Bullitt County (2018) User Reviews

A neat little low-budget indie.

[peterp-450-298716 · 6/10 · 12 August 2019]

Anything buried out there, is meant to stay buried.

"Bullitt County" isn't really an easy film. To be honest, I had to control myself not to give up after half an hour. It wasn't very exciting, so to say. On the contrary. It was painfully slow and meaningless. The story is situated in the 70s as you can see from the colorful printed shirts and the Woodstock-like attributes. A reunion of grown-up school friends who wanted to break the monotonous existence as a responsible citizen. A trip to Kentucky is planned where they're going to recreate a pub crawl past their favorite distilleries. The only person who isn't voluntary participating is Gordie (Mike C. Nelson) who's about to get married. He's being kidnapped, thrown in the suitcase and taken to the destination. Apparently, this is his bachelor party.

It is only when Gordie hears there's a hidden treasure, the "Bullitt Treasure", in these regions, the pace is going up. Apparently, it's a considerable sum of money (profits from illegal moonshining) that the Bullitt family has hidden in the local forests during the Prohibition. At the same time, it turns out that their favorite bar has been taken over and the new owners turned it into a wine bar. So the plan of a boozing trip is pushed aside. Also, Gordie appears to be a recovered alcoholic who has not drunk a drop for 10 years. So nothing prevents them from entering the woods, armed with spades and camping equipment. So they're off on a treasure hunt. Apparently a very cozy venture, which in turn leads to impressions of four aged hippies who, while playing guitar, smoke a few hash cigarettes and consume quite a bit of liquor. Not really fascinating, but there's already this slight feeling that something sinister is coming to the surface. A secret that this close circle of friends has been dragging along for years. And apparently, no one feels the need to bring it up again.

The moment they are invited by a friendly couple to eat something in their cabin, my expectations regarding the film was already low. "Bullitt County" won't be more than a psychological drama in which a cozy getaway leads to emotional outbursts which bring out deeply hidden traumas from the past. And then all of a sudden hell breaks loose. And before I realize it, I am watching a completely different movie. A movie about survival, cheating, blame, and guilt. Slowly it becomes clear that Gordie's emotional backpack gradually got heavier. Not only has he successfully got rid of an alcohol problem. He's also a Vietnam veteran and didn't go through this war completely unscathed. This results in a person plagued by PTSD who can't control himself during confrontations. And then there's an event in the past that weighs the most. It's being revealed through some flashbacks as the film progresses.

Robin (Jenni Melear), Keaton (David McCracken) and Wayne (Napoleon Ryan) were also involved in this incident but apparently processed it. Gordie also blames them for that at a certain moment. The indifference makes him mad. I also noticed that caring about others isn't their strongest side. Who goes on a pub crawl with an ex-alcoholic? What follows is a burst of pent-up frustration that degenerates into a nerve-racking and bloody denouement. Mike C. Nelson plays a terrific role. The way in which Gordie's personality (also thanks to a momentary relapse) changes from a good-natured person with issues into a revenge-taker driven by madness and rage, is simply wonderful to see. A solid piece of acting. The share of Dorothy Lyman and Richard Riehle was short but powerful.

No, "Bullitt County" isn't a memorable movie. And maybe it would have been better to shorten the intro where we meet those four characters. And the number of sudden twists in the story was a bit overwhelming. And have we not seen that one twist in another movie before? Anyway. The film managed to pleasantly surprise me when the second half of the film announced itself. A film about how a pleasant situation can turn quickly and end in a tragedy. "Bullitt County" shows how someone goes through life, marked by guilt feelings and what impact this has on his personality. Despite Gordie's mistakes and aggressive behavior, you still feel compassion for him. In short, a successful low-budget indie. Just the way I like them.

More reviews here: movie-freak.be

Bad reviews be damned! Best 70's pornstash out there!

