minnix

I really enjoyed the gulf coast island scenery, it's not often you see it featured in a film, especially a horror. Other than that, it's pretty slow going, with the first kill taking place pretty late and the others being unremarkable. Otherwise it's just walking around the island but I didn't mind too much as it was nice to look at and shot well. To be honest I would rather be killed by a nightmare creature than be married to the protagonist who is the biggest downer sourpuss ever caught on film. Absolutely miserable. Speaking of nightmares, it's interesting that she believes if she falls asleep the nightmares she has will kill her and the ones she loves. From coffee to cigarettes to burning her hand to stay awake, a lot of this would be replicated a couple of years later in Nightmare on Elm Street. Seems a bit much to just chalk up to coincidence. There's an unusual ending that I won't spoil, and I'm still not sure how I feel about it. Clever or contrived? You decide.

⭐ ⭐ 1/2 out of ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

NB has a little bit of everything thrown together that makes for an entertaining watch. Usually I would come down on a movie that doesn't know what it wants to be; a spring break sex comedy? a slasher? a romantic drama? a biker flick? a mystery? But I have a feeling it's actually purposeful here, something for everyone, and it works. The shocking (literally) kills are impressive for the budget, and it keeps you on your toes as to who is the actual murderer without insulting your intelligence with the final reveal. I quite enjoyed it, it's definitely not boring, and I'll always tune in for John Saxon.

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 1/2 out of ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

First let me say I was supposed to be pirating Painkiller Jane. I had no idea this wasn't that till halfway through the movie and still no super soldier appeared. Also I couldn't figure out why SyFy would play this movie. It was just an old man in a purge mask murdering pharma execs. Turns I out it was a completely different movie. This movie is so DUMB, literally on par with a Neil Breen movie. Acting is awful and the writing is absolutely juvenile, a 15 year old's wet dream of vigilante justice. Nothing adds up or makes sense, plot holes out the ass, but I can't say it's not entertaining. Maybe because it is so dumb, I don't know, I guess I am dumb. I'm dumb enough to watch the wrong movie.

⭐ 1/2 out of ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Very straightforward and simple plot without any setup or backstory which works well for this film. No metaphors about life or hidden subtext, just Bronson jumping off a train car in New Orleans and being a quiet badass who says hardly anything but knocks the ever-loving shit out of poor chumps for money during the depression. Managed by Coburn who plays the brash fast talking gambling addict Speed, both men are perfect in their roles. Films like this are where Walter Hill really shines; minimum dialogue, tight and tense action and fight sequences, and authentic scenery and backdrops.

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 1/2 out of ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