UnowPriceless
hyped garbage
InspireGato
Film Perfection
Scotty Burke
It is interesting even when nothing much happens, which is for most of its 3-hour running time. Read full review
Michael Ledo
Atum Vine (Tobias Jelinek) is the leader or feeder of a group of demons who live in an LA apartment complex that contains a lot of sin, fear, and misery which feeds the demons. Prostitution, drugs, domestic issues abound which allows the demons to sate. Then one day things change. All the fear and misery is gone. The would-be child rapist is reformed and out looking for a job. The demons are in a panic. They are not allowed to leave the complex, and their food supply is running low.About 70 minutes into the film we find out what happened to cause the change and there is also a twist.The production did a decent job on the make-up. That is what really made the film. Almost all the scenes were in the apartment building which played against the promise of the title "Fire City" a city that didn't play into the movie. Nor is this an end of days film or a battle for Earth. Those expectations will lead to a disappointment. It is about demons in an apartment complex. Human see them as humans, not demons.A decent film for what it was and not for how it was marketed. The film is about overcoming your demons and finally becoming human.Guide: F-word, sex, FF nudity (Kimberly Leemans- Crystal of Walking Dead)
nichrevolution
Right from the start Fire City: End of Days got a big A+ rating in my book simply for the extensive and impressive use of practical effects. For a fantasy thriller and a low budget indie feature this film is remarkably deep and equally dark. For those of you familiar with Angel, the Buffy spin off, Fire City treads kindred ground steeped in the shadows and dust of an urban underworld. For all that this film bears in promise, it ultimately falls short somehow with its bewildering climax that feels both rushed and drawn out somehow. We are set up to expect more installments in the series that continue the story of Atum Vine (installments I await with more anticipation than I had for Desolation of Smaug (!). Perhaps the greatest tragedy of Fire City is not a part of the story, but rather that the film strains its scant budget to the max, popping seams along the way.
suite92
The Three Acts: The initial tableaux: In a poor rental building reside humans and demons. The humans are not aware of the demons, who feed off the misery of the humans.On the human side, in one apartment are Frank and Lisa. Frank has rage issues and beats up Lisa now and then. In another apartment are 11 year old Sara, daughter of Jane. Jane is a chronic drunk who periodically passes out before sexually satisfying live-in boyfriend Andre, who is not Sara's father. Archie lives in a third apartment with Ruth, but treats his despair regarding his life with alcohol and Amber's attention on the side.On the demon side, Tripp, Mace, and Helo are the same demon type and live together somewhat contentiously in one apartment. The bulky demon Ford is older and studies 'demon science' whatever that is, and spends a lot of time trying to manufacture good luck for himself. Cornelia lives by herself, is an 'interpreter', and has lots of paraphernalia for divination. Amber lives alone, and feeds off the despair of men when she has sex with them.The protagonist is Atum Vine who appears as human to the humans; to them he's the super. The demons see him as a demon, and see him as the one who guarantees misery, or lacking that, some fresh drugs.Delineation of conflicts: Very early in the film, Sara runs from Andre, who traps her in the basement. He is enraged that Jane has passed out, and threatens Sara with rape. Vine intervenes since this might disrupt the balance. Vine does not like the cops in his building, for one thing.Unfortunately for the demons, the real reason that Vine intervened was that he felt compassion for Sara. That odd change in this demon heart breaks everything.There is a lot of consternation over this, especially after Cornelia diagnoses that Vine is the problem. Then it hits the fan.Resolution: Despite resistance from all other demon parties, Vine needs to create a new balance. Will he get any help on this?
Anrkey
The story had some issues and at times reminded me of a late night HBO flick. There were certain aspects I really wish they had cut out and perhaps elaborated a bit more on others. Even though we spend most of our time with the demons, I never really felt close to any of them with the exception of the main character. I'd have liked to have seen more WHY.What really made the film were the costumes. Nightbreed kept popping into my head as I watched. That's something I give a lot of weight to in a film and for the most part, they were done well. Especially when it came to Vine.Another pro of the film for me was the acting. I just kept hoping for a better, more cohesive story.
