Dorathen
Better Late Then Never
Curapedi
I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.
Tyreece Hulme
One of the best movies of the year! Incredible from the beginning to the end.
Ortiz
Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.
Leofwine_draca
CRUSHED is an indie thriller set in and around an Aussie vineyard. The acting is okay and the plot isn't too shabby, but the film is a bit too slow and low key for its own good; put this down to the lack of available budget which means the filmmakers cut corners at times. As a rule, however, it's a lot better than most independent films which go for a basic, often juvenile approach by comparison.
Peter Pluymers
There are already a number of Australian films that made an indelible impression on me. Even such an impression that I've become a little fan of movies originating from this part of the world. Perhaps "Crushed" is the first minor disappointment. Not because it's an ordinary murder mystery with all associated developments and necessary turns. But simply because there was something missing to make a perfect investigators story. And that's suspense, tension and mystery. It wasn't so to speak exciting and the outcome of the whole story was just predictable. The only surprising part was the quite violent and bloody ending. Actually, I didn't see that one coming.Ellia (Sarah Bishops) returns to her family after hearing the terrible news of her father's death. Apparently a heavy barrel fell on the head of this vineyard owner in Australia. The result isn't a persistent hangover, but a fatal skull fracture. Ellia left quietly after the death of her twin brother and she has been incommunicado with her family since then. Not surprisingly, the initial contacts appeared to be rather coolly. Not to say hostile. As it turns out that her dad seems to be murdered, her mother Sophie (Roxane Wilson) started to mess around with an uncle (Les Hill) in the Australian bushes and gets arrested because the police finds it suspicious that she wants to sell the family business, Ellia gets caught up in a complicated puzzle. The first positive side of this film. They don't beat around the bush. Before you know it, you're looking at a murder mystery, a family dynasty shaking on its foundations, an unexplained drama out of the past and an erroneous environmental decision causing trouble for plants on the surrounding lands and hostile neighbours. Indeed, it's a lot. And yet it's a matter of logical elimination to find out who did it. In "Crushed" the simple rule of most murder mysteries is maintained. Those who look most suspicious, are usually the ones who ultimately didn't do it. So take a close look at the individuals that surround Ellia and choose the person you'd never expect to be the suspect. Bingo.Despite the abundance of subjects and the sometimes disappointing acting, there were also some good sides to this film. The used images were excellent from time to time. And the denouement was surprisingly brutal with an unprecedented number of casualties as a result. Most notable and outstanding role was played by Remy Brand as the timid and emotionally hurt brother Zac. The only thing that started to annoy me were the amount of consumed glasses of wine. I realize that there is a link with a vineyard, but at one point I had the feeling that wine was the only beverage they could drink there. Or the climate is causing an insufferable thirst. It wasn't exactly real added value. It's just that I constantly wondered whether she had a drinking problem or not. Are you a fan of a typical detective story, now happening in the land of kangaroos, then it is worth to see it. More reviews here : http://bit.ly/1KIdQMT
Catherine Maire
The core of this movie is a well-written script with enough twists to keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. This is a modern take on the Alfred Hitchcock-style thriller. Sarah Bishop is a standout as a young woman, Ellia, who returns home for her father's funeral only to find that he was murdered and her mother is the prime suspect. Alone and isolated, Ellia must not only solve the mystery of her father's murder but also deal with the traumatic event that caused her to flee the family vineyard. Megan Riakos wrote the script and directed it, and the result is a tight, cohesive thriller that is also visually stunning. Crushed is an exciting movie that is a refreshing change from the formulaic action movies and derivative comic book franchises so common in the big multiplexes today.
Kari Pilcher
Beautiful landscape makes for an incredible juxtaposition against the heart racing fear this thriller incites. As someone who dislikes thrillers I was apprehensive about seeing this film however a few months on I find myself wanting to watch it again. I think its a very classy 'who done it'. There is also levity to break the tension of the movie without it being too slapstick. Australian movies have typically bad reputations with Australian audiences however the time for that has passed and we need to move on and support our industry and Crushed is a perfect example of the class of Australian writing, acting, directing and cinematography. If you want to start supporting the Australian industry - start with Crushed.