Cold in July (2014) User Reviews

A Taut and Unsullied Thriller- Great Independent Cinema

[ajit2106 · 7/10 · 25 July 2014]

A neo-noir directed by Jim Micklee based on a novel by Joe Lansdale, a dark, grim and gritty tale of retaliation and retributions. The ramifications of a murder, lead to the carnage and involved people can go at any length. This is not your usual thriller but a compelling mysterious story which keeps us at the edge of our seats.

Set in 1989 Texas, Richard Dane (Michael C. Hall) a common family man, one night defensively guns down an intruder. The police quickly identify the corpse as a wanted criminal and bury him. Richard still feels the remorse of killing a human being and goes to the cemetery where the dead man's father Ben Russell (Sam Shepard) threatens to kill Richard's young son. In order to save his family Richard takes police help however consequently he unfolds some secrets, now Richard and Ben will take the assistance of a brash private detective, Jim Bob (Dan Johnson), to crawl to the core of Richard's uncertainty.

The narrative is paced with lots of twists and turns to keep us engaged throughout the run time of 150 minutes. The minute details of 80's Texas are just impeccable. The screenplay will keep you on your toes as the tension builds subsequently. The overwhelming final shot portrays a brutal and stylized violent scene which is fresh and instinctual. However, some of the details are missing here as the some unexplained loose ends which are not tied and there should have been a better female cast.

The performances are brilliant, Hall is stellar as a protective family man and the transformation his character is immaculate. Shepard is remarkable as a distressed father, looking for his son. Johnson is a scene stealer having as much fun as anyone can within such confine.

Cold in July is a captivating experience with tense and unsettling tone. The independent cinema is at its best.

My Vite 7.5/10

Didn't disappoint!

[TommyT14 · 8/10 · 4 July 2014]

The cast fit the roles perfectly, Michael C Hall performance grows as his character evolves during the film, Sam Shepard plays it cool throughout and Don Johnson, my favourite character, as the private detective is a breath of fresh air in an otherwise intense, gritty thriller.

The overall 80s theme is apparent throughout, the soundtrack by Jeff Grace is very similar to that of a John Carpenter score.

I went into this film with quite high expectations after watching the trailer, the story line kept me on my toes with plenty of twists and turns i wasn't expecting at all, a killer soundtrack, awesome cast and an indie look and feel about it similar to the film 'Drive' – Cold in July certainly didn't disappoint. Well worth a watch!

7.5/10

Dirty, seedy, pulpy, campy.... Awesome!

[Joe_Chadowski · 8/10 · 26 May 2014]

This dirty little piece of Texas pulp rides the fine line of art of trash with brilliant composure as its dark script teases you with how far it'll go. The seed is planted when an everyman kills an intruder in his home, and the story spins wildly out of control from there. The story moves forward at a brisk pace and never looks back. Sure that means there are as many holes as there are unanswered questions, but such is the case with pulp. You gotta live in the now, man. In the end, I'm still not sure how to process what I've seen, and I've gained no further insight or knowledge about myself, the world, or humanity. And I wouldn't have it any other way

An Endless Orgy Of Twists & Turns

[CinemaClown · 25 November 2014]

An endless orgy of twists & turns that begins & ends with a bullet being fired, Cold in July isn't an easy film to pin into any genre because it starts as one thing, then changes its course around the middle, seems to be heading in the direction you predicted but once again takes an unexpected turn to become something else entirely.

Co-written & directed by Jim Mickle, this indie keeps shifting its gear which stacks up pretty well in the end as the aura of tension & mystery that's present in the story throughout its runtime is nerve-wracking. Camerawork is expertly handled, editing is slick, background score neatly compliments the whole narrative and the tonal shifts are done in a way that only brings the viewers in instead of out.

As far as performances go, the film boasts a badass cast in Michael C. Hall, Sam Shepard & Don Johnson and the trio is impressive in their given roles. Hall plays an everyman & it is through him that we enter into the story, Shepard contributes in with a strong performance of his own but it is Don Johnson who leaves the most lasting impression and steals every scene he's in with ease & finesse.

