Moviepro (www.moviepro.net)

We have taken some photos of "Running Scared". They represent actual movie quality.

• Just when you thought there was only one Tony Scott... posted on 22 Apr 2006

  First of, when viewing the movie to the end one will note that due to a certain "twist" near the end of the story, the movie becomes pointless from the beginning to where it got to.The gun is not actually important. So who could possibly not notice such a blooper while writing the script of filming the movie?Secondly, the direction is not as poor as Tony Scott's but poorer, because it rips him off entirely. Just when you thought that Tony Scott's fast-paced, chopped-to-pieces edited, words repeated, overlapping images, and green tinted movies were completely pointless in those regards here comes Wayne Kramer.He directed "The Cooler", which starred the great Alec Baldwin and William H. Macy and it was a terrific film simply for its audacious idea of the man who rings you bad luck. It was directed well and had terrific dialog. Now he destroys his previous image by not letting you see much in the film (due to the "shaky-camera syndrome" and the Tony Scott school of 'lack of' editing) and the story was pointless. The characters were ridiculously caricatured and every other word was foul. The graphic violence was pointless because the technique of realism was not used in the film; nor was it over the top.The situations were all ridiculous and preposterous and this movie had, literally everything. Also, EVERYBODY dies in it. That was not a spoiler. You will notice that within the first ten minutes of the film.This is one of the dumbest, most pathetic excuses for a movie that I had ever seen and I can only sum up with: at least it wasn't as back as "Man On Fire" and "Domino".D.

• See this film, it is good. posted on 22 Apr 2006

  Not a bad movie, if you don't mind a lot of swearing and a fair bit of violence then I recommend seeing the film. Paul Walker played the part very well, which I thought was an unusual role for a guy this good looking but proved very convincing. Probably a film closely related to Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels with the mafia feel, Lock Stock was much better I thought from the inclusions of comedy and the way it was really well written. There is a lot of obscene language in this film but it was well used because the director is portraying the characters really authentically. We see remnants of Walker's Fast and Furious days with the choice of a Ford Mustang convertible and some nice driving shots. The cast was a good selection, all convincing and well suited.

• Thrilling and Action packed fun! posted on 18 Apr 2006

  I was not expecting much of this film, but from the first 10 seconds to the last 10 seconds it will have you intrigued! I love the dark style and action. Its not just your average mob flick either, the director throws in some very sick side plots! Paul Walker does a good job here, so stop hating on him for no good reason. Its sad that this film only made 3 million in its opening weekend. Its one of the best films I've seen in 2006. There is one part of the film that gets your emotions so high that the entire audience was clapping and screaming! It never gets dull, it keeps you wanting to see more. B acting and good special effects make this film a joy to watch, along with the interesting story and awesome twists! 8.5 out of 10

• Violent, nasty, disturbing fun!!! posted on 14 Apr 2006

  I went into this movie knowing nothing at all about it (despite working in a cinema)and it totally blew me away. The violence is turned up to 11 from the opening scene. If you like the Sam Pekinpah/John Woo/Robert Rodriquez style of violence, then you'll love this. Shot using a mix of ultra-cool slow-mo, reverse time, bullet-tracing effects and just about every other possible trick, the movie is a real visual treat. One particularly bloody sequence is even shot under UV light so the gore has less impact on the viewer thus passing the censors. A technique used previously in Kill Bill. Writer/director Wayne Kramer has clearly been influenced by the extremes of Asian cinema from such directors as Takashi Miike and has brought this style of film-making boldly to western audiences (which is why this won't be to everyone's taste). Kramer is clearly a talent to watch out for proving himself to be a great director shooting from his own solid script and getting strong performances from the cast, young and old. Paul Walker gives his best performance yet, playing against type and convincingly putting aside his good guy image. This film will likely get overlooked due to very little publicity but I urge anyone with a love for cinema (and a strong stomach) to track down and watch this film. You won't be disappointed. A future cult classic.

• No time for tea posted on 10 Apr 2006

  This movie moves. Compared to Crank and similar movies where there is time for a tea break between the action scenes, this movie is pure adrenalin and just keeps going. It is also the first movie that I have seen in a long time where I found myself applauding one particular piece of the action. The story sounds a bit clichéd and maybe on first glance is only a bit more inviting than whatever the TV was offering on Wednesday, but when the action starts it really is unrelenting. The camera work and gangster passion run it along cutting from sub plot to sub plot with amazing ease. Quintin himself could not have made a better job of this story even in his Pulp Fiction days. One to watch, a director to follow and a professional cast that has already established excellent bona fides. Jolly well done to all concerned. I look forward to the next one.

