Sorry but not enough sweat for the Nam. Next time hire cast that look like Vietnamese instead of 3rd generation America/Spaniards. Try using an advisor that has time in country. Poor plot, poor story but actors gave it their all. Find another way to waste 2 hours.
55 Reviews
Nice poster
bobpuls7 February 2019
Pointless.....Man!
omendata16 May 2021
Poor mans version of Casualties Of War with Sean Penn but it is ultra low budget so you have to keep expectations in line with this which most reviewers forget - Having said that it was a boring story with not much action, most of which was poorly choreographed and very unrealistic, with the usual machine guns firing as if they had unlimited amounts of ammo, silly Vietnamese in brand new cloned bamboo hats and ultra clean clothing which further detracts from the supposed Jungle this is supposed to be set in.
Add to this the copious amount of vulgar language and its a fail.
What is it with film makers these days, they seem to think they have to cater to the lowest common denominator with scenes replete with foul language which in most places is totally unnecessary and it is not just this movie but some of the big ones, heck even Picard and Star Trek are now getting involved; I thought we were supposed to be more advanced in the future but it seems we need the "f" word prefacing every sentence these days to cater for the knuckle draggers that society seems to becoming. The days of great acting, script with no need for intense sex scenes, foul language of the worst kind or brutality seem to be a distant memory - How sad and this is what the younger generation learn from, is it no wonder society is in retrograde evolution. In short this movie exemplifies the lack of intellect and vocabulary in society these days which is very sad, it does not add to the movie, it detracts from the movie which sadly this director seems to have missed - some of us are fed up with it, almost as bad as the woke narrative that also weaves its way into this film, I am just surprised there was not a trans GI or gay scene added for extra wokeness!
The acting was not of stellar variety but it is not as bad as some of the reviews make out; they seem to get better as the film proceeds (Learning on the job methinks) but without a decent script or convincing scenario the thing falls flatter than a snakes belly!
Add to this the copious amount of vulgar language and its a fail.
What is it with film makers these days, they seem to think they have to cater to the lowest common denominator with scenes replete with foul language which in most places is totally unnecessary and it is not just this movie but some of the big ones, heck even Picard and Star Trek are now getting involved; I thought we were supposed to be more advanced in the future but it seems we need the "f" word prefacing every sentence these days to cater for the knuckle draggers that society seems to becoming. The days of great acting, script with no need for intense sex scenes, foul language of the worst kind or brutality seem to be a distant memory - How sad and this is what the younger generation learn from, is it no wonder society is in retrograde evolution. In short this movie exemplifies the lack of intellect and vocabulary in society these days which is very sad, it does not add to the movie, it detracts from the movie which sadly this director seems to have missed - some of us are fed up with it, almost as bad as the woke narrative that also weaves its way into this film, I am just surprised there was not a trans GI or gay scene added for extra wokeness!
The acting was not of stellar variety but it is not as bad as some of the reviews make out; they seem to get better as the film proceeds (Learning on the job methinks) but without a decent script or convincing scenario the thing falls flatter than a snakes belly!
Must see!
jedijimmy10111 February 2019
So sick of Lefty propoganda
rbaumgar-381932 April 2020
Bollywood
johan-273-4599416 February 2019
A remake of Vietnam with the acting being iffy with a so do story line. As I wash watching this I started thinking about Rambo and could not think about the excitement I experienced in watching that. Sadly I can't find anything here, it is as how their budget ran out... won't watch this again, but will certainly watch Rambo again...
Trash
chad-6131322 October 2020
No way
johan-273-4599416 February 2019
just don't
dan_pap4 June 2019
"You gonna toss him a biscuit or you gonna put him down?"
Gee this is a bad movie. The setting is Vietnam. A couple black soldiers take it into their own hands to kill American troops who are abusing the Vietnamese. That's literally the entire plot.
The acting is bad, the story is stupid and insulting. I'm not one for war movies, but this one is just a bad movie in general. I have to admit, after the first half hour, I found my phone more interesting. Seriously, avoid this.
Gee this is a bad movie. The setting is Vietnam. A couple black soldiers take it into their own hands to kill American troops who are abusing the Vietnamese. That's literally the entire plot.
