Catch Hell (2014)

So much average

Crappy film

Ok... Let's be honest. It cannot be the best movie but is quite enjoyable. The movie has the potential to develop a great plot for future movies

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

I caught this awhile back off Netflix, and forgot to review this. Ryan Phillippe, who recently turned the big 4-0, made his directorial debut with this torture thriller, also starring as a has-been actor (sound familiar? LOL) who is kidnapped and tortured by two backwoods thugs in Florida (I think??) while shooting a little movie there.I was surprised that I didn't hate this movie, in fact I would actually give it a borderline recommendation for fans of Phillippe (and torture or snuff films! LOL). In some ways, this is the best acting work of his career. He said in an interview (and even near the end of the film) that the experience of this movie taught him to treat others better- or at least made him a little more aware of how he treated others-?? I think that's something we all could take a lesson from...

If anyone says this was a bad movie, has got to naturally hate Ryan Phillpe. Junior's accent was spot on for Louisiana. It is possible for something like this to happen, which is scary within itself. The Security guard was funny too. I think this was a great breakout movie for Ryan. Instead of the same old teeny bop crap he's in, in this movie we actually see him as a man all grown up and sexy. hahahhahahah He captures a lot of what happens with Hollywood actors when they become an adult and how even at a young age, you can be considered "washed up". I give this movie and 8.

Based on the negative reviews, I almost didn't get this movie. But after renting it from Redbox and figuring that besides losing my time, it wouldn't hurt to lose a $1.50 so I took the "risk". I'm glad I did. Not only was it entertaining all the way throughout the movie, it was really good to be Ryan Phillippe's first crack at directing. Don't forget that he also wrote AND starred in it! Despite the majority of the movie only revolving around three characters, there were some funny parts associated with the typical stereotypes of people in the Louisiana bayou but I would definitely recommend you see this movie and not just out of boredom. Go rent it.

An amazing thing about Catch Hell is how unexpectedly *watchable* it is. I really figured it wouldn't have staying power, yet it coaxed me in.Others have commented on the film's modest strengths, which are; decent writing, good acting, good pacing (the scenes that seek to capture the long waiting of a hostage situation like this don't feel interminable), good (if elemental) character development, good editing, interesting scenario.And, amazingly, the final scene (which ingeniously plays over the end credits) struck me as a profound redemption tour-de-force. Rarely have I seen such a cosmic message writ so bizarrely. I can think of one other example, off the top of my head, that comes close. And, when I say "redemption", I don't mean the redemption of a person. I really mean the redemption of this film from being a mere low-rent action/horror snack. I'm sincere about this: It says an important thing about the nature of grace; that you might encounter some at the very bottom of a very deep, very dark pit.Worth watching, even if only because you're fascinated by the promise of smart low-budget stylizing.