Live Free or Die (R, 2007)

A petty criminal with the undeserved rep of a hardened convict, Rugged (Aaron Stanford, best known as X2's Pyro) chokes during jobs and basically meanders around looking for easy money. After teaming up with Lagrand (Paul Schneider), who runs the local storage lot, Rugged tries to prove he's worth hiring as head of security by picking fights with muscular galoots at the local bar. When Rugged is connected to three deaths, a robbery, and an ongoing scam that he did not commit, chooses not to set the record straight.

Gregg Kavet and Andy Robin both wrote for Seinfeld, so it's particularly baffling that their joint feature debut is underwhelming and only occasionally funny. An indie production that won a competition award at the 2007 SXSW Film festival, LIVE FREE OR DIE starts off slow and doesn't gain momentum for a full 40 minutes. The title -- taken from the New Hampshire state motto -- is an explanation of sorts for what happens to the story's antihero, Rugged.

The one bright spot in an otherwise forgettable flick is Zooey Deschanel, who has been a charming and mostly underutilized talent since Almost Famous. Here she stands out as Lagrand's put-upon sister, Cheryl, who can't figure out why her brother is such a dolt. When she rolls her eyes in frustration at the idiocy surrounding her, viewers know exactly how she feels.