On an overall scale, Cold in July is a tense, gripping & expertly narrated indie that offers an immersive drama which eventually culminates on a highly satisfying & emotionally rewarding note. Worthy of a broader viewership & definitely one of the finest films of the year, not to mention amongst the coolest as well, Jim Mickle's latest film is absolutely worth your time & money and comes thoroughly recommended.

Good run through with a bit emotional detachment

[SatiagoManez · 7/10 · 4 April 2015]

The story line is simple and clear but not completely convincing in all aspects. But the screenplay is the one that makes to hold on to the movie till the end without letting you think about the logics. The music and some of the performances like Sam Shepard's have been partners to the screenplay.

But towards the end of the movie, You think about Richard's involvement to the plan is so lightly touched making the characterization contradictory to itself. A citizen with clear records, a responsible family man who tries to safe guard the family under any circumstances turns out to be warrior keeping aside the family for a while. That itches a bit ! Doesn't it.

Other than that, it is a movie that you can watch for once without much regrets.

One shot is enough

[victuki · 7/10 · 15 August 2014]

How many men can one bullet kill? That is the catch line on the film poster, and it is one of the best definitions of a film I have ever read. Based on a novel by Joe R. Lansdale, this is the story of Richard Dane (Michael C. Hall, eternal "Dexter"), a protective family man that kills a burglar inside his home. Still in shock after the event, he is not fully aware of what that single shot has triggered.

I must confess I wanted to see the movie because I am a big fan of "Dexter" (James Manos Jr. 2006-13), and after this show and his role in "Six Feet Under" (Alan Ball, 2001-2005), I already thought Michael C. Hall was a great actor. Having watched this film, I admire him even more. It is not easy to shake a character that has been with you for so long, but Hall just nails this average man, father and husband. How such a man reacts when killing for the first time and everything afterwards, it is outstanding. The other actors in this trio are Sam Shepard as the father of the deceased burglar, and Don Johnson as a government agent, two tough guys that shows up as a result of Dane's killing. Both Johnson and Shepard really fit the role and they support Hall perfectly.

This film is tough, maybe not in a graphic way, but throughout the film you start to feel the burden of the events, the consequences of it. It is also a story of good and evil, of doing the right thing, and all the unexpected things behind that decision. The film is divided into two parts, and in the second segment, there is a shift in the tone, though there is something true about the whole film, it is a gritty, harsh story. How an ordinary man copes with life after a rough, life-changing event.

Surprisingly Good Thriller

[claudio_carvalho · 7/10 · 7 March 2015]

In 1989, in the east of Texas, Ann Dane (Vinessa Shaw) overhears a noise during the night and awakes her husband Richard Dane (Michael C. Hall). He picks up his gun and stumbles with a burglar in the living room and accidentally shoots and kills the intruder. He is identified by the police as the wanted criminal Freddy Russell, but Richard is affected by the incident. Richard goes to the cemetery to see Freddy's burial and his father Ben Russell (Sam Shepard), who is also a criminal on parole, talks to Richard and asks for his son. Richard brings his son from the school and meets his wife at the police station, but the police inspector Ray Price (Nick Damici) cannot do anything to help him. Soon Richard finds that someone has broken in his house and the police officers stake out the place. However Ben breaks in the house but escapes. Ray calls Richard to tell him that Ben was arrested in Mexico and the case is closed. While leaving the station, he sees a picture of Freddy Russell and he realizes that he is not the burglar. Richard unsuccessfully calls Ray and he decides to go to the station during the night. He witnesses Ray and other officers taken Ben away in a car and leaving him on the train tracks after hitting him. Richard saves Ben and brings him to an isolated cabin that belonged to his father. After proving that the buried corpse is not Freddy, Richard teams up with Ben and his friend, the private investigator Jim Bob (Don Johnson), to seek out Freddy and find who has been killed, and the trio is involved with a gang that makes pornographic snuff movies.

