SoTrumpBelieve
Must See Movie...
Tedfoldol
everything you have heard about this movie is true.
Candida
It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.
Deested
Studios spend tens of millions of dollars to distract us with explosions, effects, and big names. The Hit men Diaries doesn't have that. What it does have is strong writing, great cinematography, powerful acting, and some names from actions films of the 90's. Raymond Barry does a great job as the lead, playing a ready to retire gangster.I saw this film at AOF and everyone was at the edge of their seat at the gritty dialog. A well evolved film that shows us, a good script and good acting, makes for a good film. The story drew in the audience. The duality of the character intrigued. The director did a great job retelling a classic style heist film. All the pieces came together for this.
jetsetter03
Well, I caught this film on Showtime and my expectations were low, as I hadn't heard of this movie, and quite frankly am not a fervent fan of Showtime. But what began as background noise quickly caught my attention and I found myself watching with increasing interest, until finally sitting down and really settling into the movie. There is an old world sensibility to this movie that really appealed to me, maybe it's a reference by the filmmakers to an older more classic era in cinema or perhaps it's that the characters are all played by actors you kinda recognize from other movies, I'm not sure.But it was really a great surprise and all extremely entertaining. Ray Barry was dry and slightly bitter as the lead, he didn't soften his character up too much or make him too Hollywood, you felt the sense of compromise he did, it was a really interesting portrayal and not what you'd expect at all.The film was clearly not a big budget affair, and I'm sure it could have and should have been slicker, and more polished with the money or whatever that comes with a bigger price tag. But, there was an edgy, angle to this that really appealed to me, and I think it's uniqueness was perhaps born of it's limitations.There is certainly a format to many recent indie films, they are very similar, almost always told the same way, even when they strive to be different - they are being authored and created by individuals who all seem to have sprung from the same gene pool - filmic geeks, comic book aficionados, the kid who was bullied at school who now returns to play out his revenge on the bullies of the world with his version of reality, the one where the meek and the geek inherit the Earth. Frankly I feel a disconnect with this type of film making.The Hit-man Diaries, Charlie Valentine, seems to be a throwback to an earlier style of filmmaking, an earlier concept of what makes a man a man. That cowardice and facing up to your responsibilities are easy choices and difficult as Hell to overcome. I liked the film a lot, it felt honest and cool, like a bitch slap from Lee Marvin or a knee in the groin from Charles Bronson.Is it going to be paraded at the head of a group of marching comic con internet bullying victims, almost certainly not. You probably need a set of cohones and a fairly decent appreciation of film prior to Star Wars to grasp the subtlety in the story telling.I highly recommend it, but watch it with this warning; Charlie Valentine is not a nice guy, he doesn't discover God, and he probably won't leave you feeling warm and fuzzy, but he will take you on one Helluva ride.Gary in Baker, CA -
landry52
Complete piece of trash...if it wasn't for the over abundance of strippers I would have fallen asleep. I gave it a generous *3 rating due to the strippers crotch shots and the breasts "o vision used in the strip club scenes. Tom Berenger is in the film for two minutes; even he should be ashamed to let them use his face for PR on this film. The trash you get out of red box these days. I guess it was worth a dollar to see "Blondie"<----(stage name) in her Red Negligee and pumps. More pole dances and a little less attempts at acting would have made this film somewhat enjoyable, as it plays now, not recommend. The Cobra vehicle in the film is also a highlight...
alaserexperts
I've seen Jesse Johnson's third and best movie (so far) at the "Action On Film" festival in Pasadena California. This little known cinematographic gem harvested the festival Best picture, Best action Picture, Best Cinematography and the Best Musical Score. Quite a feat for the team led by the talented screen writer and director Jesse Johnson who managed in only 18 days of filming (and with a budget that is considered petty cash in Hollywood) to come up with an action drama movie that isn't only well acted, captivating and entertaining for the action movie fans, but also adds a very human dimension to the classic gangster movie of the old days. Think of the main character Charlie Valentine as an aged Scarface who's ruthlessness and killing instincts are fading away with age and with the realization that in life there are other more important things than money, power and sex. The characters are well rounded and played wonderfully by the main characters, Raymond J. Barry (Training Day) and Michael Weatherly (Gun Shy). The cinematography is top notch - a special mention for the great camera work and image quality. And most importantly, it certainly looks like Jesse Johnson, the screen writer and director of Charlie Valentine who did an excellent job putting this story on screen, is becoming the new flag bearer of the British Invasion in American cinema. Rent or buy the DVD - you won't be sorry.
