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7

quincytheodoreMar 9, 2015

Cold in July is deceptively unassuming, it's quiet in building the suspense then it savors the violence in healthy dose. The movie aptly delivers a story with twists and turns, surprisingly changing tones as new mysteries reveal themselves.Cold in July is deceptively unassuming, it's quiet in building the suspense then it savors the violence in healthy dose. The movie aptly delivers a story with twists and turns, surprisingly changing tones as new mysteries reveal themselves. The actors are great, they produce wide range of characterization and ensure their respective personalities are convincing. Its contrastingly dark and bright visual innovate the covert flair without making it looks like a retro detective noir flick.

Richard Dane (Michael C. Hall) wakes up at one night and finds his home is a target of a burglar. He then proceeds to shoot him, much to everyone’s surprise, including his own. It sets up a chain of events that attract him to a much larger secret than simple breaking and entering. Hall is exceptional as a regular civilian with relatively normal mind, unlike his role in Dexter. He showcases variety of emotions, originally anxiety and rage, but as he endures the trial his characters develops stronger.

Russel (Sam Shepard), the father of the alleged burglar is sympathetically crude and worn down by life. Jim Bob (Don Johnson) rounds up the rag tag gang of investigators. These three are bizarre mix of cast, but they are drawn by a common goal. Each has their own quirky nature and the actors more than elevate the intense plot.

Visually, Cold in July is crisp and immersive. Cinematography works down to the minute details, from angle of the camera in the dark corner to the moving viewpoint of a car, these produce an immersive effect as one watches the mystery unfolds. Soundtracks are oddly in tune, some of them are harrowingly effective. The film doesn't boast high amount of gore, but when it does the result is bloody authentic.

If there's a minor setback, it's that the pace stumbles a bit on the midpoint. The transition between first and second half might be jarring. However, the clever twists and great performance more than make up for it. Cold in July is a light venture to shady uncompromising crime resort with turns that will keep audiences in the edge of their seats.… Expand

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7

TheDRauchNov 20, 2014

Featuring a trio of fantastic performances from Michael C. Hall, Sam Shepherd, and a rejuvenated Don Johnson, sporting an off-kilter 80s-esque electro score, and an engaging plot ripe with welcomely subverting turns in direction, Cold in JulyFeaturing a trio of fantastic performances from Michael C. Hall, Sam Shepherd, and a rejuvenated Don Johnson, sporting an off-kilter 80s-esque electro score, and an engaging plot ripe with welcomely subverting turns in direction, Cold in July will probably go down (unfortunately) as one of the most underrated films of the year. True, the film adds little new context to the repercussions of violence and the expectations of masculinity that impose upon simple men. There is also a kind of corn-brained logic to some of the plot twists, but it never comes across as ridiculous, more campy and fun. If I had to compare this film tonally to something else from this year, Blue Ruin comes to mind, as well as the Nicolas Cage vehicle, Joe. While not nearly as seamless in presenting it's thrills as Blue Ruin or emotionally resonant as Joe, Cold in July still earns merit for being a competently made thriller that has characters more rich than we've come to expect from the genre, as well as an unbridled momentum that builds to a (albeit, predictable) satisfying finale. Worth recommending.… Expand

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7

LowbrowCinemaJun 1, 2014

Director Jim Mickle is creating a strong bounty of dark and seedy films that contemplate the American nightmare. COLD IN JULY is not as strong as his masterwork STAKELAND, but it haunts with its brooding tone and sense of sadness. COLD INDirector Jim Mickle is creating a strong bounty of dark and seedy films that contemplate the American nightmare. COLD IN JULY is not as strong as his masterwork STAKELAND, but it haunts with its brooding tone and sense of sadness. COLD IN JULY is anchored by three wonderful performances from Michael C. Hall, Sam Shephard, and especially the amazing Don Johnson who is at his best.

Mickle isolates his characters in a world that is never what it seems. Where issues are far more complex than one can imagination. In other words, unlike other "horror" filmmakers, Mickle is grounded in the profound and complex world of the real.… Expand

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10

scartwright49Aug 1, 2014

A real thrill ride. The movie changes course quicker than you can believe. It keep you glued to the screen throughout. The three leads were fantastic.

