The Killing Jar

I've been clear in the past, I very rarely like it when a film opens with a scene from later on in the story. Even though the scene 'The Killing Jar' chooses to show us isn't from very far into the movie, it completely ruins the suspense and mystery of the opening 20-30 minutes of the film. A terrible decision.

As far as B-level casts go this is a pretty interesting one. Lots of names who have turned in some pretty iconic performances over the years, but have faded away a bit lately. We know that all of them have the potential to be very watchable though and for the most part they are here. Everyone seems to commit to the project pretty well and it shows.

The film has a mystery element, however it doesn't do a very good job of hiding its secrets very well. Even someone like me, who makes a point of not trying to work anything out and just going along for the ride, was able to see pretty clearly who was who and what was what.

I enjoy single-setting films and I love some good old-fashioned violence in my films. This film has both. There's some good stuff and some not so good stuff in 'The Killing Jar'. Give it a chance and it might just surprise you how much you enjoy it. 6/10.

The movie plays in a little coffee-bar only, different people come together. It's an interesting play of tension and violence. The movie is professional done while it's still a rather cheap production (probably the salary for Michael Madsen and the other actors was by far the most expensive thing). Good actors in this movie, good acting by them. It's by far not a brilliant movie, I wouldn't even say it's very good. It's a good movie, an OK movie, that is quite entertaining and let's the time go by fast. You will want to see it through to the end after the first 20 or so minutes at least that's how it was for me. A must for Michael Madsen Fans, and still a possibility for everyone else.

I remembered watching this movie on TV late at night but I didn't get the name of it. It was so suspenseful, but I was haunted not remembering the name. Well, I watched Reservoir Dogs tonight and it hit me that Michael Madsen was in this movie! He does loathsome and despicable so well. Michael kept the movie from being dry and boring. Not bad movie.

Grabastic - I'm a channel flipper and I stopped flipping for this little gem. The movie was all about acting, it reminded me of 12 Angry Men or Night Of The Living Dead as it took place in a small space and was packed with tension and personalities. Bloody movie if you want street cred. You really didn't know who would be shot next or how or why. Micheal Madsen filled his type cast as a deranged thug and the rest of the cast played through acting school chops. Madsen got to ham it up and his experience showed. The writing was well done and tightly edited. Jake Busey as always bought the air of chaos and wildness along and fleshed his character out well. You could really imagine the actors walking around the green room with a script and talking to themselves.

This is a hidden gem of a movie that a lot more people need to see.

Its a simple set piece taking place in a late night diner.

The story is super solid as is the acting.

What really works for this film above all else is its slightly underplayed. No over the top hyped up hysterics. It allows the drama to do the work.

Great movie :)