INTELLIGENCE
Globe & Mail
John Doyle, October 10, 2006
"Smart, slick, layered and dryly funny, this is the Canadian drama series that you've been wishing for..."
"John Cassini is superb as Jimmy's right-hand guy..."
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ROBSON ARMS
Canwest News Service
By Alex Strachan, Feb 11 2007
"It's hard to believe this is the same performer who played the steely-eyed, borderline dangerous nightclub manager in Intelligence. (Leslie) Nielsen and Cassini's scenes together in Robson Arms are the stuff of great comedy."
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BREAK A LEG
Variety
by Scott Foundas, June 30, 2003
"In the way of Nia Vardalos and "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" (or Sylvester Stallone and "Rocky" a generation before), Cassini had to make Break A Leg happen from scratch, and as a result his performance is imbued with a special resonance and sense of theatrical showmanship, like the one given by the ever-hopeful understudy who finally gets to go on and play the lead.
"The Cassinis' very clever script is born from a first-hand insight (they're both actors), and it's seasoned with some particularly sharp, Zucker Brothers-style verbal-visual gags.
"The first-time director, Monika Mitchell has a peppy visual style and a fine sense of comic timing.
"Shot, despite its small budget, in crisp 35mm by the cinematographer
Eric J. Goldstein, the movie sports a modest but ample, professional look and makes fine use of its recognizable L.A. locations."
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The Santa Fe New Mexican
by Robert Nott, December 6, 2003
"Break a Leg... benefits from a tight but unpredictable screenplay, solid ensemble work by the actors, and sharp direction."
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San Francisco Station
"Cleverly written, Break A Leg balances the elements of melodrama and insanity perfectly."
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San Francisco Chronicle
by Walter Addiego, February 2, 2004
"Director Monika Mitchell works with a nicely honed satirical edge."
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In December, 2003, BREAK A LEG earned another recognition award. The film, directed by Monika Mitchell, was named the winner of the American Independent Film Spirit Award at the 2003 Santa Fe Film Festival. It had previously won the Audience Award at the Cinvevegas Film Festival.
Actor and screenplay co-writer John Cassini -- who earlier had won Best Performance at Marco Island Film Festival -- was on hand to receive the award.