blammo_kaboom
Lifetime Total
1+
IMDb Member
20 years
Reviews
The Clovehitch Killer (2018)
Slow Burn but highly satisfying Psychological Study/Light Thriller
This story is very loosely based on BTK using that case just a basis for his general M.O. and some of the trappings surrounding that real life serial killer but of course, this story is purely fictional, tho doing this very much grounds it in some solid reality territory as it's used as a character and somewhat of a setting and timeline framework here...
This movie is all about character and slow reveals and twist you obviously see coming but doesn't really matter as it's more about the tone and character interplay than being genre standard fare.. most scenes are understated, which is very much appreciated to the normal hyperbolic ticking time clock manufactured suspense.. the thing that shines here isn't really "Is he, isn't he".. it's more character study than true suspense thriller... and went places I did not quite expect with the plot, so not so much by the numbers.. it was so understated that I did not expect some of the reveals at the climax of the plot.. but looking back, I should have picked up on it.. it played with cliches without being showy about it.. which I very much appreciated.. so expect to just more get to know the characters, learn about then and have the plot unfold and have maybe a few surprises but not shoved in your face, it's not a gimmicky sort of movie.. it's really more about the characters and learning their story and being with them, than trappings of genre cliches..
and well acted, I mean I usually have an unexplainable and irrational but healthy in my opinion dislike for Dylan McDermott's acting and face... heh. but I really enjoyed him in this.. no real scenery chewing, well, maybe a little, heh, but for me just added to the movie actually as it kind of fit and did not seem out of place. all of the cast, especially the young cast, performed to top notch levels for this level of filmmaking..
I dunno, I went it thinking it was going to be one kind of hyperbolic genre cliche and was very pleasantly surprised that it was a decently acted and understatedly directed character piece.. it's not an earth shatterer by any stretch, but a solid engaging watch that makes you think a little bit, about the situation..
I would say having a background or interest in serial killers and how they operate might help in the enjoyment of the film, as they do get a decent score, since they drew from a real source as a frame work. but don't expect flashy and I would not describe it as "taut" by any stretch..
some will find it boring I am sure, but the concept and the interplay and how it was executed was what drew me in.. aside from the ending, much of what happened in the movie, has happened in real life actually and has basis in reality. much more than in most serial killer based films.
not perfect by any stretch but I'd recommend it as a strong, nothing else to watch pick for sure.. which is how I came to watch it.. I expected to roll my eyes and surprisingly did a whole lot less than I thought I would, tho of course, did a little, hehe. solid watch for fun and interesting premise.. slightly different than the normal run of the mill, in a good way.
This movie is all about character and slow reveals and twist you obviously see coming but doesn't really matter as it's more about the tone and character interplay than being genre standard fare.. most scenes are understated, which is very much appreciated to the normal hyperbolic ticking time clock manufactured suspense.. the thing that shines here isn't really "Is he, isn't he".. it's more character study than true suspense thriller... and went places I did not quite expect with the plot, so not so much by the numbers.. it was so understated that I did not expect some of the reveals at the climax of the plot.. but looking back, I should have picked up on it.. it played with cliches without being showy about it.. which I very much appreciated.. so expect to just more get to know the characters, learn about then and have the plot unfold and have maybe a few surprises but not shoved in your face, it's not a gimmicky sort of movie.. it's really more about the characters and learning their story and being with them, than trappings of genre cliches..
and well acted, I mean I usually have an unexplainable and irrational but healthy in my opinion dislike for Dylan McDermott's acting and face... heh. but I really enjoyed him in this.. no real scenery chewing, well, maybe a little, heh, but for me just added to the movie actually as it kind of fit and did not seem out of place. all of the cast, especially the young cast, performed to top notch levels for this level of filmmaking..
I dunno, I went it thinking it was going to be one kind of hyperbolic genre cliche and was very pleasantly surprised that it was a decently acted and understatedly directed character piece.. it's not an earth shatterer by any stretch, but a solid engaging watch that makes you think a little bit, about the situation..
I would say having a background or interest in serial killers and how they operate might help in the enjoyment of the film, as they do get a decent score, since they drew from a real source as a frame work. but don't expect flashy and I would not describe it as "taut" by any stretch..
some will find it boring I am sure, but the concept and the interplay and how it was executed was what drew me in.. aside from the ending, much of what happened in the movie, has happened in real life actually and has basis in reality. much more than in most serial killer based films.
not perfect by any stretch but I'd recommend it as a strong, nothing else to watch pick for sure.. which is how I came to watch it.. I expected to roll my eyes and surprisingly did a whole lot less than I thought I would, tho of course, did a little, hehe. solid watch for fun and interesting premise.. slightly different than the normal run of the mill, in a good way.
Finding Steve McQueen (2019)
a breezy light comedy heist flick based on a true story
Light spoilers due to based on a real person/story but no serious plot points.
While it's not gonna bust any genres and the only somewhat interesting filmmaking thing about it is it's timeline jumps due to it being told in flashbacks... (which are done coherently, but it's not actually interesting, it's the only thing i could stretch to say it was interesting in a film making sense..)
But Travis Fimmel is good as the likable awkward lead.. it's weird seeing him with hair on his head and none on his face from Vikings, lol.. I gotta say, he's got amazing eyes. heh.
really the only thing going for this movie is the cast, and really, the supporting cast at that, the two romantic leads do well enough but it's the support cast that really shine.. but it's enough to make the film a light fun watch on a saturday afternoon..
it's a middle of the road film all around but just edges out on this side of ok.. I enjoyed watching it even tho it really didn't do anything.. it's a "cute" little breezy period piece with a light heist bit thrown in.. it's all loosely based on a real thing and person, Harry Barber.. who was part of a heist in the early 70's who had a whole town and it's sheriff do a letter writing campaign on his behalf to attest to his good character..
so, don't expect much but it does have it's charms.. charming, that's a good one word review. Forest Whitaker is wasted here but Fitchner does his best Fitchner.. it's just light fun but can easily be skipped..
While it's not gonna bust any genres and the only somewhat interesting filmmaking thing about it is it's timeline jumps due to it being told in flashbacks... (which are done coherently, but it's not actually interesting, it's the only thing i could stretch to say it was interesting in a film making sense..)
But Travis Fimmel is good as the likable awkward lead.. it's weird seeing him with hair on his head and none on his face from Vikings, lol.. I gotta say, he's got amazing eyes. heh.
really the only thing going for this movie is the cast, and really, the supporting cast at that, the two romantic leads do well enough but it's the support cast that really shine.. but it's enough to make the film a light fun watch on a saturday afternoon..
it's a middle of the road film all around but just edges out on this side of ok.. I enjoyed watching it even tho it really didn't do anything.. it's a "cute" little breezy period piece with a light heist bit thrown in.. it's all loosely based on a real thing and person, Harry Barber.. who was part of a heist in the early 70's who had a whole town and it's sheriff do a letter writing campaign on his behalf to attest to his good character..
so, don't expect much but it does have it's charms.. charming, that's a good one word review. Forest Whitaker is wasted here but Fitchner does his best Fitchner.. it's just light fun but can easily be skipped..