The Aviation Cocktail (2012) Poster

(2012)

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1/10
Waste of Time
WFCoyote18 February 2016
I read the summary - it looked interesting. I noticed the rating - it looked like a sure thing.

The film has a very slow start, but I thought, "give it chance, it has a high rating."

The acting is canned, the story only makes sense in the last few minutes, the direction and editing are poor, poor, poor! I thought maybe this film was a parody of bad movie making - but it' not a parody, just bad movie making.

The music was great!!!

I kept telling myself something interesting was going to happen to shift me out of boredom - it never did.

The review by Pidgey1 is spot on - "All previous reviews had to be written by friends of the movie makers."

Don't waste your time with this one.
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1/10
Please tell me that the 7.0 rating was worth a watch
tolake11 July 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Nine minutes and 37 seconds into the movie and I feel like I am watching a really bad play. Expect to hear, don't to this or that and someone will. Period piece? Hardly. Limited Budget? I believe it. The performances are stiff and awkward. The dialog is dull. And how can a long row of shooters, shoot at one man and not kill him? 'I've seen you around town, but I haven't had the pleasure ....' Can you say creepy and uninspired? At 15:31 minutes I have not found a redeemable thing in this movie. Even the children were 'stuck'. It is embarrassing to watch someone smoke cigarettes, who has never smoked. And whats up with Bob? He was the first clue that the movie was a waste of time. Bad ... Bad ....Bad. 34 minutes into the film - nice cars and the music sounds like Lana Del Ray, who I like. One big problem. Everything is too clean. The cars, the clothes. And now Bob, the antagonist is complaining that they shouldn't have done it, but he is the one who did with the most to lose. And ... is the woman's bathroom broken. And why would you leave a young man alone after losing the last person in his family and then be all empathetic with compliments from your wife, because you want to do something about it? And lets not even stop and help a drunk driving friend, even if he is doing your brother's wife, killed the perp and and is a bad actor. too. Lets talk about cheating wives while we are carrying guns. And where did they find the kid with the howdy doody face? 43:52 - '...before the war.' Oh yeah, these are three WWII veterans. Almost forgot. Poor Alice, doomed to a bad role. What a waste of a nice pair of ..... And stop over 'acting like a crazy whore'. Lets pull the borther over for going a little fast and then back some liquor, in uniform, on the job. No wonder no one respects the legal system anymore. 'Its Bob. Its Bob and Alice' Great place for a reveal, at a dance with a psycho kid and a psycho cheater and a psycho ..... I watched the whole thing. And I cannot undo it or get that time back.
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1/10
All previous reviews had to be written by friends of the movie makers
Pidgey114 February 2016
I'm sorry, I honestly know from experience how hard it is to make a movie, all that goes into it, the money, time, heart, everything. But, this movie is terrible. Acting is stiff and misses every opportunity and or mark for authenticity, the story is missing big pieces and is full of unclear antecedents. There are skips in editing, that are so glaring, even when one is trying to make a go at getting something out of this movie, it's made impossible. Continuity of costumes and scenery do not exist within this movie's world. I had hopes, I picked it up off the shelf, thinking, why have I never heard of this? That, is the only question I can answer.
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10/10
A MUST See!
therapistrec27 October 2014
For those who appreciate the art of film making this movie cannot be missed. Amazing story line, acting, music, and scenery! Set in the 1950's the movie is authentic to the time period. The beautiful landscapes and camera shots bring true appreciation to this film. The complex and understated relationships and secrets between the film's characters leave you listening to each word in the dialogue with intrigue. This is a film to watch over and over, each time pulling more meaning and a deeper understanding of the story and relationships. Aviation Cocktail is a hidden gem that would do well in the main stream film arena. Kudos to the cast and crew for creating a fantastic piece of art.
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10/10
Terrific
bobby-153-1303656 November 2014
This is a great debut film from David Higgins. The cinematography is exceptional, the music top notch and the acting is amazing. It is an indie film that feels like a studio movie. 1950's noir and beautiful Nebraska landscapes, truly terrific.