"Cold in July" is a surprisingly good thriller, with a violent story in the style of Quentin Tarantino, where police officers are dirty and felon may be good-hearted. The amazing cast has three great actors: Michael C. Hall, from Dexter, Sam Shepard and Don Johnson and the dark and tense story has a well-written screenplay and good plot points. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Julho Sangrento" ("Bloody July")

Breezy sleek noir thriller

[quincytheodore · 7/10 · 9 March 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. 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.

Too bad as it started pretty well.. (SPOILERS)

[ijozic · 6/10 · 12 August 2014]

I'll just quote pieces of peter-sweeney's review as it pretty much matches my impressions..

"This started out well and quite gripping and to this viewer was looking forward to further developments. The height of this was finding out he had not killed Russell's son i.e. lucky to discover a photo of him; and then by further incredible chance finding out what the police was going to do his father (who was in a terror campaign against the hero's family). Everything going fine to this point and yes sure, very Cape Fear. Then it all shifted into a downward spiral as soon as Don Johnson arrived in a vague comic characterisation tone and all plausibility for a real decent thriller disappeared."

Couldn't agree more. The first half of the movie was really well done, with some great takes and a very well-done music score. But, Don Johnson's character semi-comic entry totally didn't match the ominous appearance of Sam Shepard's character from the first half. The movie went downhill from there on and Shepard's character became an empty shell with no other motivation, but to kill his son which he doesn't know, but was ready to avenge only a few days before.

"Few issues with this i) the police in the hero's small home town were corrupt i.e. trying to kill Russell's father. This story loop was left untied. ii) The hero's wife let him go to Houston on a pretty flimsy excuse with no real effort to find out his real reasons especially when he had been acting a bit suspiciously iii) The father and son relationship was well non-existent, neither knowing each other."

Yeah, many issues are unresolved in the end. But, e.g. 1) perhaps the police was not bating the father, but once he came, he threatened to blow the whole cover murder of his son, so the police decided to silence him. But, since it was an FBI case, it feels weird that the local cops would resort to murder the guy who didn't actually do anything serious yet and especially that they would do it to the FBI's benefit only.

"Good points are i) the early tension and favourite being ii)the John Carpenter style electronic music permeating through the movie. Real bad point - the last hour!"

Loved the music score, was thoroughly disappointed with the other half of the movie which seemed like a rather different movie altogether.

Very good thriller with style and great acting

[Red-Barracuda · 8/10 · 25 June 2014]

Cold in July is a Texas neo-noir set in 1989. A man called Richard Dane kills an intruder in his home one night. The victim's dad subsequently turns up and starts hassling Dane and his family. The police get involved but things begin to take a turn for the unpredictable when it soon becomes apparent that the dead man isn't who he appears to be. This leads to a spiral of very dark secrets.

What makes this one work so well is a combination of a great trio of performances and the 80's retro styling. Of the former we have Michael C. Hall, Sam Shepard and Don Johnson as a motley crew of sleuths bent on discovering the truth and ultimately meting out violent retribution. The three actors work well together in portraying their uneasy alliance. While the aforementioned 80's setting is great too. The soundtrack is a combination of some choice 80's hard rock and some neo-electro 80's styling synth music to score the film and build atmosphere. It works highly in the movie's favour and gives it a cool sheen while seeming entirely appropriate given the era depicted.

The story-line is a mixture of fairly familiar things you probably have encountered in these types of movies before and I'm not going to reveal too much of what lies ahead as it's best to go into these types of films with as little foreknowledge as possible. But it is the way that these standard elements have been presented on screen that makes them work so well, as well as the aforementioned acting and 80's setting. There are a few loose ends in the story and some aspects that you will require to suspend your disbelief at a little. But this is hardly a new thing when it comes to pulpy thrillers. The important thing is that Cold in July is a superior example of this kind of thing. It's very involving throughout and makes its generic material seem fresh, which is easier said than done.

A surprisingly great thriller, though one which waivers in direction of the second half.

