Jericho Ridge

This film is editor and writer Will Gilbey's first full-length feature film directorial debut, and he did not disappoint. The film isn't perfect by any means, but considering the filmmaker is not a seasoned pro, there's some forgiveness allowed for typical newb filmmaker rookie mistakes. There weren't many mistakes, and aside from some plot and technical issues, everything else was pretty much on point. The comfortable 87 min runtime flew by with decent pacing, and a story that had a great flow to it, as well as constant tension and suspense. There were some decent twists thrown in for good measure. The casting and performances were good, and the cinematography and score spot on, especially for a B-film. It's actually one of the better B-films I've seen in a while. It's a great one-time watch I'm sure everyone will enjoy, especially with all the big budget Hollywood blockbusters that have come out recently and have disappointed. It's a well deserved 7/10 from me.

I put this on expecting it to be background noise while I worked on my laptop but was immediately drawn into the story. The premise is pretty basic and we've seen it a million times but you don't mind it here because all the characters, even the side ones, immediately feel like real people with real baggage. The acting in general is solid all around but Amuka-Bird is amazing. The action is pretty brutal too. There are some scenes where you know what's about to happen but the impact of the violence still hits. Between this and Average Joe, also on BET+, the service is starting to come into its own. The app itself is still trash but that is a different story.

Well that is actually only one police member who walks "funny" - limping for reasons as you will find out! No pun intended - stuff happens and that also in one of those things that ... well happened and helps elevate and further down the suspense we will have watching this.

This obviously is larger than life, yet there is at least some degree of reality that you can find here. A movie and a thriller, but it does tend to its characters and the script is well written (or tight if you prefer that term). We have mostly a one location setup - and while we are there .. a lot of things are going to happen. Some violence and also explicit one - so just be aware of that, if that bothers you or not ... really well done, cinematography, sound design, acting, script ... well I could list many things I suppose ... John Carpenter would be proud ...

As everyone else says in their reviews, this film owes a big debt to John Carpenter's Assault on Precinct 13. Well, if you're going to borrow, borrow from the best. So, no, this doesn't score many points for originality, but this taut, stripped down actioner is a thoroughly entertaining film in its own right.

Nikki Amuka-Bird is superb in the main role - as she always is - and lends great depth to the police officer character she plays. All the way through, you feel her fear and tension as the situation spirals out of control, and are fully with her as she fights to survive against the odds.

The action scenes are very well done, and there are enough twists and turns to keep things moving along nicely. Most of the other characters are fairly thinly drawn, but this doesn't really matter, and at around 90 minutes there is no excess flab.

I don't think this set the world on fire when it first came out, but it's a hidden gem of a movie that deserves to be more widely seen. Much better than most bloated blockbusters that cost ten times as much!

If you're looking for a deep, well-paced, original action film with twists that you don't see coming - then this definitely is not the film for you.

Strong female lead, has a hard life and works as a sheriff's deputy in a small town.

Following a very convoluted, yet obvious plot involving her dead beat son, she is forced to fight for her life when criminals descend on her police station. Yes, it's a discount remake of assault on precinct 13.

Just about the whole films is shot in the police station, which was most likely done for budgetary reasons.

The main problem is the convenience of the timeline. The attackers pause whenever they are needed to. They literally disappear for minutes at a time while the main characters wade through the plot exposition only to return as soon as they're done.

The others problems (in no particular order are): Plot armour, some characters are literally unkillable.

The main character's son's and main bad guy's American accents are TERRIBLE

The entirely predictable ending.

The way cameras etc cut out at the critical moment

The marksmanship on display would make stormtroopers blush.

The weapon handling would make Alec Baldwin blush

The back up showing up right after everything is over.

There are more, but you get the picture.

Given my time again, I wouldn't bother, but it's up to you.