Review of Brawl in Cell Block 99 (2017) by Johntechwriter — 31 Jan 2018
When I found out this prison movie was directed by the same guy who did Bone Tomahawk — S. Craig Zahler — I fired it up immediately on Prime Video. I was not disappointed. Zahler does for the tough-guy movie what Bone Tomahawk did for the western: amps things up beyond anything you’ve seen before and gets away with it due to (a) superb writing; (b) beautiful camera work; and (c) brilliant acting throughout, spearheaded by a knockout performance by Vince Vaughn.
You will not be reminded of his character in “Swingers,” I assure you. Ultra violent but always with a nod and a wink. Scene after scene you dare the author to top himself and when he always does you are entertained despite the extreme political incorrectness of it all.
Whatever this newcomer Zahler comes up with next, I’m going to the Cineplex to see it, something I rarely do anymore. He writes as well as directs and his films have a satirical edge most American audiences won’t get.
Which is their problem.
This review of Brawl in Cell Block 99 (2017) was written by Johntechwriter on 31 Jan 2018.
Brawl in Cell Block 99 has generally received positive reviews.
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