Ramsey: The Vandy Case

This is first set of reviews I've ever seen on IMDB where I wondered whether these glowing reviews were phony. While not a terrible film, this was a cheap, straight-to-video movie with a flabby plot and lousy production values. It almost seemed like a student sophomore project from film school. The first thing I noticed was the terrible audio. It sounded like they were recording the with $40 microphones, or with someone's iPhone 6! The dialogue faded in and out, and was foggy and mumbling, to the point where I had to turn on the close captions to make sure I got all the dialogue. While I kind of liked the main character, the other characters had a cardboard feel to them. I struggled, but made it to the end. Ignore all the glowing reviews; this was a solid 6!

This is an indie crime drama that revolves around the murder of a female cop. Private investigator Ramsey is tasked by the victim's sister to help solve the murder. Ramsey, played by Jim Thalman, is a very compelling and likable character. While this is a slow burn film and some scenes could be tighter, the story is very entertaining and engaging. It has a very clever twist and also explores interesting relevant topics that many crime films don't. If you enjoy crime stories as much as I do, you should definitively give this movie a chance. Filmmaker Tom Ryan does a good job at keeping you guessing until the very end!

Murder mystery about a child star that becomes a cop and gets shot and killed while walking the beat, alone, in a dark deserted alley behind a auto junkyard. This actor and policeperson is never seen again. Could have used a bit of backstory.

The sister (also a child star from "Family Jewels" tv show (ha ha they said Family Jewels when talking about a kids show.) hires a PI who has a teen daughter and is separated from his wife and family.

Things move along until they decided that a subplot about sexual addiction should be added to the plot. Slightly different from Alcohol or opioids or some other plot trope.

This really doesn't add to the plot. Sexual encounters are in the plot but "addiction" only comes up with some support group that his other PI friend belongs to.

The Twist ending could have been done without any addiction at all and only men/women cheating on their respective spouses.

Lots of characters giving exposition in lieu of showing us stuff.

This film had it all. As far as feel and tone, I would put this on this side of Mare of Easttown. You really don't know who the killer is and I thought the lead of the film did a tremendous job carrying the film. There was a grizzly, weariness to him. For him to be an ex-cop, you would expect that. The rest of the cast really showed up as well and I really appreciate the music. I have to also point out the cinematography, the random loss of focus really added to the scenes. It makes you get that discombobulated feeling many of teh characters have as they realize things, or are in such dyer circumstance that we are as jostled as they. I also don't usually complement the opening of films, but this opening had me hooked! Well done!

"Ramsey: The Vandy Case" is directed by Tom Ryan and written by Chris Suarez.

The movie is an indie noir that follows a PI named Kevin Ramsey as he tracks down the murderer of a wild television star. The story unfolds as a mystery of who killed the star with a twist ending. The acting is perfect for a modern noir, which is helped by the cinematography and scoring to move along the mystery and suspense.

The movie features a stand out performance by Jim Thalman as the title character and he is joined by Jeanine Bartel, Nixon Cesar, Derek Michalek, and Sebastián Ospina. The whole cast is very strong.

The movie is available to watch on Tubi as "Ramsey". I highly recommend checking it out! Especially if you are a fan of noir and crime dramas.