Brooklyn 45

This movie has a lot of positive points; great acting, lush cinematography, a great vintage feel, and a very original premise.

But the story was a little murky and leaves too many unanswered questions.

Without giving too much away... At the end of the movie, one can't help but say, "So what?"

There isnt any explanation of the events and no one takes responsibility for their actions. The movie just ends with the characters going "oh well, stuff happened. The end."

It was unsatisfying.

If someone asked me the premise of the movie I'd only be able to say, "Some WWII vets have a seance and weirdness ensures."

No questions were answered. The movie ended with a thud. Too bad. It had real potential.

One room play created for film, and an ode to WWI through supernatural ethics. A group of people who were friends in WWII gather to support one whose wife has died. But these friends were on the higher echelon in the war, and they often took extreme measures in sake of the war regardless of the costs.

As any good play does, characters have secrets, whether of action or character, that are uncovered and discovered through the fright and terror imposed by the supernatural element. A morality play so to speak and questioning the ethics of war and personal action.

Acting is of good quality, and the plotting is simple as expected of this type of drama. The supernatural element adds to the tension and breaks some of the characters. Slightly trite and a bit characteristic, overall this was a worthy film to watch, just small in actual scope.

It's a B-Movie, but to be honest for a Shudder Original B-Movie it's actually pretty good. It gets off to a slow start, but when things warm up. They get pretty heated, and a lot of secrets come out. I had fun watching it.

The acting is good, the special effects are decent. Although for the most part it takes place in one room, and it is very character driven. Them finding out things they didn't know about each other is what pushes the plot forward. It's a little different to what you'd normally expect from a film that uses a Oujda board as a plot device.

Although some of the secrets come from their dead friends. So I'd say it both drama and horror.

Its not going to be everyones cup of tea. Its going to annoy a lot of people. Some things might not make sense. But I was gripped.

Veterans of WW2 and best buddies get together for some drinks and reminiscing. Sadly they all have there ghosts which all come out over the course of film.

I think it could be summed up with in War there ar eno heroes, just survivors. I just checked thats a line from a movie I havent seen called 'March or Die'.

Anyways. Spooky stuff going on for the friends, and then the arrival of a special someone makes tensions rise, added onto the fact they might be trapped. Either in the room or somewhere else entirely. I dont want to give you too many spoilers.

You might avoid this from the other bad reviews, but I liked the imagination, plot threads, characters, mystery, spooky goings on and gore. I was captivated as what was going on and what was going to happen.

The ending might leave you annoyed, but like war, its always horrible when its over and peopel are faced with there own actions.

This movie works, but the experience can be lifted: first of all, the weather can help a great deal, a rainy night, or like in the set, snow outside, and a few glasses of whiskey.

Now, Brooklyn 45 is a slow paced production, that lures you in and keeps your interest, but you have to be used to such movies, because if this is your first, there is a good chance you'll wonder what are you watching and why are you continuing to do so.

Thus, I can only recommend it to people who know what to expect, who can see horror in different shapes and sizes, and are able to find it in this very small indie film and appreciate it for what it is and what it has to offer. As I said, it works late at night, with a glass full of hard liquor, and if you're lucky, a cigar.

All in all, I liked it, thus I will recommend it and hope you'll enjoy it.

Cheers! (J&B like in The Thing)