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7

seventhsealOct 12, 2014

Not the best but a long way from the worst, if we use OUT OF THE FURNACE as the worst example. Yes the story line/plot has some holes in but over all the acting and attention to detail in direction and production is very good. Really catchesNot the best but a long way from the worst, if we use OUT OF THE FURNACE as the worst example. Yes the story line/plot has some holes in but over all the acting and attention to detail in direction and production is very good. Really catches the 80s vibe. Don Johnson is reborn of late and loving his appearances more and more.

Overall I would say yeah, go for it, turn your brain off or certainly down to popcorn level and enjoy a good ole shoot 'em up/revenge escapade.

7/10… Expand

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7

car149tobaseNov 22, 2015

It's a great history, plenty of turnarounds and spectacular suspense moments. The 80's synthpop soundtrack brings a good atmosphere for the movie. I do recommend it.

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6

TVJerryJun 9, 2014

Michael C. Hall sports a trim mullet and 80s moustache as the mild-mannered man who shoots an intruder in his house late at night. The burglar's ex-con father (Sam Shepard) shows up and the intrigue begins. The film starts tightly-wound andMichael C. Hall sports a trim mullet and 80s moustache as the mild-mannered man who shoots an intruder in his house late at night. The burglar's ex-con father (Sam Shepard) shows up and the intrigue begins. The film starts tightly-wound and produces some early tension, but once the convoluted plot starts to develop, it poses more and more mystery without much payoff.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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2

NowakAug 13, 2014

Great cast and a director from kinder surprise. What a pointless piece of work. It`s starts with questions and mistery and then John Cleese (almost) shows up and says: And now something completely different! Real waste of three great actors.

0 of 5 users found this helpful05

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5

Tss5078Mar 7, 2017

For lack of better terminology, these dark, southern, noirish, dramas have become all the rage in Hollywood. Films like Winter's Bone, Joe, and Mud have been highly critically acclaimed and have come to define the 2010 decade in film, butFor lack of better terminology, these dark, southern, noirish, dramas have become all the rage in Hollywood. Films like Winter's Bone, Joe, and Mud have been highly critically acclaimed and have come to define the 2010 decade in film, but where there is success, there are bound to be copycats, enter Cold In July. Whoever thought that Don Johnson would have any kind of chemistry with Dexter what so ever, must have been out of there mind, as right from the beginning, this film was doomed. A simple man kills a home invader and is stalked by the father of the man he killed. Obsessed with taking a life and wanting to know more about what led to this man become the person he's become, Dane (Michael C. Hall) and his team of misfits, stalk the family right back and uncover an even bigger mystery. While this story had potential, the writers thought it was too dark and decided to have some fun with it. Isn't that nice of them, to combine misplaced comic relief with actors who have no chemistry at all? Cold In July doesn't only lack chemistry but it also lacks focus. At times this film is as dark and serious as it gets, then just as quickly everyone is drunk and paling around, it just doesn't fit and it doesn't work. The whole genre of these films is dark, disparaging, and sometime disturbing. If their is any humor or positivity to be had, it typically occurs at the very end. Michael C. Hall pretty much has the same dry personality as Dexter, except with a family and a conscious, while Don Johnson is the psychopath who wants to hurt people and thinks it's funny. The bottom line is this film is just a mess of actors who don't belong with each other, characters who should never have gotten along, jumping between scenes that are the complete polar opposites of one another. I liked the story and there are a few interesting moments, but it's just isn't enough to carry the film.… Expand

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8

SpangleApr 1, 2016

Cold in July is a fantastic crime thriller from director Jim Mickie with outstanding performances from Michael C. Hall and Sam Shephard. Mickie does a great job wringing tension out of the premise and the end result is that the viewer isCold in July is a fantastic crime thriller from director Jim Mickie with outstanding performances from Michael C. Hall and Sam Shephard. Mickie does a great job wringing tension out of the premise and the end result is that the viewer is constantly on pins and needles awaiting the next twist the film is going to take. Once you think you have a grasp on where the film is headed, it frequently pulls the rug out from under you and changes course yet again. The film is incredibly detailed, right down to the different filters on the film, which transition from blue to gold to red in the film. It is really the defining factor in why this film has really fantastic look. The cinematography ain't too shabby either though. Overall, Cold in July is not perfect, but it is the exact kind of film that crime thriller fans are looking for and, beyond that, it is incredibly well crafted and is one that will definitely stick with you for a bit.… Expand

