Dog Pound (2010)

Simply A Masterpiece

Lack of good storyline.

I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

far to be original, it represents a decent exploration of familiar themes - from juvenile crime to the atmosphere of prison. for many viewers - a copy paste. for the others - a correct image of the life from jail. violence and turned lives and fear and rules and the fall. nothing new or surprising. and this does it to have a precise target. to use an well known story, changing only the nuances. maybe, a new Scum. in fact, a film in which the atmosphere is the only significant ingredient.

Dog Pound (2010): Dir: Kim Chapiron / Cast: Adam Butcher, Shane Kippel, Mateo Morales, Lawrence Bayne, Slim Twig: Disturbing drama about human imprisonment, or in this case, juvenile prison. Adam Butcher plays a seventeen year old sentenced after brutally retaliating against an abusive corrections officer. Shane Kippel is sentenced due to drugs and substance abuse. Mateo Morales plays Angel who is sentenced after car theft and assault. All three join many others in hostile confinement where they become victims of violence. Butcher soon retaliates when he decides not to discuss his abuse. Kippel still gets hooked on drugs while also undergoing severe hostility including sexual. He ignores his mother's visitation pleas to help him. Morales is smaller but blunt in his views. All three have opportunities to reform but due too prison politics and overall nature, violence and death seem to be the only solution. Lawrence Bayne plays Officer Goodyear who runs strict orders but unable to sustain cooperation when demanding answers to evidence of abuse. We are also given a small glimpse of his fragile home life as especially when he is unable to attend his daughter's birthday. Slim Twig also makes an appearance as Max rounding out a largely unknown yet very effective cast. The guards are thankfully not the typical abusive guards often portrayed in these films. While some images are disturbing to observe, director Kim Chapiron delivers a realistic and observant glimpse at the rough reality of juvenile prisons and the animalistic nature it gives to lives on the wrong path. Score: 8 / 10

The entire film was fluid and there was not a single moment during it that I felt distaste or uninterested. Short movie and each scene inflicted emotions and thoughts through me.For the people who have never seen Scum (as myself), it was entirely enjoyable because of that. From the reviews read, it appears Dog Pound is a copy of it. I would not feel so because I did not see Scum so I enjoyed all of Dog Pound.This film would not have been what it was without Mr. Butcher (Adam Butcher aka Butch). He delivered. I thoroughly enjoyed his resentment and vengeance. It was a joy for me to observe the experienced jail-boy (Butch) show those "Trustees" (green shirts) and dealers who they were messing with.

From what I have read Dog Pound is a film influenced by the British film Scum and is not a remake but if the truth be told it is almost exactly the same. Even some re-makes of other film's are not as close as these two film's are and because I seen Scum first and thought it was brilliant, Dog Pound has a lot to live up to. So does it then? The answer is no it doesn't, it's not even close. I suppose if I hadn't off seen Scum first I would of though this was a slightly above average film. The main character Butch is no where near Ray Winstone's character Carling and as I watched him, I just felt like I was watching a man trying to act tough. Maybe it is just me but I think he made the film worse. No spoilers here though and if you watch or have seen Scum then there is no need to tell you anyway. Not a lot more I want to say about this film really, it is no where near the level of Scum and having said that I would recommend that film but not Dog Pound. I warn you in advance mind, it's not for the faint hearted. Dog Pound 6.5 out of 10, Scum 9.5 out of 10.