“Lucky Numbers” Movie Review

By Daniel Barnes on November 10, 2020

Lucky Numbers – Dare Daniel Podcast Episode 76

“Ironic — just another word for saying you’re getting screwed.”

Is it Travolt-ember already? Our annual tribute to Travolta kicks off with a review of Nora Ephron’s catastrophically unfunny Lucky Numbers. This shambling crime-comedy stars Travolta as Russ Richards, a Harrisburg weatherman who schemes to rig the lottery. Ephron gives coastal elitism a bad name by displaying utter contempt for small-town Americans while also cashing in with copious product placement. Many gifted comedic actors flail their way miserably through this trite, tone-deaf sitcom nonsense.

Elsewhere, Daniel and Corky discuss regional game show hosts, plays about Evil Knievel, and strip club kitchens.

NEW DARE

The Shape of Water (Ben Rice)

LUCKY NUMBERS FACTS AND FIGURES

U.S. theatrical release date: October 27, 2000

Global box office: $10.9 million (production budget: $63 million)

Critic scores: 22 on Rotten Tomatoes; 31 on Metacritic

Daniel’s craft beer: Temescal Brewing’s Wet Hop Weekend (6.5% ABV)

Corky’s craft beer: Firestone Walker’s Flyjack 96 (4% ABV)

IMDB synopsis: “A television weatherman scams a local lottery.”

This week’s referenced movies: Grease; Elvira, Mistress of the Dark; Megaforce; Crash (2004); The Gold Rush; Gladiator; Pulp Fiction; Battlefield: Earth; The Little Vampire; The Box; Cabin Boy; The Maltese Falcon; Roger & Me; Fargo; Die Hard; The Fanatic; Miller’s Crossing; Goodfellas; You’ve Got Mail; Mixed Nuts