Bad Country (2014)

Captivating movie !

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.

Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

I am not embarrassed to say that I basically like this movie. True, it is not conceptional, the number of twists is limited, there are clichés, etc., but its general atmosphere as well as performances are far above average. Willem Dafoe as Bud Carter and Matt Dillon as Jesse Weiland were the central characters and spent most time on screen, but their "supporters" were good as well, although the female character was not so elaborated and her presence provided limited value to the movie. Nevertheless, not all scenes were predictable and the ending was atypical to related US movies in general. Plus an interesting trip back to Lousiana in 1980ies, its landscape and people, infrastructure and fashion back then... Some modern people tend to forget how the world was without shiny cars and digital technology.In fact, Bad Country was close to obtain 8 points from me, but still 7 - due to limited versatility and perfunctory female link.

Some good acting going on here by some favorable actors such as William Defoe, Matt Dillon and Tom BerengerActor and director, Bill Duke also makes an impressive appearance in the movie as head of the FBI.Not really sure if the story is all that impressive.It was just acted impressively by character actors I had not seen in a while, so it heighten my enjoyment.Good thinking on the filmmaker's part if that was the intention.Overall an enjoyable crime drama. if I give credit to the filmmakers about anything, it's that they got some stunning performances out of these guys.

"South Louisiana in the 1980s was a different kind of time and place. Some called it lawless. But it wasn't. Others said we just got a certain way of doing things down here. But it ain't that either. Instead, I call it what it was. Hell with the lid off." "Bad Country" is the last thing Chris Brinker created as a filmmaker. He passed away while finishing this. The first and only film he directed. An allegedly brutal crime film in which a police officer from Baton Rouge (Willem Dafoe) is trying to round up an entire criminal gang. And that with the help of a former gang member (Matt Dillon) who tries to escape from being locked up in prison for a long time. All this set in Louisiana in the 80's with his sultry climate. The criminal gang is led by a posh looking, rich and ruthless chief of the crime syndicate who looks like a cotton plantation owner of the 18th century : sophisticated dressed and living in a generously sized house with white columns. Only the whip was missing. "White power" was clearly the dominant message which you also could conclude after seeing the inventory of Bud Carter and the collection of tattoos that adorns his body.Despite the impressive cast (Willem Dafoe, Matt Dillon, Tom Berenger, Bill Duke, Neal McDonough), of which there are a few who proved several times in the past that they are able to play a criminal or crime fighter, it's just a crime movie like so many others, in which all known clichés are used. You can expect a load of wasted ammunition because of the back and forth firing with a considerable arsenal of firearms without apparently knowing where and at who to shoot. A lot of boys bragging and macho talk. A not so kosher negotiation techniques. An FBI delegation who loves to interfere again, seem to know everything and eventually make a complete mess of it. Promises aren't kept which results in a decisive revenge. And then there's the final round where everyone and no one is a winner.Willem Dafoe did a great job as a detective who knows how to run an investigation thoroughly and at the same time takes his responsibilities. A beautiful interpretation at times. Matt Dillon on the other hand, whose recent roles in "Pawn Shop Chronicles" and "The Art of the Steal" weren't that memorable either, disappointed and didn't carry weight in this movie, even though he is the owner of a giant walrus mustache which many balding guys would envy because they could use the hairpiece as a toupee. It even seemed as if the two protagonists were in competition about that. Tom Berenger (the last time I saw him acting was in "Training Day") was convincing as the ruthless crime lord Lutin with the looks of a Pavarotti. A nice supporting role was played by Bill Duke and Neal McDonough. The first as the high-ranking official from Washington Nokes (with a memorable scene where Jesse Weiland agrees to cooperate and Nokes briefly dots a few i's) and the second one as Lutin's sneaky counselor."Bad Country" for me is a "meh" movie. You can't really say it's a terribly bad movie, but it's also not a movie that impresses you. Put all existing films that deal with organized crime in a line, and this one won't be noticed between all of them in terms of originality and inventiveness. Unfortunately we will never know what Chris Brinker still had up his sleeve and if he could overwhelm us with some other filmic creations. Too bad ! More reviews at http://opinion-as-a-moviefreak.blogspot.be

Never heard of this playing at our local (or any) theater. Surprised at the low review rating of 5.7...?! Welcome back the handle-bar and other "mo's"! ha ha Edgy and suspenseful with a great cast: Willem Dafoe as lead detective and Matt Dillon (who has had a run of not-so-great roles lately) in a really convincing "bad-guy" turned CI role, with an unrecognizable Tom Berenger(wow, I still can't believe it was him!) as the king pin. Plot/story line is familiar and slightly predictable, with good entertainment value.At moments intense, no spectacular effects, but great action! Notable good guy/bad guy movie definitely worth your time.