[Sergeant_Tibbs · 7/10 · 23 January 2015]

Michael C. Hall was great in television in the 2000s - all of Six Feet Under and half of Dexter. This decade, not so much. I wondered how he would fare in cinema since he only had the antagonist role in Gamer to his name. And it turns out with Cold In July, he fares fairly well. He perfectly executes a character wrestling with inner turmoil for an act of self-defense and fleshes out a story that could otherwise be typical. Jim Mickle has a great sense of direction for this neo-noirish mystery thriller, and the first half of the film offers left turns every scene, tough dilemmas and plenty of thrills, even if it's disinterested in digging under layers. It's unfortunate that it delegates itself into something much lesser in its second half, where Don Johnson joins Hall and Sam Shepard to form a trio of vigilantes. It makes the compelling first half feel like a mere setup to this tonal shift where you wonder why Hall is still hanging around. Nevertheless, it still retains those taut thrills.

7/10

Don't let it become a forgotten gem

[adamscastlevania2 · 9/10 · 28 August 2014]

(89%) One of those great little movies that will sadly get seen by far too few, and although it is not a 100% slab of solid gold, it's still a really damn good piece of storytelling. First of all the 1980's style soundtrack is sublime, a true contender for the best of the year without a shadow of doubt. The performances couldn't be much better, Michael C. Hall is perfect as the mullet headed everyman caught in a very tricky spot, and Don Johnson breathes a breath of fresh air into the second half. The direction is focused and unfussy. While the story is fantastically well paced as it twists and turns almost constantly, I just cannot recommend this enough. A must-watch American future classic that's worth the time, effort, and money watching properly at the cinema, so do so, you won't regret it.

I can't well chain him up now.......can I?...

[FlashCallahan · 7/10 · 17 May 2015]

Richard Dane is a small town frame builder from East Texas who is forced to kill a man in self-defence.

He then meets Ben Russel, an ex-con and the father of the man Dane shot, who is hell- bent on avenging his son's death.

But small town corruption and paranoia turn these enemies into unlikely allies, as the two guilt stricken fathers begin a search for truth, aided by Dane's tough minded wife and a pig-raising detective from the backwoods of Houston.

Before it's all over, they uncover a bigger secret, darker and more dangerous than any of them could have imagined......

There is one point in this crime thriller, that I thought it was just going to be a retro remake of Scorcese's version of Cape Fear. And if you've seen this film already, you will know the scene I'm talking about. And up until this point, its a pretty straightforward, generic thriller.

But then there is a change of events, and it turns into a whole different movie, and for some reason, setting the film in 1989 really aides the film, as there are certain plot points that today's technology would ruin.

The three leads are brilliant, Johnson just bringing that much needed cockiness to a really bleak movie, and Shepard, just being totally believable as the unhinged ex-convict.

If has a very mystical feel to it, almost fantasy like, and there are times when you really think it was made in the eighties.

If you like thrillers that go insanely off course halfway through, then this is a little gem.

Plot Lines Dropped

[t-bone53 · 5/10 · 31 May 2014]

While the acting in this movie is very good and Sam Shepard's character evolves, there are major plot lines that just get dropped. It reminds me of Charlie's Angels episodes that don't make sense and we're supposed to not worry about that and just think they are cool. Same here.

The statements I'm about to write could be called "spoilers" but they are not really because they don't matter. The whole middle of movie is about bad cops that tell Michael Hall that he killed Sam Shepard's son even though he really didn't in order to draw Sam Shepard to town so that they can kill him. Do we find out why the cops did that? No. Do the cops get pay back? No. Later, there is a big deal made about the Dixie mafia and what bad asses they are. Do the characters confront or even see the Dixie mafia? No. And the big stated reason why Michael Hall needs to leave his wife and kid to help Sam Shepard is to find out who he really killed. Does he ever find out? No.

There is a main plot that I have not revealed, so there is something to this movie. But all this other stuff really seemed pointless.

Take terrifying and titillating in one great noir.

[JohnDeSando · 28 May 2014]

"Sometimes the good guy wins."

Start with Cape Fear, then merge into Killer Joe with a side Touch of Evil, and you will have an inkling of how macabre and comical Cold In July can be. It touches most of the familiar neo-noir bases including being set in East Texas and in the '80's. Revenge is the name of this game--director Jim Mickle paces the suspense and blood just about right.

