Malevolence (2004/II)

Directors:

Nick Groff
Mike A. Martinez

Writers:

Nick Groff (writer)
Mike A. Martinez (writer)

Genre:

Crime | Action | Drame

Accroche:

When bad things happen to bad people

Plot:

Antonio owes the Robaldo family a hundred G's, Gray wants revenge on the street gang who mugged him...

Plot Keywords:

Gore | Hitman | Jungle Fever | Mafia | Murder

Avis des utilisateurs:

A low-budget ShortCuts...

Ensemble

Scott Brown	...	Jimmy Calaruso
Steve Reaser	...	David Calaruso
Christopher J. Buzzell	...	Gray Corolla (as Jackamoe Buzzell)
Gerrence George	...	Det. Ernest R. Brickley
Adam Yoder	...	Joshua
P. David Miller	...	Tony Arzenta
Steed Corulla	...	Antonio Robaldo
Tezz Yancey	...	Tim "One Shot" Brown
Gordon Mitchell	...	Capo Fabrizio De Martino
Matt Sjafiroeddin	...	Young Antonio
Jeff Burbank	...	Brad Wagler
Joseph Szewczyk	...	Brandon Wagler
Julius 'Dutch' Schwall	...	Giuseppe Robaldo, The Boss
Clint Wilder	...	Craig Brown
Justine Baker	...	Flower, the prostitute

MPAA:

Rated R for strong violence and some language.

Durée:

127 min

Pays:

USA

Langue:

Anglais

Couleur:

Couleur

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Son:

Stereo

Classification:

USA:Unrated

Emplacements De Pelliculage:

Beatty, Nevada, USA

Company:

Film Harvest Productions

Anecdotes:

All of the off-screen voices, from the news report on the TV, the PA system in the high school, and the screaming during the "hell" sequences were done by writer/director/editors Nick Groff and Mike A. Martinez.

Guillemet:

Agent Jack Kimble: Jimmy, you made a big mistake killing that kid. I hope you're listening to me right now... because I'm going to take my fist, ram it through your ear, and smash your god damn brain with my fingers!

Connexions De Film:

Features Violenza in un carcere femminile (1982)

Soundtrack:

Comfort

A low-budget ShortCuts...

...or at least sort of.

Before I start this review, I want to say that this film is by no means a master-piece, and by no means as bad as some people try to let you believe.

The story mostly evolves around David (Steve Reaser), who helps his brother, Jimmy (Scott Brown) escape from jail. They end up entangled into a mob-story, and brief meetings twist into really devastating turns in their lives.

Overall, the story is actually cleverly laid out and not bad at all.

Mostly, the actors are also way above average. Some actors especially stand out, like Scott Brown, Tezz Yancey, Clint Wilder and the older one of the shrinks (don't know that actors name).

The directing and use of props, cars and locations are also very neat. Mike Martinez is very smart - and imaginative - when it comes to use what you have, and find original takes on delivering a scene.

The movie does have some issues, though. First of all, it is not as good as it could've been because of the wasted opportunity to make it shine in the post-production.

Editing is sloppy at moments, color-correction is absent, sound quality is very uneven and many scenes are too long. Trimming this movie down to approx 90 minutes would make it a gem on the DVD-market.

Actually, post-production is this movies biggest problem. Acting, directing and story-wise it works very well considered the budget and the restrictions these people had to work with.

I think most people working with this film took it seriously enough to try to deliver something good. Some scenes shines through, and when you see the black-and-white story-telling in the beginning of the film, you really see how good this film can be, if everything in the film had this equally laid out quality.

It's an impressive cast and an impressive number of cast! Not an easy script to take on as your first feature.

Don't believe the ultra-low ratings on IMDb. There are far worse films than this one, and this film actually tries to bring you something a little bit more clever than the usual low-budget features out there. So if you have a moment to spare, give this film a shot. It's truly a special movie, and it's a nice change of pace from anything you've ever seen.