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Cruel and Unusual

Cruel and Unusual

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Quietly compelling
Review: Am I the ONLY person that really liked and enjoyed this movie?

I thought it to be very un-usual in many ways, including the ending which was of course reminiscent of a fairly recent thriller, but completely unexpected here.

The Oregon Coast and its scenic beauty, would alone be worth the price of admission. The feeling of "quietness" in the overall film, added to the build up of mystery and "what and when" was coming next. No insulting noise, visual effects or in-appropriate profanity. Everything was done appropriately, and all was a treat and Tom was convincing, as was the brother of the very savvy fisherwoman.

I am ordering this movie and this will be the third movie I have ordered in 10 years. I want it for my collection. I have 10.

Additionally, I will keep an eye out for the producer of this film as I wish to see ALL his others!

If you are a woman, who loves quiet, compelling mystery with few characters, and good pauses and intimate camera shots, showing emotion with silence, and great capturing of emotional and thinking eyes, "get this movie." It leaves the imagination, intriqued.




Rating: 1 stars
Summary: poor direction
Review: In many ways this is an interesting movie. It explores the thinking and doings of a serial killer and allows for most of it's running time to go deeply into what makes him tick. In that approach lies also it's flaws. It's simply to slow. A better director whould have kept it flowing at a more reasonable pace and maybe even added some spice to many scenes, which seem at best half-complete. Tom Berenger is very good as the killer and, in my opinion, deserves better projects in the near future. The rest of the cast don?t come off well.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Slow but not boring
Review: In many ways this is an interesting movie. It explores the thinking and doings of a serial killer and allows for most of it's running time to go deeply into what makes him tick. In that approach lies also it's flaws. It's simply to slow. A better director whould have kept it flowing at a more reasonable pace and maybe even added some spice to many scenes, which seem at best half-complete. Tom Berenger is very good as the killer and, in my opinion, deserves better projects in the near future. The rest of the cast don't come off well.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: NICE TRY TOM
Review: Over the years, Tom Berenger has shown diversity in his projects, including such films as "Looking for Mr. Goodbar," "Platoon," "Rustler's Rhapsody," and "The Substitute." However, in this muddled Canadian venture, Tom works hard to make the film work. While he is convincing in his role as serial killer Eddie, the rest of the cast and the plodding direction/screenplay make all his efforts pointless. Tygh Runyan as Mike is pitifully miscast and doesn't do anything to really make you feel for his character; Rachel Hayward does a little better, but we never really know what makes her tick and the ending is abysmally flat. There's little suspense, and that rests mainly on director's lap; moody scenes of the lighthouse and the bay can't compensate. Could have been and should have been better.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: NICE TRY TOM
Review: Over the years, Tom Berenger has shown diversity in his projects, including such films as "Looking for Mr. Goodbar," "Platoon," "Rustler's Rhapsody," and "The Substitute." However, in this muddled Canadian venture, Tom works hard to make the film work. While he is convincing in his role as serial killer Eddie, the rest of the cast and the plodding direction/screenplay make all his efforts pointless. Tygh Runyan as Mike is pitifully miscast and doesn't do anything to really make you feel for his character; Rachel Hayward does a little better, but we never really know what makes her tick and the ending is abysmally flat. There's little suspense, and that rests mainly on director's lap; moody scenes of the lighthouse and the bay can't compensate. Could have been and should have been better.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Rotten Tomatoes, Tom!
Review: The jacket on the tape says something like "this will keep you guessing." I was guessing that maybe it would make some sense as the plot evolved. However, it de-evolved, sad to say. Gratuitous sex, gory violence, and a very disappointing end. I guess Mr. Berenger was between good movies and used this as a "filler." The writers gave him less than nothing to work with, so it's not entirely his fault. What a waste of talent and good looks.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Strange and waayyyy too lonnngggg....
Review: The only word to describe this movie is strange. Also, it drags in so many places that you want to fast-forward to the end which is completely anti-climactic and extremely far-fetched.