Richard Dane (Michael C. Hall) and his family experience a home invasion, for which Richard kills the intruder point blank. The murder is reasonable until the corpse's dad, Ben Russel (Sam Shepard, more laconic and bad than ever), shows up just out of prison to menace the Danes for the death of his son. Yet as usual in pulpy noir, not all is as it seems including the motives of the local law enforcers and the identity of the dead "son."

Add to the grimy mix the Dixie mafia, who produce snuff videos using young girls. Russel is affected because it involves his son (even bad guys have the blues.)

The revenge formula ramps up considerably and the film becomes gleefully unglued with the advent of Don Johnson's swaggering detective, Jim Bob. His red Caddy convertible with the steer horn on the grille and his florid outfits signal an out-sized noir character channeling Matthew McConaughey from Killer Joe with a touch of Orson Welles' evil south of the border. A serious pig farmer, Jim Bob is hilarious as the swashbuckling, cheesy hunter. But make no mistake—he can give physically as good as he gets with some impressive sleuth work to boot.

The center of the darkness is Richard, a seemingly solid citizen who has the ambiguous demons usually reserved for the noir hero (think of Bogey's characters). His strong revulsion at the murder passes into something less than that but more than just vigilantism. Anyway, the blood bath at the end is worth seeing for its noir excess and dark humor.

Very few characters in this delightful summer indie get out unscathed, and some indeed find July very cold.

Noir-y thriller worth your time

[bhester0806 · 7/10 · 28 May 2021]

Well let's be clear Sam Shepard was a legend and you see why in this film. Secondly I'll never understand how Michael C Hall isn't an A list actor dude never misses.

The plot is pure thriller. It's dark; there's no happy endings but if you like movies like Blue Ruin, Green room etc this is for you.

Not at all the film you thought you would be watching!

[AgentSauvage · 7/10 · 9 September 2021]

I bought this film months ago and delayed watching it as I thought it was simply the psychological effect on a family of being stalked by a malignant and possibly violent man - how wrong I was. This is a really good plot-twister where Sam Shepard and Michael C Hall act their socks off to produce an unexpected 'buddy movie'. To say any more would give away plot twists, but the build up to fear in the first half hour was superb - what happened in the next hour or so was so unexpected - A good film to watch with the lights off and perhaps a beer or two to sup as the story develops! Worth at least 7 stars, possibly 8!

Entertaining, but lacking a bit

[songbirdmc · 7/10 · 26 March 2018]

I wanted to really like this movie. I'm a fan of Michael C Hall and him being in this film was the main drawl for me. The premise sounded decent enough. In fact, it sounded original in my opinion so I was excited to settle down and watch it last night.

The movie gets right down to business and I was pulled in immediately. It was interesting to see everything that probably would happen if you happened to kill an intruder in your house. Nothing pleasant there. I actually thought I had this whole movie figured out in fifteen minutes. I couldn't have been more wrong, but probably only because it started off being one movie and ended as another.

Yes, this movie was actually two movies smushed together. Sadly, I enjoyed the first part much more than the second part. At least Michael C Hall was in it from start to finish. Honestly I think each half of the movie had they actually been two separate films would have been great, but as one it felt disjointed.

I can't say enough that it is still an enjoyable film. I just wish it had stayed on the course it started on.

The acting was very good. Sam Shepherd and Don Johnson were great in their roles and I could watch Michael C Hall act in anything. He's just so believable and so real that I find myself totally engrossed in whatever he's doing. He's a very serious actor, but he also does humor incredibly well even in a serious role. I love that!

There was also a thing or two that never did get explained unless I somehow missed it.

An edgy thriller

[cinematic_aficionado · 7/10 · 11 July 2014]

An ordinary man finds an intruder in his home and shoots him dead. As far as the police is concerned, no law has been broken and no suspicion falls upon the landlord, although his conscience bothers him having to live with the fact that he killed someone.

The law might not be concerned but the father of the deceased is. Having just been released from prison he is not prepared to simply accept that this family man killed his son in self-defence after the latter had illegally entered his property.

