Luces fuera

Don't listen to the hate. Not quite a Blood N Bone but if you like similar action flicks to that, then you'll be happy investing 90mins of your time on Lights out.

There should be more movies similar to this that star Frank. Unsure why he doesn't have a catalogue boasting more titles. Great to see Scott involved, there's a similarity to where I would love to see Frank getting too. Nothing wrong with a 'B list' action movie, I'll take one of those every day of the week and twice on a Sunday. I'm now just waffling as for some reason short and punchy reviews aren't allowed. But yeah, check it out, unless you have ridiculous expectation I can't see you being disappointed.

Did you ever wonder who green-lights these scripts? The answer is, you wouldn't want to know who, or even how, because it would make you weep for the lost opportunity to make a proper film. Decades later, and the industry still has not grasped precisely what makes these films exciting, fun to watch, and profitable -- ie, the gradual escalation, growing anticipation, of the fights entirely for their own sake. Trying to complicate the story with hard drama or useless plot arcs is the fast track to ... nowhere. To see this done right, check out Charles Bronson in HARD TIMES 1975 (still works well a full half-century later!); or the surprise hit WARRIOR 2011, which coincidentally leads my IMDb list of best films. Frank Grillo at age 58 can still command the screen. But he deserves so much better than this. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))

So ok, this is clearly not high cinema, but it is still quite entertaining. Yes, if you're here for Scott Atkins, you will be disappointed. That doesnt take away from this movie, and especially Frank Grillo, the guy is a total badass. Plus, you have Mekkhi Pfeifer and Dermot Mulroney, who have unfortunately dropped into the B movie scene, but that doesnt change the fact that they are solid actors that were at one point part of A movies. This movie is very much on par with your typical 80s or 90s mindless action movies. If you were a fan of those, you'll be a fan of this. So if you want some nostalgic simple, cliched action, give this a go.

Yes, Grillo lead movies are B movies but he is a great actor and the story in this film was decent. Even with the low production budget, the acting was spot on by most of the top cast (Adkins could've been better). I was a bit put off by the PTSD flashbacks (those scenes seemed rushed and out of place). Having just watched Werewolves , I was expecting Lights Out to be as bad but I was pleasantly surprised. I was entertained throughout and the casting was not bad and the CGI was just enough.

Overall an entertaining movie to pass the time, I wouldn't listen to all the low rated reviews. Give this film and chance and judge for yourself.

I give it a decent 7/10.

Lights out goes through well worn action territory. Drifter Duffy (Frank Grillo) gets ripped off in a poker game at a bar in LA. After using his fists he comes to the attention of Max (Mekhi Phifer.)

He wants to manage Duffy for underground fight clubs. As an unknown quantity, Duffy is an ex army veteran with PTSD. Max who has recently been released from prison hopes to make money on the betting that takes place.

Only both men fall foul of corrupt cops who run the underground fights with gangster Sage (Dermot Mulroney.)

When Max's niece is injured by the baddies. Both go after them hard. Duffy also calls in ex army buddy 'The Reaper' Scott Adkins.

The action scenes are the best selling point for the movie. Not over the top. It helps that Grillo has the a acting chops for the quieter scenes. There is a strategic guest cameo from Adkins.