[tfminfl · 6/10 · 11 June 2019]

338. Bullitt County. A pretty cool thriller of the independent film variety. It does have the familiar, four college friends get together for one last... in this case it's one last hiking trip before a member of the group, Gordie, gets married. This trip also includes a hunt for buried Prohibition Era treasure. So off into the woods they go, totally ignoring those pesky No Trespassing signs, poking around where they shouldn't be, is when they meet the owners of the property. Sure they're nice at first until they bring up the subject of buried treasure and well, the poop hits the fan! Will they make it out of the woods alive with treasure? Or will some other buried things come to light? Twisted story, may be on the lower budget type flick but still a good watch! Filmbufftim on FB.

Not a bad movie at all ...

[deepak_vish · 6/10 · 17 June 2019]

It's a stretch to call this a thriller, but it certainly grips you a little. The movie starts slow, and I mean real sloooow. I was tempted to turn it off a few times in the first 30 minutes. You have a bunch of juvenile-acting hipsters who seem to be goofing around and wasting everybody's time, but you then get the feeling that they have a dark secret hovering over them, which is when things start getting interesting.

The action kind of picks up when they start searching for a treasure which is legend in those parts. Once we reach the psychological part of the movie, that's when the film starts messing with you and you start realizing what you may have missed the entire movie even though it was right in front of you the whole time (starting from the very first scene).

I would recommend checking out this movie, but do not expect a masterpiece. It can be better made, and the suspense scenes can be directed better. The acting is not too bad and the plot is first-class.

This was just awfu!

[tyrionisthecat · 3/10 · 28 October 2018]

I watched this because I hoped it had something to do with Kentucky, it doesn't. It could have been placed anywhere in the world and would have been just at terrible.

The cast never gets you attached to any of them, and I didn't care what happened to them at all. You get an explanation for 1 of them eventually, but he has made so many stupid choices by then it was beyond redemption.

These people just didn't make rational decisions. For example, after being covered with blood and agreeing to clean it up, they continue to walk around in the woods for hours without changing their blood splattered clothes. I can understand if they didn't have more cloths, but they clearly have fresh clothes on a line.

Overall the characters weren't relatable and didn't interest me. I'm extremely disappointed. There were 4 people in my theatre, and I know exactly why!

Well.. it was a movie.

[liggitystick · 2/10 · 29 October 2018]

I'm from Evansville, heard there were some scenes filmed locally and that it was good from relatives of the crew. I went into it knowing it was a thriller. What I did not know was that this movie would be a train wreck. I'm sorry. I tried to enjoy it. But the characters were awful. Awful decisions. The ending.. if you can call it that.. didn't make much sense either. You got my wife and my 20 bucks. Good luck next time I guess. I'll probably pass.

Ummm..

[rhodge-96860 · 1/10 · 28 October 2018]

Negative stars for this film. No other descriptions necessary.

Not recommended

[domjanlaci · 1/10 · 15 April 2019]

I was expecting a smart thriller. It turned out to be a boring, chaotic movie with bad actors. Not even a thriller. I will never be in the mood to watch something like this.

Not bad...

[Headturner1 · 5/10 · 3 March 2019]

Big spoiler here. The ending gave me the impression it was all in his head? Where these simply people he knew from AA meetings? They seemed basic aquaintances. He also seemed like a guy who just wouldn't act in that way as portrayed later. I knew the Brittish guy was not there from the first scene around the campfire. It extremely apparent in the scene set around the campfire and it was a certain way a scene was edited that screamed I was correct. It had a good premise but could have been better had the ( best scene imo) were they are taken in by the bullits had lasted longer and they expounded a bit more. Like why was who he shot so important to him? Then in the end the girl was impaled all over from the fence and gets up and doesn't even look barely wounded? It was well acted but just needed a better script and direction.

"Bullitt County": When Friends Fall Out

[jtncsmistad · 7/10 · 16 June 2019]

A tale of fabled buried treasure circa the 1970s, friends swing shovels together in an effort to unearth it. The upshot? So often times, too often, the threat doesn't come from forces external. It manifests when those familiar turn on themselves.

How Do Movies Like This Get Made?!

