Reviews

Running Scared is a great movie. It's tough, gritty, twisted and original.There are so many things I like about it, but to sum it up I guess I like how it is completely unapologetic in it's tone and visual style. From the get go the movie injects it's frantic energy in the viewer and you just sit there rooting for the good guys and really, really (...) disliking the bad guys. It's the kind of movie that more than once makes you wanna shout "Yeahh!!" in the theater because you are so in to it. Particularly in scene involving a mother and a couple from hell. I think Paul Walker is a good choice for the leading role because of his energetic persona - at times it's almost funny how desperate and frantic he is. And the supporting cast is great. But the real hero of the film is writer/director Wayne Kramer, who became known with The Cooler. Basically he is one original and stylish cat and I really hope that he will continue making movies. For reasons that I don't understand Running Scared didn't do well at the box office at all, but I hope W. Kramer will make a big hit in their nearby future. I certainly will watch whatever movie he directs next.

I rented this movie because of the actors involved - Ray Liotta, LL Cool J, Taye Diggs, Mekhi Phifer and the great Bruce McGill. However, the movie basically bored and confused me simultaneously. To put it simply, it's just too messy. The movie touches on some interesting subjects and has some potential - but the end result is, well, quite a mess.

Slow Burn seems to be quite inspired by "The Usual Suspects" - which is by no means a bad thing. But it all just gets too convoluted. I lost track of the tricks the movie tried to pull to surprise the audience toward the end. It seemed pretty forced as did all the flashbacks throughout the film. I will, however, give the movie credit for "hiding" the bad guy really well - I didn't guess who it was, despite being a big movie buff. The actors all do their jobs just fine, though I think LL Cool J was somewhat miscast.

All in all I would not recommend this movie. I guess there is a reason it was held back for 2 years ;-)