Empty (I) (2011) User Reviews

Empty fuel or you need to have an empty mind to understand this?

[adi_2002 · 5/10 · 24 December 2013]

Piper and Dell are on a camping trip. On their way back home they stop to get some gas but finds out that the shop is closed and there is a fuel crisis. With almost half a tank left they are forced to stop at a motel near by and spend the night there but when a man tries to steal gas from them Piper is angry and wants to leave on her dad's house. They go there but the next day the power is off and keep connection on the phone with the close ones and Piper's dad who is in England wants to bring them there and one day is able to do that but the couple must reach to a port many miles away. They run out of gas and the rest on the way must make it on foot until they spot a car with two guys and one woman and they are convinced by Piper to took them to their destination. What happens next? Piper screams at her boyfriend DELL STOP! bang bang bang the end empty indeed.

The movie had potential at some point the mystery kept on going but at some point has lost intensity and become a disaster. Also the continuing argue between the two are nerve destroyer and the ending put a lid to everything. You will be annoyed at the end that you watched a movie for 80 minutes and it has an inconclusive final.

Great concept, terrible script, acting, and production

[surge3 · 3/10 · 19 August 2011]

The concept behind this movie was really good, but the script and acting ruined it. This "couple" (who look like they're around 23-24 years old) act like they are 15 year old freshman in highschool -- the constant lame arguing and bickering about crap that has nothing to do with the concept of the movie was even worse then the two actors trying to make it believable.

The production was horrid as well -- it looks like this was filmed and produced on a flip camera and using windows movie maker. I like indie flicks, but come on now...invest in a decent camera \ post production editing facility! I also didn't understand some of the scenes...like the guy with the car in the road...what was that all about? There's no gas, so he's going to all of a sudden turn into a kidnapper \ rapist? Seriously? How does that help him get food \ gas? If anything, it will create another kid who needs more food and more gas (lol).

And the fight scene between him and the boyfriend was so bad -- I've seen better fight scenes and acting in soap operas.

I didn't get the ending either...the boyfriend would rather starve to death than take help from the girlfriend's father -- so he starts shooting innocent people? And why the F--- didn't he use the gun before when the two a*holes broke into their house and stole their food and supplies? It just doesn't make sense.

Last but not least -- some sex scenes at least would have given this 3 stars.

Great Concept turned into utter tripe

[kylere · 1/10 · 23 August 2011]

I watch movies, especially B movies. I admit I am a glutton for punishment because I love zombie flicks and most of them are horrible. I find good in almost every movie I watch. This movie has nothing to make it redeemable.

But, no zombie movie I have ever seen (and that includes the Italian zombie flicks) approached the movie "Empty" for absolutely trash. The lead female (Ashley C. Williams) might be able to act, but she never demonstrates it here. The lead male needs to find a line of work that has nothing to do with show business for he never even approached being a believable character.

They had a basic idea of societal breakdown following a lack of gasoline worldwide, which has many opportunities for great story but they found none of them. Both "Piper" and "Dell" are utterly unlikeable characters who spend the entire time demonstrating zero charisma or chemistry. The female lead has lines written to show her as a vapid silly little twit, as an example, she begs her boyfriend to stop hitting the guy who just attacked them and (for a young broke couple) throws money away like a Hilton-Heiress while her boyfriend is presented as a jobless loser with a chip on his shoulder the size of Texas and the reasoning ability of a drunken pre-teen. Both of them take every dangerous path, every ignorant path and every self-damaging path they are offered.

Both of them treat each other like enemies rather than lovers or friends, and the male lead is basically a whiny child. While watching this movie I kept hoping they would both be tortured to death graphically for hours so I could enjoy their karmic reward but it never happens. It is reported that this movie had a budget of US$10000, and I have to assume they spent USD$9999 of it on getting drunk enough to make them think it was worth doing.

IMDb shows it as having a rating of 4.7/10 from 176 users, I have to assume that over 100 of those votes came from the family and friends of the cast and crew.

Her Dad was RIGHT

[davidfurlotte · 1/10 · 2 September 2011]

Okay, I love the premise. America (probably all of America, North and South) runs out of gas and people will be all over the place WHEN it happens.

