Out of the Furnace [Blu-ray]

(My rating is really a 3 & a 1/2)THIS REVIEWS CONTAINS SPOILERSLet me get straight to the point here; Despite having very good potential, 'Out of The Furnace' is riddled with elements that made this a stone's throw away from being a complete disappointment.The plot is compelling, despite being a story surrounding the concept of vigilante justice (Surprise). To summarize, Russel (Christian Bale) takes matters into his own hands to avenge his brother Rodney (Casey Affleck), whom has been killed by a would-be fight circle leader named Harlan (Woody Harrelson) over an outstanding debt that 'Petty' (William Defoe) is ultimately responsible for. .The biggest weakness that made 'OOTF' fall short was the inclusion of story elements that felt like they didn't belong. I'll try to guess why they were thereFor example:Why does Russell get incarcerated for driving drunk and killing two passengers in a motor vehicle? Is that because we needed a reason for him to not be "present" in his brothers life and steer him away from bad decisions (You tell me)?Why the inclusion of Russell's love interest (Which, is mutual in the beginning of the story and then unrequited)? To add an extra layer of conflict and stress Russel finds himself dealing with? I mean, not really practical, buuuuut sure, I guess.Why does Rodney turn to fighting in order to make money to settle any debts he owes to anybody? Is it easy money? Is it a job unlike a typical 9-5 that Rodney absolutely loathes the idea of having? Maybe even more importantly, why are we put under the impression that his 'manager' Petty is okay with him fighting in "nickel and dime' type of fights, but suddenly has an issue with Rodney fighting someone in Harlan's group because he's a "good kid"? Why does he change his mind? Am I supposed to be convinced that Petty actually cares about his well-being and then suddenly drops it? I'm sorry, I don't buy it.After being able to locate Harlan (In what seems an almost magical way) we aren't given any insight as to how Russel knew where he could find him? Maybe the audience isn't meant to be privy to this information. Maybe we are supposed to assume more time was spent investigating him than what is shown in the movie. Regardless, there's just A LOT of empty space that needed some more development than what was shown.Because this becomes an endless tunnel of questions the ending feels very rushed despite coming full circle and being resolved. You can start watching this movie about an hour in (this movie is about 2 hours long, and Rodney is killed around this time) and I guarantee you that you would still understand a majority of what is going on.Nonetheless, I like to squeeze the juice out of films and find something - anything - that makes just about any movie worth watching. This story included a lot of conventional storytelling elements that aren't always cut and dry. Clear example: Rodney goes on a hunting trip early on in the movie with the intentions of killing a deer. When given the opportunity, the scenes cuts after showing Russel hesitate, and the next time he is shown with his hunting partner (that has killed a deer) that says "An inch or more (Of the placement of his bullet on the deer) and we would have been tracking him all night. This is a HUGE contrast to when Russel kills Harlan - he shoots him in places that he knows won't hurt, and finally shoots the killing blow after following him on foot and making him suffer via shots to the leg and torso.it goes without saying that the cast choices were amazing, and I'm sure that anyone that watches this would agree. Everyone shined on their own, but unfortunately, it takes much more than that to carry a movie past the finish line with little to no turbulence.With that said, the conclusions itself is satisfying overall, but there are holes in the film one can't help but fall through. Enjoyable to watch? To some degree. Enjoyable enough to watch again? I have to use the dreaded M word - and that's 'Maybe'.Thanks for reading

Great scripting, setting and acting. Bale et al craft characters out of real life and pull you into the story.Growing up in the mid-North East, the setting, scenery, and behaviors/culture were spot on. It was acutely depressing to relive the years of the fall of industrial greatness.The dichotomy of Russel (Bale) as a man who is a committed, middle-class blue-collar guy who fails through no part of his own, and Rodney (Affleck) the perpetual failure who thrives in crime and fails, is an acute positioning of characters.Harlan (Woody Harrelson) is a vicious antagonist, and for those of us who grew up in these towns, is spot-on in his character depiction.The only negative of this film is the sometimes slow pacing and periods of inaction/silence that lasted just a little too long.Dafoe and Whitaker were important supporting characters and crucial to the glue of the script.Bravo to this film. Can't believe I missed it 10 years ago.

