Michael Ledo
There is nothing like an out of the way restaurant to present a weird film. You have the ability to bring together diverse characters that normally don't come together. Such is not really the case here, but it is nice to think they could have done that. A group of people are in Jimmy's (Danny Trejo) Copal Grill at closing time. The radio claims a local family in the next county has been gruesomely murdered. As the folks in the restaurant get nervous, in walks Michael Madsen, stranger. This isn't the holly jolly Madsen, but the "bet I can creep you out more than Eric Roberts with a goatee", Madsen. When the local deputy (Lew Temple) goes Barney Fife on him, things get ugly as the film turns into a restaurant abduction film with a nice twist and the best pecan pie this side of the Mason-Dixon line.Even if you do see the twist coming, the film is still interesting to watch to see how it plays out. Amber Benson plays the waitress Noreen. There is a truck driver, (Kevin Gage) salesman (Harold Perrineau) and a young couple (Lindsey Axelsson and Talan Torrieo). Decent semi-psychological thriller with drama and blood. Considering the dog westerns Madsen has been in lately this is indeed a step in the right direction for Michael Madsen fans.Parental Guide: F-bombs, no sex, no nudity.
drjgardner
The Killing Jar has a lot to recommend it, especially the great acting by Michael Madsen (a favorite of mine), Amber Benson, Jake Busey, and Harold Perrineau (he played Damon Pope on "Sons of Anarchy" and Mercutio in "Romeo and Juliet"). But what might be a tight thriller gets a little too bloody, to the point where it is gratuitous rather than adding to the story. Toned down it would have made for a much better story.I'm a big Michael Madsen fan and I never tire of his walks on the dark side in films like "Kill Bill", "Sin City", "Getaway" and, of course, "Reservoir Dogs". He's capable of playing other types of roles ("Wyatt Earp", "Species", "Free Willy") but audiences come to expect the violent portrayals. In this film I think he does a lot more acting and his character is not as one dimensional as Mr. Blonde. It's certainly the equivalent of his multi-faceted character from "Kill Bill".The film is a definite must for Madsen fans.
MikaOznam
I had no idea what to expect. correction - i expected the usual Madsen gore and gratuitous killing but not such a multilevel plot line with tight dialogue and intense suspense. No bikers, no vampires, no T&A fest but simply some old school close quarters mano to mano acting And amazingly done with an ensemble of road weary B actors who actually deliver in every scene - a triumph for small cinema shot on a Diner budget! very powerful, tension filled double hand grip on edge of your seat claustrophobia gnawing at you, the voyeur, peering into this killing jar while a cold sharp scalpel slowly twists and turns into your gut keeping ya from catching your breath.
Tony Heck
When a mysterious stranger (Madsen) enters a diner after news of a killing spree, secrets become revealed. After hearing about a brutal killing, a mysterious stranger comes in to a diner at closing time. The waitress and the six customers begin to think this stranger is the killer. After taking control of the situation the stranger begins to uncover secrets of the hostages. Not everyone is who they seem to be. This is yet another movie with a lot of potential but doesn't keep your attention. There are some pretty intense parts but overall pretty slow moving. It's not terrible but not a great first choice for nightly entertainment. I give it a C.Would I watch again? - No, this is a movie that doesn't get better with repeated viewings.
AD
