Search - Pendulum (2001) (Sub) on DVD

Pleasant Surprise

Lee Armstrong | Winterville, NC United States | 09/05/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

""Pendulum" is a pleasant surprise. For a lower budgeted movie, it holds our attention. The sense of style created by James Deck carries the picture a long way. The main character is Amanda Reeve played by Rachel Hunter. To prove she's not just another pretty face, she takes a lamp in the face in the first few minutes and carries a big scab on her cheek for the remainder of the film. Particularly compared to the two women who play gorgeous law student lesbians, Hunter remains without much makeup, playing it real. James Russo the Senate candidate is a curious mix, partly power hungry politico and also seemingly a man wanting to make a difference. The interface with Matt Battaglia as Hunter's former lover D.A. Cobb brings us to the conclusion that the world is not black and white, good or evil, but a mix and blend, which is an extremely profound and realistic portrayal for a small-budget feature to make. The supporting cast is strong from the sex hungry professor to the library student to the law student slasher. The actress who plays the other cop Stephanie apparently passed away in real life and is remembered in the credits; she was also very real. The DVD doesn't offer a lot of bonus material, but is adequate. This film is an unexpected gem, perhaps a bit slow moving, but thoughtfully slow. As a detective suspense film, this one's very good. Enjoy!"

Great Thriller!

Lee Armstrong | 02/02/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This movie is a great "edge of your seat" suspense thriller. It keeps you guessing around every corner who is behind the mysterious and violent murders. But it goes much deeper than that and explores the many forms that "power" is exercised... from a woman's beauty to a man's political position to a police detective's badge to a killer's knife.Once you start watching, you won't be able to stop until you know the truth. The question is "can you handle the truth!""

Everybody covers somebody!

Hiram Gomez Pardo | Valencia, Venezuela | 05/29/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It is good to remark the slender differences between it means a thriller according the European style and the American approach. In the first case the psychological motivations and the danger taste come from the inside to the outside: that makes the rhythm and the tempo looks slower. You must build the puzzle and the facts will complement the whole drama.
This brief introduction makes the picture may be considered not a perfect thriller according the American gaze. There are many dispersed clues and many involved interests. All of them have a common denominator; the fight for power and domination and the fact of no matter how your weapons are: the betray, adulation corruption double moral. But these variables maintain the dynamic from the power's spheres downstairs and vice versa. Everybody has something to win and loose. Covering their backs according the position in the social pyramid.
The truth is handled as a romantic and devaluated concept in this ideas' order. And that' s the original point game that revaluates this slow paced but fresh thriller.
It will reward you. Highly recommended.
"

Run-of-the-mill thriller

Lorenzoni Mauro | Rome Italy | 09/12/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Down-to-earth thriller without frills but with solid grounding in reality. Good acting by Rachel Hunter, whose 'street look' is exactly what you would expect from the detective character she plays. The film moves along at a fair pace, but the lack of an exciting storyline weighs heavily on the action. In the end, little more than a time filler.

Rated R for violence, language and brief nudity."