Making his first ever full length film debut in theses departments, writer and director Julian Jay Burton also stars in this film, that is nothing new or unique and rather cliched. The directing is decent but the 96 min runtime felt like 2+ hours with the slow dragged out pacing. Acting was sub-par, but I'm sure that was from the lack of experience in directing his cast, especially when he's also part of that cast. Ambitious to wear so many hats on your first film, probably should have invested in sharing some of those responsibilities, instead of the current 3 (and I'm sure more to come) fake 9 &10/10 reviews. It's a 5/10 from me.
26 Reviews
He was a triple agent
nogodnomasters4 May 2019
Warning: Spoilers
We know Arthur Huff (Tom Hagale) is killing CIA and FBI agents. The agency knows he killed Nigel who was a triple agent. Agents who live in his neighborhood are going missing. So detective Jordan Long (Julian Jay Burton) haunted by memories and a nose bleed is called in to investigate a case with one suspect.
There is a twist, but it was rather boring and not exactly plausible. Julian Jay Burton did a fair job as a deadpan detective, but the supporting cast was not good. It was clearly a poor screen adaptation and bad direction.
Guide: F-word. No sex or nudity.
There is a twist, but it was rather boring and not exactly plausible. Julian Jay Burton did a fair job as a deadpan detective, but the supporting cast was not good. It was clearly a poor screen adaptation and bad direction.
Guide: F-word. No sex or nudity.
dum-dide-lidoo
ops-5253511 April 2019
Acually, this was like having a whiplash from some seriously bad spy movies from the 70's. its far too incoherent in the storytelling, where past and present are mixed so badly together, that a bloody mary wouldve tasted like a juicyfruit. i lost the trail very fast but had hopes that something clearyfying would happen in the end, but nope.
this is like watching porn high on zoloft, you wish for the best,but you just hang in there.not recommended by the grumpy old man.
this is like watching porn high on zoloft, you wish for the best,but you just hang in there.not recommended by the grumpy old man.
A muddled mess of too many character centered on an unbelievable plot.
GrouchoVase1 September 2020
This movie is unbelievable, I didn't know movies could be so bad, and I've seen Samurai Cop. Unbelievable characters ,unbelievable plot. From it's story to it's
characters to it's writing to it's direction it sucks all the way around.
The only reason this movie got off the ground was that fact that the writer is also the producer and director and star... I can't imagine anyone wanting to attach their name to this project.
Jay Burton if you see this, learn to run your ideas by people that will actually give you honest advice and criticism, try to do something less convoluted.
The only reason this movie got off the ground was that fact that the writer is also the producer and director and star... I can't imagine anyone wanting to attach their name to this project.
Jay Burton if you see this, learn to run your ideas by people that will actually give you honest advice and criticism, try to do something less convoluted.
Howdy, Neighbor
lavatch26 May 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Detective Jordan Long is an undercover cop who checks into a house rented for him by the CIA. The goal is to carefully observe a neighbor who is a rogue agent responsible for a string of killings of fellow intelligence officer. When he first moves into the house, he is warmly welcomed to the neighborhood by the psychopathic neighbor. But Detective Long has no idea what is in store for him in this sting operation.
"Dormant" has a glossy look with scenes shot in a haze. The look of the film could have been conceived with greater care, especially with a complicated number of flashback scenes, as well as apparent hallucinatory experiences. There should have been different lenses used for the different timeframes.
Still, the scripting was interesting with a good range of characters. The performances were also good, especially the actor playing Detective Long. He is the Everyman figure that we follow through the labyrinth of intrigue, deception, and revenge. The only narrative strand that was confusing was the family dilemma of Detective Long. The tragic story of his daughter seemed extraneous to the main action, and the characterization of the wife was never made clear.
"Dormant" has a glossy look with scenes shot in a haze. The look of the film could have been conceived with greater care, especially with a complicated number of flashback scenes, as well as apparent hallucinatory experiences. There should have been different lenses used for the different timeframes.
Still, the scripting was interesting with a good range of characters. The performances were also good, especially the actor playing Detective Long. He is the Everyman figure that we follow through the labyrinth of intrigue, deception, and revenge. The only narrative strand that was confusing was the family dilemma of Detective Long. The tragic story of his daughter seemed extraneous to the main action, and the characterization of the wife was never made clear.
Record breaking
dansides9 June 2019
...for terribleness. Seriously, this may be the worst movie I've ever seen. The only reason I stuck with it was because my wife picked it so.... The dialog was as bad as I've ever seen and the acting was only slightly better. The plot was confusing at best and just plain confused at worse. Seriously, I feel like this was an hour and a half I'll never get back.