Early on, the audience is geared up towards the clash of the two. It is unavoidable that their paths will meet and when that happens it will be explosive. However, what if not everything is as it seems? When these two meet, will it lead to a clash to death or...?

Those who read my blog are aware that I don't give out outcomes or spoilers. A moral tale, becomes a police tale and morphs into a deceit and vengeance tale.

It might have been during a July when these events took place, but the tone is surely cold. Step by step new realities unfold all the way to the dramatic climax whereby there cannot be a turning back for all involved.

A highly effective, edgy crime/thriller that will keep you firmly in your seat all the way to the end.

Missed the Mark.

[loglady1 · 6/10 · 4 June 2014]

We were expecting a lot more from this film seeing it received 8.2 stars. We have always valued IMDb's ratings but this movie's rating sure missed the mark for us. Yes, it had a plot twist near the beginning of the story that set you on the edge of your seat waiting for something to happen but it never quite developed from there. There was no depth or insight into Hall, Shepard, Johnson or Damici's characters. The entire plot just didn't seem to gel. When the movie was over we felt we were left hanging and very disappointed. Another thing; has anyone ever seen a full service Tex-Mex restaurant/bar at a drive-in theater? That was really weird!

Perfectly paced, taunt and suspenseful thriller.

[lboyajianpatterson · 9/10 · 13 July 2014]

This is a very well made film, It's taunt, suspenseful and has you sitting on the edge of your seat. It's a story thats believable with twists and unexpected turns.

Michael Hall was wonderful as the gay undertaker in 6 Feet Under, then as the emotionless killer in Dexter. He is excellent as the caring, protective father who accidentally kills an intruder and is unwillingly to be given the mantle of hero.

When Sam Shepard comes after him, it's easy to think that logical consequences should play out but compassion steps in and that's where the story takes off in a different direction.

You will be glued to your seat and with the music perfectly and simply building the tension, in walks the fabulous character, and much needed comic relief of Don Johnson. I never thought much of Don Johnson that this role is outstanding. I think that often there is a role in a movie that is so unusual and outstanding that you should see the whole movie for it, and his role is such a role.

He really should get a supporting actor nominee for his perfect portrayal of this offbeat character.

The movie is a puzzle and the pieces all fit together. There are three great performances of the male leads, and the performance of the wife is very good as well. There were some clever touches to create a film noir feel to this film when certain scenes would subtly go to black and white.

This is a well crafted, well acted, not to be missed film, though if you're seeking light and breezy, this isn't it.

Texas and the other states MUST pass "Richard's Law" . . .

[cricket30 · 7/10 · 23 June 2014]

. . . as soon as possible, to prevent what happens to Richard's family living room at the beginning of COLD IN JULY from giving other American families further grief. Under current law in Texas and most other states, you run legal risks if you march your home invaders out of your house BEFORE shooting them. (Richard and his wife Ann must trash their mantle painting, their sofa, clean off their clock and have their plaster replaced and repainted due to where their intruder was standing; many insurgents park themselves in front of your china cabinet on purpose when you have them "dead to rights.") From a practical standpoint, most able-bodied people are happy to dig graves in order to live another hour, and almost all intruders are able-bodied (when's the last time a burglar with a walker crashed through your picture window?). If you have a large piece of property, this can "kill two birds with one stone," as you won't be bothered by the deceased's close relatives if they disappear without a trace on your "back forty" (unlike how Richard and his family were featured in police reports and newspaper headlines during COLD IN JULY). This movie pits conservative border vigilantes (predating the Tea Party) running a profitable business against bleeding heart liberals with smaller guns. The out-gunned guys implausibly prevail, supposedly because they fought in the Korean War. The filming location of upper New York is supposed to be Texas. If you want to know what Texas looks like, see THE LAST PICTURE SHOW--Not COLD IN JULY!! Plus, it's fine and dandy that Richard and the rest of the people in this flick can afford all the guns they want, but do not forget that many of us are NOT so fortunate. After enjoying COLD IN JULY, please support your local chapter of BANGS (Broke Americans Need Gun Stamps).