• Fans of both action movies and vintage exploitation will dig this posted on 06 Apr 2006

  I expected another crappy Paul Walker movie going into this one. I was pleasantly surprised however. "Running Scared" is an exciting action flick with such outlandish depravity it recalls vintage exploitation films at times. Its certainly a lot more original and interesting that any Vin Diesel flick out there. With this and "The Cooler" behind him, Wayne Kramer proves to be a talent to watch. Sure, the film has flaws and the plot is a bit too complicated for its own good. Still, the film is so unhinged and over-the-top, it seems to realize just how ridiculous its genre is, which was the main appeal for me.The acting is good all around, in particular the child stars. Paul Walker, best known as the other guy in "The Fast and the Furious", gives an unexpectedly competent performance. His character isn't extremely complex, but Walker makes him believable in spite of the outlandishness. Vera Farmiga is also very good and an obvious star in the making. The direction from Wayne Kramer is impressive, in particular the unbearably creepy pedophilia sequence. Unfortunately, this film did little business at the box office, regulating it to sleeper status and a possible cult following. Its one of the most entertaining and thematically interesting action films to come from Hollywood, a system not often known for such. (8/10)

• lot of action posted on 05 Apr 2006

  i felt it hd lot of action and odd not every day things this 10 yr old went through in one day, the language could of been lowered and not so many names to keep up with though

• This movie really surprised me, Paul Walker totally came through posted on 04 Apr 2006

  I just saw this movie yesterday, to be honest I didn't think much off it. But what I saw was brilliant. Paul Walker was really good as Joey Gazelle and Vera Farmiga as Teresa Gazelle was brilliant, you could really "see" the emotions. The plot was great, though I thought it was a bit "American" in some scenes but that played out nicely. Paul Walker is an actor I never thought much of, but in this movie he totally turned me around on that!I really liked the style, felt just like you were reading a comic, pretty surreal I might ad! There is lots of violence and blood in this, yet they manage to keep it from getting senseless. The Mustang they use is really nice wouldn't have minded to see a bit more of wheel spin and car action, but hey cant get every thing you want!

• A mob type spends an entire evening trying to retrieve a gun that has been stolen by a neighbor boy. posted on 02 Apr 2006

  This movie has been treated abysmally by critics. Some of these critics have given exceptionally high marks to films like "Pulp Fiction" and "Kill Bill." In my opinion, it is no more violent than either of the above films and as far as plot and character development it is good as both. It is no "Godfather," but, for me, it is as good as "Pulp Fiction." I feel that the movie has a sort of European stylized look about it. Maybe it will do better worldwide where the opinions of critics don't carry as much weight with the movie going public. I think that the two young actors playing the two boys do a fine job. Some reviewers have commented that Paul Walker is becoming one of the worst actors. Not true.

• Whoa! posted on 29 Mar 2006

  Leaving me with the feeling of being lost in the woods and trying to find a way out; this movie ROCKED! Definitely having similarities with the movie JUDGEMENT NIGHT with a Tarantino flair, this movie was far better. Character development, intricate and complicated plot, brutal action (though I still can't abide the fact that a shotgun WILL NOT make you fly back 6 feet), and believable, albeit unusual, real life circumstances made this movie a total seat grabber.Though some of the in-scene activities were predictable, this movie was one of the few movies that had me completely bewildered. I had no idea where this movie was going from once scene to the next. A rare and pleasant surprise.The overall sense of this film was that of a Brother's Grimm fairy tale (not the Disney version) taking place in a low class suburb of New Jersey. I was completely creeped out, thrilled, and surprised, and on more than one occasion could not keep myself from cheering for the bold actions of the protagonists.Sweet movie, and a must see for those who can handle its content.

• Dark, sick and very entertaining posted on 27 Mar 2006

  I went to see this movie for only one reason: it had the very gifted John Noble in it, and his work is very difficult to come by outside Australia. However, despite the fact that he has only one scene near the end, I found the entire movie deeply engrossing and entertaining. I never found myself bored or impatient for a moment, even though mobster movies are not a genre I particularly enjoy or am even very familiar with. The story careens along at breakneck speed, and though it logically gives rise to the "Oh, great, what else can possibly go wrong next?" objection, it has so much energy and drive the question never arises. For such a violent movie, I found only one moment when I felt squeamish, when one character goes all Mike Tyson on another guy's ear.I was really dreading the pedophile segment, which so many other posters have found disturbing and upsetting. However, I found it to be completely different from what I'd been expecting, and frankly found it absolutely hilarious in a dark and sick way. The couple are relentlessly sunny and upbeat, like a demented Ozzie and Harriet, hiding their perversion in plain sight, with a children's alphabet-block decorated Welcome mat right at their front door! I just found the contrast between the polished normality of their appearance and the fiendish evil lurking in the background to be some of the blackest humor I'd ever seen. It reminded me of the Edward Gory story "The Loathsome Couple", as did the illustrated credits sequence at the end.

