Grand Isle

Old pal Nic Cage rarely disappoints me - I don't need much from him, but some movies he just cannot save with his usual cage-ing around, if I might put it so. "Grand Isle" was particularly disappointing, because what originally intrigued me was the trailer. It turned out it's just one of those cases where the trailer is superior to the movie.

So we got Nicolas Cage as the top-billed star with his character actually being somewhere between the lead and supporting role, we also got 10 minutes of an unimpressive but more than okay Kelsey Grammer, also an average KaDee Strickland as the seductive wife of Nicolas Cage & Luke Benward as the lead character. All of them did an arguably decent job, for the bad things I mostly blame the script. All of the characters are text-book type and just plainly uninspiring, with only Nic Cage channeling a bit of that awesome Cage energy into his character (as he does with any character nowadays). The script, yes, the script is a the major flaw of "Grand Isle". If the visual & technical side of it is fine, average, sure, but fine, then the writing is what truly makes this a cheap B thriller. I'm not even sure if the script was too full of stuff of too void of it - on the surface there are many themes involved, but they're poorly stitched together, nothing surprises, nothing really has an impact & the pacing is, at times, extremely dragging. Boredom is a risk you have to be willing to take if you're watching "Grand Isle".

You know, there's not a whole lot I can say or even want to say about "Grand Isle" - It's an underwhelming, unfocused and unoriginal piece of filmmaking, the only redeeming value is bits and pieces of that Cage I really like, but that might just me. Bottom point being - this goes out as a recommendation to only the most hardcore Nic Cage fans. Otherwise don't torture yourself. My rating: 4/10

This film unravelled a story, without any twists or turns, which means that everything the viewer anticipates to happen, happens. Unfortunately, in a sad and sinister way, I had hoped this film was based on some true events which in turn would have made this movie twice as entertaining, or not half as bad as the final product. The actors all played their part well, Nicholas Cage a little slow minded but a role which suits him. Kadee Strickland a seductive wife of Nicolas Cage and Luke Benward as a main suspect in a murder case, that of which is the narrative of the story. All in all a long one and half hours.

Flicking through channels, saw this film was on &, as I like Nic Cage & Kelsey Grammar, thought I'd give it a watch. It's not a bad enough film to be fun unfortunately just kind of boring. Had to watch with subtitles too as I could not understand half of what Kelsey Grammar & the main actress were saying, their Southern accents were so strong (I'm from the UK so that probably didn't help...). The guy who played Buddy wasn't a terrible actor (he'd most likely be ok in a better film). Feel kind of sad 2 actors I loved are acting in films like this now but I guess they need the money...

I'm a fan of neo-noir thrillers, and since the trailer sold me, I decided to give this B-grade film a chance. What started off surprisingly interesting and suspenseful, turned bland after the fist half.

Novice director Stephen S. Campanelli was great behind the camera, and ok directing his cast. But the screenplay by amateur writers Iver William Jallah and Rich Ronat, needed a seasoned writer to look it over and make some major edits. I get this is a low budget B-grade film, but what started off so good, could've easily ended just as good or even great. Sadly, once it sets up its naughty and wild formulaic plot, it stops delivering.

Casting was decent with Kelsey Grammer, KaDee Strickland and the lovely Zulay Henao, but as a long-time fan of Cage's, I wanted more "Cage-iness". Cinematography and production sets were on point, as was the score.

For a B-grade low budget film, I've seen much worse, and still enjoyed the most part of the film. It's a generous 7/10 from me.

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Despite some low reviews, I enjoyed this one a lot. It was better than I was expecting. I think its one of Nick's better movies in quite a while.