The Killing Zone

The Killing Zone is one of the best low budget films I've seen in a long time! I'd say it's even better than that other UK gangster flick, Lock Stock! (If I see a bleached-looking film again, I'll scream!) Why on earth didn't this film get a theatrical release, lord knows? It's totally awesome!!!!! Great writing, great lighting, cool sound effects (the sound for hero's gun is wild), and the music...that should be released by itself!

And the performances - they're the bomb! Convincing, believable, funny. Yeah! I noticed even Harry Knowles and the Ain't it Cool mob loved it - you should see their review!

I loved every moment of this picture, to the way it was directed to the way it was produced- when it comes out over here in the States I urge you - my fellow Americans - to see it. Sam Fuller.

If you thought 'Lock, Stock' shot itself in the foot and 'Snatch' sucked the big one, then this is the British crime thriller you should really be shelling out your five bucks for.

'The Killing Zone' is the perfect example of how a no-budget indie crime anthology should be made. It's tight, lean and the final 'third' of the trilogy is a cracker. OK, it's a slow burn for the first ten or fifteen minutes, but well worth sticking with it to get clued in on the main characters involved.

All the principal acting performances are spot on - well-rounded characters and some excellent 'film' style dialogue, which makes a pleasant and unexpected change from the usual turgid TV/theatre speak that so often pops up in British films. Melissa Simonetti and Mark Bowden stand out for special praise in this respect.

I gather this cult classic-in-the-making will be hitting the video shelves in the US at the end of Spetember. Do yourselves a favour and head for your nearest video store pronto.

Believe the hype. You won't regret it.

WHY HASN'T THIS FILM BEEN GIVEN A THEATRICAL RELEASE?!

There have been a plethora of British gangster movies lately, mostly pretty awful, but this one is a pleasant surprise. Whilst highly derivative, of "Get Carter", "Pulp Fiction", "Reservoir Dogs" and a host of other titles, "The Killing Zone" is nevertheless executed with great panache. Made up of three inter-connected stories, the third one goes a little awry but still generates a good deal of tension. Fine music score by Guy Michelmore.

This is a great little film that does what it says on the box. Its low-budget but makes no excuses for it. It looks good, is well put together and the music is excellent. If there's one thing to criticise then maybe its some of the acting but that doesn't really make much difference to the overall package. This is a great video to watch with a pizza and a beer with some mates on a Friday night. That's what I did

Santa came down the chimney this year with a whole bunch of new DVD's for me to spend the cold winter nights with. Amongst them was the innocently titled `THE KILLING ZONE'. Now if your idea of holiday viewing is to curl up with your lady wife in front of `Miracle On 34th Street', then Don't Put `The Killing Zone' in your player. Do not turn up the surround sound to eleven on the dial and be sure to cover your plasma screen with a blanket. Why? -This film kicks like a mule. From the very first scene, as the assassin's first bullet rips through the chest of his victim with the sound of a tomahawk missile screeching through the streets of Baghdad, you know it's going to be a rough ride for any character who comes into contact with British hit man Palmer.

I don't know much about film - but I know what I like! This film gripped me from start to finish like no other action Brit-Flick I've seen. It isn't just another bunch of London mockney geezers who don't know one end of a shotgun from the other " 'avin a larf" like so many other British gangster films we've been offered. This film has class, style, action and real humour.

The Writer/Director (Ian David Diaz) has spliced together the best of the 1960's British action genre and sewn it all up with a whole wedge of 1990's black comedy. Throw in a taste of the `Comic-Book' underground tempered with a lavish splash of big-time Hollywood values, all put together in a bouquet of gun's, girls and good old-fashioned entertainment. I tell you – this has got to be a recipe for future feature successes. The cast are cool, sharp and down right hilarious. Look out for Mark Bowden as Lance who certainly knows how to play both the comedy and drama of a scene. Padraig Casey as Palmer knows how to point a gun and kill people. Nicola Stapleton as Kerry will knock you dead if Bowden does not kill you laughing and Casey fire a bullet in your brain. Together they form the perfect combination move for the finale to this film. Three Friends – One Scene – No survivors? You'll have to watch it!

Meanwhile, can Santa bring me another like it next year?