The acting is bad, the story is stupid and insulting. I'm not one for war movies, but this one is just a bad movie in general. I have to admit, after the first half hour, I found my phone more interesting. Seriously, avoid this.
Yup, it's low budget garbage
horst698 February 2019
One extra star for costumes, though .
Apart from that, this movie is your typical low budget and low talent garbage .
The actors can't act, the script is pathetic, camera work and editing are basic . The locations are wrong, the casting is off, dialogue and story are ridiculous , etc, etc .
Add a few fake reviews by friends and social media followers, and there you have yet another film that never should have been made .
Apart from that, this movie is your typical low budget and low talent garbage .
The actors can't act, the script is pathetic, camera work and editing are basic . The locations are wrong, the casting is off, dialogue and story are ridiculous , etc, etc .
Add a few fake reviews by friends and social media followers, and there you have yet another film that never should have been made .
What's the point man?!
HairDude7 February 2019
Not a single exiting thing about this "movie".
Bad acting, bad direction, boring and static camera work, robotic editing and both the story and the dialogue is a joke too...
Feels like a student project trying too hard to check all the boxes falling flat on it's face. Simply unwatchable.
Skip this one - it's a waste of brain cells.
Bad acting, bad direction, boring and static camera work, robotic editing and both the story and the dialogue is a joke too...
Feels like a student project trying too hard to check all the boxes falling flat on it's face. Simply unwatchable.
Skip this one - it's a waste of brain cells.
Chilling - a gripping drama, great plot, set in the densest of settings
lucyalpine11 February 2019
While clearly made on a budget, Point Man is a refreshing take on a genre that seemed to have outlived its lifespan. But maybe that's that point - it is not a film of its genre... its a solid drama. And at the heart of drama is conflict and Point Man had plenty of it. The SFX aren't great, but that's forgiveable, and the audio could have been more solid... but what sets this apart from films of its scale and budget are a few things. The writing: stellar scripting by writer/director Phil Blattenberger. Poetic, cinematic, filled with subtle nuance. The cast was also top notch. But mostly it was the big moments: when a solider decides to intervene in a war crime; the ending (I won't spoil), and when our lead actor - who was outstanding - confronted the 'I love the smell of napalm' style character in Sgt Calhoun - a wild, ferocious, charismatic performance by Paul de Havilland (any relation to Olivia?). That meeting between our hero and anti-hero is the turning point of not only the story but also the theme: it introduces Casper to his central plot problem and also the moral ambiguities that arise in conflict. Outstanding on almost all fronts.
The good, the okay, and the ugly...
senseihaynes17 February 2019
The Good... In the film making industry they say that story is king, and this story is a good as it gets!
The Okay... The acting is good for the most part, but certain dialog deliveries, handling of weapons, and urgency of wartime shots are wooden and uninspired.
The Ugly... The special effects are clearly budget level. As long as you don't allow them to take you out of the movie's experience, you will really enjoy this film.
The Okay... The acting is good for the most part, but certain dialog deliveries, handling of weapons, and urgency of wartime shots are wooden and uninspired.
The Ugly... The special effects are clearly budget level. As long as you don't allow them to take you out of the movie's experience, you will really enjoy this film.
I fell for the glowing reviews and gave it a chance...
rsvp32121 February 2019
It's a trap! lol
Only cast or crew could have written those!
So bad, it's like the terrible movie production company, "Asylum" hired Spike Lee to make this one.
I suffered through thirty minutes before needing to bleach my eyes.
Only cast or crew could have written those!
So bad, it's like the terrible movie production company, "Asylum" hired Spike Lee to make this one.
I suffered through thirty minutes before needing to bleach my eyes.
Don't waste your time.
usmcrdsd5 March 2019
Completely implausible plot, the acting is cheesy on par with the worst of Joe Bob Briggs selections. The action scenes are atrocious, and whoever's the technical advisor was should be laughed out of the industry. Just a poorly made excuse to use profanity and vilify Americans.
Disgrace to Vietnam Movies
ashleypoole567 February 2019
Acting so bad it's an insult to any amature filmaking.
The_Dog_Father24 February 2019
There needs to be a zero star rating. As a Veteran, this movie is pure feces. This is one another one of these movies that is about racism, overselling the hatred at any cost. Movies today can't be made without the theme being about racism, sacrificing everything to appease people who want to hate, and yet most millennials couldn't tell you when the Civil War was fought.
