Locker 13 (2014) User Reviews (9)

Oh so near

[stemal-1 · 6/10 · 28 May 2014]

I've been a sucker for anthology movies since the Amicus horrors of the 60s and 70s (sadly I'm old enough to have seen Tales From The Crypt and Asylum on 'the big screen'), so the synopsis of a little movie called Locker 13 greatly appealed to me.

This is so nearly a great film of its type. All the stories are gripping, the wraparound included. Good dialogue and solid acting from some recognisable faces.

Unfortunately, short stories for me also need a satisfying payoff. And this is where Locker 13 falls down. After interesting build-ups, most of them left me thinking, "is that it?"

One memorable ending would have earned it a 7, but just a 6 for me. Certainly worth watching though.

*SPOILERS* So much Promise -- no Follow-Through

[speedy-droid · 5/10 · 23 June 2014]

This film starts off wonderfully with a beautiful interaction between Archie (Jon Gries) and Skip (Jason Spisak). In fact, every single scene involving Archie (Jon Gries), I found to be mesmerizing and very well acted. It seemed like such a perfect setup for a psychological thriller... And then the Roof caved in.

Through a series of vignettes, Archie attempts to explain to Skip the consequences of the decisions that people make in life, all centering around a Locker, Number 13, which is present in some form in every single one of the short stories.

But, the stories Archie is telling Skip just never quite tie in with the situation with which Skip ends up facing at "Locker 13". The Metaphor is never completed, and we're all just left wondering... "Huh?????"

A Short Story Cocktail That Hits the Mark

[P3n-E-W1s3 · 6/10 · 8 November 2023]

Stories: 1.25/2 - Direction & Pace 2.00/4 - Performance 1.25/2 - Entertainment 1.25/2

Total: 5.75/10.

Anthology films are like a box of chocolates; you never quite know what you're gonna get. "Locker 13" from 2014 is no exception to this cinematic roulette, but it's a box of chocolates you'd be thrilled to dive into.

The movie serves up a mixture of stories as diverse as a Tinder date menu - some are great, some are decent, and a couple are about as obscure as Bigfoot's shoe size. But it's the first and last stories that steal the spotlight. If this were a talent show, they'd walk away with the golden buzzer.

The direction in this film is as sharp as a tailor's needle, and I have to give props to the director of the boxing story - it's like watching a boxing match with your eyes closed and oddly thrilling! The final tale, confined to a single room, keeps you glued to the screen with its captivating storytelling and a twist ending as predictable as your grandma's meatloaf recipe.

But what genuinely surprised me is the stellar cast - I mean, who knew Ricky Schroder was still in the game? He shines as the boxing killer, proving he's not a Silver Spoon anymore. All the performers bring their A-game, and it's like watching a relay race where the baton of talent is passed with precision.

Now, I never sugarcoat shortcomings; there's one story that's a bit of a snoozer, but hey, even the best roller coasters have a slow part, giving you the perfect opportunity to grab a coffee or answer nature's call. But don't worry, the film picks up right where it left off.

In conclusion, "Locker 13" is worth a watch, whether you're in the mood for a movie night on a cold winter evening or merely looking for a fun diversion. It's a well-crafted anthology that's entertaining from start to finish, and you'll crave more incredible stories. So, grab your popcorn, settle down, and heartily enjoy.

One flaw... but a fatal one

[Wizard-8 · 25 May 2016]

I have always been a fan of horror anthologies, whether they be in comic book form (like those 1950s EC Comics) or in movie form. So it should come as no surprise that I've seen a LOT of horror anthologies. Which may explain why I had a big problem with "Locker 13". Since I have seen so many short horror tales with big twists at the end, in recent years I have found new horror anthologies to be very predictable. Of the five stories told in "Locker 13", I was able to more or less guess what "surprise" twist would happen on four of these stories. The one story that I wasn't able to predict the ending (a secret society new member initiation) had a ending that was disappointing in another manner, just petering out with NO surprise at all. While this movie isn't the worst horror anthology I have seen - it has some genuine merit, like good acting and fine production values for what was a pittance of a budget - if you are looking for neat twists and surprises, you better look elsewhere. Unless you've never seen a horror anthology before.

