Customer Reviews

Running Time [VHS]

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Josh Becker's Running Time is certainly one of the best film's I've seen in a long time. It's a crime caper with a gimmick-this film is seemingly shot in one continuous shot. While this makes for an interesting watch, Running Time has a lot more going for it than just that gimick.

Bruce Campbell turns in one of his strongest performances to date here as Carl, a convict just released from prison with one last heist to pull off. He and his partner in crime (Jeremy Roberts) assemble a crew to assist in the heist and before you know it the robbery it botched and Carl is running for his life.

Running Time's story written by Josh Becker (who also produced and directed) boasts nothing terribly original in terms of the actual plot, but his dialogue is sharp and brings all of his characters to life. Campbell really displays range in this film creating a wholly believable character who is struggling to make things right in his own life. It would be great to see this fine actor cast in more dynamic roles such as this one.

Although Running Time clocks in with a running time of 70 minutes, there's enough talent, humor and suspense in here for ten Hollywood productions. Josh Becker has always made great and interesting films, I anxiously look forward to his next project, Running Time was one of the best films I saw that year and it never gets old. Give this film a shot, it's as good a crime film as any made in the 90's and one that demands a larger audience.

Josh Becker's crime drama 'Running Time' is a very interesting and fun film. It is not the greatest film ever made but it is very entertaining. Bruce Campbell(Evil Dead Trilogy) gives a pretty good preformance in which his loyal following will not be disappointed. Becker uses the idea of real time, very well here, by making the film's story very time dependant. It is made to appear that the entire film is in just one shot, which is something that Hitchcock attempted with 'Rope' starring James Stewart. Not to say that Becker is a better filmmaker than Hitchcock but I think his use of this idea is much stronger here. The film is really worth seeing and I believe that the DVD has commentary which I'm sure is very interesting as well.

You could definitely do worse with 70 minutes than watch this fun Bruce Campbell film. While all the cuts are not nearly as seamless as you may have been led to believe, you don't notice the majority of them. The pace is consistent and well-suited to the plot, and the acting is generally pretty good. If you're a fan of Bruce Campbell, this is definitely a must-see. If you're not, it's still worth a look.

I saw this film at the Chicago Underground Film Festival. Sean Axmaker calls it an adolescent wanna-be Tarantino (Isn't Tarantino adolescent enough?) but he's WRONG! Running Time uses its gimmick to tell an effective, simple crime story without the "clever" pop refrences that Tarantino hides his thievery behind. Although I'm not a member of the Bruce-Cambell-Is-God club he gives a fine performance as the cocky anti-hero. This isn't a great film but its a damn good one. Highly Reccomended.

"Running Time" was Becker's take on Hitchcock's 1948 "Rope." Becker's film is a technically more difficult shoot as it proceeds in real time and in a 360 degree on-set world, requiring the coordination and excessive efforts of actors, director, cameraman, sound crew, etc...I am amazed at how well it turned out. From the cumbersome love scene to the display of ineptitude within the Laundromat, everything about the film was geared to put the viewer on edge. With hidden cuts and genius camera work, the action was relentless and the viewer was never able to predict where the movie and/or characters were headed. I highly recommend watching the film and then immediately listening to the commentary-you'd be amazed at how much went into making the story/editing seamless.

Briefly, the film begins with Carl's (Bruce Campbell) release from prison 5 years early for good behavior. He is met by Patrick (Jeremy Roberts), a high school chum and raging idiot with whom he plans to steal the dirty warden's money. As a gift, Patrick brings a local prostitute (and Carl's ex-girlfriend) along for the ride-Janie (played by Michigan chum, Anita Barone) quickly rekindles their old flame...so to speak. After dropping Janie off, they pick up their new driver (the ever irresponsible junkie-genius) and their safe man, Carl's old cell mate. The adventures in suspense, failure, frustration, and life lessons ensue.

