Tentacle 8

In Tentacle 8, we follow National Security Agency Analyst Raymond Berry, as he is accused of treason and taken into captivity after the intelligence agency's classified files are deleted due to a computer virus. During the course of his brutal interrogation, Berry longs to be reunited with his girlfriend Tabitha, a CIA agent. Later, a terrified Berry learns that Tabitha is not who she appears to be. Tentacle 8 is an ambitious undertaking for an indie film, and admirably tackles a complex subject with intelligence. The writer/director embraces ambiguity and never plays down to his audience. The chronology of the film's story becomes difficult to follow at one point, but it raises fascinating questions about moral choices between personal and public duties.

Movies should draw on real life, but people often simply draw on other movies they have already seen, and this is the case here. In a low budget movie, you can't outspend Hollywood, so maybe have a superior concept, better writing, or unique cinematography, what do you think? Maybe next time.

Something about that the NSA has been hacked and there is only one expert who can save the whole government from crashing down. Essentially it's Red Hat meets an overdrawn bank account.

This poorly shot movie is based on an Islamic terrorist plot that probable comes from a book of movie clichés. I think I have already written too much.

Yes, "Tentacle 8" is perfectly titled. As I watched I felt drawn into the story and then bound increasingly tightly in it. If I didn't seek the thrill of not knowing and of danger, I wouldn't have liked this story's powerful hold! It's a spellbinding trap for those who love to be daring. I could sense how torn between hope and despair Ray was. In fact, I felt that right along with him because of Brett Rickaby's exquisite connection with his character. It was tough to watch the ruthless treatment of him and the not-knowing that kept him in a turmoil of doubt, especially because I could sense the vulnerability of his heart. Amy Motta maintained that keen edge through the story also as Tabitha. All characters were fascinating, as were the writhing arms of changing appearances in this very well-done film.

Great story, a little slow at times. However good acting and the story content was captivating. It seems very believable.

I was losing interest at one point, but the story reached out and grabbed me back in.

If you like spy stories, and you like to speculate at what goes on in the I.C. (intelligence community) then this movie is for you.

The main character- good. Supporting characters- good.

Story-Good

My rating is of an 8. Yes I know that is high, however based on being an independent movie and the material being covered with strong characters, I believe this is a fair rating for the ambition put into it.

Well, I am not surprised that this film was not more widely released, especially never mentioned in France, even on Allo Ciné website. Not for everyone. Too complex and even American folks may be lost in this intrigue which Alan Pakula would have certainly been interested in. Dark, downbeat, complicated at the most, but I like this. It's so American. In France, this kind of films are very hard to product, because TV channels finance them, most of the time, and they are afraid to have problems with the political institutions afterwards. For instance, all films related with WW2 and French people who collaborated with the Nazis, or films about war in Algeria or all those sewers affairs which the politicians were involved with, all those nasty affairs were avoided by the French movie or TV industry, most of the time. Not always although.

Yes not for everyone, but not bad, as most of small budget features often are. Films for which the producers may take some financial risks, unlike large budget crap movies which must have some profit earning capacity.

I would put this film on the small list of indie political thrillers which are totally cliché ridden: for instance : FIVE MINARETS IN NEW YORK, UNTHINKABLE, SHOOT ON SIGHT or SORRY HATERS.