• Paul Walker's Best Performance posted on 23 Mar 2006

  I'm not a big fan of Paul Walker, so I was a little skeptical about renting this movie, but after watching it just now, I'm glad I did. Running Scared is with out a doubt the best movie I've seen this year and even worked it's way into my top 10. I don't understand why this movie did so terrible at the box office, it literally has everything. Insane gun fights, loser pimps, corrupt cops and hockey players, child abduction, a crazy Russian with a passion for John Wayne and the list goes on and on. I loved the twists and turns in the storyline and acting by every character in this film, not to mention Vera Farmiga is drop dead gorgeous. This is definitely Paul Walkers best performance, and a definite must see.

• Way Too Late to See This in a Theater, but ... posted on 21 Mar 2006

  I am so torqued. I was on a business trip the one weekend this film was showing in the theaters. Wanted to see it badly but before I blinked it was gone.My first viewing was today on the Pay per View circuit and I am even more bent. This could be the greatest film that must been seen on a BIG screen that I didn't ever see on one. There is no way to appreciate the incredible, unfathomable chaos this thing offers on a TV of any size.But the crescendos of calamity and the absurd ending could not have prepared me for the amazing credit sequence that so boldly makes the film understandable. As I suspected while taking in one incredulity after another, the film is a garish live action horror fantasy. The wonderful credit storyboard makes this very clear. Wayne Kramer is just messing with our heads in ways that other genre artists have, for example John Carpenter in 'Assault on Precinct 13' and 'Escape from New York'. You think its all real, but welcome to Mr. Kramer's nightmare.So many reviews of this thing went on about the improbability of it all. The layers of impossibility and coincidence become too much after a while, going way beyond anything people complained about in the film 'Crash.' But 'Running Scared' was never intended to make a point. It was simply to be bathed in.So in the end this is a genre play that transcends its action world full of scum predictability into the nightmare fantasy genre that transmits power from its absurd, incoherent nature. If you felt you should not like this thing but did, watch 'Donnie Darko' and 'The Sender' again to get similar feelings at closure.But in the end, I have such misgivings that I will never experience this thing full bore as it should have been tasted.I am so torqued.

• Surprisingly Good!! posted on 19 Mar 2006

  Lets be honest, Paul Walker is no Denzel or Da Nero, but he was great in this role and it was different for him. The movie really grabs you from the start and doesn't let go till the end. I'm picky and bore easy, but I enjoyed this film a great deal. I'll be watching this one again. ...Actually I think I'll buy the DVD. The movie moves quickly, is full of suspense, has good character development, and keeps you on the edge of your seat. There's also a good little twist at the end, and who doesn't like that? If you're reading this and haven't seen "Running Sacred" yet, you should definitely check it out; you WON'T be disappointed.

• Worth a two hour watch posted on 17 Mar 2006

  What a ride! This film provided entertainment from beginning to end. Paul Walker has certainly come a long way as far as acting goes since his days as Brian Spilner in Fast and The Furious (Into the Blue is also worth a watch). But the performance from young Cameron Bright was thoroughly convincing (does this boy EVER smile). I watched this on recommendation from a friend and can only agree that it was a top, top top of the range film. There is also a mini plot in the middle of the film which appeared out of nowhere and kind of freaked me out...i could go on praising this film but i'd end up spoiling it for those who haven't seen it. Action, Drama, thriller and some nice twists..stop what you are doing and go and see it immediately.

• this movie was horrible posted on 17 Mar 2006

  My cousin brought this movie over because the guy at the video store said it was good. How wrong he was. The characters were completely unbelievable, the movie felt like it lasted forever, and the special effects were horrible. Every other word out of Paul Walkers mouth was F this and F that (which doesn't offend me mind you, but there could be a little bit more creativity on the writers part, and the "awesome plot twists" made absolutely no sense. Was this movie a comedy? Because I spent more time laughing at this movie than feeling 'thrilled' or 'part of the action'. The only way I could recommend that ANYONE see this movie is as a joke. I seriously regret wasting the 2 hours I spent watching this and how it got such a high rating is completely beyond me.

