Thirty Proof Coil (2010) User Reviews

Thriller

[kevinlabrum · 7/10 · 25 January 2012]

A unique and original spin on an idea and story we've seen before. It takes twists and turns that were unexpected but still plausible. Calico Cooper manages to hold the screen the entire time and does it very well.Going into it I was a little concerned as I was unaware that Ms. Cooper was an actor. But, she proved quickly that she is in fact a talented actress with a healthy range and power that comes from skill and hard work.

I read one review that lambasted this film, but I couldn't see why. The film has a professional look and quality to it and as for the negativity regarding the writing, well, it's easy to mock that which we can't do ourselves. So, rent this movie or buy it, whichever you can. You won't regret it.

A+ Work

[ctdmonet · 20 July 2011]

I enjoyed Schmeckpeper's first movie (Pizza Man v. the Dude), probably solely for the stories from production, and the novelty of seeing the process of a movie (from a short). I've found McCullough to be more of a caricature than a character in other indie films and shorts. I'm not really an Alice Cooper fan, nor do I believe that anyone's offspring deserves to be called an actor just because of their name. Yet I found myself asking why did she do this, or why didn't she do this? was the monster even real? did she escape, or die at the end? These are the compelling questions that follow a great story. I loved the dialog acknowledging that Cooper knew it was in her mind, yet she still had to discover it. Cooper was the backbone - all the character's played off her, and she brought out the best in everyone interacting with her. McCullough's portrayal of the kidnapper was spot on. He developed a new life as an apparition talking to Cooper. There was some very dry, dark humor there, and McCullough pulled it off well. He might need to work on his rigamortis;-) I loved the part about him not really being a smoker....hilarious. Annie Cosho was very intuitive as the mother, and added a calming we would all expect from a mother. I loved Roberts and Van Dam as what we would expect from apparitions - yet added an awareness and intuitive nature when they were talking to Cooper.

Well done, and I screamed like a little girl (as did everyone in the theater) when she opened the barn door.

Terrible

[ericscottmorrison · 1/10 · 9 July 2011]

Just watched this movie at its premiere in downtown Boise. Both my friend and I left speechless. Couldn't believe how bad the production was. Felt like I was watching a home video... washed out colors, cheesy zooms, tripod pans, random cuts and splices, and audio that sounded like it came from the camera's internal mic. As per the story, I suck at writing, but could have come up with a better story in my sleep. I wouldn't normally go out of my way to write such a scathing review, but I'm honestly amazed how the producers can show this thing and still be seen in public. I understand that it was "Indie" and low production, but in my humble opinion that doesn't mean it has to look and sound like garbage.

Horrible - watch paint dry

[co6779 · 1/10 · 17 March 2020]

This is to be avoided unless you enjoy watching a human tied to a post for days - that's all that was here, wife & I can not believe the reviews of this movie.

watching a single goldfish in a small bowl is more enjoyable in all honesty.

Hmmm maybe I should search my captor better to find the key or beat that eye with that hickory handle till the bolts loosened.

An exceptionally well done thriller

[pezmonkey-1 · 9/10 · 19 August 2011]

It has been great watching these local filmmakers develop over the last several years and see their work mature with THIRTY PROOF COIL. Providing a showcase for a wonderful, committed performance by Calico Cooper, THIRTY PROOF COIL is an efficient, tightly wound, closed room thriller that reminded this viewer of the paranoid thrillers of the 1970s. All of the performances are exceptional. The script is top notch, avoiding the pitfalls that can be found in this genre by providing us with a well rounder, intelligent heroine to follow to the very end. Plus I loved the ending. Great work all around. I cannot wait to see what these filmmakers present us with next.

Trapped in a barn with no easy way out

[Woodyanders · 8/10 · 7 July 2021]

A young woman (a strong and convincing performance by Calico Cooper) gets kidnapped a mysterious stranger (a creepy portrayal by Tate S. McCullough) who keeps her chained up in a barn. The woman plots a daring escape, but loses her grip in reality in the process.

Writer/director Will Schmeckpeper relates the compelling story at a constant pace, makes the most out of the cramped and claustrophobic confines of the barn setting, ably captures a potent and unsettling sense of despair and hopelessness, and even provides a profound statement about the basic human will to survive. Worth a watch.

Surprisingly good fun!

[tdrisen · 19 August 2011]

When I found out about this locally produced independent film I wondered how it would compare to the multi-million dollar productions that I'm accustomed to seeing. I went in with modest expectations, but I'm happy to say that the movie was better than a lot of the big budget movies I'm used to. It had everything I would expect of a thriller - jump out of the seat scares, surprising twists, and scenes that gave me the heebie-jeebies. I also enjoyed the dark humor and pop culture references sprinkled throughout the movie. Calico Cooper's performance reminded me of Sigourney Weaver in the first Alien movie - a young woman thrown into a life or death situation and forced to discover a level of toughness she didn't know she had. Tate McCullough was very cool and entertaining as the smoking man and Annie Cosho seemed right at home using her "mom voice". I thoroughly enjoyed this movie and I look forward to seeing more from Calico Cooper and the team of that produced Thirty Proof Coil!

Great movie

[xdesign-kim · 24 August 2011]

I went to the premiere of "Thirty Proof Coil" for two reasons: I am friends with the director/writer and my husband is a huge Alice Cooper fan. I expected a locally made movie and what I got was a well-written, well-acted, suspenseful piece of cinema that impressed me a great deal. If I hadn't recognized some of the landmarks and at least one of the actors, I would never have realized that this was an "indie" film.

It's not easy to pull off a movie that is essentially one person and Calico did it with class and flair. She has the presence of a more seasoned actor and I look forward to seeing more of her work.

All in all, this was an excellent movie. Well worth the time to watch it, and a heck of a lot better than many movies with larger budgets that have come out recently.