After Lebowski There's Not Much To It....

[wandernn1-81-683274 · 3/10 · 6 March 2022]

The stories contained herein were not THAT terrible, except for the main one. And that's the one that needed to be a lot better. It was good to see Mr. Lebowski!!!! But overall I can't give this one any more than a 3/10.

The shorts are decent, the main story is just not right. There is something here though.

[face-819-933726 · 7/10 · 9 May 2014]

A solid three story vignette with a twisted tale tying them all together that just doesn't quite work. This is a decent mid budget movie with a very good cast, and I Enjoyed a couple of the stories, the main story that ties it all together needed to be tighter though, it just isn't right, and for the first couple of scenes it just feels cheap, and awkward. You either get the time travel right or you do it this way. Even so I recommend this for the shorts themselves, the actors are more surprising than the twists, and the performances are not all canned, but some are really good. Mr. Ricky Schroder is the Champ now in his own right, and really gives a solid performance. I will tell you that you may really like the shorts, and so for anyone who likes movies that are about redemption, or retribution, and have a yearning for nostalgic times, and stories lifted from The Twilight Zone or Outer Limits you will get something out of this. You won't get anything really new here, but they have done a decent job with what is at hand, and the actors are all really committed, (though some commit with more talent than others) I say give it a try. A bit of blood, but nothing to scare off the weak, or the meek

Nice surprise , beautifully made

[luisdavidac · 8/10 · 25 April 2015]

Forgive me IMDb but I must say this.User reviews and ratings on this site are many times quite misleading.Still I having been coming here for years.Sometimes I come across awful movies with great rating and vice verse.This is an example of the latter.Although the ratings haven't even reached 5 points, This is an excellent production.Great combinations of stories with solid acting from everyone,and with a message, or messages..this reminds me of twilight zone albeit modernised.loved every bit of it.And I am a tough customer when it comes to films.A great great find.So good it deserves a first post from me :)

It was clever

[solonche-637-153706 · 8/10 · 3 October 2021]

An 8 for me.

I found the structural story clever, especially in the second half. It makes up for certain deficiencies, which it has, no doubt. Schroder and Polito were fine in story 1. It was very Twilight Zone-ish. A couple of the stories were weak, but I enjoyed Huddleston in the one about the initiation, playing it like Jeffrey Lebowski. The highlight though is all about the locker. I liked Jason Spisak as Skip. All in all...pretty good. Don't forget..Know Yourself.

KNOW THYSELF

[nogodnomasters · 8/10 · 7 December 2018]

Skip (Jason Spisak ) has spent 2 years in jail, crime unspecified. Upon his release he gets a job as the night shift janitor at a west world run by philosopher cowboy Archie (Jon Gries). While showing Skip around Archie relates to him four separate stories about how choices determine our life.

1) Tommy (Ricky Schroder) is a human punching bag who wants to be a boxer. He comes across an old set of gloves that turns him into a killer boxer.

2) Eugene (Bart Johnson) gets initiated into the Red Fez Society which takes a twist.

3) Bill (Alexander Polinsky) wants to kill himself and then meets Jack (Jason Marsden) on a roof top.

4) A hitman (Rick Hoffman) tries to determine which one of three women hired him to kill her husband.

After the four episodes are told, Skip is instructed not to go into Locker 13 which lasts about 30 seconds. He becomes our fifth story.

The stories were well acted out, but the first and fourth episodes were overly predictable. The suicide club episode really didn't twist much and didn't have anything to do with Locker 13. It appears to have been something they just tossed in. The Red Fez Society seemed more like an opportunity squandered.

It is a nice little anthology of stories. Not to be confused with the film the "13th Unit."

No f-bombs, sex, or nudity. One of those odd "R" ratings for violence.