Cold in July (2014)
Starring: Michael C. Hall, Sam Shepard, Don Johnson, Vanessa
Shaw, Nick Damici, Wyatt Russell, Lanny Flaherty, Brogan Haall
Plot: When a protective father meets a murderous ex-con,
both need to deviate from the path they are on as they soon find themselves
entangled in a downwards spiral of lies and violence while having to confront
their own inner psyche.
My Review and Thoughts:
There is a mysterious and somewhat underlining darkness to
this film. I feel this is a deep film that digs itself deeper into the subject
matter of hate, rage, anger and one’s revenge. This is a film that knows what
it wanted to do, and it did it with a slick, gritty, dark, backwoods persona,
that shines in the realty of angry Americana. This film expresses a type of an
underbelly of one’s mind and sanity and how far fear and dread and actions can
go.
It ultimately is a story on the idea of many genera's. A
drama and a thick fearful, suspenseful and pulp fiction poetry in a sense. It's
a film that does not abandon the idea that the whole story will never be known
because it's up to the viewer to understand and to create the idea of what it
means or what it was trying to be. Is it a crime thriller? It is a modern day
Film Noir. It is a revenge film in a sense, a revenge for the truth. It's all
that and more. It has the darkness of a cat and mouse game. The mouse runs
faster and faster but the cat is there breathing down you in the darkness.
The acting is flawless and the story weaved around the
actors is what shines. The musical score is phenomenal and becomes a treasured
reality in itself. What needs to be spoken about is the unbelievable beauty of
the cinematography in the backwoods, gritty, dark atmosphere and grey tones.
I feel the whole movie captures a unique beauty of
film-making. The direction is by a wonderful new cinema director. This is his
fourth feature film since 2006 and I have no doubt what so ever that he will
become a cinema master in my book if he keeps up movies like Cold in July. His
many films showcase a story that becomes weaved around a subject. It seems the
actors have to find there parts and in a sense become the very words from those
pages. Jim Mickle is a master at mystery and holding back the complete idea of
the subject in his films. His movies place the viewer in the subject at times
that already has happened. You’re in the middle and you have to piece together
the puzzle. He is able to explore and film the very recesses of cinema as a
living reality. I saw a true talent start to blossom in 2010's Stake Land. It
wasn't a masterpiece or something to praise about as perfection put what it did
was showcase that early pioneering of film making. How can you weave a story
around a plot that has already happened? You’re in the middle and you have to
build interesting characters that have already been built in the past. His
second film blew me away 2013's We Are What We Are. I loved We Are What We Are
for it was a dark twisted folklore type horror that shocked and amazed and gave
you all the mystery and edge of a Grimm Brothers Storybook reality. The film
plainly put, was amazing.
Now Jim Mickle has truly shined with this new piece of film
making. Cold in July is breathtaking fearful and balanced with an unrelenting
darkness. Mickle is the true indie god filmmaker. He gives his all and owns his
movies and showcasing what should be done and what fans want. He gives a
reality base to his characters and also to the plot that is being filmed. He is
to me a priceless director that deserves the attention. He deserves awards for
creating films that test you and last inside your mind as the film ends. All
his movies have stood out in one way or another. Cold in July is to me an Indie
Masterpiece.
This film is acted in a flawless example of how to create
characters through performance's that are golden, and award worthy. The acting
by Michael C. Hall is something to remember. He gave his heart and soul to the
character of Richard. He brought the very essence of masterpiece in his emotions,
attitude and struggle. His performance is golden.
Sam Shepard is a god of acting. He is a master talented
performer that I love watching in cinema. He is such a truly underrated actor.
His talent in this role as Ben is flooring and I believe in the character as a
living being in a fiction film. He gave you the reality as if he was not
acting. He owned his role as if you were watching it unfold in person. He gave
a deep, dark and very iconic performance that I feel will stand out the test of
time as being something amazing.
I feel that people will talk about this movie for the rest
of cinema history. They will pinpoint it as something outstanding and for
something that can be done in capturing a vivid piece of film making.
Also starring the one and only Don Johnson. I grew up
watching Miami Vice and it's always a pleasure to see him further his acting in
films. I have always thought he never got the just due in the film world and
now I have to say what a role. What a shining performance.
This is based on a book by the same name written by Joe R.
Lansdale. He is truly a gifted writer that explores every type of genera of
writing. His talent is odd and very extreme and different in writing. He wrote
the cult classic Bubba-Ho-Tep which was made into the ultimate cult film
directed by the one and only Don Coscarelli. He not only writes but does comic
books also such as Jonah Hex from 1993-1999. He is also, amazingly, a Martial
Artist Expert.
Michael C Hall with a mullet. Seeing Dexter with a mullet is
priceless.
Texas 1989. A person breaks in to the peaceful home of the
Danes. Richard grabs his gun. He is shaking and the gun goes off killing the
intruder. Little did Richard know this moment would alter and change his life?
A perfect thrill ride mixed with a haunting soundtrack and
equally haunting atmosphere through lighting and cinematography. I love the
atmosphere. It bleeds the 80's. It places you in the time period giving it a
true experience. The fear, stalking and darkness of the character of Ben
shines. This is Cape Fear mixed with Night of the Hunter but just when you
think you know what is happening, the movie does an Alfred Hitchcock on you and
the twists and turns happen. A film pulp of mystery, suspense and crime noir of
perfection.
A disturbing portrait of an underground scenario mixed with
unrelenting drama. The shocks and the 360 plot makes it a truly memorable film.
The plot thickens over and over and that's the beauty of it.
This film is something to see. Remember, spread and most of
all, follow.
I highly recommend this golden ticket of film perfection.