Gritty, brutal, and intense. Cold in July delivers

[trublu215 · 9/10 · 27 May 2014]

Cold In July marks the fourth and most mature feature for director Jim Mickle, bringing electric performances and palpable suspense to an otherwise unoriginal premise. What sets this film apart from other films like it, such as Cape Fear, is the performances. Michael C. Hall gives one hell of a performance, letting the audience see a vastly different side of him. He generates a leading man quality in this film that, in my opinion, he has never done before. From the straight-out-of-the-80s mullet, to the tight Wrangler jeans, Hall fits the mold of an ordinary man from small town Texas in the 80s and does so very subtly without us ever thinking to ourselves that this man was Dexter. As much as I liked Hall's performance in this film, Sam Shepard and Don Johnson steal the film. Without giving too much away, Shepard and Johnson are two of the seediest dirty characters not in a Rob Zombie film. Each scene between Shepard and Hall generates a palpable tension that would be difficult to do with any other actors in their parts, respectfully. The story is interesting from jump street, its a familiar type of story but it has so many great twists and turns that you can't help but fall in love with it. The score here is also immersing. It rings back to Blood Simple, or John Carpenter's Halloween. It really throws us right into 1989 and does so with such grace that it really needs some attention. Jim Mickle proves here that he is a director to be reckoned with. As a fan of his previous films, Stakeland and We Are What We Are, I was excited to see this film. However, walking out of Cold In July made me ecstatic to see what he does next. Overall, Cold In July is brutal, unrelenting backwoods mayhem with great performances and plot twists galore. It definitely lives up to the hype and I highly recommend it.

Great cast, but story doesn't hold up

[crijon · 7/10 · 15 October 2014]

Cold in July has a lot of good things going for it. A solid cast, a great poster, and a great name.

This film isn't slow, but it feels slow. There is stuff happening and the story is progressing it just isn't all that engaging. While Sam Shepard, who I love, is preying on Michael C. Hall you should be on the edge of your seat, but the tension falls a bit flat. The story has layers and gets a bit convoluted, but about 45 minutes in things pick up and the movie starts to come around. Don Johnson where have you been? I love you Don Johnson. You should see this film because it does have some good stuff, chief among them is Don Johnson's performance. Shepard and Johnson have some funny lines, or at least I found them to be funny. They both are grizzled, bad asses who have been around the block more than once. Where as Michael C. Hall's character is just a little bit too meek and unassuming. At times you wonder why he's even there. The third act delivers on the somewhat meandering story.

If you're a fan of either of the three principal characters then you'll like this movie. I had a few issues with it here and there, but nothing that ruined the film for me. The story does have some holes and the first 30 minutes or so wasn't as compelling as it should have been. Solid performances by Johnson and Shepard, but would you expect any less of those guys. It's a solid film overall, but nothing that blows you away.

Two very different half-movies, glued end to end

[faithfulservantseoul2014 · 4/10 · 29 July 2014]

I am baffled by the good reviews here. I have never seen a movie that looked so much as if the original director and screenwriter had given up halfway through, leaving others to finish the job any old how. I am not someone to get bothered by plot holes here and there, but Cold in July has yawning plot chasms and a jarring tonal shift mid-movie that deprive the main character of any plausible motivation for following the secondary characters around. A man in a taut, grim, hyper-realistic movie, who will do anything to protect his wife and kid, suddenly morphs halfway through into a man in a light-hearted adventure lark, who will risk his own life and thus the livelihood of his family in order to see justice done in a distant town. Let me just give one very minor spoiler that will not ruin the movie for those who have not seen it yet. Imagine that an ex-felon breaks into your house while you are away, and enters your little child's empty bedroom, leaving a symbolic threat against the kid that terrifies you and your wife. I believe no father would ever forgive a man for that, let alone forgive him at a moment's notice because he feels like breaking out of his rut and hunting down some bad guys who have nothing to do with him. I also believe no ex-felon who would behave so cruelly to a child's mother would suddenly turn out to be a good guy. The acting is great, no question, and I too was happy to see Don Johnson again. (He has aged well, and his voice is not so high-pitched and annoying anymore.) But I have never seen a movie that did such a bad job of motivating its characters.