DVD extras include hilarious commentary by writer/director/producer Josh Becker and star, Bruce Campbell. Score by Jo LoDuca (as usual). "Running Time" is a wonderful addition to any Bruce Campbell or Josh Becker collection and for anyone who loves the continued efforts of independent filmmakers.

If you're as sick to death of Hollywood big budget nonsense as I am you will want to see this movie. Creative, exciting, and it stars Bruce Campbell. Good DVD perks.

Like Hitchcock's ROPE, running time is told in real time and was designed to look as though it were all created with a single, stunning shot.

Also like ROPE, it gets tangled up in its own device.

I can understand why someone would want to make (or act in) a film like this--the technical and performance challenges require one to be at his sharpest during principle photography. At the other end, well, there's almost no editing to do: you shoot the thing, pick the reels that work best together, and get to work on the soundtrack.

Between my curiosity about the technique and my fondness for star Bruce Campbell, I picked this one up at a local used DVD shop.

The plot's pretty standard crime fare--the most interesting twist is that Campbell's character, who starts the film in prison, is back on a job before the ink on his parole papers has dried (it's real time, remember). But the technique is the real star of this show--it's a guarantee that the unblinking camera, wandering and watching, will draw your attention away from the story. In my world, though, camerawork is supposed to support the story, not distract you from it.

The performances are good all around and suitable to the format (no exceptional gaffes or line flubs), but in the end, I think the average viewer will simply write this off as an interesting way to burn an hour and fifteen minutes.

This is a great film for any fan who can respect all the hard work some people will go through to make something that is actually a very entertaining movie.te only problem ive got is it wasn't long enough. The commentary is great, the picture sharp and clean . AWSOME FILM BUY IT NOW........

PUT ASIDE ANY AND ALL NOTIONS THAT BECAUSE TWO PIVOTAL CHARACTERS (BRUCE CAMPBELL / JOSH BECKER) FROM EVIL DEAD / ARMY OF DARKNESS FAME ARE ONCE AGAIN CALABERATING ON A FILM PROJECT, THAT THE "CAMPINESS" AND CHEESY DIALOG PREVAILS. IT DOESN'T, BUT WHAT YOU DO GET IS: SHEAR BRILLIANCE IN FILM MAKING, I MEAN THE ACTUAL PROCESS OF MAKING A FILM, THE CAMERA WORK IS MANNED BY ONE STEADYCAM OPERATER, WHOSE CUT AWAYS ARE SO HIDDEN YOU GET A SENSE OF A "DOCUMENTARY" FEEL TO THE FILM. THE ACTORS HAVING TO HIT THIER MARKS TO KEEP THE CAMERA IN FOCUS AT ALL TIMES IS A REMARKABLE FEAT TO SEE. THE WRITING IS GREAT IF YOU YOU LIKE "LOW RENT CRIME" (AND WHO DOESN'T) AND THE ACTING IS BELIEVABLE. THE FACT THAT A COUPLE OF FRIENDS FROM MICHIGAN CAN "SCREW-AROUND" WITH FILM WOULD EVENTUALLY END-UP WITH THIS QUALITY OF WORK (WITH NO CORPORATE SUPPORT - EVER) IS WORTH DELVING DEEPER INTO THESE TWO ARTISTS WORK... PAST, PRESENT AND KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN FOR FUTURE WORK.... BECAUSE THE DIVIDENDS ARE STARTING TO PAY-OFF FOR THIS EVIL DEAD CLAN, AND IT'S LONG OVER DUE.

A movie centred around a gimmick, brought to you by the man who gave us Alien Apocalypse (yes, the movie with the inexplicably bad fake beards) and starring Bruce 'groovy' Campbell, this could have been one of those movies you regret watching. However, it turned out to be rather enjoyable. Perhaps a little cliche heavy and you do have to wonder at the probablility of a prostitute of ten years breaking into tears at being let down, but by far the positives outweight the negatives. Well planned, the technical execution was impressive and well acted by all involved, I found myself completely hooked as events spiral out of control. Absolutely enjoyable - I would definitely recommend watching it if you get a chance!