[atomicis · 2/10 · 3 June 2019]

Whoever read the script and decided it'd be worth financing should be dragged out into the (faux) Kentucky woods and left there. The lines are written exactly the way no one ever would speak. This is a film. Barely. It says here on IMDB that the people involved went on the Bourbon Trail (a semi-organized tour of distilleries) but my question is, did they not listen to accents? Or did they purposely seek out rest homes and interact only with the mentally challenged? People in Kentucky are not exactly the hillbillies portrayed here. Yup, there are some deep-woods types, but there is less than no accuracy in either stereotype here. I endured this "movie" to write an objective review (it is painfully obvious that most of the five-star plus reviews were part of the production); please do not waste your time trying to see if it gets better. It doesn't.

An Honest Review

[generationofswine · 10/10 · 7 July 2019]

It's not a great movie, but it is a fun, entertaining, and trope filled Indie movie. It's the kind of flick that you would expect to come out of the indie craze from the 90s with all the appropriate (if not predictable just for the genre) twists and turns along the way.

It's not a bad film, I think the problem is that it's 2019 and the audience for a movie like this has aged a lot. It's not the action extravaganza that explodes with over-the-top special effects and, I'm pretty sure that hurt it.

It's stylistic enough to be fun. It's period enough to be fun. The acting isn't bad. The plot is typical indie bloodbath, and the movie plays out exactly how you would expect.

It's not as bad a film as people are making it out to be and, if you take it for what it is, it's a good film for the genre.

Clever!

[pseudonemily · 7/10 · 8 November 2018]

I was really impressed the attention to detail in different parts of the movie. I missed a little foreshadowing related to the ending, but did pick up some subtle clues. The ending was surprising but moved a little too fast and felt rushed. At the end I definitely felt like I wanted to watch it again to piece everything together and catch the clues. As a still emerging producer/director team, I thought they did a fantastic job. Overall I was entertained and it had me thinking!

Pretentious and annoying indie thriller

[Wizard-8 · 3/10 · 2 June 2019]

I feel I should first tell potential viewers of this independent film that despite its title, and the Netflix description promising this to be a hard-hitting and action-filled exercise, the movie actually has very limited action or suspense. There's nothing wrong with a movie being that way, as long as it's well made enough, but unfortunately this movie really misses the mark. It's a really slow exercise, for one thing - it takes about 40% of the movie before the characters truly find themselves in big trouble. Up to that point - and for much of the remaining running time after that point - the movie is jam-packed with characters spouting endless pretentious dialogue that sounds nothing like what people would say, even in the movie's 1970s setting. (And there seems to be no reason why the movie was set in the 1970s, by the way.) Towards the end (after there have been several points where linking footage seems to be missing, by the way), there are a couple of twists in the plot, but I was able to predict both of those twists long before they actually unfolded. The movie is well photographed, and there is some amusement with one of the key actors looking remarkably like Art Garfunkel, but otherwise, most viewers will want to put a "bullitt" in the head of the writer/director long before the end credits start rolling.

?

[celia_murphy · 3/10 · 30 March 2019]

Sorry I'm maybe a bit old to appreciate this one. Acting was fine but what a crazy film, still trying to 'get what it was about' sorry, like a movie with a start, a middle and an ending. I give up on books when they start getting weird, should have given up on this movie too!

Two thing are possible.

[Bill-i-am · 1/10 · 15 June 2019]

Possibility #1. The filmmakers set out to create one of the worst movies ever made, and succeeded beyond their wildest expectations.

Possibility #2. The filmmakers set out to make a good film, and probably believe they did, because they are complete imbeciles.

Plot, dialogue, acting, editing all terrible. Not a hint of charisma from any actor in the cast.

One of the worst movies I have ever seen.

Terrible

[edsfighter · 1/10 · 12 June 2019]

This was one of the worst movies that I have ever watched. I had high hopes for it too.

Whaaa????

[scottselby67 · 2/10 · 25 July 2019]

I'm still trying to figure out what I watched. I never could figure out when the action of the main story takes place. There are several references to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. That didn't begin until 1999. They were in high school or college in 1968 (not clear), but they aren't 50ish. In 1968, they were in a hole in the wall bar ordering cheese sticks. I don't think they hit Ky until the late 80s. Was Gordie's PTSD from Nam or the accident? The flashbacks were more confusing than helpful. The only thing I really liked was Wayne.

