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Zen Noir
Magic Lamp Releasing


9.3

based on 8 reviews
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How did we calculate this?

based on 3 votes
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MPAA RATING: Not Rated

Starring Duane Sharp, Kim Chan, Debra Miller, Ezra Buzzington, Jennifer Siebel, and Howard Fong

A nameless detective, still mourning the loss of his wife, investigates a mysterious death in a Buddhist temple, but his logical, left-brained crime-solving skills are useless in the intuitive, non-linear world of Zen. (Zenmovie, LLC)

GENRE(S):	Comedy \| Drama \| Mystery
WRITTEN BY:	Marc Rosenbush
DIRECTED BY:	Marc Rosenbush
RELEASE DATE:	DVD: May 29, 2007 Theatrical: September 22, 2006
RUNNING TIME:	71 minutes, Color
ORIGIN:	USA

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Los Angeles Times Kevin Thomas

A provocative, witty -- and admittedly esoteric -- experimental comedy that is serious, amusing and satisfying, in Rosenbush's words: "a Zen riddle designed more to be experienced than understood rationally."

Film Threat Merle Bertrand

Director Marc Rosenbush gets the absolute most he can out of his no-budget-friendly, minimalist location and a solid, if unremarkable cast.

San Francisco Chronicle Neva Chonin

The biggest mystery of all is why director Marc Rosenbush, whose background is in theater, bothered putting this story on film when it's so obviously meant for a stage.

LA Weekly Melissa Levine

Along the way, Zen Noir commits a few crimes of its own, against noir, Buddhism and filmmaking.

Chicago Reader J.R. Jones

The cinematic debut of Chicago theater director Marc Rosenbush, this 2004 indie comedy is an irritating exercise in ham acting, metaphysical patter routines, and rim-shot-style comic editing.

Seattle Post-Intelligencer Bill White

The actors, all unprofessional with the exception of Kim Chan as the Zen master, step on each other's clipped lines so regularly that it becomes a stylistic affectation, like Mamet directing Beckett.

Chicago Tribune Michael Phillips

Rosenbush strives for a difficult blend of spoof and sincerity with Zen Noir. In the spirit of rebirth, let's assume that the next time he makes it, it'll turn out fine.

Austin Chronicle Josh Rosenblatt

Great movies can make you believe in a life beyond the frame; Zen Noir can't even convince you that what you're seeing onscreen is actually happening.

The average user rating for this movie is 9.3 (out of 10) based on 3 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Judith L. gave it a10:
I enjoyed Zen Noir. All of the actors were excellent in their rolls: Duane, Debra, Ezra and Kim.

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Zen Noir Magic Lamp Releasing

Zen Noir
Magic Lamp Releasing