Surprised there isn't a thread for this. Will keep it short. Solid movie. The long runtime breezes by, a great mystery always keeps the viewer hooked. Powerhouse performance from Hugh Jackman, great performances from everybody actually. Paul Dano has always been a favourite of mine since There Will be Blood and Gyllenhaal's solidified himself as a solid actor. The film definitely has a Mystic River vibe going for it, simply put, if you enjoyed that (or basically any of Eastwood's later works), you'll like this.

I think this might be another blacklist script that's going to take home the Oscar. But it's not really the most appealing movie to a general audience. Confronting for the most part but it works. There's this technique used by Guzikowski where he likes to cut right before a major reveal, really makes for edge of the seat viewing. Will be nice to see how this pans out, awards season has just begun.

I thought I already reviewed this, as I saw it at the theater a few weeks ago.

I wasn't very pleased with what I saw, adn I was surprised, because the trailers looked so damn good.

IMO, it was way too long, way too plodding and slow, way too dark, and in the end, a bit obvious and also unbeleivable in the finale.

And, it's funny, because I like long movies, I like slow movies, and I love dark violent movies.  This was just too much in all the above, mostly in the dark tone, with literally no humor, no smiles, not nothing other than sheer mean sprited, dark shit.

Now, don't get me wrong, I definitely didn't hate or even dislike this, but I definitely didn't love it either.  I was hoping for more...and less, I guess.

Grade - B-/C+

I really enjoyed the movie. Hugh Jackman, Paul Dano, Jake Gyllenhaal, in fact the whole cast did a unbelievable job in creating a suspenseful atmophere. Hands down my favorite film of the year.

I had a strange experience with this one. I was a little distracted because a woman who was sitting near me in the cinema brought her two primary school aged children along with her and every time something particularly disturbing happened I couldn't help but think "fancy bringing kids along to see this". Apart from that I found the movie fairly entertaining but it's not what I'd call memorable. It's the kind of film that entertains but doesn't really stay with you and it's not the kind of film I'd bother watching again.

I had higher expectations as well, but still think it deserves some Oscar attention. I'm surprised I didn't start this thread myself, as I saw the day it came out and really liked it.

I was more impressed by Gyllenhal and Jackman's performances. I thought the best written thing in the movie, was the Loki (Gyllenhal) character, but then I read the script and realized that a lot the little things that made that character so great, weren't written into the script.

I feel like both actors deserve the Oscar nod, especially Gyllenhal.

This movie surprised the hell out of me. I'm no big Jackman or Gyllenhaal fan but - damn! - they were excellent, especially Gyllenhaal (funny little quirk his character had with those blinking eyes). Overall I thought this was a very enjoyable film that had me on the edge of my seat all the way through. Powerful performances all around. Only thing that bothered me was the fact that Loki didn't connect Bobby's drawing and the necklace he finds on the guy in the basement quicker.

I doubt the movie gets an oscar nod which is a shame because it clearly deserves it. The best movie I've seen so far in 2013.

Quoted from sniper This movie surprised the hell out of me. I'm no big Jackman or Gyllenhaal fan but - damn! - they were excellent, especially Gyllenhaal (funny little quirk his character had with those blinking eyes). Overall I thought this was a very enjoyable film that had me on the edge of my seat all the way through. Powerful performances all around. Only thing that bothered me was the fact that Loki didn't connect Bobby's drawing and the necklace he finds on the guy in the basement quicker. I doubt the movie gets an oscar nod which is a shame because it clearly deserves it. The best movie I've seen so far in 2013.

Yeah it's funny because he does notice in the movie that he should have made that connection. He makes a "holy shit, how could I not see that face?" when he looks at the picture in the aunt's house.

Definitely a fan of this one. The only real gripe that hung over me whilst watching, was it felt like the director was attempting to craft a Fincher movie, and no one but Fincher should attempt that.

As Snipes said, Gyllenhaal was very, very good, but unlike Snipes, I'm not surprised - this guy is the real deal.

Undoubtedly in my top films of the year.

Quoted from Dreamscale ... with literally no humor, no smiles, not nothing other than sheer mean sprited, dark shit.

Sounds like my kind of film.

Quoted from DustinBowcot Sounds like my kind of film.

I love dark, mean spirited, play for keeps movies, but this thing was just unrelenting to me.  Even the weather and locale were dark and crappy.

I guess I prefer a smirk or smile as a dagger is being thrust in every now and then.

The movie was fine--not anything special--and you could kind of see the ending coming a mile away. The performances were actually mediocre, considering everyone involved's acting abilities and the movie did go on forever. No way they couldn't have trimmed 20 minutes off of it. Like I said, it was fine, not great, but also not the worst thing in the world.

As for Jake Gyllenhaal's blinking, that got annoying so quickly. In fact, it was the worst blinking since Nicolas Cage.

Agree with Mr. Blonde completely.

Definitely not a bad movie, but not nearly as good as others are making it out to be or as good as it should have/could have been.

I think everything was pretty excellent up until the ending to be honest. The aunt's dialogue was ridiculously exposition. The things she was saying were so unrealistic.

Checked this out. Wanted to see what all the fuss is about.

Solid flick. Effective meat and potatoes thriller with some *slight* innovations. I appreciated the dark tone, non-cathartic use of violence, and the scenery. All the picturesque suburbia set against grey skies and dead trees and drenched in rain really set the scene for me.

Not a Hugh Jackman fan but I've always had faith in his ability. He's just so rarely done anything I'd want to see. Still, I didn't expect such an against-type powerhouse performance. While the character archetype is familiar and inherently sympathetic, Jackman's performance and the way he's written totally go against the grain and constantly challenge the audience's sympathy. I feel like grieving father characters are a dime a dozen so I appreciated this interpretation. Much more complex and interesting.

I liked his fate as well. Quite harsh but without a doubt the right way to go as it immediately connects to one of the first things he says in the film, which is essentially the crux of his character.

Gyllenhaal, I didn't have the same faith in. Always thought he was too babyfaced and nebbishy to play characters like these. But I was equally impressed with his performance. A lot more laid back and nuanced than his usual fair, I'd say, and while the character is essentially underwritten, he brings so many little things to the table that give the air there's some kind of dark past or neurosis to this guy buried underneath. He's also an excellent counterpart for Jackman and the two of them together create an interesting dynamic to the film.

Paul Dano, also not a fan. Also did a fantastic job. I'm coming around to him though. He seems to be coming into his own as late, especially with films like Looper and 12 Years A Slave. Honestly, I'm starting to think all these younger actors and actresses just need some time (and the right roles) to hone their craft and not everyone's talent is as immediately obvious as others.

Now... Oscar calibar? Nah. Really?

I feel like even if they got rid of half the films nominated this year, this one would *maybe* have a shot. In any category. I mean, there were a lot of great films last year and plenty that didn't get any Oscar attention.

Still, I was impressed. Definitely one of the better films of 2013.

Quoted from James McClung Now... Oscar calibar? Nah. Really? I feel like even if they got rid of half the films nominated this year, this one would *maybe* have a shot. In any category. I mean, there were a lot of great films last year and plenty that didn't get any Oscar attention. Still, I was impressed. Definitely one of the better films of 2013.

Yeah, that was bad judgement by me. A little too dark and bleak I think. Considering the other Oscar-bait films that didn't get nominated, Prisoners didn't have a huge chance.

The biggest accomplishment of the film in my opinion is that it somehow moves fast, yet not much really happens.

The story was pretty basic but effective. I didn't like the twist.

Ok movie, nothing to write home about but good.