BUT, that is NOT the REAL premise of the movie, the REAL premise is that a guy and his girlfriend are having relationship issues that mostly revolve around the fact the girl's father does NOT like the boyfriend.

As almost EVERYBODY here said, can the two of them not have a conversation that does NOT end in an argument? I'm sorry but the premise breaks down when the two of them don't bother to buy into it right from the beginning.

They is NO GAS anywhere. The ONLY vehicle with gas is theirs and what is left in their tank. POWER goes out and they treat it as some little minor inconvenience. (Well, in fact, it was, because it seemed the power came back on at times during the filming of the movie.) They find out from their various relatives that they are in for at least 3 months of this but instead of trying to do some long-term planning on how they will survive, they act as though they're on some little "outing" somewhere.

******SPOILER******* Obviously, Piper's dad was right because the ONLY reason Dell picked up the gun was to use it in some psychotic rage at the end of the movie, instead of using it on either the knife-wielding car jacker or the thieves who stole their food.

I'm sorry but some kind of thought should have been given to WHAT would you do WHEN it happens. This whole production reminded me of what a couple of rich college kids would shoot if mommy and daddy financed their "brilliant" production. Give this a PASS because in reality, EMPTY is not about the gas tank, it's a reference to the quality of the script.

Poor poor poor

[jason-guest · 1/10 · 7 October 2011]

What a waste of my time. I enjoy low budget movies, when done well, this was not!! Bad acting, horrible script and the story......It looked like it could have potential but within the opening 2 mins I knew this was going to be horrible. At the beginning the dialogue tries to suggest character background but in such an unsubtle way as to insult the viewer. The movie contains lines which my 8 year old daughter could have written better. The lead characters are unlikeable and as such you never feel part of the movie. The directing is poor and feels like a first year film students attempt at movie making. I can only suggest that you do NOT watch this as it wasted my time and hopefully I can go someway to stopping you from wasting yours, be warned I have told you. Its not often a movie hits my worst 20 films of all time but I think this may have just made it onto the list!

Wow.

[Crys2797 · 1/10 · 16 March 2019]

It gets one star because the acting wasn't TOO horrible.

Its basically a movie about a couple fighting the entire time. Thats it. Shes crazy annoying because shes not the brightest chick.... he's pessimistic and constantly getting upset. Its like watching a train wreck and you just wish the movie would end so you don't have to listen to them yelling.

I am sure it will get an Oscar! not!

[LOL101LOL · 1/10 · 17 August 2011]

What is up with the movie world the last few years? rubbish after rubbish, and it only seems to get worse. This film sounded good, but damn with a budget of 10K I should have know better.

This is worse than a B grader, terrible acting, horrible filming, and what was the director doing? sleeping on the set? stay away from it, it is rubbish.

It would be great if the fantastic IMDb to let us vote less than 1, as even a 0 is being kind.

1 out of 10 be warned it is bad! And here is some more text to insure my take on this really bad film gets excepted on the oh so great IMDb.

Oh man, this is bad

[neil-upto11 · 2/10 · 22 August 2011]

The basic notion is actually a decent-enough premise for a story: a gas crisis leads to a rapid breakdown of society. Fair enough.

However, the acting is so amateurish and the sets so poor that it really does have all the production values of a mid-range porn flick. To be fair, the female lead seems to have sufficient credibility but literally everyone else is awful.

The music consists of some 'Deer Hunter'-inspired acoustic guitar plucking and is often accompanied by extended scenes of the countryside. It feels like an advert for a 10-cd, easy-listening pack.

I thoroughly recommend not bothering with this; it is utterly unrewarding as a film experience.

This movie has a Great concept but is poorly executed

[KyleBel · 1/10 · 17 August 2011]

I understand that this is an independent film with a small budget, but there is so many plot holes and unmotivated behaviors in this movie that it is so unpleasing to watch. I'm a big inde fan, but only when the acting and directing can compensate for the budget. The ending of this movie is probably the worst I've seen in years. All and all I would say if you're really bored and have run out of all other options give it a go, but this movie is an absolute waste of time and energy. Trust me I hate being hard on an inde film, but this has to be one of the worst films I've seen in the last ten years. AVOID AT ALL COSTS...

