Review of 13 Tzameti (2006) by Jason L — 14 Aug 2008

Brilliantly filmed in the b/w mode that is so consistent and effective that it suggests color at times (I often find that the best b/w or greyscale pieces play these optical tricks). I watched this with someone who ached before it began, "Am I gonna hafta read subtitles for this one?" , but twenty minutes into it, after declaring that the b&w "wasn't annoying" demanded that I not pause the film because he was "really into this now".

This viewer, who I'd compare to your average 18-21 American movie watcher, had only one complaint of this movie: "They should have show n like more blood and stuff when the people get killed".

So I think just based on that person's experience, I can safely recommend this movie to anyone who likes action/thrillers/noir even if they're the type that can't stand foreign films and would rather be watching "Shoot Em Up".

As for my views on it, I think the main actor performs perfectly. As I said before, the shots are beautiful and the cinematography is sublime. Overall, the acting is great and the story is simply genius.

The psychological tension created in this movie overwhelms the bloody visual wallops of the best comparable American films. I haven't seen 13 Game Sayawng and I don't know which derives from the other, but I was plenty satisfied by this film that I'm not interested in seeking out a similar piece which may potentially be inferior.

"So Fucked Up" highlight: when the protagonist doesn't fire during the first round.