lathe-of-heaven
Joined Jan 2006
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Ratings1.4K
lathe-of-heaven's rating
Reviews368
lathe-of-heaven's rating
I really enjoyed this one, and I'm not a huge fan of Zombie movies. But, I really liked the Native American setting and wherever they filmed it had a strong, desolate, kind of isolated feeling which really added to the doom filled atmosphere.
The actors were mostly Natives too, you could tell by their names. That gave the film kind of a unique setting where you had a genuine feel for the people.
The writing I felt was particularly sharp. I really liked some of the clever lines and the dry, subdued humour, it worked really well especially in such a grim film.
The suspense was extremely well done too, building the dread and relentless fear quite effectively as time went on. I really liked some of the quirky characters too which I feel due to the excellent writing and acting really came across as very believable.
Towards the end of the movie I kind of questioned the motives of why a certain guy did what he did, especially after the writers and the actor did such a good job of building this complex character and some true sympathy for him. I found that rather strange that they took the story in that direction, although I can see how they wanted to plot to go.
Also, for me personally, the one critique that I would have is that when you have such a powerful and relentlessly grim film like this, I think then you really have to 'Pay Off' the audience to some extent with the ending due to putting them through so much throughout the movie. And, without giving anything specific away, I really feel that with all that the characters and the audience went through, they could easily have made the ending a lot less grim. Just for me, I think at that point, the audience could have used a bit more of an uplifting ending and I feel that they just went a tad overboard with some negative happenings, that honestly just were not really necessary.
But yes, overall an extremely well made and very effective, very scary Zombie movie that has very sharp writing and acting and is far above average for a film of this type.
The actors were mostly Natives too, you could tell by their names. That gave the film kind of a unique setting where you had a genuine feel for the people.
The writing I felt was particularly sharp. I really liked some of the clever lines and the dry, subdued humour, it worked really well especially in such a grim film.
The suspense was extremely well done too, building the dread and relentless fear quite effectively as time went on. I really liked some of the quirky characters too which I feel due to the excellent writing and acting really came across as very believable.
Towards the end of the movie I kind of questioned the motives of why a certain guy did what he did, especially after the writers and the actor did such a good job of building this complex character and some true sympathy for him. I found that rather strange that they took the story in that direction, although I can see how they wanted to plot to go.
Also, for me personally, the one critique that I would have is that when you have such a powerful and relentlessly grim film like this, I think then you really have to 'Pay Off' the audience to some extent with the ending due to putting them through so much throughout the movie. And, without giving anything specific away, I really feel that with all that the characters and the audience went through, they could easily have made the ending a lot less grim. Just for me, I think at that point, the audience could have used a bit more of an uplifting ending and I feel that they just went a tad overboard with some negative happenings, that honestly just were not really necessary.
But yes, overall an extremely well made and very effective, very scary Zombie movie that has very sharp writing and acting and is far above average for a film of this type.
What I feel raises this one above a fairly simple premise is the good atmosphere provided by the cinematography, lighting, good direction and such.
Also, I mean, it's Robert F'n Patrick for Goodness sake! :D
The acting is actually above average where in this kind of Horror movie many times that is precisely what brings it down. As mentioned, Robert Patrick is of course excellent and plays the part of the doomed fellow very well. The main woman plays her character in a refreshingly understated way. The Private Detective played his usual, semi-slimy role which he is really good at portraying. And, the supporting actors all seemed to be decent. Even her friend who could have VERY easily come across in an annoying way, but carried off her role very well.
What I enjoyed too was that the writing was particularly sharp for this kind of film. Nothing Earth shaking, but here and there they tossed in a subtle, clever line now and then which I really liked.
One thing that I think maybe could have been done a little better was that I don't feel that the way they had Robert Patrick portray his character was very clear about how exactly he was affected. Was he aware of everything the whole time, or what? I just thought that could have been portrayed a little more clearly. The way they had him come across was a little vague and not totally consistent... I mean, sometimes he came across as super cocky like he was not ever in 'Control' of himself, and other times he seemed like he was feeling really sad about what he had done.
So, definitely worth a watch if you like this kind of Supernatural Horror film, and especially if you like Robert Patrick.
I gave it a strong '6' Almost a '7' but maybe for me just shy of that.
Also, I mean, it's Robert F'n Patrick for Goodness sake! :D
The acting is actually above average where in this kind of Horror movie many times that is precisely what brings it down. As mentioned, Robert Patrick is of course excellent and plays the part of the doomed fellow very well. The main woman plays her character in a refreshingly understated way. The Private Detective played his usual, semi-slimy role which he is really good at portraying. And, the supporting actors all seemed to be decent. Even her friend who could have VERY easily come across in an annoying way, but carried off her role very well.
What I enjoyed too was that the writing was particularly sharp for this kind of film. Nothing Earth shaking, but here and there they tossed in a subtle, clever line now and then which I really liked.
One thing that I think maybe could have been done a little better was that I don't feel that the way they had Robert Patrick portray his character was very clear about how exactly he was affected. Was he aware of everything the whole time, or what? I just thought that could have been portrayed a little more clearly. The way they had him come across was a little vague and not totally consistent... I mean, sometimes he came across as super cocky like he was not ever in 'Control' of himself, and other times he seemed like he was feeling really sad about what he had done.
So, definitely worth a watch if you like this kind of Supernatural Horror film, and especially if you like Robert Patrick.
I gave it a strong '6' Almost a '7' but maybe for me just shy of that.
Yep... Heh, I read some of these other reviewers and they wax so poetic, some really love to 'hear' themselves talk... : )
I'll just give it straight and plain. This film is indeed much more engaging and much better put together than the first one. I also reviewed the first one and the thing that took away from what was really a very good idea in that movie is I felt the long build up from the beginning included too much slow moving 'Drama' Whereas this one hits you right out of the gate with punch and power.
There is no need to see the first film before this one since the story and characters are completely different. The only reason it is entitled as 'OVERHEARD 2' is that the people behind the camera are the same ones that brought you the other movie. And I believe a couple of the same actors are in this one, but in quite different roles. And, it also deals with financial misdeeds and surveillance like the first one.
Very well written, directed, and well paced. All the actors do a great job and I feel the story really ratchets up the tension and builds to an excellent and somewhat moving ending.
I would definitely recommend this one to anyone who enjoys well made Financial Action/Thrillers from China. This is indeed one of the better ones!
I'll just give it straight and plain. This film is indeed much more engaging and much better put together than the first one. I also reviewed the first one and the thing that took away from what was really a very good idea in that movie is I felt the long build up from the beginning included too much slow moving 'Drama' Whereas this one hits you right out of the gate with punch and power.
There is no need to see the first film before this one since the story and characters are completely different. The only reason it is entitled as 'OVERHEARD 2' is that the people behind the camera are the same ones that brought you the other movie. And I believe a couple of the same actors are in this one, but in quite different roles. And, it also deals with financial misdeeds and surveillance like the first one.
Very well written, directed, and well paced. All the actors do a great job and I feel the story really ratchets up the tension and builds to an excellent and somewhat moving ending.
I would definitely recommend this one to anyone who enjoys well made Financial Action/Thrillers from China. This is indeed one of the better ones!