As far as the plot holes.. well the idea is that America has depleted its gas supply and we follow one couples journey for survival in these semi-apocalyptic times. Here's where we run into the big problems. There are many alternative energy sources outside of Gas in America, people would be able to get around just fine with Bicycles and a Gas Depletion would be seen months if not years in advance. There would be conservation limits set into effect and certain non gas efficient vehicles would be outlawed. In the film Europe is stated as conserving their gas with the shortage and if this were true than Europe would be helping America out through this depletion. This film takes a great idea and rushes to chaos. There would be months and months of back story that should have been somehow included into this story that were left out. There is really to many plot holes to write here. The ending was the most ridiculous I've seen in years. If you can manage to sit through the horrid performance and unbelievable story all the way to the end you will know exactly what I'm talking about. If you want something that is an Inde Flick that is similar to this but is executed properly I might suggest, "Monsters" "Carriers" or even "Stakeland" these are all amazing inde Flicks that this movie can't even come close to competing with.

a couple back from a six day camping finds that the world as they knew it had changed for ever due to a gas crises .

[taxfreeknight · 20 October 2011]

My daily dose comprises of at least 3 movies of any kind.So u can be sure that I am a movie buff n a kind one at that.I like to keep criticism to myself, as a gesture of encouragement to the small timers.Even though I know ,I got a better chance of meeting Santa then of any movie maker ever reading my take on their movie. But this once,I just cant bear to let it ride.This movie is something you would show in a Nazi concentration camp ,for the sheer purpose of torture.I just wish I could put all the people involved in this movie in a torture chamber n the Geneva convention can take a hike. Like most of the reviewers here I too believe that they had a good concept if not a great one for the movie,,but instead they decided to postmortem it beyond recovery. The couple comes back from a camping trip after an odd six days only to find the world as they knew it has changed for ever due to the gas crises, and put a full stop to any kind of vehicular or other kind of movement and in the process bringing the world to a stand still. It makes u wonder if thats the only way to move around.And also how on earth did the people leave n to where when clearly they didn't have the gas for their wheels to do so.And which place would they go to because the crises has hit the whole of the USA(unless they all decided to trek all the way to Europe). But hello, six days!!. come on they very well had access to d net n radio through their cell phones because they hadn't gone to a no signal zone ,as you can make out that they were hardly a few miles away from the town n civilization.Surely some one, the guys brother or the females dad or just friends would have informed them about something as grave as this. But what really got to me was the constant bickering the two leads go through right from the word go and all the way to the merciful last scene.They argue over every nonsense thing under the sun n then some, which really gets under your skin.And a mannequin would have shown much more passion n better acting then the actors here.All the while I so badly wanted some one to chop them off, piece by piece n in slow mo n in details,whit me laughing all the time in glee through their pain n eventual death. Watch it only if you need motivation for anger.I could go on and on but my frustration is running off. Trash it.

I thought it was very well done!

[RLuciano-OneClickFilms · 8/10 · 22 August 2011]

OK, let's get right down to it. Was it a low budget film? Yes. Were there technical issues throughout the film? Yes. The audio at times was indistinguishable, the lighting was off and on, technically in many ways it was a disaster.

However, the script I felt was brilliant! It was so well written and acted, it compensated for the technical challenges. And there were a LOT of technical challenges. There was a few scenes where you could hear this low rumble. It had my wife extremely confused what those sounds were, until I told her it was the microphone. Either the wind, or someone bumping the camera or mic. Very "video 101" issues that anyone would realize taking on the challenge of filming.

But again, it was so well written and acted, I found that 5 mins into the movie I was hooked! I actually HAD to watch it to see what would happen. I see a lot of independent films/videos, and barely 20% are worth actually sitting through. This was in that 20%! The characters were so well defined and acted, I found myself hating and loving either characters. I was not thrilled at all with the ending, because I just felt it contradicted that characters actions and morals. So for me I would have ended the story much different. I won't comment here as I don't want to write any spoilers to the film. You really should see this film and make your own judgement. But when you do watch the film, understand that there are technical challenges and you just have to accept that.

If you can accept the technical challenges, you are definitely in for a great ride. I rarely, RARELY find a movie that has two lead characters that play off each other so well, that their relationship alone carries through the movie, very rare. Which is why I have to say, in many ways I absolutely LOVE this film! Specifically for the acting, writing, and direction I should say.

