IMDb RATING
3.8/10
3.1K
YOUR RATING
A police detective suffering from cancer makes a deal with an informant to get killed in the line of duty, so his family can receive the hefty death benefits from the department.A police detective suffering from cancer makes a deal with an informant to get killed in the line of duty, so his family can receive the hefty death benefits from the department.A police detective suffering from cancer makes a deal with an informant to get killed in the line of duty, so his family can receive the hefty death benefits from the department.
- Awards
- 1 nomination total
Manny Hernandez
- Renaldo
- (as Manny Hernández)
Featured reviews
I feel bad for the stellar cast that sadly, even they couldn't save this poorly executed mess. I really liked the concept of the story - apparently it's based on actual events (as per closing credits), and in the hands of a better filmmaker, this story could've and should've shined.
But sadly, experienced cinematographer, and producer and director of this film, Michael Oblowitz - with an astonishing 36 prior directorial credits, still hasn't learned how to make a compelling, viewable and engaging film. As a cinematographer, he failed miserably with his choices of horrible color palettes, murky lighting, outdated slow-mo shots and bad camera angles, and he failed even more with his horrible directing, laughable action choreography, shoddy camera work, lackluster editing, and even worse cast direction. His slow pacing made the normally comfortable 88 min runtime feel never-ending.
All these flaws and lack of cinematic creativity, as well as the constant overbearing and unfitting score, hindered what could have been an impactful and suspense-filled narrative. A fifth grade drama class could come up with a better film. I think Oblowitz should find a new hobby, like basket-weaving, and leave filmmaking to those who have the knack. It's a very generous 5/10 all going to the amazing cast who tried their best with what they had to work with. Even if you're a fan like I am of Gibson, Purcell, and the always stunning Kate Bosworth, do yourself a favor and skip this cringe-worthy production, it's not worth your time.
.
But sadly, experienced cinematographer, and producer and director of this film, Michael Oblowitz - with an astonishing 36 prior directorial credits, still hasn't learned how to make a compelling, viewable and engaging film. As a cinematographer, he failed miserably with his choices of horrible color palettes, murky lighting, outdated slow-mo shots and bad camera angles, and he failed even more with his horrible directing, laughable action choreography, shoddy camera work, lackluster editing, and even worse cast direction. His slow pacing made the normally comfortable 88 min runtime feel never-ending.
All these flaws and lack of cinematic creativity, as well as the constant overbearing and unfitting score, hindered what could have been an impactful and suspense-filled narrative. A fifth grade drama class could come up with a better film. I think Oblowitz should find a new hobby, like basket-weaving, and leave filmmaking to those who have the knack. It's a very generous 5/10 all going to the amazing cast who tried their best with what they had to work with. Even if you're a fan like I am of Gibson, Purcell, and the always stunning Kate Bosworth, do yourself a favor and skip this cringe-worthy production, it's not worth your time.
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Is this a joke? Seriously, is this really a joke? Because honestly it was so beyond bad. From the bad color correction, to the poorly written dialogue and acting to the constant music overlapping trying to cover up a horrible movie.
What happened to Mel Gibson? He seems to be doing nothing but b-movies now.
I don't think I bought a single character in this film. And the distracting "music video" editing made it even worse, as if it couldn't get any worse.
There was NOTHING believable about this film, not a single thing.
How did this get green lit? Nick Stahl as a cop? I mean, maybe a drug addict, but not a cop.
This is a BIG NO from me..
What happened to Mel Gibson? He seems to be doing nothing but b-movies now.
I don't think I bought a single character in this film. And the distracting "music video" editing made it even worse, as if it couldn't get any worse.
There was NOTHING believable about this film, not a single thing.
How did this get green lit? Nick Stahl as a cop? I mean, maybe a drug addict, but not a cop.
This is a BIG NO from me..
There must be two different movies with the same title based on the glowing reviews that are here. It's a horrible movie and I couldn't even watch the whole thing. An hour in and Mel has about 5 lines and a few minutes of screen time. His delivery lacks any effort at all. The soundtrack is annoying - too loud most of the time and rather than adding to the movie it is distracting. The acting is wooden and lacks any emotion or believability. The script is so predictable. Don't waste your time on this one. There are far better movies out there. Sad tp see actors like Mel taking on roles like this.
Forget about the poster, thinking that this might be another great Mel Gibson dirty cop movie. NOT. Mel Gibson is only starring in this movie for a few lousy minutes, that's all.
The bad: the rest of this movie is filled with C-listed actors, who usually only star in television series and the sorts. This is a new low for Mel Gibson. Why did he have to choose such an inferior movie to star in? Is he running on lower ground? I hope not.
More bad: this movie has NOTHING going for it. It's terribly amateurish. Incredibly cheap looking. But most important of all, there is ZERO thrill or suspense.
Let's forget this was ever made and I hope Mel Gibson gets offered some better roles next time...
The bad: the rest of this movie is filled with C-listed actors, who usually only star in television series and the sorts. This is a new low for Mel Gibson. Why did he have to choose such an inferior movie to star in? Is he running on lower ground? I hope not.
More bad: this movie has NOTHING going for it. It's terribly amateurish. Incredibly cheap looking. But most important of all, there is ZERO thrill or suspense.
Let's forget this was ever made and I hope Mel Gibson gets offered some better roles next time...
... who should not concern themselves with this kind of subject matter and Who means really well and had good ideas about what is fair and equitable in life
Usually you can say about a film it is good or it is bad; here you cannot as it is both
The ideas are sound and interesting the premise excellent and a critique of a system which is by design unfair
Gibson here is more than a cameo but not hugely so ... he is his usual mix of charm integrity and anarchic humourist; he does his job .... the others are adequate but not sterling
The overall feel is that of a TV movie ... watchable but no great shakes.
- but he does not as yet have the wherewithal to really put it across
- so yes the entire exercise feels childish to an adult viewer of average or above average intelligence
Usually you can say about a film it is good or it is bad; here you cannot as it is both
The ideas are sound and interesting the premise excellent and a critique of a system which is by design unfair
- the way it is put across tho is very sketchy like a blueprint of an effort with the details skimped over. No meat on those bones; just the skeleton. Was the budget really basic? It certainly feels it..
Gibson here is more than a cameo but not hugely so ... he is his usual mix of charm integrity and anarchic humourist; he does his job .... the others are adequate but not sterling
The overall feel is that of a TV movie ... watchable but no great shakes.
Did you know
- TriviaIn the closing credits, it says "This story is inspired by actual events"
- SoundtracksTill Death Comes
Performed by Cypress Hill
Written by DJ Muggs (as Larry Muggerud), B-Real (as Louis M. Freeze), Sen D.O.G. (as Senen Reyes)
Courtesy of Columbia Records
By arrangement with Sony Music Entertainment
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Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Заручник часу
- Filming locations
- Las Cruces(Location)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross worldwide
- $101,750
- Runtime1 hour 28 minutes
- Aspect ratio
- 2.39 : 1
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