As long as people are reminded of hatred, the plot, theme, and acting is irrelevant. Today's movies, news, and what comes out of academia reminds me of the cold war communist propaganda. An Orwellian prophecy of bait and switch, where the truth becomes the lie, and the lie is now the truth. The acting itself is abysmal, contrived, and a garbage script. High School drama clubs make better movies than this garbage. This vomit of a movie and acting is an insult to not just all Veterans, but especially Vietnam Veterans. More anti Veteran propaganda in the film industry. The way movies are made today, with this social justice hate against society, one would think that white people and black people never worked together, served together, or lived in peace together.
This constant, lets make everything a racial issue, simply teaches young people to never work together and to only focus on hate. Ironically, rap music loves using racial and hateful words, and then people complain why nobody is respected, for lack of having respect. For once, can we have a good war movie like Saving Private Ryan, or Band of Brothers? Not every movie has to be about race.
As long as people are reminded of hatred, the plot, theme, and acting is irrelevant. Today's movies, news, and what comes out of academia reminds me of the cold war communist propaganda. An Orwellian prophecy of bait and switch, where the truth becomes the lie, and the lie is now the truth. The acting itself is abysmal, contrived, and a garbage script. High School drama clubs make better movies than this garbage. This vomit of a movie and acting is an insult to not just all Veterans, but especially Vietnam Veterans. More anti Veteran propaganda in the film industry. The way movies are made today, with this social justice hate against society, one would think that white people and black people never worked together, served together, or lived in peace together.
This constant, lets make everything a racial issue, simply teaches young people to never work together and to only focus on hate. Ironically, rap music loves using racial and hateful words, and then people complain why nobody is respected, for lack of having respect. For once, can we have a good war movie like Saving Private Ryan, or Band of Brothers? Not every movie has to be about race.
Wack
mrdisposal14 February 2019
Vietnam War Movie with an Agenda
davidfurlotte16 October 2023
Warning: Spoilers
A good Vietnam war movie was Platoon, another one was. Full Metal Jacket and then another one was Hamburger Hill. Those were just a very FEW of good movies about Vietnam. THIS movie is NOT a good movie about the Vietnam war.
Setting aside the "racial conflict" of Black man good, White man evil, let's get into a few things that really stood out.
Firstly, I honestly don't believe that ALL the soldiers in Vietnam went around killing Vietnamese civilians as if it were some kind of Purge and that is what they want you to believe with this movie.
Secondly, did anyone even bother speaking to somebody about the tactics and strategies used in that war? Viet Cong walking toward an enemy with NO cover and firing their weapons until they get killed is foolish. I've seen my 3 year old grandson do better with his toy soldiers. For the record, the VC would do a quick attack and then pull back and vanish.
This movie is a slap in the face to ALL Vietnam Veterans and isn't worth the storage medium it's saved on. Please avoid it because I guarantee you will lose IQ points.
Setting aside the "racial conflict" of Black man good, White man evil, let's get into a few things that really stood out.
Firstly, I honestly don't believe that ALL the soldiers in Vietnam went around killing Vietnamese civilians as if it were some kind of Purge and that is what they want you to believe with this movie.
Secondly, did anyone even bother speaking to somebody about the tactics and strategies used in that war? Viet Cong walking toward an enemy with NO cover and firing their weapons until they get killed is foolish. I've seen my 3 year old grandson do better with his toy soldiers. For the record, the VC would do a quick attack and then pull back and vanish.
This movie is a slap in the face to ALL Vietnam Veterans and isn't worth the storage medium it's saved on. Please avoid it because I guarantee you will lose IQ points.
Watchable.... I guess
smithcolyn27 May 2021
The storyline is solid, the acting is subpar but not so bad it makes you laugh at the film. What really makes it seem too fake to believe are the action shots and special effects. I don't expect much in that category of the story is decent enough but having the viet cong just standing together in a field firing and the muzzle flashes looking like a cartoon are too much to take seriously.
Some parts they do right but I wouldn't waste my time watching this if I were a new viewer. The racial under plot is great but we see that so much now it doesn't make this movie unique.
