Lawless (2012)Movie Reviews

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Written September 1, 2012
Lawless in the Bonny and Clyde type tradition

by Darkola

This movie is made in the Bonnie and Clyde type tradition, no its not about bank robbers, and no it may not be as good as Bonnie and Clyde, but it is good. I've read alot of complaints about nudity and bloodshed, and after seeing this movie, I wonder what the complaints are about, as there was only a few nude scenes that were brief, I've seen far worst more often, and I've seen far more bloodshed in other movies. The acting in this all around was great, the story was a very good story, if anything, I would have liked a little more action myself. The movie is about 3 brothers who are bootleggers/moonshine in the 1930's era, and about the corrupt police who try to shake them down for a share, and later try and put them out of business. I go to the show often and wasnt expecting much out of this movie after reading the reviews, but was very surprised at how good this was, take my advice, skip the critics reviews and go see this, I'd give it 3 out of 4 stars myself, enjoy :)
- 109 out of 180 found this review helpful.
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Written August 29, 2012
Not Great, Just "Really Good"

by

"Lawless" is the first film out the gate this pre-awards season and I suspect it's because it's missing that "it" factor that really gives movies that "remember me" feeling. Don't misunderstand me, I think this is a really well-done movie with seemingly nothing that I can knock. Tom Hardy's stock continues to rise, Shia reminds you why he's so got the weight of a younger, new generation of actors on his shoulders and Jessica Chastain's name will be remembered in those households that haven't yet taken notice. Guy Pearce's performance probably takes the cake, though. I really wanted him to die, even by my own hand if I had the opportunity. He may continue to be a big name, but I feel like he is remarkably underutilized in Hollywood. Story, character development and action scenes are proportioned but, as I said, it never digs in like a tick in the Virginia woods. I would not be surprised if many others rate this higher than me but despite the actor's best efforts it's only "really good."
- 85 out of 157 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written August 30, 2012
An excellent movie

by grana.gina

I LOVED this film. They constantly kept you on the edge of your seat and always through surprises your way. The three brothers had so much synergy and worked so well together. You create this relationship with each character in your own way and it made the overall movie great. It's definitely an adult movie... lots of blood and cussing.. even nudity.. The director and writer did wonders with the script and filming. Kudos to everyone in the movie.. :)
- 85 out of 157 found this review helpful.
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So-so
Written September 1, 2012
Lawless

by aguirrejerome

The movie was good but the story line was abit predictable. Shia LeBeouf has been critized lately because he's been bad mouthing big budget productions, he is a good actor but he still needs refinement. Tom Hardy and, of course, Guy Pearce, who has always done "Indie" films shines in this production, Mr. Pearce seems to immerse himself in his character. Shia's character seems "empty" at times, young, strong willed but to his feelings not given a chance to "show himself". He wants Forrest's approval so bad, that's were the film becomes predictable. The cinematography of the back hills of Virginia, during the 1930's, the rough, rawness of survival during Prohibition is excellently shown. Just barely enough money to get by, you see a little bit of the money their making from "Moonshine", but it's the times and they were hard.
- 75 out of 141 found this review helpful.
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Written September 1, 2012
Solid Movie

by ODBPete

If your looking for a lot of special effects or insane action then don't see this movie !
HOWEVER,
if you want a wellacted movie go see this and you will enjoy it.

I was worried that maybe the picked the wrong person in shia labeouf to play a serious part.
he pulled it all great. Well acted Well rounded story.
Go see this
- 47 out of 86 found this review helpful.
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Written September 5, 2012
Lawless was good

by BeasaBoo

The movie started out a little slow, but the story was intriguing...even moreso because it was based on a true story. The characters were interesting, and it was worth seeing!
- 63 out of 118 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written September 5, 2012
The Fruits of Tyrannical Prohibition

by

This is a realistic slice of the grim history of government corruption and tyranny that got its biggest support durring and because of the prohibition of the recreational chemical, alcohol. Prohibition, then and today, unjustly punishes the responsible users in a lazy effort to get at and rightfully and justly punish the small percentage of abusers. Alcohol consumption actually increased durring prohition! Prohibition puts a spotlight on the substance prohibited and makes it more desirable. Prohibition drives the price up so gangs make more money moving less product and government enforcement branches thrive. The only ones who suffer are poor to middle class families with parents going to prison and the children farmed out to nightmarish child abusing money making foster care by the pedophile CPS. This is why the US has the highest percentage of its population in prison compared to any other country on the planet! The land of the free and home of the brave? Not yet, but one can dream.
- 55 out of 103 found this review helpful.
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Written August 30, 2012
Authentic And Entertaining.

