I slipped the review copy of Loopholes into the VCR just after watching the final episode of Project Greenlight, the HBO series chronicling the making of an “independent” film that cost nearly

2 million of the Disney corporation’s Miramax dollars. Indeed, the craft service for the making-of documentary alone must have far exceeded that for Chevy Chase writer-director David Stern’s film. Loopholes was created on a “shoestring budget” over only 17 days. And Stern, unlike Pete Jones, the lucky neophyte bastard who won the Project Greenlight lottery, did not have Ben Affleck and Matt Damon looking over his shoulder, nor could he call on Bonnie Hunt and Aidan Quinn to mouth his extensive dialogue. Rather, Loopholes stars “over 20 actors you’ve never heard of.” Because no HBO crew followed Stern around, it’s unclear how much drama occurred behind the scenes, but Loopholes is reminiscent of both Glengarry Glen Ross and Robert Downey Sr.’s 1969 Putney Swope, especially the latter’s deadpan pace. The film screens at 9:15 p.m. at Visions Cinema Bistro Lounge, 1927 Florida Ave. NW. $6. (202) 667-0090. (Dave Nuttycombe)