Some parts they do right but I wouldn't waste my time watching this if I were a new viewer. The racial under plot is great but we see that so much now it doesn't make this movie unique.
A gripping Viet Nam DRAMA
djmayonnaisemovies7 February 2019
My review of POINT MAN.
First, let's be clear: Point Man has a budget. You won't see any actors you've heard of (yet) and if you're looking for ten million dollar Hollywood pyrotechnics you should probably move on. In fact, this film should probably be marketed as a drama rather than an action, as Vision/Sony's trailer leads us to believe. This is a high-stakes, dramatic gambit set with the Vietnam War as the backdrop.
But none of the budget constraints (I judge it at 3mil) have any real effect on the story, which is the best part of this film. Protagonist Casper and antagonist Meeks are well crafted and bounce off of each other dynamically throughout the film. The supporting cast round out nicely. The acting is stellar. Christopher Long is mesmerising as the film's lead. There are no real weak points in the cast.
Point Man is a departure from the classic Viet Nam films of the 1980s and 1990s we're used to seeing from American cinema; it's not a heavy-handed political criticism of the war and it's not a propaganda piece. At its core it's an ethical conundrum embedded in the tapestry of the American conflict in Southeast Asia. It's a Kantian dilemma with palm trees and gunfire.
If you are looking for a 100mil studio feature, Point Man may disappoint you. If you're concerned with narrative and performance - and originality in a cinematic landscape littered with shameless derivation - give it a go. You may find yourself a gem.
DJM
First, let's be clear: Point Man has a budget. You won't see any actors you've heard of (yet) and if you're looking for ten million dollar Hollywood pyrotechnics you should probably move on. In fact, this film should probably be marketed as a drama rather than an action, as Vision/Sony's trailer leads us to believe. This is a high-stakes, dramatic gambit set with the Vietnam War as the backdrop.
But none of the budget constraints (I judge it at 3mil) have any real effect on the story, which is the best part of this film. Protagonist Casper and antagonist Meeks are well crafted and bounce off of each other dynamically throughout the film. The supporting cast round out nicely. The acting is stellar. Christopher Long is mesmerising as the film's lead. There are no real weak points in the cast.
Point Man is a departure from the classic Viet Nam films of the 1980s and 1990s we're used to seeing from American cinema; it's not a heavy-handed political criticism of the war and it's not a propaganda piece. At its core it's an ethical conundrum embedded in the tapestry of the American conflict in Southeast Asia. It's a Kantian dilemma with palm trees and gunfire.
If you are looking for a 100mil studio feature, Point Man may disappoint you. If you're concerned with narrative and performance - and originality in a cinematic landscape littered with shameless derivation - give it a go. You may find yourself a gem.
DJM
good movie, accurrate
johndavispartridgeiii24 February 2019
A brave new perspective on the Vietnam War.
DxterityDan9 February 2019
First I'd like to say this is my first IMDB review and I made a new account just to write it. Before reading my review you should know that I am coming at this from a filmmaker's perspective. I have some idea of the obstacles and trials that come with the territory of making an indie film. This is not an average joe's take on Point Man.
The film kicks us off with an intro reminiscent of a multitude of war films while still remaining original. But the tone is set soon after with the "belt buckle" scene that I'll let you see and interpret for yourself. I don't want to give too much of the plot away because I didn't know much outside of the synopsis going into it and it was much more rewarding that way in my opinion. I saw the trailer and honestly was not impressed. I'm very happy I overlooked it and decided to watch this film.
What I liked about Point Man.
What could have been better about Point Man.
Final Thought on Point Man.
The was a rookie debut by Blattenberger done on a shoestring budget that I walked away thoroughly impressed with. I say that not just from an indie perspective but overall. It's not easy for me to enjoy a movie because of how much I nit pick but damn this was good. I didn't get into the themes as much because I don't want to give away too much of the plot. It's best you just take this trip for yourself. This is not an action movie, I REPEAT THIS IS NOT MEANT TO BE AN ACTION MOVIE. This is a film about people, controversial themes and well written characters that stick with you long after the credits role. If you're wondering whether to check this out I encourage you to do so. You may feel angry or confused or not feel a sense of fulfillment in the finale but you won't feel like you wasted your time. Point Man deserves recognition as one of the finest indies of 2019 and a brave new perspective on the Vietnam War.
