The premise was very intriguing. I can honestly say I could feel exactly what the movie was meant to make you feel. Shock, fear, remorse. What would you do if this happened to you? You either fetch the cops and confess hoping for a fair trial and accept whatever the outcome might be, or try and hide the horrible accident and hope to get away with it. The movie was great right up until they got caught. The punishment the locals meted was unjust and made no sense to me. And the ending itself felt to me like the writer didn't know how to end the story, so it just ended. I would've liked to see a more fair outcome, with an epilogue showing how the grieving people of this small village managed to continue on.
Reviews
8 Reviews
Did He Really Love Her?
29 March 2021
Ted Bundy was a textbook sociopath. By definition he couldn't possibly have loved Liz Kendall. Sociopaths collect trophies. Liz and her child were nothing more than that to him. Ted only cared about his own self. His entire purpose in life was to stroke his own ego. At best Liz and her child was an experiment to see what having something normal would be like. Maybe having certain people in his life that he could hide something from gave him a rush. If anything though, they were an object that was in his grasp, not people to be adored.
Just like a true sociopath, Ted said and did whatever he felt he needed to in order to make the gains that he wanted. He may have looked and acted like someone with feelings and attachments, but trust me, he'd never cry over your loss. If he ever shed a tear, it's because he didn't get what he wanted.
Thus movie perfectly depicts what a sociopath's behaviour is like. It also shows how the police and judicial system tended to railroad and manipulate suspects. Police leading witnesses, media circuses in the courtroom, inept attorney representation, yet he still was convicted.
I could watch this movie over and over and never get sick of it. The direction, the acting, the art direction, editing, all of it was spot on.
Just like a true sociopath, Ted said and did whatever he felt he needed to in order to make the gains that he wanted. He may have looked and acted like someone with feelings and attachments, but trust me, he'd never cry over your loss. If he ever shed a tear, it's because he didn't get what he wanted.
Thus movie perfectly depicts what a sociopath's behaviour is like. It also shows how the police and judicial system tended to railroad and manipulate suspects. Police leading witnesses, media circuses in the courtroom, inept attorney representation, yet he still was convicted.
I could watch this movie over and over and never get sick of it. The direction, the acting, the art direction, editing, all of it was spot on.
Centigrade
(2020)
Nightmare Situation Made Worse By Antisocial Adults
25 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I am a proud single father. My most fondest memories are of when my daughter was first born. So when the baby in the movie was crying incessantly from the cold and the hunger it made me genuinely sick to my stomache.
The situation the couple faced in the movie would've had pros and cons no matter what choice they made. They were 50 miles from their hotel, trapped in their car by a snowstorm up in a mountain range out in the middle of nowhere, and no idea how far away the next nearest human being might be. Sub-zero temperatures with whipping winds, and for all you know there might be wolves living out in that climate. Do you stay in the car and survive, or dig your way out and risk dying?
The couple made things worse by not discussing their options and coming up with a possible solution together. Insead they yelled at each other and shifted blame. I think it's safe to say that their relationship would've eventually come to an end even under the best of circumstances.
Most viewers of this movie gave it a negative review. Many of those people appear to have picked apart the logistics of the situation instead of paying attention to the elements of suspense within. To ask "What were they doing there in the first place?!" is besides the point. They were there, things happened and the couple had to deal with it. How would you handle the situation? Do you take charge and maintain control, or try to appease your partner by helping them with their own haphazard plan? How far would you go and what would you do to try and help the ones you declared to love survive?
The situation the couple faced in the movie would've had pros and cons no matter what choice they made. They were 50 miles from their hotel, trapped in their car by a snowstorm up in a mountain range out in the middle of nowhere, and no idea how far away the next nearest human being might be. Sub-zero temperatures with whipping winds, and for all you know there might be wolves living out in that climate. Do you stay in the car and survive, or dig your way out and risk dying?
The couple made things worse by not discussing their options and coming up with a possible solution together. Insead they yelled at each other and shifted blame. I think it's safe to say that their relationship would've eventually come to an end even under the best of circumstances.
Most viewers of this movie gave it a negative review. Many of those people appear to have picked apart the logistics of the situation instead of paying attention to the elements of suspense within. To ask "What were they doing there in the first place?!" is besides the point. They were there, things happened and the couple had to deal with it. How would you handle the situation? Do you take charge and maintain control, or try to appease your partner by helping them with their own haphazard plan? How far would you go and what would you do to try and help the ones you declared to love survive?