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4

foxgroveJul 5, 2014

Disappointing to say the least despite having a trailer which makes it look so exciting. The scenario is very promising, beginning as it does with a house burglary that is not all it seems to be, and one settles down to enjoy what should haveDisappointing to say the least despite having a trailer which makes it look so exciting. The scenario is very promising, beginning as it does with a house burglary that is not all it seems to be, and one settles down to enjoy what should have been an accomplished thriller. Unfortunately, edge of seat thrills are what is sadly lacking. Scenes start promisingly enough, but tension is never sufficiently generated and the film sinks under a morass of unfulfilled expectation. There are twists and turns along the way, but these are not handled skilfully enough to make the film a winner and only a couple of moments come close to creating any kind of frisson. To be fair the last 20 minutes, although very violent, offer some compensation. Overall, though, one is left feeling well and truly underwhelmed by it all.… Expand

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6

LeZeeMar 24, 2016

Kind of so good till Jim Bob Luke's entry.

I'm glad I watched it, but if I had missed it, I would have not worried much. Anyway, you can't say like that until you watch any movie. This movie was excellent, I mean it for the first 40-45Kind of so good till Jim Bob Luke's entry.

I'm glad I watched it, but if I had missed it, I would have not worried much. Anyway, you can't say like that until you watch any movie. This movie was excellent, I mean it for the first 40-45 minutes. So much twist and thrills, I was almost regretting for almost missing it. But once the character Jim Bob Luke was introduced in a grand style, the narration went off the track.

The best parts were over, I got lost interest, and I asked myself why it has to be like this after a wonderful opening? Especially for the character Dane who was a family man and his choice was completely wrong. As mush as Dane, I wanted to know who he shot, but that was not the story's intention to reveal and went in a different direction to disappoint me.

The guys (actors) were awesome, but the writing was a let down, it owes lots of explanation rather telling a decent story. It was an indie crime-thriller based on the novel of the same name, sets in the 1980s. I won't say the film was bad, but I enjoyed only the half movie, the first half.

6/10… Expand

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7

BrianMcCriticOct 1, 2014

A real interesting film that that works in almost every way. The performances are good and the story will keep you intrigued throughout, also the score was really cool. It was really close to an 8 but it's currently my highest 7 of the year. B+

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8

CinemayorumlariOct 29, 2014

Dexter karakteri olarak karşımıza çıkan Micheal dizi sektöründen sıyrılıp sinemada başarılı işler yapabileceğini bize kanıtladı. Muhteşem olay örgüsüne sahip olan film yüksek puanıda hak ediyor...

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9

MattBrady99Mar 10, 2015

A story that has been done before loads of times in movies but this movie takes that story and gives it a twist. Micheal C. hall plays a family man with a wife and child, and he is a good man, but one night he hears a nose in the house and heA story that has been done before loads of times in movies but this movie takes that story and gives it a twist. Micheal C. hall plays a family man with a wife and child, and he is a good man, but one night he hears a nose in the house and he goes to check it out by bringing a gun with him; he saw a mysterious man with a flashlight look at his family photos so Micheal C. hall points a gun at the stranger a shouts him by mistake, and throw out the movie he has to deal with some big problems and he has to risk everything to try to make everything right. The music in this movie is like a electric rock music that works so well in this movie that it reminds me of the drive soundtrack. The acting is freaking brilliant in this movie and the directing is outstanding in this movie.… Expand

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7

Derek1127May 8, 2015

pretty unique movie. well acted. Somehow manages to keep you constantly on the edge of your seat without much really happening. overall I would recommend Cold in July

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8

TrailesqueFeb 18, 2022

This well-plotted, Texas-smoked thriller/neo-noir gets off to a strong start. A regular guy (Michael C. Hall) shoots a burglar dead in his home one night, and then the deceased's father (Sam Shepard), recently released from prison, comesThis well-plotted, Texas-smoked thriller/neo-noir gets off to a strong start. A regular guy (Michael C. Hall) shoots a burglar dead in his home one night, and then the deceased's father (Sam Shepard), recently released from prison, comes around looking for revenge. But things are not as they appear; the story takes an interesting turn, enemies become allies, and a suave private eye (Don Johnson) gets into the picture. Unfortunately the film is marred by a cheesy soundtrack and a Tinseltown bloodbath finale - I thought they might go for something more nuanced. Good suspense and fine performances by the leads are the best things about it.… Expand

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