carbuff Much like creating a successful stew out of miscellaneous ingredients lying around the home, this modern film noir takes mostly much-used characters (alcoholic ex-cop, cold-blooded assassins, etc., etc.) from past films, stirs them into a pot, and comes up with an excellent dish, although it lacks fundamental originality. Still, speaking as a better-than-mediocre cook, I was quite impressed with the taste, and much enjoyed the meal. I really don't want to give anything away, because it's got some interesting flavors. Therefore, all I'm going to say is that this is a fine addition to the film noir genre, and if that's one of the things you're into, this will probably be satisfying treat, even if it misses scoring any Michelin stars. Bon appetit.

clintstevens To the few reviewers who gave this a low score, the only thing that impresses you is yourself. After a few minutes I almost didn't continue watching this movie, considering the sad sack main character, but I am SO glad I did! It's a dark comedy and a who-done-it, populated with some great performances, especially John Hawkes, whom I was unfamiliar with, and including Robert Forster, Clifton Collins Jr. and Anthony Anderson. Considering the vast amount of garbage available to watch, don't miss this film, watch it! You'll be glad you did!

gururug Interesting film. 10 second into this movie a strange feeling swept over me..... It was buzzing with a Tarentino vibe though the synopsis ( plot ) and scene told me otherwise.I had to leave a comment here because what i'm left with after the experience of this film is some sort of quasi awe/shock with just how precise the writer / director (s) were in executing such a succinct study in film making.I can't help feeling that behind the scenes, there are some missing architects unknown......... something....... catalytic.Pace, camerawork and people combine with score, direction and set to culminate in something any aspiring film maker should study and aspire to.To the creators, only some very minor tweaks in the crescendos, both visually and cognitively would have turned this symphony to the absolute high that it was capable of.I look forward to seeing future...... message making? work :) Thanks!

Khun Kru Mark Flawed ex-cop turns private eye to solve a small town murder. (Where do they come up with these ideas!)This is a strictly 'by the numbers' crime caper but it's elevated by the lead character, Mike Kendall. He's not particularly tough or smart or even likable, but he's strong enough and interesting enough to carry this predictable story of blackmail and murder.A bar owner and some young girls think it would be a good idea to blackmail some out-of-town real estate moguls and at the beginning, they cash in. Eventually, the big city execs get tired of paying so they put out a hit on the girls... and one by one they disappear. The ex-cop and the real cops form an uneasy alliance to nab the bad guys... (I'm telling you, these ideas... genius!)Anyway, after the 90-minute runtime people get shot, coshed on the noggin and roughed up - and the bad guys are rounded up or killed!There's a moderately interesting angle about Kendall being adopted and the relationship with his forgiving black sister and her nice husband. You get the feeling it was written in to add a 'human element' for the private eye. It works well enough but it wasn't necessary.As added bonuses, the cameramen on this movie set all know how to operate tripods and there's not one single time-line shift! Those two factors alone make this adventure worth watching!I enjoyed it a lot and I'll watch it again, so 7 out of 10 from me for what that's worth.