Good story and acting, but young men watching this - DON'T DO THIS STUFF. Have a happy life. Surprise, life is not fair. Do not throw away your life. Do not drink and drive. Christian Bale's character could still have had a happy life after he got out of prison. He could have found another girlfriend and another job after the mill closed, had a family and a measure of happiness. Killing his brother's murderer did not bring his brother back. The police could have arrested the murderer so he could not hurt anyone else.Also warning: Do not incur debt. The debtor is enslaved by the lender. Especially do not borrow from shylocks.Vengeance is a waste of time. Avoid toxic people. Woody's character a toxic person. Don't do recreational drugs. Life is lovely. Earn an honest living, even menial work, not boxing. Nothing that hurts other people such as selling tobacco, drugs or boxing. Don't gamble. It is based on greed and taking money from other people. Plus, the statistics are you are more likely to lose. Instead save money you would have gambled.Be a tortoise not a hare. The Baze brothers had such potential.This movie a "what not to do" movie.

Very good movie, 1 of the better movies I've seen in a while

'Christian Bale' leads an all-star cast in this no-nonsense drama from 'Scott Cooper'(writer and director of 'Crazy Heart)'Russell Baze' (Christian Bale) leads a pretty mundane existence working at a 'Steel Plant' his familyPlant' his family his priority in life.Brother 'Rodney' (Casey Affleck)who had served in 'Iraq' is a bit of a loose cannon in civvi-street, tokeep his head above water he takes part in Bare-knuckle fights.He wants that one big score and with the reluctant wheeler-dealer 'John Petty' (William Defoe) hebecomes involved with a 'Drug' operative in the seemingly cop-free zone of the Hill and backwoods.'Rodney' goes missing, the Police seem powerless solving the mystery, and have failed to comeup with any quick answers.'Russell' puts his life on hold to find his brother and encroaches into a dangerous world, his path issure to cross with rough-diamond 'Harlan DeGroat' (Woody Harrelson) who he'd briefly come acrossat 'John Petty's' office earlier.An often intense and gritty drama with graphic fight scenes and tense moments.A well made movie, well worth taking time out to watch.Great picture and Sound Quality throughout.Currently available on Region 'A'Becoming available on Region 'B' 2nd June 2014.Features (I would expect to be the same when released in the U.K)* Out of the Furnace' in High-Definition.* Inspiration : The Stars of 'Out of the Furnace' reveal what inspired them to become Actors.* Conversation with Co-writer/ Director - 'Scott Cooper'* Crafting the Fight-Scenes.* The music of 'Out of the Furnace'

Two brother growing up' and elder brother looking out for younger brother... When they grow into men elder brother seeks to find some stablity after somehow loosing his way and they loose touch" and younger brother decides to go join the army and go off to fight in Afganistan or some such place" and as a result returns with trauma finding killing another human being difficult to live with. He becomes involved with street fighting and this eventually leads him into being taken advantage off... He goes missing and it becomes elder brother mission to find out what has happened to his younger brother, whom he could no longer look out for. A good movie... worth a watch.

Set in the Rust Belt of Pennsyltucky (the Furnace of the title perhaps) two brothers deal with the need for money in different ways. The violent death of one starts the other after revenge. There's not much of a surprise in Out Of The Furnace, in some ways it is a western where a man's got to do what a man's got to do. Excellent cast though the director lets Woody Harrison do even more gurning than usual. A twist or two would have helped but it's a competent film.

The acting in this film is second to none,also the cast is very impressive. Unfortunately this said, the action is limited and the movie drags. Save your money. Buy a takeaway and watch The masked singer

Great but sad film yet shows family loyalty. Makes you think about decisions in life and the impact they have. Captivating.