SINGAPORE : “The Conspiracy” is a Hollywood paranoid thriller about Max, an average Joe-Schmoe engineer who suddenly lucks out when he receives a mysterious package in the mail.

It contains a futuristic mobile phone that leads him to great wealth by helping him win big bucks at casinos and investing in the right stock picks. Max's greed eventually gives way to a sinister global plot that threatens to destroy the civilised world.

With the help of FBI officials and a street-smart casino security manager, Max has to battle the unseen powers that be, or perish for trying.

“The Conspiracy” has all the unflattering hallmarks of being a straight-to-video-title. It boggles the mind why this stinker is showing at local cinemas here, while the Oscar-nominated “Frost/Nixon” ended up a DVD-only release.

It also baffles me why respected dramatic actors like Martin Sheen, Jonathan Pryce, and Edward Burns agreed to star in it. And don't get me started on the irritating leading man Shane West. His acting - if you can call it that - is simply amateurish.

“The Conspiracy” is like a B-Grade 80s American TV show complete with a poor yet implausible plot, cheesy dialogue, bad acting, as well as antiquated editing styles, cinematography and background music.

Sometimes I watch Grade-A films, sometimes I sit through rubbish. “The Conspiracy” is the latter. The only thing I liked about it was the ending when the song “Grounds for Divorce” by English band Elbow, was played during the rolling credits.

“The Conspiracy” is a conspiracy in itself in that it's so blatantly a complete waste of time and brain cells. I've sacrificed mine to tell you: stay the heck away. Go borrow the DVD “Eagle Eye” instead.

- CNA/il