THE PLOT THUS FAR
Cell 213 becomes home to Michael Gray, a cocky young attorney, after a gruesome twist of circumstance lands him in the South River State Penitentiary framed for the murder of an incarcerated client. Unnatural forces are causing prisoners to kill themselves at abnormal rates and Michael soon discovers that matters of guilt and innocence are not as cut and dry as he would like to believe trapped in this nightmarish cell.
WHAT WE THOUGHT
“Cell 213″ is about God and the Devil fighting over a lawyer’s soul. While most of the film takes place in a prison, there’s never a wasted moment. I love movies with fixed locations due to my love of the theater. Also, it might be to due to my love of economical film making. Anyways, it’s not distracting. Except for those times where it’s the only thing that I fixate upon.
Michael Rooker dominates in the time he gets as a cruel prison official. Eric Balfour is almost blown off the screen in comparison, but the two end up finding equal footing. There are times where Balfour’s character starts falling into the supernatural claptrap that seems to dominate most modern horror. Bruce Greenwood shows up as the warden to remind you that he’s a working actor and that he also can blow Balfour off the screen. By the time that all is said and done, we have a messy horror movie. But, one that is strangely compelling and lends itself to repeat viewings. What am I supposed to make of a film that I passed off as Redbox bottom feeder fare?
The DVD comes with no special features. The A/V Quality is really strong for an indie film. The Dolby track kicks it up where needed. Plus, the transfer isn’t dull. In the end, I’d recommend a purchase to the curious.
RELEASE DATE: 07/22/2014