I like B movies
idadaspida317 April 2020
Terrible
karmarocks-152927 July 2019
Pretty darn good. Great camerawork and music. Creepy.
jrowe10023 November 2019
I liked this movie. I heard about it since I'm from Alabama and I enjoyed it. I was surprised by the great camerawork and music and editing, since I know this was a low budget film. The acting was good. The detective was a straight forward cop-- almost too calm and collected-- he was cool. The main character/killer was pretty freaky. You'll have this character crawl under your skin as it moves along. This is an Independent Movie (Indie). Don't try to compare this to a $100M budgeted Hollywood movie. Yes, if you add Meryl Streep and Robert De Niro, it would be amazing. This movie is decent !
Retro-Styled Noir Suspense Thriller
halledbetter4 April 2019
Alfred Hitchcock once famously explained the difference between surprise and suspense with an example of a time bomb beneath a table. Dormant provides both unexpected surprises (including one very well executed special effect) and unrelenting suspense. The audience knows who is the antagonist within the first couple of minutes, but the dark side of the unassuming Arthur Huff (Tom Hagale) remains hidden from most of the characters and our protagonist until late in the film. This special insight by the audience sets up several well-played scenes of seat climbing anxiety; essentially any time Huff appears alone with another character. Hagale's performance is so unnerving that my wife whispered to me during a screening that she wasn't sure she could finish watching the film.
At its heart, however, Dormant is a psychological journey, even though it plays out as a suspense thriller with an espionage context. Intended as the prequel to producer, director and screenwriter, Julian Jay Burton's web series Bermuda City, about the exploits of undercover Detective Jordan Long (Burton), Dormant forms not only the historical backdrop for Det. Long's Bermuda City assignment, it also establishes his psychological backstory. It is in this respect that the storytelling and filmmaking craft of Dormant stand apart. Using glimpsed flashbacks and inventive editing, we slowly discover the truth of Det. Jordan Long's past. This is a film in which the seemingly unimportant details do indeed matter, so if something catches your attention, however fleetingly, hold onto that. There is fulfilment for the attentive viewer. There are also layers of revelation. Very rarely do I see a film that delivers on the promise of its premise or that truly surprises me with a plot development. Dormant did.
Cinematography and scene direction are outstanding, the filmmakers really obtained the most from the local shots. Watching the film, I had a sense that it was set somewhere near the coast in a Southern town of enduring, yet fading elegance and prominence - more Faulknerian than 21st Century. This setting as character is enhanced by the almost complete absence of strong sunlight throughout the film, most scenes occurring at night, near sunset or under overcast skies, conveying a landscape of unsettled history and uncertain future.
Echoing the mood of the film noir of the 1940s and 50s and the style of 1960s avant garde, Dormant achieves the level of filmmaking that once was the Hollywood standard.
At its heart, however, Dormant is a psychological journey, even though it plays out as a suspense thriller with an espionage context. Intended as the prequel to producer, director and screenwriter, Julian Jay Burton's web series Bermuda City, about the exploits of undercover Detective Jordan Long (Burton), Dormant forms not only the historical backdrop for Det. Long's Bermuda City assignment, it also establishes his psychological backstory. It is in this respect that the storytelling and filmmaking craft of Dormant stand apart. Using glimpsed flashbacks and inventive editing, we slowly discover the truth of Det. Jordan Long's past. This is a film in which the seemingly unimportant details do indeed matter, so if something catches your attention, however fleetingly, hold onto that. There is fulfilment for the attentive viewer. There are also layers of revelation. Very rarely do I see a film that delivers on the promise of its premise or that truly surprises me with a plot development. Dormant did.
Cinematography and scene direction are outstanding, the filmmakers really obtained the most from the local shots. Watching the film, I had a sense that it was set somewhere near the coast in a Southern town of enduring, yet fading elegance and prominence - more Faulknerian than 21st Century. This setting as character is enhanced by the almost complete absence of strong sunlight throughout the film, most scenes occurring at night, near sunset or under overcast skies, conveying a landscape of unsettled history and uncertain future.
Echoing the mood of the film noir of the 1940s and 50s and the style of 1960s avant garde, Dormant achieves the level of filmmaking that once was the Hollywood standard.