• . It tries to be serious and it's inadvertently funny posted on 17 Mar 2006

  Running Scared" is easily one of the worst movies I've ever seen. I can only think of three movies that I ever wanted to walk out of a theater on and this was one of them. "Running Scared" should be declared a weapon of mass destruction due to the sheer enormity of suckage it will be unleashing upon theaters across the United States. If every action has an equal opposite reaction, this is New Line's reaction to "The Lord of the Rings". Running Scared" gleefully uses violence and abuse against children as entertainment. The prime example of this is a scene where Oleg is abducted along with two other kids and taken to a Neverland Ranch-type apartment where a creepy couple rapes and tortures children while videotaping them. As Oleg wanders around the apartment he sees instruments of torture lying around the cheerful setting. It's obvious the filmmakers are wanting us to giggle at the absurdity of it. However, I hardly thought it was an appropriate subject for humor. Throw in Paul Walker pointing a gun at a screaming baby, numerous characters pointing a gun at Oleg's head, the pimp repeatedly sticking a knife to Oleg's neck, and other abuses and you see quite a pattern emerging. It's not good to be a kid in this film.Running Scared" seemed a little too desperate to include some sex in this film. Less than 5 minutes after killing a bunch of mobsters and cops, Paul Walker runs home and performs oral sex on his wife while she sits on the washing machine. It was pretty stupid and certainly didn't seem in character for Joey considering what had just happened to him. Throw in the obligatory strip club scene and you see how the film tries to titillate without doing anything for the story.The film features numerous completely pointless effects shots where action scenes are rewound in slow motion. You see the action repeated over and over. It's like the filmmakers are saying, "Did you miss it the first time? Well here, let me spend a million dollars on an effects sequence so I can rewind it and show you again." It's like they think the audience is too stupid to figure out what just happened on their own. But it does look cool!

• It's Sooo Awesome posted on 17 Mar 2006

  It's aweeeeeeeeeeeeessssssssssooooooooooome For Me ---and I'm Gonna be flamed and tortured to death for this---It's better than Pulp Fiction believe it or not but I liked pulp fiction a little and I think it's extremely over rated I think Fight club deserves No.9 in top 250 more than pulp fiction and se7en deserves no.10 "I'm not a fanatic for Brad Pitt or something but in the old legendary days the man had chosen excellent roles not like now in Mr.& Mrs.smith" I know there's enormous number of people worshiping Pulp Fiction but I don't know I did not hook by it so fast despite I love the whole cast starting with John Travolta "face/off" Samuel L.Jackson "Negotiator - Jackie Brown - Coach Carter" and Uma Thurman "Kill Bill Vol.2 ---I didn't like Vol.1--- Gattaca" but I didn't bother about Gangsters Walking their Boss's wife or a boxer trying to fled the set-up sure the lines were awes some "it's Q.T. Trade Mark" but I don't know but it's my opinion ---- I'm comparing Running Scared with Pulp Fiction 'coz While I was watching Running Scared I thought I was Watching A modern stylish and better edition of Pulp Fiction.Thank u all for reading all of this.one Last word the acting in the pre-last scene with paul walker and vira fermiga is a little bit lame and acting in Pulp fiction is Awesome all over but the story it self & the Action scenes in Running Scared Is better than Pulp Fiction.BTW I adore Reservoir Dogs SO MUCH.

• Great Flick posted on 15 Mar 2006

  This was a fast paced movie, with lots of strange twists. There was a wide array of characters, so pay attention. It all adds up in the end. I was trying to think of a movie like this one to compare, but I don't think there was one. I especially enjoyed the boy character, Oleg in this film. He did a great job even with being so young. There were a few times where you are totally like...OHHHH HURRY HURRY!! at the screen, which adds to the allure of the movie. Paul walker is nice to look at and his acting skills seem to have improved since fast and furious days, that's for sure. So, grab the popcorn, the boyfriend (or girlfriend) and hit the flicks. One thing though - Don't get up and go to the bathroom as you may miss out on something.

• Not AT ALL what I thought. posted on 14 Mar 2006

  I'm getting sick of marketing people, you know? Especially after having seen this movie I'm sick of how often they can misrepresent a product, CD, or (especially!) a film their trying to present. I understand it's a matter of telling people the information that would drive them into spending their money on a 2 hour or so experience, but in this particular case, they dropped the ball big time!
  
  This trailers for this film made it appear as a garden variety action pic. Overtly violent and again without point. Imagine my shcck and awe (I'm using that term a lot more lately.) when I finally saw the film! It twists and turns with a gritty style of filmaking that actually calls back the films from the seventies, the dark crime films like French Connection, as upposed to other films who merely say that but don't deliever.
  
  Paul Walker is just what he needs to be. Gritty, real, and whatever adjectives you wish to put to describe his manic performance. Playing a low level mobster with a loving family, he makes mistakes but goes out of his way to fix them. Cameron Bright, the young actor who plays Oleg is simply stunning. Vera Farmiga? Wayne Cramer is right. Her eyes are hypnotic. She is, as she does in her brilliant turn in The Departed, the moral center of the film.
  
  Fantastic action, great dialouge, amazing camera work, fantastic story! How could they have messed it up? Leave that to the marketing people.