Rastros de Violência

Police detective David 'Cal' Callahan (Stephen Dorff) takes down a rapist cop but his boss Captain Verona (James Woods) cuts a deal to sweep the embarrassing situation under the rug. Cal is still haunted by a traffic stop where he was almost killed. One night, a man, claiming to be his unknown savior, comes to him with his dead daughter's diary. Zhanna Dronov (AnnaLynne McCord) was a stripper who started dating a client called Angel (Walton Goggins).

I like the dark tone, Dorff's performance, and big revelation. On the other hand, the first half is too complicated, there are too many flashbacks, and there are too many characters to focus on. This movie should focus on Cal and his Captain, Zhanna and Angel. Cal may not even need a family. It should explain more clearly Cal's investigation of Angel. He should probably assume that Angel is Zhanna's pimp to start. The overall story just needs more clarity. While this is by no means great, it is good enough with that reveal.

Deep in Characters this is quite an Engaging, but Bleak and Cold, look at another Tortured Cop who seeks a Second Chance. It is a Rich Story-Line that Requires the Viewer to pay Attention with Twists and Turns and multiple Flashbacks.

It has a Crisp and Clear Look and the Performances are (except for the ever intense and intemperate Dorff) Stiff, but Credible. Police Cover-Ups and Stripper's Uncovered are Nothing New but this, based on a True Case, Fine at a Bad Cop Gone Good Story.

This Barely Released Movie is Worth a Watch for its Rich and Layered Production that Demands some Respect Despite some Indifference from the Money-Men and Critics.

It's better than "Brake", and certainly more entertaining than "Somewhere".

I rented "Pawn" and "Officer Down" last night for a b-cop-double-feature. Pawn was alright, but Officer Down gets the nod out of the two for its' better acting across the board.

It marginally works as a character study.

The pacing is alright and the writing isn't half-bad.

The film needed a bit more interaction and back-story to the marriage/wife - which might have added some genuine drama. Really, that was the problem with both of these movies.

While this is a "b" movie, and I am rating it a 6(56/100), I'm not going to be adding to my "jeremy's B Movie marathon list". I don't know that I can give this my recommendation, but there are certainly worse options in the redbox.

The film has just enough surprises, and that 'better than usual' performance from the lead that makes this slightly better than average, and certainly better than most of the b-straight-to-DVD fair that's out there.

When I started watching this film I was trying to figure out where it was going for the first hour. And with a film that approximately 1hr37mins that's pushing my limits on clarity (or as the politicians call it, transparency). On the other hand what fun would it be it we could figure out what was going to happen next (but I do like to know what's happening now).

All the actors do a good job. James Woods is always great and he maintains his standing in this film. Dorff is believable as the alcohol/drug abusing detective, although I don't know if many police departments would allow his attire, demeanor and foul odor to continue for very long. I like Walton Goggins in this although I don't think there was enough of him. That broad toothy smile of his is a trademark but we did not see any of that in this flick.

Even after the film discloses part of the overall plot and what you think is the missing piece there is still a finish that surprises. Otherwise, this would be a humdrum movie.

One concept that was used extensively were flashbacks, especially at the beginning, that left me confused about what the actual storyline was or which storyline I was suppose to follow. But I got past it and enjoyed the movie.

This film is worth a watch.

It's always nice and refreshing to watch Stephen Dorff. He's one of the better actors, but does not have a really big blockbuster under his belt (Blade maybe, but that was a Wesley Snipes vehicle). This movie is also just a B-movie. But that doesn't mean it's bad! Quite the contrary, the story was so appealing, that quite a few good actors did sign up to make the movie.

Of course quite a few things are convenient and wouldn't stand the scrutiny of the viewer thinking too much about them. There is a morality issue at hand, but there is also or at least could be an issue with the ending. The actors involved have the charisma to just pull it off, but it still may feel cheap to some.