Brawl in Cell Block 99

First of all, if you are squeamish (even a little) DO NOT watch this movie. But if you've got the stomach for an extremely violent (and sometimes depressing) movie this might be worth your time.

Vince Vaughn does an excellent job. In fact, the acting in the whole movie is surprisingly good for a grindhouse-style flick. This is about a man in a bad, bad position, who bad things happen to, and who in turn does some very bad things. But if you can handle this type of movie you will be entertained.

The action is gritty to the point of being potentially sickening. I was disturbed, and yet I wish more movies took this approach to action. The fight scenes are not comic bookish like so many movies, rather they are brutal and somehow realistic. Honestly they were the best thing about this movie.

Don't expect a brawl in the sense that a whole cell block starts fighting riot style. This is more of a Bronson-esque "one man out for revenge" style of movie.

The only negative I noticed is that there were a few unbelievable parts regarding the prison system, but they were needed to drive the plot along in the direction it went. Viewers should really just suppress their disbelief (and gag reflexes) and just strap themselves in for the ride.

Recommended for anyone that can handle the darkness and appreciate the brutally gritty craziness that is this movie.

Because writer/director Zahler has taken his audience back to an era when films were simpler, direct, and,above all, unrelenting in their pursuit of a single theme or idea.

He has manufactured a true guilty pleasure -- a film about a man making bad choices that is driven by brilliant characterizations, raw Adrenalin, and a compelling narrative that makes you watch no matter how much you know you should look away.

In the grand tradition of Charles Bronson and Clint Eastwood, Vaughn, an actor once relegated to romantic comedies, does "the" physical role of his career and it is a barn burner.

There is no pretense at class. This is 1960s grindhouse from start to finish and if you have any doubts just listen to the closing music at the 2:05 mark --- a brisk orchestral piece that sounds more fitting to a vaudeville act than a melodrama. Zahler ends the show by signalling that he was messing with your head, overloading your senses, all along -- and moreover he was doing it deliberately and knowingly.

Don Johnson, an actor who continues to win SEXIEST MAN ALIVE awards for merely showing up at the ceremony, wanted to try something different and succeeded - his cigar-smoking, sadistic warden is a masterpiece. Unforgettable.

A hard film to review, a difficult film to classify, and an impossible film to ignore. The closest analog in this era would be the highly stylized, and highly violent, films from South Korea that glorify the individual over the system.

Highly recommended.

((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))

I was pretty much blown away by "Brawl in cell block 99". I was a big fan of S.Craig Zahler who Directed the film Bone Tomahawk. This film is better in many ways. I'm hooked on his genius.

To say the film is violent is an understatement but nothing any hardcore thriller/Horror fan hasn't seen before. This film delivers the violence, however, with a purpose and is almost just given the narrative. Zahler turns the protagonist into an antihero. With superb zeal.

I am a fan of Vince Vaughn and this film is a testament to his terrific range and ability as a great American actor. In fact, I think it's his finest performance to date. In the spirit of not divulging any spoilers, I will just give potential viewers my opinion of the film as a whole.

Supporting cast of Don Johnson, Udo Kier and Jennifer Carpenter are outstanding! Direction was phenomenal as it guides the viewer through the story line with such ease, in a hard to tell plot.

Nothing is gratuitous or overdone. It's simply a great story with simple plot, done in a purposeful way. For a film with 132 mins.runtime it goes very quickly. A testament to a great movie.

I have become a huge fans of S. Craig Zahler and can't wait to see his next film.

Fans of violent Thrillera told in a relevant way with great dialog, do not miss this film!!

Once again..,Bravo Vince Vaughn for a spectacular performance! It's hard to believe, after seeing this film, he spent most of his career in comedic roles.

Hits hard like "The Boys Next Door" meets "Walking Tall". The film is extremely unrealistic(in many ways), but Vaughn is solid. He sells this character. The fight scenes are choreographed quite well, and are far more realistic than the settings and timeline. It's a real strength for the film. You feel every punch and Vaughns strength really manifests itself on the screen. Kudo's to the director/choreographers. Plenty of action throughout - also enough playful sarcasm to keep it from being too heavy handed.

Put your brain on hold and just watch Vince kick some butt. Have yourself a cigar, a beer, and don't read too much into it.

Budget constraints are probably the main cause of the films' shortcomings, so I'm not docking-it too much for that. I don't want to raise expectations too high, but if its just the action/revenge junkies that like it 7/10 like me -I understand. Skull-crushing madness. Hard R!!!! The filmmakers must've gone through an "albeit different" hell(as the main character) getting this an R rating. Id say Id love to see an unrated version, but really, this was plenty. Nice to see Vince in a better non-comedic leading role. He still didn't get enough backstory/wife-time. A little more background dialog, along with shaping up some sets, and this could've been interplanetary B greatness.. as it is.. also slightly underwritten and a little unpolished.. 7/10.. guilty pleasure niche flick..

This is gonna go cult-status among some action fans, gore fans, and in particular, revenge fans.

Vaughn's size sells every superhero aspect. Almost a little m.night "unbreakable vibe" too, only nowhere near as good camera-work, or story. I assume many of those faults will be excused because the film knows exactly what it is, unabashed and prideful B-actioner with at least a smidgen of heart to keep it together.

Better than most films of this guild. I dig the "what makes a man tough" thing.. that works here.. Tough guys are born of harsh histories and fearlessness... that aspect is realistic. My marginal recommendation is turned high if u fit the bill for this type of thing. Better than Stallone's "Lock-Up" or "Escape" - Not by much though - 69 out of 100.. Most of the "you'll like this if you liked" films mentioned in the description, but add-on 2008's "Escapist" and the same years' "Felon", both a touch better. For 1.50/nt at the redbox, it's a worthwhile view, but absolutely NOT for kids(or even teens?), and seriously consider whether you wanna invite the wife. Hardcore B-Movie.

BRUTAL.

I saw this for the first time recently. This movie was on my radar for a long time.

Having enjoyed S. Craig Zahler's Bone Tomahawk, Asylum Blackout n Dragged Across Street, i had huge expectations n this movie went beyond my expectations.

This movie is very engrossing n shockingly brutal.

This one has some witty dialogues n some humor.

Vince Vaughn gave a terrific performance n his character is amazeballs.

"Pretend like u r talking to god".

"He doesn't smell like nachos".