Malevolence

Malevolence is a solid, highly entertaining low budget crime drama. While the plot veers into multiple directions and is (at times) difficult to follow, the film remains unique and refreshing throughout. Directed by Mike Martinez and Nick Groff, Malevolence is a dark, twisted, often surreal ride of a movie.

Despite some weak acting in parts, Malevolence is highly impressive for its budget. The cinematography and editing are mostly top notch and the action scenes are appropriately gritty and gruesome. The film is also of note for being featuring the final appearance of cult actor Gordon Mitchell in a memorable role as a mob boss.

Recommended.

This film is told in reverse-time chronology that blends past and present by the clever use of dreams experienced by the different characters within their screen roles. Told with a stellar cast of present and future acting greats along with that of an older, more recognizable figure of past euro-cinema in that of Gordon Mitchell.

Unfortunately this was to become Gordon's last screen appearance. Even while the film was in the cutting room GM, aged 80 passed away not long after his filming sequences had finished late in 2003. His familiar screen persona will surely be missed.

GM portrays Capo De Martino, mafia crime boss whose sixth sense and years of experience has afforded him unprecedented power within the syndicate. He has enough wise-guys with artillery surrounding his abode to squash most South American uprising. Safe within his realm he bides his time as the younger breed of capons fight amongst themselves, each in his own bid to power.

De Martino has a standing order, bring him the head of his last would be predecessor! When it's all said and done we find he's still the man on top. That is until he meets up with trouble in the personage of two brothers, the Calaruso boys Jimmy and David.

Jimmy, an escapee from prison is now on the run with his accomplice brother David, (a walking mental case). Together they roam the Las Vegas area and surrounding countryside with a calm brutality that tends to stagger the imagination.

An engrossing film, which even takes on a surreal side that keeps one's interest from start to finish. Combined with great photography and special effects that was not only very good but professionally executed as well. Personally my favorite film trick sequence was the nighttime scene overview of the city lights below, which before our eyes changes into the headlights of a car as David's two weirdo Shrinks drive up to the house where Jimmy and David have taken hostages.

The choreographed fights and the gun battle scenes were all realistic and entertaining as were the scenes involving sex. The guns were impressive and looked real enough even if some were not. The firearms flash and sound effects were right on queue.

An original music score was a combination of several unique bands, artists and sounds that are not only impressive but refreshing as it evenly glides us through the film.

It would appear that SCYTHE PRODUCTIONS has done it again. This time as a joint venture with FILM HARVEST these two up and coming movie-makers Martinez and Groff are on the way to making a name for themselves within the era of cinema. This is a must see film and an excellent first time venture for both of them. These guys have it, watch their progress grow with future hits to come. I personally liked the film and believe most who view it will feel the same.

This was Gordon Mitchell's last movie as he died during the filming. All the scenes of Gordon Mitchell in his "office" is actually in his apartment in California. He was truly a great actor and star of over 200+ movies. I was glad to call him my Friend.

Well, actually he's not, and that's a good thing. Otherwise we'd be watching SPACEWORMS 2 and be all the more retarded for it.

In the tradition of such recent Hollywood epics as CRASH, HEAT and MAGNOLIA comes another gut-wrenching drama about inner racism, violence and human nature in the gritty city: MALEVOLENCE. Where does one start with a plot synopsis? This movie has it all, from gangsters to prison escapees to rogue doctors to dangerous gangs...yet it all makes sense in the end. The narrative takes more twists and turns than Quentin Tarantino running a pretzel factory.

Some limitations of low budget film-making come into play (inexperienced action editing and some horrific acting - a Martinez staple) but it ultimately ends up a fairly engrossing grim fairy tale that writes its own rules. Easily the best film in the Martinez cannon.

...or at least sort of.

Before I start this review, I want to say that this film is by no means a master-piece, and by no means as bad as some people try to let you believe.

The story mostly evolves around David (Steve Reaser), who helps his brother, Jimmy (Scott Brown) escape from jail. They end up entangled into a mob-story, and brief meetings twist into really devastating turns in their lives.

Overall, the story is actually cleverly laid out and not bad at all.

Mostly, the actors are also way above average. Some actors especially stand out, like Scott Brown, Tezz Yancey, Clint Wilder and the older one of the shrinks (don't know that actors name).

The directing and use of props, cars and locations are also very neat. Mike Martinez is very smart - and imaginative - when it comes to use what you have, and find original takes on delivering a scene.

The movie does have some issues, though. First of all, it is not as good as it could've been because of the wasted opportunity to make it shine in the post-production.

Editing is sloppy at moments, color-correction is absent, sound quality is very uneven and many scenes are too long. Trimming this movie down to approx 90 minutes would make it a gem on the DVD-market.

Actually, post-production is this movies biggest problem. Acting, directing and story-wise it works very well considered the budget and the restrictions these people had to work with.

I think most people working with this film took it seriously enough to try to deliver something good. Some scenes shines through, and when you see the black-and-white story-telling in the beginning of the film, you really see how good this film can be, if everything in the film had this equally laid out quality.

It's an impressive cast and an impressive number of cast! Not an easy script to take on as your first feature.

Don't believe the ultra-low ratings on IMDb. There are far worse films than this one, and this film actually tries to bring you something a little bit more clever than the usual low-budget features out there. So if you have a moment to spare, give this film a shot. It's truly a special movie, and it's a nice change of pace from anything you've ever seen.