An incredible case study on dysfunctional families
1 February 2011
I work in a therapeutic residential environment. I specialise in taking care of children who come from families like this. Everyday is a battle to try and undo the behaviours that they learned from the people they grew up around.
Drugs and gang culture is the norm. They act impulsively as soon as there's a gut feeling. There is very little planning for the future if any at all ever. No consequence training. No boundary setting. The word "no" is a signal to begin arguing or to throw a tantrum. They tend to be self serving and inconsiderate. I deal with laziness, they're always expecting to be served by others. They put up a fuss when it's their turn to help out in even the smallest way. Also, families like this typically distrust professional institutions run by educated people.
They wonder why their lives are the way they are and they can't figure it out. "It must be the Devil in us" one of them says. Change can only happen when people are willing to look at their own selves critically. Life is all about the choices that we make.
These guys have a looooong way to go.
Drugs and gang culture is the norm. They act impulsively as soon as there's a gut feeling. There is very little planning for the future if any at all ever. No consequence training. No boundary setting. The word "no" is a signal to begin arguing or to throw a tantrum. They tend to be self serving and inconsiderate. I deal with laziness, they're always expecting to be served by others. They put up a fuss when it's their turn to help out in even the smallest way. Also, families like this typically distrust professional institutions run by educated people.
They wonder why their lives are the way they are and they can't figure it out. "It must be the Devil in us" one of them says. Change can only happen when people are willing to look at their own selves critically. Life is all about the choices that we make.
These guys have a looooong way to go.
Little New York
(2009)
Like Sudoku; fun for the moment, but no real value in the end.
11 January 2010
In my opinion the characters were well developed and well played out for their parts. The story kept me intrigued. Honestly I can think of a whole slew of movies that this one would go good next to; Burn After Reading for example. And I just loved the music that was playing during the credits.
The problem for me was that all in all, by the end of it, I honestly could not fathom the reason for any of what had happened. After the movie ended I was left with a resounding unanswerable "WHY?". "What was accomplished?" "What was the use?" I was entertained by the characters and the story for an hour and a half, but the movie did not go anywhere. I honestly believe that the script was given a green light for the simple reason that everyone involved saw an opportunity to exercise their chops and do what it is that they're good at. The purpose here was not to entertain the audience or make some money. It was just a vehicle for those involved to feed their brain's craving to engage in a familiar and fun activity. Like doing a jigsaw puzzle, or a sudoku. Fun and engaging for the moment, but when you're done, what was it worth?
The problem for me was that all in all, by the end of it, I honestly could not fathom the reason for any of what had happened. After the movie ended I was left with a resounding unanswerable "WHY?". "What was accomplished?" "What was the use?" I was entertained by the characters and the story for an hour and a half, but the movie did not go anywhere. I honestly believe that the script was given a green light for the simple reason that everyone involved saw an opportunity to exercise their chops and do what it is that they're good at. The purpose here was not to entertain the audience or make some money. It was just a vehicle for those involved to feed their brain's craving to engage in a familiar and fun activity. Like doing a jigsaw puzzle, or a sudoku. Fun and engaging for the moment, but when you're done, what was it worth?
Punishment Park
(1971)
Punishment Park: A Sly Piece of Propaganda
27 January 2008
Warning: Spoilers
**** POSSIBLE SPOILER ****
What we have here are a lot of angry people, and the more emotional the characters become, the greater the potential for well produced cinema.
Anyone who has taken basic Sociology will tell you that there are 2 major philosophic viewpoints a person can take on society. The first being the Marxist perspective: The 'have nots' will eventually rise up against the establishment. The second being Emile Durkheim's 'Functionalism': Every part of society serves a purpose for maintaining it's structure. The need for an economic system, the postal system, business development, the judicial system, the political system, hospitals and even the protesters who help to keep things in check.
The hippies in this movie, although angry, were able to articulate themselves enough to present a somewhat intelligent point of view. The educated judiciary council were not able to put forth anything worth listening to. They seemed to be far more concerned with containing the prisoners' behaviours. What really got me was that one of the members of this council was a sociologist. Not only were the Republican right wingers not able to effectively communicate their beliefs, they weren't even able to listen to the prisoners when it was their turn to speak. Sadly everything became little more than a yelling match, and this is where it all became one sided.
As far as we know the prisoners were arrested for some sort of conspiracy to commit an act of treason against America. We were not told of any real actions that any of the prisoners may have legitimately committed. The only thing we know is that the prisoners were verbally expressive. So as far as I can see, the people in charge of the sentencing seemed to think that the first amendment was just a joke.