The story is an in depth look into what the lives of 3 WWII veterans were like upon returning from the war. After the murder of a young girl, these men as well as the town in which they dwell is thrown into a dark downward spiral of lust, love, betrayal and violence. As the poster says, "There will be blood."

A very wonderful film with a great story. It's not action packed, but it will make you think as well as empathize with veterans of all wars.
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8/10
Nice little thriller ... and cool vintage cars!!!
mikehaberfelner15 March 2015
Aviation Cocktail is pretty much rural drama, tight thriller and PTSD, all rolled into one, and it works rather splendidly thanks to a good narrative buildup that reveals more and more facts only gradually, doesn't try to explain too much away, and ultimately creates a puzzle that looks almost certainly a whole lot different from what you might have expected. And add to that a very solid directorial effort favoring atmosphere over spectacle, a very competent ensemble cast, and of course some wonderfully authentic sets and props (the vintage cars alone will make you want to watch this!), and you've got yourself a pretty good movie!
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9/10
Dexter meets Band of Brothers
mark-2245226 October 2015
Every once in a while, an indie film really hits it out of the park. It's hard enough to do a period piece with a big budget, let alone an indie budget! Set against the backdrop of post-WWII Nebraska, three vets search out a serial killer. Such a good balancing act between the human interest in the characters, the intrigue and suspense. The filmmakers took some steps to add a feeling of darkness to the idyllic post-war days of America that really sets the mood. If you're a fan of period pieces or suspense, you won't want to miss this. And I think it's also a good bet for general audiences. I enjoyed this from start to finish, and highly recommend it.
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9/10
2012's Best Indie Film
pbedee30 January 2015
This is one of 2012's best indie releases! Writer and director David Higgins' debut performance about three WWII veterans returning home and struggling with reintegration in rural Nebraska is astonishing. This film displays a thorough character and plot development, a highly accurate portrayal of the 1950's time period, as well as excellent acting by Beau Kiger, Michael Haksins, and Leah Lockhart. Additionally, Colorado band Snake Rattle Rattle Snake helps helps tie it all together, fitting perfectly to the mood of the movie.

I can't wait to watch Aviation Cocktail again, and I am particularly excited to see what David Higgins does next!
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9/10
Very Ambitious
artistgp31 October 2015
The creators of Aviation Cocktail do a good job creating a thick atmosphere for their story to take place in. It's obvious that a great deal of care went into creating/obtaining the time period specific costumes, props, automobiles, etc.

As a huge fan of independent movies I always respect someone who takes on the burden of not just making a film (let alone a feature film) but also of tackling a period piece. The acting is engaging and the music compliments the story.

If you're a fan of noir films, or just suspense thrillers in general, you should give it a go and see what you think.
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9/10
Impressive, Ambitious Indie Film
hero-114 November 2015
A totally impressive and suspenseful Drama /Thriller Indie film by writer, director Davis Higgins, whose work I'll be looking forward to seeing more of in the future! This period piece set in the Fifties does an excellent job of pulling you into the period with it's authentic vehicles, clothing, props etc. and yet the story is timeless.

Considering the low budget of an indie film, my hat is off to them for accomplishing so much with so little!!! I was very impressed by the most excellent cinematography as well. There were many beautiful moments of filming with specific shots that blew my mind with their thoughtfulness. The actors were all top notch and very believable. Even the child actors did a commendable job -- so kudos to all! While the story of love, envy, betrayal and hate is as old as the hills, in this case it is told so extremely well, and the characters so well drawn, that I was willingly pulled into their lives.

The film accurately depicts the complexities of small town life in a rural community, whatever time period. It also points out that people are not usually good nor bad -- but are way more gray in reality. You really get a handle on why the characters behave the way they do and why they are led to such actions. So once again -- kudos to the writer/director and actors!!! This film has several twists to keep you on your toes!!! So if you enjoy a well written, beautifully filmed period piece that builds in suspense and is peppered with surprise twists -- then this is the film for you!!!!
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