Altered Hours (2016) User Reviews

Not too bad

[pietclausen · 4/10 · 16 April 2018]

The writers are new to making a full feature film and this is their first attempt, reading their biographies. The story is interesting but the putting it together in a good movie is much more difficult to achieve for this theme.

Nevertheless I was able to follow what was happening and yes the future was changed and lives were saved. I somewhat liked it, but a lot of visual dreaming never came to fruition, which may confuse viewers. But if you understand the real timeline it never happened that way. Viewers will have to figure that out for themselves after having seen the movie, when it will make sense.

A nice attempt for which I give it a rating of 4.

Not bad. Not great, but not bad.

[LoupGarouTFTs · 6/10 · 22 November 2018]

Like other viewers, I found it confusing to watch the first time. However, I know that I tend to be a linear thinker and movies that present alternate time lines almost always require a second viewing from me. I really empathized with Will, the main character, and that is important to me in any movie I watch or book that I read. I was ready to hate both Michelle and Jay, but the ending made a lot clear to me and I forgave them at the end. I won't say what television show this movie reminded me of, especially at the end, but it's one of the few movies that I really feel could use a sequel.

So, yeah. It wasn't a perfect movie and some of the script was pretty rough. But overall, considering the relative neophyte status of the writers, I was suitably impressed enough to be willing to give their future work a second look.

A mixed bag, but...

[Amadio · 6/10 · 1 June 2018]

For any story about time-travel there are going to be confusing and unclear parts. How these are handled somewhat defines the experience. Altered Hours uses the premise of drug-induced time-travel/viewing to avoid paradoxes such as those encountered in time-machine stories. While the concept is good, the actual film making is pretty woeful, indeed terrible in parts. The main protagonists' acting is bearable, but some of the supporting characters are appalling, really dire in places. However, the outcome of the story, the raison d'être for the behaviour of the characters is finally well explained. I was quite moved by the ending, indeed it was what saved the film for me. It's a clever story, poorly delivered. I look forward to the next story from these writers in the future - hopefully with a better budget and cast!

Mind of the insomniac

[TheLittleSongbird · 5/10 · 28 June 2018]

Was drawn into seeing 'Altered Hours' with a cool poster/cover, a very intriguing and creative premise (one of the most innovative for any film seen recently) and as someone with a general appreciation for the genre. That it was low-budget, which from frequent personal experience is rarely a good sign due to that there are so many poor ones out there, made me though apprehensive.

'Altered Hours' is a film it doesn't do enough with its potential (although there are far bigger wastes of potential in film) and could have been much better, can't say that it is a great film because it isn't. It is not a terrible film though, as far as recent low-budget film viewings go it's a difficult one to rate and review but with good things. It certainly could have been far worse, considering the large number of films seen recently being mediocre at best and irredeemably terrible at worst.

Starting with the positives, there is an eeriness to the scenery and some of the lighting. Parts are nicely shot. The music didn't seem inappropriate or intrusive and it didn't feel too much of one mood. The lead acting is not bad, there is an air of competence and generally it was better than average.

It is not a dull film and enough of it is suspenseful and intriguing, not feeling bland or predictable. The start is promising and the ending was a thankful departure from the huge amount of confused, abrupt, easily foreseeable and ludicrous endings seen recently in my film watching.

However, some of the supporting acting agreed is pretty woeful, especially for the villain, hamminess and monotony at their worst. Too much of 'Altered Hours' looks cheap too, very confused editing and the camera work looks rushed.

Found the characters too underdeveloped, even the protagonist, to properly care about them. The script is too much of an underwritten first-draft, with cheesiness and a lack of clarity that translates also in some of the story. Suspense doesn't come consistently in the middle, where things bog down a little, and parts are muddled.

