Brooklyn 45

Brooklyn 45 (2023) is a recent addition to Shudder that I watched yesterday. The storyline follows a group of friends who were in the military and partook in various sins during their time in the World War. Now that they are together and initiate a seance, the sins from their past will be brought to the light for either judgement or their demise. Will any of the friends survive?

This movie is written and directed by Ted Geoghegan (We are Still Here) and stars Anne Ramsay (A League of their Own), Ron E. Rains (Teachers), Jeremy Holm (The Ranger), Larry Fessenden (The House of the Devil) and Kristina Klebe (Halloween).

This had a unique storyline and premise and somehow felt like the movie "Clue" in some ways to me. The characters were interesting as was the depiction of the era. The horror elements were hit or miss and relied more on CGI than I would have liked. The seance scene was just okay but the dead guy on the floor was fantastic. The last 13-15 minutes were great due to that character alone. Some of the monologue and conversations dragged and were boring. This film needed more scenes like the last 15 minutes and less back and forth/finger pointing between friends.

Overall, this had some unique concepts and worthwhile elements, but falls short of what it could have been. I would score this a 5-5.5/10 and recommend seeing it once.

I appreciated this for its originality most of all. This felt creative and fresh which is few and far between these days. This was primarily character driven and had almost a stage play adaption vibe to it. The acting was a bit spotty and stilted at times but the woman who played the interrogator did an excellent job. I wish there was more to the spooky elements but what was there was enjoyable.

As a whole I think it squandered some of its potential by not spicing it up a bit. The action became a bit belabored and repetitive along with the slow pacing effected my engagement at times. Despite this it was still entertaining and felt like a unique experience. Would recommend.

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.

So, if you're thinking of watching this movie for jumpscares, or intense action, imma stop you right there. This movie is just a simple and linear thriller movie, as in a ghost story, set in the 1945 Brooklyn, NY. It's a reunion of 5 friends, who served in war in their own respective professions, where they sit down to grieve the aftermath of war, after the war is over and Hitler is dead. And to keep this review spoiler free, they meet up for a struggling friend out of them as well. The movie is set in a room where it starts, and ends and you won't have any moments where you are scared whatsoever (maybe 1 or 2 little bloody scenes for sensitive viewers). Even though it is just a linear, one directional blunt movie, it's definitely a good one time watch movie for when you're bored and have nothing to watch lol. Also, it'd leave you wondering with a few questions that are unanswered, even a very root questions of the plot, as a little open kind of ending. Take it as a mystery "who dun it" or "did they do it" thriller more than a horror movie, because labeling it under horror more, won't be right. But, I guess, isnt war horror in itself after all ?

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.