
Neal (Michael Seater) and Isaac (Joe Dinicol) are best friends and are about to graduate from Business College. During a recruitment seminar by Peter Hoss (Alan Thicke) owner of Hoss Investment Banking, the two play a prank and get his attention. Upon graduation they are asked to join the firm as interns for a month to see if they are a fit. When Neal discovers that the firm is scamming student loans, he tries to find a way to stop it.
The film goes from there with comical situations that create laughter through at least two thirds of the movie. Director Jeff Stephenson does a nice job of getting his film going with some intrigue that builds up until the final chapter. The story then gets ordinary and easily predictable with a wimpy ending. Prior to this however, the movie captures some quirky interactions between the boys and Peter Hoss Jr (Brandon Firla), that include wild sexual romps and a covert operation in a steam room to get proof of the deceitful plans to make millions.
The acting by Seater and Dinicol gives the film some value. The two stars are really good together and are able to project Neal and Isaac as lovable guys who are caught up in a crime about to happen. Neal has the brains for numbers and he’s the one who discovers the devious plan. It’s Isaac however that knows how to work the angles to get the proof. They both have love interests, Jessica (Laura Vandervoort) and Diane (Grace Lynn Chung), within their new company, but the taboo of on the job hanky-panky doesn’t bother them a bit.
The DVD has some bonus features that include:
“Interviews with Director Jeff Stephenson and Producer Robert Budreau” very short and uneventful. Jeff talks about how the story and the characters and Robert tackles the very real issues surrounding student loans.
“Behind the Scenes with Michael Seater and Joe Dinicol” a quick bit of nonsense you may find funny.
“Karate Chop with the Bank$tas” complete nonsense you won’t find very funny.
Bank$tas has been rated R by the MPAA for language, sexual content and some drug use. There’s also a quick scene of Michael Seater’s naked backside. The drug use gets a little too much and over the top.
Specifications and additional video information:
Cast: Alan Thicke, Laura Vandervoort, Joe Dinicol, Michael Seater, Grace Lynn Chung, and Brandon Firla
Director: Jeff Stephenson
MPAA Rating: R for language, sexual content and some drug use
Genre: Comedy, Crime
Running Time: 1 hr. 20 min
Video Release Date: March 10, 2015
Original Film Release Date: November 7, 2014
Language: English
Format: DVD
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1
Video: 16×9
Subtitles: English
Number of Discs: 1 Disc
Distributed by: Main Street Films
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
