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Reviews
Out of Death (2021)
Good film by a talented crew with limited resorces
The film has received mixed reviews, but anyone expecting an action film with Bruce Willis in the lead role is likely to be disappointed. However, first-time director Mike Burns, who is also responsible for the soundtrack, has made a film that exceeds the possibilities available to him. Bill Lawrence's screenplay uses characters that are unusually elaborate for the genre, and the film's claustrophobic settings work to the advantage of dramatic tension. Willis was only able to spend one day of the nine days of shooting with the crew, but the result does not show it. Just as the forest traps the actors, the filmmakers are trapped by the loss of shooting days and the shrinking budget due to the virus. But like the protagonists, the filmmakers have not given up.
The film will be remembered for the powerful performance of Jaime King, who outshines much more renowned actors as a young woman who is still trying to prove herself to her father after his death, and who doubts herself because of her own childhood and adult traumas. The path referred to in the film's title also refers to the psychological journey of the protagonist, which King portrays authentically.
Willis has drawn on his dramatic flair to create a character very different from his usual characters as a retired policeman grieving for his wife. His acting is subtle and well-trained, not routine. His gestures are solid, but thoughtful, and he is able to move the character away from John McLane's clichés. Some scenes clearly show why he became/was an A-list actor.
Lala Kent is an interesting addition to the film as the troubled policewoman raising her child alone, who drifts into the police force, where she is drawn into corruption and dragged deeper and deeper into it. As she suspects that the drug dealer is an undercover agent, she is forced into a trajectory of obsession, and the tragic outcome draws ever closer as she discovers the dictaphone.
Tyler Jon Olson is given a difficult role, screenwriter Lawrence expected a complex character portrayal from him as the small-minded, weak-charactered country cop who grew up in the shadow of his powerful, strong-willed brother and has been hopelessly in love with the policewoman portrayed by Kent since childhood. And who must then deliver her death sentence. Michael Sirow plays the arrogant sheriff with a character distorted by power, avoiding the clichés that usually characterise rural sheriffs on the screen. This is aided by the fortunate choices of the costume designer.
The crew tried to show the best of their creative talents within the very limited possibilities. The paths of fates with tragic endings intersect in the woods, making this film more of a psychological drama than an action film. The directorial concept reinforces this. A particularly well-executed part of the film is the way in which the body of the drug dealer is cleaned up by the policeman played by Jon Olson, a scene which makes the most of the fact that director Burns has also taken the musical direction into his own hands - it's almost a black comedy, with the contrast between the suffocating drama of the scene and the light, almost jokey music. The director has also tried to leave his creativity and his signature on the film, even in the constraints of the possibilities, and this is reflected, for example, in the way the film is divided into chapters.
All in all, I think it is a good film, as long as you do not expect an action film and you appreciate the efforts and the limited possibilities of the filmmakers.
Team Building (2011)
Insultingly bad movie
This movie is just being aired on the national TV here in Hungary - but while watching it, one wonders why was this made...
Obviously nor the actors nor the craw has the slightest clue regarding a team building training and the things that happen there. Every single minute is a pain to watch, it is difficult to believe that anyone in its right mind considers this crap to be suitable for presenting to an audience different than dead pigeons.
A shame for Hungarian filmmaking, a shame for everyone involved. Stupid dialogs said by shockingly weak actors in unrealistic settings - I've never ever witnessed such a pure waste of time.
Derailed (2002)
Worst than Shark Attack 3
I've seen a lot of bad films, thanks to the Hungarian RTL Channel, which aires terrible films every Monday evening. Now this crap was shown on Sunday, but I can't figure out why. I don't even understand how can somebody in his right mind think that this film should be aired. Terrible in every aspect. Derailed has such a low production value, such an amateurish cutting that makes Octopus 2, or Shark Attack 3 look like a masterpiece. Do yourself a favour and avoid this.
1/10