Overall, difficult to rate and review but didn't feel like my time was wasted. 5/10 Bethany Cox

Disappointing

[birdgerry · 4/10 · 25 March 2018]

A really disappointing movie with a very confused storyline

Decent Idea, Terrible Execution

[aimanwm · 3/10 · 23 June 2018]

Positive reviews for this film are forgiving and I think based mostly on concepts only pointed at by the film, not actually realized. Yes, the premise is great, but the impetus of the movie shifts and the acting is spotty at best. I don't mind having to figure things out as I go--that can be the appeal of a film--but the cast and crew seemed to also be developing their vision as they filmed. Most important is that the co-star's character is sorely underdeveloped given the crusader she emerges as in the end. They recall bits of the movie that were to have foreshadowed this, but the effect flops. Somewhat similarly, the main character's motive for using Z has to be stated explicitly at the end. While it makes total sense with the movie content, he's too much of a mystery otherwise to triangulate/confirm. What's less of an issue, but still sticks out is the poor acting of the inexplicable villain and the absurdly, grotesquely incompetent acting of the detective. It's probably not all the fault of the actor, though, as no one seemed to have a clue what was or was not supposed to be driving the film, which also contributed to the empty acting and tedium.

Better than it gets credit for

[jjzstar33 · 7/10 · 10 September 2018]

I'm glad I gave it a shot. It's better than the reviews would lead you to believe. Lately I have started to bypass the reviews and watch based only on the description. This movie does require you to pay attention, or you may get confused. There are a lot of jumps in the story, like any good movie about time travel paradox. If you can put the iPad down and just enjoy the movie it's worth the watch.

Interesting Script...Terrible Cast

[soulcrisis28 · 5/10 · 9 March 2022]

So, here we are, yet again, another review of a movie that could've not been made and the world wouldn't have skipped a beat.

The story is interesting enough and the movie is shot well for the most part.

Where it all falls apart and just swirls down the drain like a treatment of drano is the cast. That's right, all the actors and actresses, and I use those words very lightly, is just awful. Not one of them, well there's one, but none of the rest have any redeeming qualities and they all get very annoying and on your nerves at some point. Now, I said there was one, the cooky professor scientist. He's actually got redeeming qualities and plays his part well. The rest of them? Well there's probably a pretty good reason you have never heard of them or seen them in anything else.

I'd say skip it, there's better stuff out there, but if you're having a hard time finding something, you could fall on this one smh give it a watch. There's worse things you could watch or be doing.

Amazing take on time travel!

[hopeseekr · 7/10 · 5 April 2018]

I have -no- idea why this movie is ranked so poorly!

For low-budget Sci-Fi films, this is top tier and has an engaging storyline, likable characters I can relate with, and doesn't dumb things down too much.

It has great rewatchability. I wonder how all the nay-voters would rank Primer?? Especially the only other reviewer who said "the storyline is confusing." Um, this movie is **definitely** geared towards the genius spectrum.

Incoherently inconsistent

[RoidDroidVoid · 2/10 · 12 January 2022]

Let me preface my review by saying that I am a huge fan of time travel films and I'm definitely okay with low budget films.

This film was so absolutely incompetent.

The story was weak at best with questionable motives and characters that are terribly inconsistent.

The acting isn't too bad with one or two glaring exceptions.

There was so much wrong with the accuracy of storytelling that it would be pointless to attempt a list.

Overall, this film added nothing to the genre and stole time from me.

A must see work of art.

[temporalmonk · 9/10 · 28 March 2017]

If the "grandfather paradox" is when you travel back in time to kill your grandfather and so erase the ancestral conditions for your own existence in order that you may escape to a transcendental limbo beyond temporality, Bruce Wemple's The Tomorrow Paradox is an ethical call to responsibility in the face of past mistakes and a return to the work of being in history. Struggling with a past that haunts him and a future that seems determined, Will Parker relentlessly fights for his own free will and redemption in this epic sci-fi journey. The Tomorrow Paradox is a fresh reinvigoration of the consciousness time travel narrative that is simultaneously gripping, psychologically horrific, and emotional. Its non-linear structure isn't so jumbled that viewers are left wondering which way is up, yet, at the same time, it leaves audiences anxious to re-watch the film in order to pick up on those subtle details overlooked during a first viewing. One of my top science fiction picks for the year and a truly raw and beautiful work of art by an upcoming craftsman in the field.