A Fun Ride
dunandwat24 April 2019
Jay Burton has a wonderfully plotted thriller here, it builds in an almost Hitchcock like way right up until the end (where Burton sucker punches you with the twist). Expertley shot film, I loved seeing my home state of Alabama filmed so beautifully. This film has complete rewatchability, Dormant is full of little bread crumbs many I missed the first time through. Definitely recommend if you are in the mood for something that is a cross between Hitchcock, a spy film, and some good old film noir.
First 12:11 answers all questions
trumblejames2 June 2019
First 12 minutes 11 seconds tell you all you need to know. I stopped watching and wrote this review.
Crazy Guy wakes up, has coffee, kisses daughter goodbye, goes into garage and injects a victim with "who cares it was in a toolbox" scene
Detective is asked to investigate missing CIA and FBI operatives in Crazy Guy's neighborhood. Detective will assume a name and his profession an interior decorator.
Detective moves in to fully furnished house. Crazy guy knocks on door 1 minute later. While they talk about, " who cares what" a noise is heard. Detective goes to investigate and he is in the same ratty, nasty, unorganized garage that crazy guy was in 4 minutes ago.
The same room? Yes, the same room.
But I thought crazy guy had the victim at his house. Apparently not.
Yes it is the same garage.
If you can't make it right don't make it.
Not watching anymore of this movie. I doubt I will regret it during any future conversations I have about movies....ever
Thumbs down
1 star is 1 too many
BEST Indie Production I've ever seen!!!
info-0296818 May 2020
"This film is so professional, that I forgot it was an indie production while watching it."
Simple minded people will never understand the depth of this film. However, intellectual individuals will quickly become attached to the complex creativity imbedded in the storyline.
The negative reviews I've seen on this title aren't even authentic, and sound like a bad joke that nobody laughed at.
I purchased the physical disk just to have it in my movie collection. I've seen a ton of storylines.. but when it comes to an indie production, this is the best I've seen. This is only the beginning for this piece.
Simple minded people will never understand the depth of this film. However, intellectual individuals will quickly become attached to the complex creativity imbedded in the storyline.
The negative reviews I've seen on this title aren't even authentic, and sound like a bad joke that nobody laughed at.
I purchased the physical disk just to have it in my movie collection. I've seen a ton of storylines.. but when it comes to an indie production, this is the best I've seen. This is only the beginning for this piece.
An indie treat
kimjonesactress4 January 2021
I really enjoyed this flick. Great story plot and twists. I will not tell you to ignore the trolling reviews as they're mostly created by agents of certain competitors to lure you from a well done independent feature that's not Hollywood produced. The actors did not lack. The villain, played by Tom Hagale, was convincing and magnetic. Some slow pacing at times but nothing that discredit the overall flow. There's nothing 'cliche' about a filmmaker who's able to produce, direct and write. Give the movie a watch. It's truly worth it if you're a fan of the classical suspense thrillers with some slow burn element. A lot better from most mainstream movies that has lacked in cinema of late. Jay Burton, if you're reading this, you are a gem and inspiration to many indie filmmakers that lack the will or confidence to expose their work to the masses. Cheers!
Good thriller, nice job guys!
joesmustangs5 March 2020
Grab you popcorn
superjudge-9697119 April 2019
Not only is this a great movie, there's some great acting involved here. It's also filming done right by writer, creator, director and actor Jay Burton. There's more! This is his first feature film and a prequel to his web series Bermuda City which is another worthy cinematic adventure. So kudos to everyone who brought this to life, I tip my hat. I can see a bright future for this Alabama native.
Cool Movie with Solid Acting
westarea12 April 2019
Not bad
black_mist-8396522 April 2019
Very suspenseful Movie
kimmleymaze22 May 2019
Dormant is a very suspenseful movie that kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time! The boat scene was my most memorable part of the movie because it was so realistic! I would recommend this movie to anyone who has not seen it and I would have to say that I will watch it again because it's just that good! The actors, directors, and writers of Dormant are geniuses when it comes to making a wonderfully scripted movie into a reality!
Unexpected
tee-9055826 February 2021
Must see Inde Film
cribbst-2791021 November 2020
Phenomenal Mystery Thriller
alabamatina25 April 2018
This film had several twists and turns that kept me on the edge of the seat. The music was used beautifully to make the movie flow perfectly. The actors truly embodied their characters in the film. I recommend this movie because it truly is an interesting mystery and thriller that was extremely well made.
Topsy turvy
baseballwrestling11 April 2019
A must see thriller!!!
iamabamafan16 January 2022
If you're like me and love a good psychological thriller movie, then Dormant is a must see!! I'm good at figuring out a movie but this one kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat! If you're reading reviews wondering if you should check this movie out or not? Take my advice, you most definitely should!!
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