The one and only bright spot in this film is the performance by the villain. He is wonderful in his part, and you get the idea that his talents are being wasted by making this turkey. At times, his acting talents are amazing. The others in the film are mediocre at best. There are better ways to spend a couple of hours.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Strange and waayyyy too lonnngggg....
Review: The only word to describe this movie is strange. Also, it drags in so many places that you want to fast-forward to the end which is completely anti-climactic and extremely far-fetched.

The one and only bright spot in this film is the performance by the villain. He is wonderful in his part, and you get the idea that his talents are being wasted by making this turkey. At times, his acting talents are amazing. The others in the film are mediocre at best. There are better ways to spend a couple of hours.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Steer Away from This "Thriller" without Thrill
Review: This is a Canadian film with an alternative title "Watchtower," starring Tom Berenger, who is best known as a tough senior soldier in Oliver Stone's "Platoon." But that film about the Vietnam War, which gave him an Oscar nomination, was made years ago.

And this film came, starring Tom Berenger as a mystrious stranger, who happens to come to a small seaside town in Oregon (actually, hte film is shot in British Columbia). Claiming himself as a teacher at university, he says he is here to write a book. Getting a job at an old watchtower by the sea, he is befriended with the local sister and brother Kate and Mike. As Kate, owner of a fishing boat gets closer to him, Mike, living without purpose, finds a kind of father figure in him. But this guy, coming from nowhere, seems to have some secrets behind his face.

Sounds interesting? Maybe. But the film uses the idea so awfully that you keep on pushing a fast-foward button to the end. First of all, don't expect any suspense. There is none. The "secrets" are revealed in the first 10 minutes, and you know the face of the serial killer from the first. But that would not be damaging the film if it holds some dramatic tension between this stranger in town and those sister-brother characters, in order to develop the initial idea about the bond between this murderer and the kid, or his sister. No. The film is all about ordinary love scenes with cheesy dialogues and self-indulgent, extended guitar play as its soundtrack.

I don't tell you anything about the ending because it is simply terrible. The "clues" leading to the finale are given in the most awkward fashion which makes you literally gasp. Tom Berenger's acting might gain some praise from fans, but I wasn't impressed at all, probably because the characters surrounding him are so awfully drawn that there's no way to compare him with the others. At least, he deserves much better material. Dull at its best.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Steer Away from This "Thriller" without Thrill
Review: This is a Canadian film with an alternative title "Watchtower," starring Tom Berenger, who is best known as a tough senior soldier in Oliver Stone's "Platoon." But that film about the Vietnam War, which gave him an Oscar nomination, was made years ago.

And this film came, starring Tom Berenger as a mystrious stranger, who happens to come to a small seaside town in Oregon (actually, hte film is shot in British Columbia). Claiming himself as a teacher at university, he says he is here to write a book. Getting a job at an old watchtower by the sea, he is befriended with the local sister and brother Kate and Mike. As Kate, owner of a fishing boat gets closer to him, Mike, living without purpose, finds a kind of father figure in him. But this guy, coming from nowhere, seems to have some secrets behind his face.

Sounds interesting? Maybe. But the film uses the idea so awfully that you keep on pushing a fast-foward button to the end. First of all, don't expect any suspense. There is none. The "secrets" are revealed in the first 10 minutes, and you know the face of the serial killer from the first. But that would not be damaging the film if it holds some dramatic tension between this stranger in town and those sister-brother characters, in order to develop the initial idea about the bond between this murderer and the kid, or his sister. No. The film is all about ordinary love scenes with cheesy dialogues and self-indulgent, extended guitar play as its soundtrack.

I don't tell you anything about the ending because it is simply terrible. The "clues" leading to the finale are given in the most awkward fashion which makes you literally gasp. Tom Berenger's acting might gain some praise from fans, but I wasn't impressed at all, probably because the characters surrounding him are so awfully drawn that there's no way to compare him with the others. At least, he deserves much better material. Dull at its best.


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