In the parlance of today: Meh

[ddn32 · 2/10 · 22 June 2019]

This is a movie that I would have turned off within the first 20 minutes, but I was sick in a hot bath and leaving the bath was not an option. The premise was good, but the mixture of humour and crime drama was not a good one. It reeked of indie pretentiousness. It was supposed to be the 70's, but it didn't seem like it to me.

Bullitt County 2018

[tpsimpleman · 7/10 · 1 January 2024]

Bullitt County is a 2018 thriller film that takes viewers on a suspenseful and darkly comedic journey. Directed by David McCracken, the movie follows a group of friends who embark on a bachelor party trip to Bourbon Country in Kentucky. However, their adventure quickly takes a dangerous turn when they become entangled with an old legend and find themselves in grave danger.

One of the strengths of Bullitt County lies in its well-crafted storytelling. The film combines elements of mystery, crime, and comedy to create an engaging narrative that keeps viewers hooked from start to finish. The plot gradually unfolds, revealing twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end.

The characters in Bullitt County are also well-developed and complex. Each member of the group brings their own distinct personality traits, which leads to interesting dynamics within the group. The performances by the cast are solid all around, with standout performances from Mike C. Nelson as Gordie and Jenni Melear as Robin.

Visually, Bullitt County captures the essence of its setting perfectly. The cinematography beautifully showcases the picturesque landscapes of Kentucky while also creating a tense atmosphere during more intense scenes. The film's gritty aesthetic adds to its overall appeal and enhances its thriller elements.

However, some may find fault with Bullitt County's pacing at times. While it effectively builds tension throughout most of its runtime, there are moments where it feels slightly sluggish or meandering. Additionally, certain plot points could have been further explored or developed for added depth.

Overall, Bullitt County is an enjoyable thriller that successfully blends suspense with humor. With strong performances and captivating storytelling, it offers an entertaining cinematic experience for fans of the genre.

Give this high caliber indie a shot

[JayRief · 9/10 · 6 March 2019]

One thing I'll say from the offset, this movie touted itself as being about bourbon. I thought to myself, cool, I like bourbon, I'll check it out. It is not about bourbon. It's about bourbon the way Jurassic Park is about lawyers. Also, it's not really a thriller, not entirely at least. Much like pancakes are just dessert disguised as breakfast, this is more of a dramatic comedy strutting around in lavish thriller plumage.

None of this is to say it's a bad movie - quite the opposite. Although it's a grim genre tale, there's a lot of heart, a lot of laughs, a few tears, plenty of blood spilt, and...a musical number? For myself, I liked not knowing too much going in, as there are plenty of surprises, some you don't see coming, others you do (but those are just as satisfying). I was a bit rattled by the abrupt and abrasive tonal change halfway through, but after a second viewing, I can dig it. Bullitt County is more like a fine wine than a bourbon, just need to let it aerate a bit and then the flavors really explode.

Are the characters entirely logical, making sound decisions like normal human beings? Eh, they stretch the limits of what's believable (or likable in many instances), but hey, that's what makes genre flicks so fun, and Bullitt County in particular. Everything feels larger than life, and I mean that in the best possible way. From the stylistic choices in cinematography and editing to the portrayal of each of the main characters (or all the characters for that matter), this is a bombastic assault on the senses. Even the music and sound editing make some ballsy in-your-face choices, teetering on taking it too far in some instances, but always keeping within the parameters of the overall film, unorthodox though they may be. As unhinged as it gets, nothing ever feels out of place.

Don't expect everything about this flick to be served on a silver platter, either. There's a lot buried under the surface to grapple with long after the credits roll, especially if you've had any sort of brush with alcoholism in your life. Definitely wasn't expecting a little backwoods indie to take such a bold plunge into an issue like that. It's a wild ride, infused with plenty of the 70's to feel nostalgic but not get distracting, and while I've never been to the real Bullitt County, I'd absolutely get lost in this film again.

Would watch again

[fritzschnitzelbank · 9/10 · 5 March 2019]

I saw this in the theater and liked it (probably 7 out of 10) but I just rented it and DAMN there are so many cool details I missed the first time! Storyline pieces fit together really well. The performances are super good too.

A Wild Ride!