So for anyone who has half an understanding of basic Sociology, you may want to skip this movie. It is an overly one sided movie geared towards hippie rhetoric, with heaps of authoritarian counter force thrown in to make the movie's Marxist point that much more vibrant. That is all.
What we have here are a lot of angry people, and the more emotional the characters become, the greater the potential for well produced cinema.
Anyone who has taken basic Sociology will tell you that there are 2 major philosophic viewpoints a person can take on society. The first being the Marxist perspective: The 'have nots' will eventually rise up against the establishment. The second being Emile Durkheim's 'Functionalism': Every part of society serves a purpose for maintaining it's structure. The need for an economic system, the postal system, business development, the judicial system, the political system, hospitals and even the protesters who help to keep things in check.
The hippies in this movie, although angry, were able to articulate themselves enough to present a somewhat intelligent point of view. The educated judiciary council were not able to put forth anything worth listening to. They seemed to be far more concerned with containing the prisoners' behaviours. What really got me was that one of the members of this council was a sociologist. Not only were the Republican right wingers not able to effectively communicate their beliefs, they weren't even able to listen to the prisoners when it was their turn to speak. Sadly everything became little more than a yelling match, and this is where it all became one sided.
As far as we know the prisoners were arrested for some sort of conspiracy to commit an act of treason against America. We were not told of any real actions that any of the prisoners may have legitimately committed. The only thing we know is that the prisoners were verbally expressive. So as far as I can see, the people in charge of the sentencing seemed to think that the first amendment was just a joke.
So for anyone who has half an understanding of basic Sociology, you may want to skip this movie. It is an overly one sided movie geared towards hippie rhetoric, with heaps of authoritarian counter force thrown in to make the movie's Marxist point that much more vibrant. That is all.
Blood Ranch
(2006 Video)
Tough time deciding on a vote
4 October 2006
Warning: Spoilers
**** Possible Spoiler Within ****
I had a tough time voting on this one. I mean it had obvious elements from "House of 1000 Corpses", "Wolf Creek", and "The Hills Have Eyes". It was these parts that contained the real horror elements that were done well, and for those who appreciate these movies, well I'm sure you'll get yer kicks here too.
The psychotic lack of empathy and the feeble attempt at a 'Charles Manson' type of philosophy are present here, as is the degrading circus freak show and the sickening gore fest. All this stuff doesn't really phase me anymore, but the rape scene was just totally unnecessary. I had to doc marks for that. Every time I watch these things I have to wonder if I've lost something of worth within my own self.
The acting is horrible, I'll leave it at that. If you want to watch something that's far more gripping and has much more substance. I would suggest 'Oz' or 'Panic Room'.
I had a tough time voting on this one. I mean it had obvious elements from "House of 1000 Corpses", "Wolf Creek", and "The Hills Have Eyes". It was these parts that contained the real horror elements that were done well, and for those who appreciate these movies, well I'm sure you'll get yer kicks here too.
The psychotic lack of empathy and the feeble attempt at a 'Charles Manson' type of philosophy are present here, as is the degrading circus freak show and the sickening gore fest. All this stuff doesn't really phase me anymore, but the rape scene was just totally unnecessary. I had to doc marks for that. Every time I watch these things I have to wonder if I've lost something of worth within my own self.
The acting is horrible, I'll leave it at that. If you want to watch something that's far more gripping and has much more substance. I would suggest 'Oz' or 'Panic Room'.
Born to Defense
(1988)
Most insane bar fight ever!!!
29 October 2005
At first when I was watching this I began to wonder if the movie was going to be unintentionally venture into the taboo by being geared towards racism. Fortunately it doesn't. The characters' behaviours on the antagonist side may be overemphasised but it still works, and that's what the movies message is geared towards. There is not anything political going on here.
The fight scenes are really what you will be watching this movie for. (if not then you would be watching a drama instead of a "martial arts" movie). The fight scenes are killer and send this movie over the top. There is enough senseless violence to have you jumping on your seat and shouting for sure.
Pride can be an ugly thing... but without it we wouldn't have any martial arts movies.
The fight scenes are really what you will be watching this movie for. (if not then you would be watching a drama instead of a "martial arts" movie). The fight scenes are killer and send this movie over the top. There is enough senseless violence to have you jumping on your seat and shouting for sure.
Pride can be an ugly thing... but without it we wouldn't have any martial arts movies.
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