Search - Down Time on DVD

LIKE A HAMMER TO THE GUT

Shashank Tripathi | Gadabout | 07/24/2004

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Down Time came recommended by a friend when I mentioned I've seen the Australian indie "Chopper" (one of the early works of Eric Bana and none too fascinating either.)

Filmed in unmistakably low-fi B&W tint, with a macho heavy-metal thrash soundtrack, the look and sound were clearly going for gritty. But along with the downbeat storyline, they just make sure that this attempted low-budget film is just that -- cheap.

Cliches abound: violence, drug abuse, sheer boredom of an inmate's life. The shock or fear quotient is largely derived from disgusting moments from uninspired characters play-acting stuff like a high school drama.

If you want raw, there's "Romper Stomper" with Russel Crowe. But this farce is a strictly skippable amateur effort that looks more like outtakes from a B film on some local channel."

King of the low budget indies

DV CAM MAN | Los Angeles | 01/31/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"You have to like low-budget independent films to get into this film but it is a good one! The best description that I can come up with for Down Time is that it is like the film "Clerks" in prison. The film moves along in a docu-drama style driven by a surprisingly good "grungy" soundtrack. I really enjoyed this film but remember this is not "The Rock".Was this review helpful?

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A real gem. Great fun to watch.

DV CAM MAN | 03/19/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"An excellent movie. Was both funny and scary at the same time. Highly recommend it...and, I usually go for the Block Buster movies!"

Visceral Incarceration

George Sand | San Francisco, CA United States | 03/22/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The payoff from a great prison film - and this definitely is one - is the sense of incarceration that envelopes the viewer. You are there, immersed in the noise, the danger, the tedium of the joint itself. In Down Time the directing, editing, and cinematography shove the prison experience down your throat in spades. The payoff is a sly narrative twist at the end which both ties the threads of the story together and gives an additional ironic kick to the viewer's identification with the film. Can't give it away here, but buy it and see for yourself! You won't forget the experience. Great sound track too!"