The Last Stop in Yuma County

 

The film easily sets up the parameters, creating a near impossible situation, where we are all just waiting to see who cracks first. Mostly strangers make up those ‘trapped’ in the diner, with one or two narrow windows of opportunity, this tension filled thriller has you hooked at what will happen. Reminiscent of films that take place in one location and slowly builds tension, The Last Stop in Yuma County is similar to a low-key Free Fire, except instead of a constant shoot out, it’s the calm before the storm.

At a remote desert rest stop, a knife salesman and waitress become entangled with two bank robbers plans to escape. As the group anxiously waits for the gas truck to arrive to fill up the pumps, a few more strangers with their own plans, arrive, adding to the tension. With few options and everyone in possession of a gun, the knife salesman is woefully ill-equipped for what’s to come.

Full review over at Filmhounds. 

Clone Cops

 

In a world where domineering conglomerate, Nefaricorp has taken control of society, supplying replicant robots to do all blue-collar jobs, a gang of outlaws defend their hideout from said corporation. But when the truth about who they really all are is revealed, the gang must spring into action and plan their escape.

If you’re wondering why everyone on screen feels like they’re in a different film, that’s because Clone Cops is a patchwork of various other sci-fi plots melded into one. With some interesting ideas played out on screen, the film does its best with what’s assumed, a limited budget. But it isn’t the production design where the film falters.

Clone Cops does have some amusing moments and the gameshow, evil corporation aspects are weirdly enjoyable, even including the exaggerated actions and behaviour from certain characters. Its also easy to appreciate the comments being make on society and where we could all be heading as technology progresses while humanity regresses. Unfortunately, the positives of the film don’t outweigh the negative.

Every character featured in the film is either a back-to-basics stereotype, even if the cast do their best to escape these predictable character beats, or they feel as if they’re wondered into a completely different film. To an extent, this disjointed feeling between characters is meant to be there considering the set up, but the feeling that no one is on the same page becomes more jarring. The one note characters and standard dialogue, makes for film a that could have been something quite unique but unfortunately Clone Cops suffers from a clunky plot and possibly too many ideas.

Despite the negatives, Clone Cops has its moments of fun and for those enjoy a schlocky sci-fi will find more merit. But anyone looking for an exciting new tech driven comedic science fiction story will end up disappointed.