12 Round Gun (2017) Poster

(2017)

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5/10
Decent movie but unrealistic
jimwoosh25 March 2019
The movie is enjoyable but has its flaws. First the son Tommy "Gun" was a character in Rocky 5. Stallone tried to mentor Tommy Gunn. Do some research people. And a alcoholic , homeless fighter who hasn't fought in 20 years no way possible could be or get in the shape he was in a months time.
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6/10
Good performance by the lead
Madhu-Van-Paare19 November 2018
The lead actor, is unrecognisable Sam Upton, who also wrote the script and directed. Now this is a low budget movie, with a script that needed improvement. The whole cast is okay, although Mark Boone Junior could have done a little better, being the good actor he is. But then again the script, what can an actor do when the script is below par. And the budget was so low that some scenes suffered and made the movie less believable. Anyway, the lead is amazing. He really carries the whole movie, and is really the only one, besides some guys who beat him up, who is completely believable. He really did a tour de force. Jared Abrahamson did a descent job (as did Cassi Thomson, who plays his wife), and also was convincing, especially in the end. In other words this movie has some memorable scenes, it's about pain, and it does capture that. But it's not really clear in what it wants to say. But perhaps that does not matter, perhaps that could even be it's strength. A 6 for effort and the two lead actors.
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5/10
Watchable
mutantinthemaking17 November 2018
Mark Boone Jr. saved this movie; I loved him in SOA and he brings that same fire to this movie.
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1/10
Narcissistic and cliche.
slugman762 April 2019
Tried to hard to make a movie that has been made many times before. Just a self indulgent peice for Sam Upton. Write, star, and direct... ugh!
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3/10
Not Acting Problems
j-lacerra25 March 2019
While this movie has problems, they are not really acting problems. But one can see that the script is amateurish, as is the filming. The movie drags the main character's shiftless alcoholism on too long. His son, Tommy, is vaunted as a boxing prospect, but apparently has never seen a punch he could not stop with his face. Actually, the boxing scenes in this movie are the worst I have ever seen. Clearly trying to emulate the Rocky films, the fights look almost prissy and idiotic. The repeated shot of a glove impacting the side a a boxer's face is done over and over again, each time worse and worse. Then the film ends abruptly, giving us no pay-off for hanging in through all this dreck!
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2/10
Waste of time
nalp009-289-22413822 March 2019
Watched it because it was trending on Netflix. I like boxing movies but this wasn't close. Maybe I have high standards but the fight scenes couldn't save this movie to make up for the long drawn out drunk dad story. Not worth watching.
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7/10
Worth the watch
jacquesdewit-159-85645724 November 2018
When I started watching this movie I was not spell bound but after about half an hour the gritty filming and performance by Sam Upton I wasn't spellbound. A solid performance and story of overcoming your own demons that deserves much more than an average of 5.2
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2/10
You got to do good to feel good
nogodnomasters30 November 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Plot Spoilers.

Tommy Gun (Jared Abrahamson) wears sunglasses at night because he got blinded in the ring. His dad, Joe (Sam Upton ) is a former boxer, alcoholic and shunned by his fellow man. Joe goes to Jimmy (Mark Boone Junior) for help. Joe reads a book by Marcus Aurelius, plays a game of chess and is now sober once again, ready to avenge his son in the ring, getting prepared in a quick music montage...who doesn't? Laila Ali had a minor role, most likely because she can't act.

Trite script. The dialogue is a snooze.

Guide: F-word. No sex or nudity.
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7/10
This is why I never trust IMDB ratings
Hussite17 March 2019
Sam Upton has not been on my radar until I saw this. Great performance, good directing, camera work, writing, and acting (for the most part.) Great freshen full-length film debut.
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10/10
Great movie unlike what the other reviewers said
mikephone25 March 2019
I rarely watch movies with below 5 IMDb ratings, but I took a chance on this one because I love boxing movies. This movie flew way above my expectations. Powerful story and very entertaining watch.
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7/10
If you do not conquer self, you will be conquered by self.
DeadMansTrousers4 December 2018
It might not be Rocky but it's a worthy indipendant contender. There is a lot of great preformances in this film and they keep you invested in the characters and storyline. Give it a shot if you're a fan of the genre and you'll probably enjoy it.
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7/10
An ex-boxer overcomes his alcoholism to avenge the suicide of his only son.
Vivekmaru4519 December 2018
After his son his fatally blinded in a boxing match and later commits suicide, his father seeks redemption in a return boxing match against the boxer who blinded his son.

This film is a very moving boxing drama film. I have seen many boxing films in my youth, the Sylvester Stallone Rocky movies and Gladiator(1992) among the more prominent. Triumph of the Spirit(1989), Brutal Glory(1989), Rocky Marciano(1999) and Facing Ali(2009) are also good boxing biopics.

The movie is about Joe Romano(played by Sam Upton who also directs the movie), an alcoholic ex-boxer who suffers from bouts of delirium tremens(DT) when he is unable to get drink. When his son loses his championship and is left permanently because his opponent cheated by removing the padding from his gloves, he makes a heroic effort to overcome his alcoholism and get revenge.

The film shows that we are human - we make bad choices in life that we regret. Sometimes we are able to rectify them and the film mainly deals with this aspect. We see scenes of Joe teaching his young son Tommy how to box and all the happy moments they shared together. These memories are brutally over as Tommy takes a handgun to his head and shoots.

We see Joe totally heartbroken sobbing uncontrollably with no one to console him. He turns his only friend, a man called Jimmy(Mark Boone Junior) who helps him and sets him up on the right path. The film is to my belief among the most moving films I have seen to date, and is above the trashy films Hollywood is churning out this days. The film also starts abruptly and there are a lot of plot holes and questions left unanswered and left to your imagination.

I rate this film a solid 7/10 and well worth a watch. You can also watch the above movies I have listed.
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7/10
Worth your time- should see
alana-4641418 September 2020
I enjoyed this film and found it had a deeper meaning which I appreciated... it is worth your time and a good flick for adults!
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10/10
Incredible acting and story
katekresser18 September 2020
Sam Upton, who wrote, directed, and starred in the movie, was an extremely riveting and powerful storyteller. This movie had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. This isn't normally my genre of choice, but I watched the movie with my dad and we both really enjoyed it. It was extremely grounded and powerful, heart-wrenching, inspiring, frustrating, hopeful... all the things it set out to be and more. Great movie all-around. And even cooler that it's Sam Upton's directorial debut. I will definitely be watching more of his stuff in the future.
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8/10
Heartfelt performance
clauk-4083218 September 2020
Writer, actor and director Sam Upton truly did a labor of love . The film is both beautiful and heartbreaking but most of all heartfelt. It is a story of redemption and 2nd chances.
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10/10
Life shows no Mercy so fight back
bobby-9252326 September 2020
Although this movie has a boxing theme it is a metaphor for life. It can be hard and show no mercy but you and only you have the power to fight back and kick its butt. It's always up to you if you want to be a Winner or a Loser.
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10/10
Enjoyable, with deeper meaning than surface
wildbunch828 March 2019
Enjoyed some good acting. Professional with honed skills. Others professionals learning. No new storytelling, but some deep philosophical twists. Just enjoy.
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10/10
A powerful drama about self discovery and boxing
ethanzbrowne19 September 2020
Warning: Spoilers
12 Round gun is an inspiring story about the journey from lost to found and that of a father avenging his son. Sam Upton makes strides as first time director delivering a modern parable about self actualization and recovery from alcoholism. This is an honest film about what it takes to be a man and a father.
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