[outskirtsfilmfest · 10/10 · 6 March 2019]

What a wild ride. Starts out fun and free-wheeling, like "Easy Rider," a bunch of buds hanging out, but this movie goes to some dark places. The main character, Gordie, is basically Repression in human form (he's a recovering alcoholic, a Vietnam vet who got injured and shipped back to the States, and a guilt-ridden guy who is burdened with a huge -- and dark -- secret he shares with his friends).

If you're expecting a run-of-the-mill thriller, this isn't for you. "Bullitt County" is much deeper, more nuanced, than your average film. It's fun and exciting and riveting, sure, but ultimately, it made me really think about some of the deeper themes it was exploring. Beautifully directed, written, shot, edited, scored, etc., this movie really is the whole package, with some outstanding performances from the lead Mike C. Nelson as Gordie and David McCracken (who also wrote and directed the film) as his best friend.

Now that I know how the whole movie ends, I'm going to give it a rewatch... so many fun surprises throughout. Can't recommend highly enough.

Satisfactory salute to the seventies

[GroverKipling · 8/10 · 19 March 2019]

A bourbon-basted bachelor party backfires, only to transform into a tantalizing trek for treasure in the treacherous Kentucky timberlands. But buried beneath the facade of friendship fester sinister secrets, ready to rear their repressed rage. To divulge a single scintilla more would squelch any exhilaration experienced by a virgin viewer, scuppering this saucy stylistic salute to the seventies served with a side of savagery and sentimentality. Everything is not as it seems in Bullitt County, and this reviewer readily recommends repeat viewings of this raucous romp, appreciably accentuated with alcohol.

Superb

[thisyear-10904 · 9/10 · 17 March 2019]

It's clear from the opening shot of this film that we are in safe directorial hands. Interesting, unusual, bold and then as it turns out, quite an important shot for the holistic story. And it's a sign post to what we should expect going forward, because this is a film that will hold your attention even though it's a little different from the norm. Bullitt County feels like a Coen Brothers film, especially their earlier work with perhaps a nod to Fargo. That's not to be underestimated. The fact that you can even compare a film to the Coen Brothers work is very, very special. But that's what we have here.

Bullitt County introduces a small group of characters and we watch how they react in a limited number of locations as the story exposes itself to them. This is the trope of the low budget, independent film but it's only in this logistical regard that the budget is exposed. Because everything about this film is top notch, technically and artistically. This is especially true of the acting. Everyone from top to bottom are thoroughly superb. They are believable, interesting, compelling, and their relationship to each other is authentic. That elusive "chemistry". We really care about these people and what is - and has - happening to them.

The film is a story in multiple genres, starting out as an ensemble drama with some well played light comedy but we feel like there's a shift in tone coming, and it does - with a bang. The only misstep for me in the plot is how we arrive at that major turning point of the story. The characters' sense of danger - their motivation to do what they do - should have been pushes a little further. This is a writing issue that I would have liked to see worked a little harder. But the way the actors handle the scene, and the way it is directed, saves the day, keeping us locked into the story with another clever single shot that mirrors the opening shot of the film. It's a brave and talented director that can play such drama off screen (or just off) using a single static take. And it works beautifully.

So yes, the fabulous acting stands forefront in this film but it's not just the talent of the actors that deserves attention. David McCracken's direction is brilliant, and this is just his second feature. There are no telling signs of lack of budget or experience. All scenes fulfil their potential for drama and character, and are properly paced. There doesn't appear to be any missed shots that needed to be filled with a sneaky edit or sound fix. Even the great Tarantino fell foul of that for his second film Pulp Fiction. McCracken knows how to cover a scene, when to move the camera and when not to. There's an artistry sorely lacking in feature film making today. People in the movie industry really need to take notice. The potential for something very special indeed is waiting right here.

The budget of a film is irrelevant to the audience experience but it is relevant to the achievement of the filmmakers. The biggest achievement here is the filmmakers have made the first part of that statement true - this is just a really good film - doesn't matter what it cost.

Great!

[Cwill82 · 10/10 · 5 March 2019]

Surprised me with the skill of the story line. The action, suspense and humor add to the twists in this awesome movie! These are fairly new filmmakers? Keep an eye on this talent!