Repeaters

Yes, it is impossible to talk about Repeaters without mentioning Groundhog Day - a charming family film where a sardonic Bill Murray has to relive the same dull day again and again until he can find a way of somehow - literally - moving his life forwards.

Groundhog Day was a happy-go-lucky sort of affair, filled with light-hearted 'what if' scenarios. Here, in 'Repeaters,' we're presented with a similar premise, i.e. what happens if you're stuck in a day. However, the results are far from Groundhog-like.

This time there are three central characters who keep reliving the same day and they're all in a recovery centre, trying to get over various addictions. Then, once they discover their new 'power,' they hardly use it to help the homeless. Therefore we're treated to what people with very dubious morals would do if their day had absolutely no consequences whatsoever.

It's a great film. The performances are perfect from all characters, the setting it suitably gritty and it's not too long. However, it's not one for the faint-hearted. It covers pretty much all the nastiest adult themes you can think of, so, if you're looking for a 'feel-good' kind of movie, you better steer clear.

Bottom line: Groundhog Day + comedy = Groundhog Day. Groundhog Day + action = Source Code, whereas Groundhog Day and nastiness = Repeaters. Not one for everyone, but if you're looking for some gritty sci-fi/thriller, definitely give this one a go.

While the title does have more than one meaning, there is not that much depth in the characters. Of course you do know what the characters have to do to get out of their "rhythm". The question being, if they all really want to do that. Apart from the very straightforward story, some questions about morality (though not well played), the actors might be the weakest point here. Especially our main guy cannot convey any feeling as hard as he may be trying. But he's young so maybe he'll come around one day.

Amanda Crew tries, but doesn't have that interesting of a character either. Plus her "pivotal" scene does not convince entirely. Not to mention that she is too often passive than she should have been. Finally the third character might be the most interesting, but even he fails to bring the movie around on his own. Interesting, but nothing special (the twist at the end not really helping either)

Any movie set in the country where trees outnumber the cast/crew and plausible town population is well on its way to drawing me in. The scene sets the mood for any film and it was chosen wisely for this Canadian country thriller. The filmmakers gave a taste of the natural surroundings of the location to give some of its own say in the plot which is a big win. It had a bit of feel from Rambo/First Blood where you get the environment playing a part in the characters with strong sounds from the river and a dirt bike. The dialog came across as unforced and played out creatively into a spire of events that held high entertainment value. Mid level psychological value but more entertaining than trying to draw on conceptual values over its own path and plot. This film kept me watching without a yawn and did a quality job of taking the expected state of affairs to the next level. While admittedly most movies drawn up these days use a bit of the same sleazy concepts, this one I believe nestles down into its own unique little fortified holding and fires upon the viewer with a quality helping of raw.

When I was looking at the cast I thought, oh no not another teenager flick like Twilight or that kind of trash. I have nothing against teenager flicks, I liked Red Riding Hood and Jennifer's Body, but I have something against flicks that are about nothing just some love story. But when I saw Michael (Richard De Klerk) I remembered him from the 4400 series, and the face of Amanda Crew did ring a bell too, Final Destination 3. Dustin Milligan, the third main lead I knew from The Messengers so I knew they could deliver their stuff. And they did, the performances are excellent and you really believe the characters. Somehow the story reminded me of Triangle. You better have full attention to understand it all. It's an excellent flick not only for teens but also for Sci-Fi freaks and for people who can dig thrillers. I won't go that far to say it's a drama because the Sci-Fy takes the main part. It's never explained what has happened to them but the story is strong enough to let you forget that. Their is some red stuff in it, not that it's creepy or anything but it can offend the people with weak stomachs. So it's a bit for everybody, or did I repeat myself?

The cast and crew of this film know what it takes to make an interesting movie. I was quite surprised to discover it was a Canadian thriller comprised of all Canadian actors and crew. I did not realize this until after I watched the movie and then checked out the movie's details on IMDb. Repeaters' repeating theme is sort of another take on Groundhog Day starring Bill Murray and though this duplication takes away from any claim Repeaters could have to originality the two movies are totally different in plot and genre. There are some unexplained parts in the storyline's flow but I do not think they are strong enough to throw the audience out of it's constant comprehension of the general stream. In other words Repeaters has the ability to entrance an audience and so thereby can be appreciated as a good, reasonable piece of movie entertainment. My congratulations go out to the crew and to the talented young actors for not engaging in melodrama but instead delivering a good, down-to-earth performance with excellent production effects. Let's see more of these 'way to do it' movies which appear so very together. Well done, cast and crew - 'you've got the feel'!