Wonderland (2003) (R)

Quicklook Rating★½

synopsis

A chronicle of the spectacular fall of infamous porn star John C. "Johnny Wadd" Holmes. Based on a true story, the biopic explores the multiple murders that took place high atop Wonderland Avenue in L.A.'s Laurel Canyon, in the summer of 1981. At first the victims were thought to be mere drug dealers and party hounds, but the case became elevated to a classic L.A. noir when they were discovered to be connected to the infamous porn star. By the time the story begins, Holmes had already fallen from perhaps the biggest and most famous star in the hardcore industry, to a state of financial and pharmaceutical ruin. Holmes juggles two women: he is devoted to his jailbait teenage girlfriend Dawn, while still married to his wife Sharon--and the three form a most unique love triangle, particularly as the two women have a better relationship with each other, than either has with him. Holmes befriends local drug dealers Ron and Susan Launius, but soon gets himself 'neck deep' into debt and desperation. He starts playing both sides against the middle as he desperately tries to stay out of jail and stay alive. To save himself from the wrath of notorious gangster Eddie Nash, did Holmes set up his best friends for murder? It all depends on whose story you believe.

MovieGoer Review

A multi-angled view of the infamous, grisly and still unsolved Laurel Canyon quadruple homicide case that implicated druggie porn star John Holmes.

Story

This tale centers on John ''Johnny Wadd'' Holmes, though not, pe... MORE

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synopsis

A chronicle of the spectacular fall of infamous porn star John C. "Johnny Wadd" Holmes. Based on a true story, the biopic explores the multiple murders that took place high atop Wonderland Avenue in L.A.'s Laurel Canyon, in the summer of 1981. At first the victims were thought to be mere drug dealers and party hounds, but the case became elevated to a classic L.A. noir when they were discovered to be connected to the infamous porn star. By the time the story begins, Holmes had already fallen from perhaps the biggest and most famous star in the hardcore industry, to a state of financial and pharmaceutical ruin. Holmes juggles two women: he is devoted to his jailbait teenage girlfriend Dawn, while still married to his wife Sharon--and the three form a most unique love triangle, particularly as the two women have a better relationship with each other, than either has with him. Holmes befriends local drug dealers Ron and Susan Launius, but soon gets himself 'neck deep' into debt and desperation. He starts playing both sides against the middle as he desperately tries to stay out of jail and stay alive. To save himself from the wrath of notorious gangster Eddie Nash, did Holmes set up his best friends for murder? It all depends on whose story you believe.

MovieGoer Review

A multi-angled view of the infamous, grisly and still unsolved Laurel Canyon quadruple homicide case that implicated druggie porn star John Holmes.

Story

This tale centers on John ''Johnny Wadd'' Holmes, though not, pe... MORE