I especially felt that there was a fantastic build from the beginning of the story, to the end. Wonderful character development. If it wasn't for the ending, I honestly can say I feel this movie would be damn near perfect from a story standpoint. I can't imagine if the director/producer had more funds to have a better camera, better audio option, better sound effects and supporting soundtrack, what this film would have been like.

With all due respect to the people that have reviewed this feature, I think you have to just accept the fact that there are technical challenges that are apparent in the film. As far as I'm concerned, I give this an 8 specifically because of the story, acting, and even the direction wasn't bad with the challenges at hand. I think the shot choice could have been better, but we don't know what challenges the director had with time, etc.

Personally for me and my wife, we think this story was very well done. I have watched it twice now, and will see it again definitely! I am an actor, writer, and director, and will be filming my first short next year. I understand the challenges with the filming process and can say this. For this director, producer, and actors, to dedicate themselves to a project with a shoe string budget and still come out making a movie that grabs your attention, gets you talking, and communicates like it does with so many variety of topics, I say "BRAVO!" to the cast and crew! Well done!

A brave try.

[leif-weston-andersen · 7/10 · 5 September 2011]

All stories, ultimately, are love stories. The vehicle used to tell this one is a catastrophic gas crisis that catches two lovers unaware as they exit the woods following a week-long camping trip in the throws of their own inter-emotional crisis. Empty overtly focuses its energy on the latter, personal crisis, and the title aptly reflects a romance at its terminal point. As an emotional race through the chaotic and damaging emotions attending the dissolution of a deeply felt relationship, the film works, and at times it works very well. I watched it through to its rather abrupt ending, and that says something. For a feature film made on 10 grand, this actually says a whole lot.

However, great as the premise may be, and as sound as the fractured romance plays, this film's overall execution is touch and go.

The gas crisis as plot vehicle is something of a jalopy riddled with holes (see others' reviews on this). Still, if one backs away from its rusty details, the conundrum does actually run and functions perfectly well as a foil for the drama to unfold.

The script is hot and cold - on again, off again - yet it was on just enough to keep me engaged in the unfolding drama between Piper and Dell.

Likewise for the acting. Williams' portrayal as Piper was strong and convincing. Carlo as Dell was less so, but I felt this had more to do with weaker scripting for his character. I actually found the leads' chemistry to be quite endearing. And McBrien did a great job as the spooked, neurotic hotelier.

The essentials of the direction were solid, and I appreciated the choice of camera angles used throughout. Highlights take place in the hotel, and shots of Piper were always at their best. Yes, the fight scene was a little underwhelming, and there were a few further minor downers. However, Fangoria reports this film was made in just 10 days in the dead of winter, and when I consider this, I give it plenty of props.

Editing: given the extreme constraints the editor had to work with, I'd say he did an admirable job. Overall production values were low, but this doesn't necessarily hurt the film. I loved the folksy guitar track; it provided an air of humility and compassion throughout, two qualities the story required to move forward.

Could a better feature film have been made using this premise of gas crisis, but with only 10 days, and $10,000? Maybe. But I haven't seen it, and in the meantime, this film had the courage to try. The result is ultimately watchable and often satisfying. I'm impressed and immensely encouraged to know that this kind of project found wings.

Wasted story potential

[dtempleton-1 · 1/10 · 21 August 2011]

I was attracted to this movie because as a 'horror' with an unusual villain (a global gas crisis) it had potential to be different. In the first few minutes I was thinking that we might see townsfolk interacting to deal with crisis, creative approaches, some evildoers and some that rise above, but no. What we get is a young couple whining at each other and dealing with only the most superficial problems that might result from an energy crisis.

The script and production is tremendously lame. How is she camping for 6 days in white style boots? How is the gas station closed for days in a snow storm clean plowed, and where on earth did all of the tire tracks come from? Why is there no evidence of power failure until days later? I can imagine how Google could survive the crisis but all the cell towers working?

IMDb estimates that this cost $10,000 to make. Maybe, since the actors were probably not paid and the sets consist of a walk through the woods, a small town early Sunday morning, and a couple of rental cabins. Where they should have spent the money is on a script that doesn't feel fake, and that contains some dialog that doesn't make you wonder why the two characters didn't kill each other long ago.