Couldn't bare it

[benzed · 3/10 · 22 August 2021]

Right off the bat I was turned off by some of the worst acting ever captured on film.

I bit my lip and tried to hold on but the entire production was self conscious and unbearable.

Whatever

[bonniath-13968 · 4/10 · 6 January 2022]

Confusing. Apparently I must type more letters before someone believes my opinion about this movie. It's so confusing I give up. Blah. Scary but still upsetting.

Well worth a watch

[cjwilkinson-81808 · 7/10 · 2 December 2020]

Intriguing storyline, well acted, impeccably scored - there's a lot to like about this movie.

According to other reviews here this movie suffers from being low budget. I disagree - there doesn't seem to be anything missing and I felt every aspect of the film was done well. There's no flab on it, and none of the bloated pomposity and the taking itself far too seriously that you often get with big budget blockbusters though

Altered hours is a clever and well-made movie, and bears watching more than once.

Mind-bending low budget sci-fi

[OhDavidMyCaptain · 7/10 · 21 June 2021]

Director Bruce Wemple has achieved an impressive feat. He has created a solid, mind-bending sci-fi film and done so one what is apparently a rather modest budget. The story twists and turns but never leaves you hanging as everything is wrapped up as it should be. The acting can be hit or miss at time (and honestly the miss is what brings the score down from a 8 for me) but the lead is convincing enough in his complex role.

It's difficult to give this movie an in depth review without spoiling it completely but go in knowing that this is low budget movie making done the right way. It reminds me of Primer or maybe even some early Nolan movies and I say that as a compliment. It may not be perfect, but it certainly does what it set out to do and showcases Bruce Wemple as a director to look out for in the future.

THIS resonates with me - although I hate drug movies!

[Enrique-Sanchez-56 · 10/10 · 10 February 2022]

The truth is, Ryan Munzert, the main character, made this film for me. Something about either his portrayal or his person was very accessible to me and I was easily drawn into his issues from the beginning. I wasn't sure where it was going, but slowly the movie made sense to me and the science fiction only accentuated their journey.

For some, it may take more than one viewing to really immerse themselves into this really FINE effort by all.

Recommended for those who enjoy challenges in the movies!

Interesting Take On Time Travel

[icocleric · 6/10 · 16 November 2023]

I thought it did some clever things with the time travel. I liked the idea that it was a drug that showed you glimpses into the future, but you're only seeing part of it as you're trying to figure out what is happening. The lead character is uncontrollably thrown into the future, and there's a mystery to solve rather then the keep going back until it's right trope.

But I think the story is really decent actually, it's a shame some of the acting isn't great. I've seen worse, but it's definitely below average. The cinematography is not bad, and I think they did well with the budget they had.

There's a fun little twist at the end too.

QUANTUM LEAPERZzz MEETS REQUIEM FOR A DREAM

[paulrjacobs · 7/10 · 25 November 2018]

I enjoyed this feature after I understood that it needed you to view it from the lead character, in that he was just as confused.

7-8 stars actually

[dottydew · 10/10 · 1 December 2023]

I gave this ten stars because I felt it needed a boost. Actually it's a 7.5 - 8 stars for my personal review.

I loved this movie and so glad I watched it before looking at the reviews. I thought the actors for most of the main characters was excellent, especially Will. I watched the this twice, I enjoyed it so much.

It reminded me of Momento mixed with Requiem for a Dream mixed with time travel. The budget much lower than he other two films and the script not as dark, but this was the writer's/directors first (?). Of course I wouldn't compare the casting with veteran actors either.

The premise was original and of course the time line jumps around as Will's time line jumped around. The film moved and never got boring or repetitious. It kept me at the edge of my seat. There were multiple twists and I didn't see the ending of coming.

If you can handle Momento with non linear story telling, you could handle this. And actually Altered Hours is more linear than not.