ATM

No this movie isn't the greatest thing ever, yes there are a few things that make you go Hmmm. BUT... It is a tense movie. It's scary cause something like this could happen. I have a fear of being at an ATM and having someone rob me. Tho plays on that fear but adds more to it. There is a lot of hate on here about the film like plot holes and what not. Which there aren't as much as some would say. The obviously haven't watched the whole film. Things are answered in a way that actually makes you think about the motivates of the killer rather than big it down with why why why!!! And more of here you think about it. The characters may not be the best written but that's life, not everyone in the world are nice and that you can stand. It isn't a horror film but more of a thriller suspense like panic room or joy ride.

An all-too obvious attempt at replicating the unexpected success he enjoyed with Ryan Reynolds' 'Buried', 'ATM' sees writer Chris Sparling returning to a claustrophobic conceit, pitting three individuals trapped within the confines of an isolated ATM against a hooded parka-wearing figure standing outside. The premise is gimmicky no doubt, but Sparling had managed to turn a similar high-concept into a surprisingly tense and thrilling experience the last time round, so it isn't unreasonable to think that he could do the same with this movie.

Alas, 'ATM' is not even half as smart as his previous 'Buried', with its three characters behaving so ridiculously that you end up rooting for their demise instead. Indeed, there are so many moments where you're bound to go 'now why did they do that' or 'now why didn't they just do that', which of course does little to convince of the plausibility of the entire setup. And if it proves to be entertaining, it only manages to be so for all the wrong reasons.

Unlike 'Buried' where we are thrust from the very first shot into the tight space, director David Brooks takes about twenty minutes to get to that point- although this extended prologue does little in garnering any empathy for any one of the characters. All three- David (Brian Geraghty), Emily (Alice Eve) and Corey (Josh Peck)- happen to be colleagues at the same investment bank on their way home from their company's annual Christmas party. And oh, if it makes any difference, this is also the first time David has plucked up his courage to talk to Emily the intern whom he has a hopeless crush on.

Upon request by the tactless and thoughless Corey, David makes a slight detour so Corey can take some money out from an ATM in the middle of a desolate parking lot to get supper. Following some narrative contrivance involving David's faulty card, all three co-workers end up in the ATM booth- trapped inside by said masked figure whom they watch stabbing a passerby to prove to them as well as the audience that he is no Santa Claus. It doesn't occur to them that there's three of them and one of him, neither does it dawn on them earlier on to trigger some sort of alarm (which David eventually does) to alert the authorities.

On the contrary, they wait like sitting ducks while their terroriser figures out some way to flush them out- which again he only does, and we mean 'flush' literally, towards the end as dawn approaches. Not only do the trio come across as unresourceful, there is little that the script nor Brooks does to get you to root for them- least of all Corey, who is cast as selfish and callous. From one dumb missed opportunity for them to escape to another, the movie wears its audience's patience thin waiting for the dim-witted affair to be over.

Worse still, for those willing to give it the benefit of the doubt and wait for some smart twist at the end, Sparling squanders that opportunity for redemption with an opaque explanation that offers little of the villain's motivation. What is the point of watching David, Corey and Emily squirm in that ATM booth? Sparling offers no clue, choosing instead to divulge a little more of his villain's methodical planning for a next ATM, hinting at the dreaded possibility of a sequel.

To his credit, Brooks tries his best to maintain a tense atmosphere throughout, and there are a few effective thrilling moments in the film. Ditto for the cast, especially an understated Geraghty, who seem genuinely invested in their characters' circumstances. Nonetheless, both Brooks and the cast are let down by the loophole-ridden script that demands its audience throw all semblance of logic out the window.

Like its confined setting, such a premise requires tight plotting- and given that Sparling knew as much in 'Buried', the flaws in 'ATM' could only be due to sloppiness. How else would you explain why none of his characters thought to park their car right outside the ATM, instead of 100m away in the freezing cold weather?

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Yes OK, this movie gets you angry especially towards the end and the ending in general. BUT it definitely was a movie that had me on the edge of my seat. It wasn't creepy or necessarily scary but it had its jumpy moments and the 'killer' was pretty creepy himself. It wasn't the best, the acting was good, I enjoyed the plot, it wasn't as predictable as you'd think, the ending could of been done differently but if you enjoy 'edge of your seat' movies and have some free time I'd recommend giving it a watch! All in all it wasn't at all as bad as some people are making it out to be. It killed time and if I'm honest I kind of enjoyed it, but that's coming from a 16 year old. Haha.

This movie was okay, but there were a few holes in it in my opinion. I'm not going to tell you what they are, but if you've seen it you'll know what I mean. But it's not a bad slasher movie as there are some good moments of tension, but also it's not the greatest film you'll see, actually it is bad in some moments. I must admit there are more than a few horror film clichés in it but it did keep me interested to see how they get out of this situation even if there were a few times they could've done so easily. I admit I have seen worse films like this but this is not the worst. I won't be buying his movie any time soon but it was not a bad movie to watch for free. So I give this a 5 out of 10.

I didn't hate this movie and it was watchable. Was I not so bored, would I have bothered? Probably not, but once started, I wanted to see the end. The acting was very good. Surprisingly good given the reviews. The story line had promise. I think that's mainly what did this movie in. It was mostly well made. Just needed some oomph in the plot. The end scene was pointless without some history and I wasn't emotionally invested in the characters due to lack of back story.