You know this couple and you can't stand them.

[rmarkgarrett · 2/10 · 20 June 2012]

The acting is not the problem. The kids are believable as the stereotypes they portray and we all know this couple if not many like them. This film isn't in any sense "chilling" or "apocalyptic", but it is more predictable that a teen slasher flick. Take any couple you know where the guy is an arrogant, controlling, self-centered idiot who's almost as annoying as he thinks he's charming, a low self-esteem and very naive, if not stupid girlfriend, take away the conveniences of civilization, and you have a pair of Darwin Award winners that you know wouldn't live long enough in the fantasy world for a short feature, let alone 1:22. There are several really glaring continuity errors that point out the questionable judgment of whoever did the editing while high, drunk, or running out of GAFF which you will find yourself doing as well, long before it's over.

This movie was pretty good to start off with, but.....

[vharris1948 · 2/10 · 16 July 2019]

The ending is a real bomb. And the constant arguing between the couple got on my nerves. I didn't care for the spoiled, narcissistic boyfriend and his girlfriend wasn't much better. I'd say don't waste your time on this movie. Look for something better.

Worst movie i have ever seen

[shaynecoetzer · 1/10 · 11 November 2012]

The movie get you excited with the story line,but then

The director and camera crew should really find themselves,because movie making is definitely not for them,maybe they should watch some real movies and pick up some tips,but my advice to them is to leave it all together alone,and find something else to waste there time on,the acting was very poor,and the fight and stab scenes,i have seen kids do better pretend scenes.the constant scene fades is very annoying,sure that looking at it half the movie is a black screen with all the fading used.Actually as much time as i am willing to waste on this pathetic waste of my time movie

Hmmm...

[rodluke · 1/10 · 17 August 2011]

Never heard of this film before but the cover looked interesting and description on the back of the DVD box sounded mildly intriguing.

A couple have been camping for the last 6 days and upon return to the nearest town, find out there has been a Worldwide Gas (Petrol for UK readers :P ) shortage, which leads to many inconvenient events (looting, no Police presence, food shortages etc).

The first 10 minutes sort of set me up for wanting to enjoy the film as the storyline certainly had potential.

The next hour and 12 minutes I can never get back and to sum it up this film is Awful!

What did I just Watch

[denise-hasircioglu · 1/10 · 31 March 2013]

"If this sh*t happened back in the medieval times or whatever, you couldn't call the cops, there were no security guards."

Really? What kind of amateur script writing is this? My seven year old niece can write better material than that.

If a guy tries to steal your car and "kidnap" your girlfriend. By all means, stab him in the stomach.. But don't assume you killed him please...

Secondly WHY make the motel manager this creepy serial psycho killer type when you're not even gonna go anywhere with it.

I don't have anything bad to say about the characters, considering how little they must have been paid. Spoilt rich girl and moneyless boyfriend trying to prove his worthiness. But they could have done so much more with the topic. Trying to survive with no gas and having no survival experience. Instead, there is a multiple homicide {or suicide?) situation JUST as they are about to get saved. What kind of an ending is that?

I kept thinking there was gonna be an explanation to that ending after the credits rolled I sat their looking at the names of people who worked on the film. Taking note to never watch a film with the same cameraman again.

So, script: Bad Camera and editing: Bad Acting: Average Topic: Good Ending: Horrendous

I give this a 1 out of 10 in the hopes that the director makes better movies in his future career, after seeing how he failed so badly on this one.

Empty is the correct title for this movie

[andyshldn · 13 September 2011]

I see close to 700 movies a year and this by far was the absolute worst piece of garbage out there. There is no story line that makes any sense and the acting is so deplorable that even if their was a story they would lose it.

I don't think a 10k budget should be an excuse for a lack of story or horrible direction. It had actors who must have worked for free and they were overpaid. The constant arguing was comical in that it made you root for both of these central characters to meet a quick and painful demise.

Under no circumstances waste any time watching this. It was laughable at most points based on lack of reason and deplorable acting. I would rather spend one hour and 45 minutes dealing with an ingrown toe nail.