by Alon Patterson

The story is new. The subject isn't. Still, this film is expensively produced, well written and executed by some really great onscreen talent that do an excellent job of bringing it all together. I found the film engaging and thoroughly entertaining.. It's worth its ticket price. See it. You won't be disappointed.
- 78 out of 149 found this review helpful.
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So-so
Written September 9, 2012
It just wasn't that good.

by hugh_who

I thought Tom Hardy was great in this movie, unfortunately he wasn't the star of the movie. Shia LaBeouf is the star of the movie and as the movie progressed I realized I didn't care about his character but unfortunately the movie revolved around him. Ultimately I thought the movie lacked as I didn't care about Shia's character and lost interest in the movie. Most of the other actors were great, I'm don't think Shia is leading man material.
- 51 out of 96 found this review helpful.
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Written September 4, 2012
Good Movie

by Karen46

This is a good story, but I have to admit, it made me nervous to watch as in what horrible thing is going to happen next. There is very little nudity so I'm not sure what the big deal is there. Be ready for the bloody violence that is likely authentic to the place and era where the story is set.
- 15 out of 24 found this review helpful.
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So-so
Written September 17, 2012
Extremely violent

by bonlgrhm

My husband and I read the reviews before going to see the movie. The reviews we read said it had a lot of violence but we never imagined the amount of violence or how graphic it would be. I gave it a so-so because the acting was really good and the story was good but would have been better if the violence was a bit tamer. Normally when watching a violent movie I can tell myself it is just acting but knowing that this is based on a true story made it quite disturbing. This is a movie that I could not sit through again.
- 5 out of 5 found this review helpful.
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Written September 1, 2012
definitely worth seeing

by SusiqusiNY

Lots of gore - but that fits with the times - Prohibition. Adults - definitely 18+
Good plot, great actors.
Based on a true story - from a book written by a member of the Bondurant family - the key players in this drama.
- 75 out of 145 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written September 15, 2012
AWESOME!!!!!!!

by damien51bennett

Went to the Cinnebistro in Hyde Park which is my favorite place to watch a movie and seen a great movie. We loved it and it is a must see.
- 10 out of 15 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written September 1, 2012
Excellent!

by Sallie T

I had read some pretty negative reviews, so was braced for an uneven ride, but Lawless is strong, confident filmmaking with great visual style and indelible performances. Like Hillcoat's "The Proposition," the storytelling is about a series of incidents accumulating tension between the characters, so it's not a nonstop action flick as some of the promotions imply. It's also about mood and especially about the creation of folk mythology, which is very effectively done. There's been some criticism of Guy Pearce's "cartoonish" performance but given the character's actions and the archetypes at work, it didn't strike me or my companions as inappropriate or jarring. This guy will show up in your nightmares. Shia LaBoeuf is fine, Jason Clarke gives solid support, Jessica Chastain quietly commands your attention in every scene and Tom Hardy is just ASTONISHING. On the downside, he & Chastain don't have a lot of chemistry, and the film runs about fifteen minutes too long
- 12 out of 20 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written September 7, 2012
Great Flick

by FlashScreen

Being that I am a native Virginian and enjoy learning any history when I possiblly can; I thought that this was a very educational walk through the state memories; I knew very little of. Although, I grew up not to far away from Franklin County, in the Tidewater area. Growing up during the 40's (1945) through the 60's(1965) when I first left home in the service and again from the 70's to the 80"s(1984) I alway heard of the ruginess of the back woods men and there way of life. It was very good to see the other side of the gansters, that weren't from Chicago or New York. Recommend anyone to go see it with an open mind, much to learn.
- 9 out of 14 found this review helpful.
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JordynHugley24 That was a good movie #Lawless

10 hours ago.

BradleyFielding I had absolutely no idea Gary Oldman was in 'Lawless'... This film has just got a billion times more exciting! He's such a beautiful man.

11 hours ago.