The story is supposed to be about a shortage of gas but it never really has anything to do with the lack of action. I watched till the end in the hope that a twist or some act of a higher power could save this drivel. Not a chance.

"EMPTY" is empty!

[ekin-547-147217 · 1/10 · 4 September 2011]

Which sucker goes a trip that is not filling the car's gas tank such as in America continent?

The answer is: No need to keep track of! I watched the film but regretted. I spend my time!

There is no subject, acting, editing and directing. Somebody wrote down like this; This is worse than a B grader, terrible acting, horrible filming, and what was the director doing? Stay away from it, it is rubbish.

It would be great if the fantastic IMDb to let us vote less than 1, as even a 0 is being kind. I think that IMDb votes came from the family and friends of the cast and crew.

Ekin

Enjoyable. Moderate pacing, but never boring. Definitely worth a look.

[zehaas · 8/10 · 10 August 2013]

If you are expecting a post-apocalyptic action-packed white-knuckle thrill ride, this is not your movie. I enjoyed the moderate pace of this film. The gentle, guitar soundtrack sets the perfect tone. The acting of the two leads is perfectly competent, as it is with nearly the entire cast. No real complaints there.

I am a screenwriter myself, and found the script, dialog, directing and cinematography to be excellent. Kudos for the camera work; someone really knows good outdoor light. The interiors were apparently real locations and look good. The location shooting outdoors was even better. Perfect, actually, and really put you IN the movie.

What really shines about this film is the excellent story. It makes you realize what a fragile thing a functioning society is. My hat's off to everyone involved for the entire production, beginning to end, because this film makes you think.

Surprisingly Liked it

[pontificator · 6/10 · 18 August 2011]

Surprisingly I liked this movie, despite all the contrived situations and somewhat amateurish production values (obviously if done on 10K quite remarkable).

But nearly all movies are contrived to some extent more or less. Perhaps it was the simple guitar soundtrack that kept me watching. I don't quite know, obviously the premise had some resonance.

However the thing that irked me most was the antagonism that developed between the the two lead protagonists? but I guess its central to the theme of the movie.

Of course the other great hole in it was the essential collapse of the USA within 6 days. Quite impossible under almost any scenario, but if you can ignore that, if you just want to watch a simple movie then its O.K.

I especially liked the ending.

No budget but made great by two very good actors and a good story!

[dasreich1943 · 6/10 · 20 August 2011]

Very well made, considering the microscopic budget. The premise is great, both leads (Ashley & Jon) turn in excellent performances as the couple caught up in an increasingly lawless situation, as America runs out of petrol. Their bickering and arguing comes across as very authentic, and often very funny as well. The tension at times between the couple is palpable. There is one slight problem I had, the fact that the two of them don't watch the television as soon as they reach the house, but I can live with that! There are some quite gripping moments when things get out of hand. All in all, a great drama/thriller film made by an independent company on a shoestring. Well done.

OK Film For The Most Part

[blue141 · 16 October 2011]

I actually liked this film. Most people I know really do argue like these two people did. They also showed how little any of us know about survival. Turning on and off flashlights, not using the wood on the fire to cook with. Ignoring the leach at the hotel was very stupid. The only problem I have with this film, is just after the half way point, that shot of the summer cabin at night showed electric porch lights on after the power was off. Wasting food, not taking into account things might disappear for a while, is something most of us do every day, so it's not unreasonable to see they might do the same. Flashing cash when the hotel desk clerk said he took credit, is just plain dumb.The guy carjacking and wanting some sex in the process is very believable. It's just those lights that get me, that made me laugh, and after that I took the movie with a pinch of salt.

Not too horrible if you take it for what it is...

[douginvegas · 27 September 2011]

This is a tiny film with a tiny budget. I've read that the acting was terrible, but I don't agree. Sadly, I believe this is exactly how 2 spoiled kids in their early 20s would react to a situation like this. Foolish boy who puts on the macho act because he's scared as hell inside. Scared daddy's girl who has no real world experience behaving just as you would expect a scared little daddy's girl to behave. Constant and unending bickering.

The plot itself is interesting if unbelievable. Lots of mistakes in the filming, and I must admit I fast forwarded through much of the arguing. I did finish the movie. It's a pretty forgettable film, but I don't feel too bad about it.