The film kicks us off with an intro reminiscent of a multitude of war films while still remaining original. But the tone is set soon after with the "belt buckle" scene that I'll let you see and interpret for yourself. I don't want to give too much of the plot away because I didn't know much outside of the synopsis going into it and it was much more rewarding that way in my opinion. I saw the trailer and honestly was not impressed. I'm very happy I overlooked it and decided to watch this film.
What I liked about Point Man.
- The cinematography was top notch. You really got a feel for what it was like being a GI in the bush and I particularly enjoyed the framing of characters during confrontations. This was masterclass.
- The writing & direction from rookie filmmaker Blattenberger. I can't believe this was his rookie debut. At no point during this film was I bored or did I feel a scene or shot was fluff or filler. He shot and wrote every scene with purpose to drive the movie forward and deliver on the themes this film was being built on.
- The acting from the two leads Casper/Meeks wasn't just good it was great. The actor portraying Casper commands your attention when he speaks and the young man has a future in this industry. He seemed natural in his role which made Casper's character development that much more believable and enjoyable. Meek's subtleties are what make his character. He gets a bunch of screen time where he doesn't speak all that much but the actor's facial expressions allow you to interpret exactly what he's thinking. The chemistry is so good between these too it feels almost too organic to be scripted. Well done gentlemen.
- The attention to detail. From the "black power fist" on Casper's Zippo to a grunt singing period music on patrol in the bush. For an indie on a budget I'm astounded at the amount of care that went into making sure the audience bought what the film was selling.
- The score & music is used sparingly and just enough. The ambience and tone is set from the sound of insects and the snaps of twigs to put you in the boots of these men.
- Costume and set design. I sound like a broken record but how is this an indie again??? Hooches, uniforms, guns, the sweat dripping from a GI's face. All had the look of a big budget film. Hats (or helmets) off the costume and set designers.
What could have been better about Point Man.
- This is mostly a budgetary issue but the special effects are not great. The muzzle flashes are the only thing that seemed believable. Bullet holes and extra helicopters in the distance are enough to distract but not take away too much from the experience overall. Everything seemed to be done in post and the film could have benefitted from more on set effects. But again that is a budget issue which brings me to my next issue.
- The gun shot sound effects and sound mixing at times are average to poor. Of course in my mind I'm comparing this to the iconic "Heat" street shoot out which is perfection and was shot with real recordings of gun fire. There are also times where I feel like the sound mixing is a tad off specifically during Lt. Sutter's breakdown scene at the start of the movie. Some of this is budgetary and some of it prioritizing your vision and you feel is most important in post. This is the only part where I feel the film falls short on attention to detail where everywhere else in on point. (no pun intended)
- Finally while the writing and dialogue his done with purpose and feels natural there is one scene in particular, the "Dog Metaphor" scene where I felt the writing was subpar and felt a little forced. The acting in that scene was still phenomenal.
Final Thought on Point Man.
The was a rookie debut by Blattenberger done on a shoestring budget that I walked away thoroughly impressed with. I say that not just from an indie perspective but overall. It's not easy for me to enjoy a movie because of how much I nit pick but damn this was good. I didn't get into the themes as much because I don't want to give away too much of the plot. It's best you just take this trip for yourself. This is not an action movie, I REPEAT THIS IS NOT MEANT TO BE AN ACTION MOVIE. This is a film about people, controversial themes and well written characters that stick with you long after the credits role. If you're wondering whether to check this out I encourage you to do so. You may feel angry or confused or not feel a sense of fulfillment in the finale but you won't feel like you wasted your time. Point Man deserves recognition as one of the finest indies of 2019 and a brave new perspective on the Vietnam War.
Solid addition to the anthology of Vietnam War films
sortie-123468 February 2019
It's always great to see new films coming out about Vietnam, which is criminally underrepresented in the catalogue of war films that get released every year. I rank this one seven out of ten stars. Let's break it down:
ACTING: 9/10
Unbelievable performances out of this one. Christopher Long is incredible. Ditto Jacob Keohane as his antagonist, and Chase Gutzmore, the film's tabula rosa. It's hard to find indie films with no known actors that can garnish this kind of review, but seriously, the entire ensemble is magnificent. These guys won't stay under the radar for long.
STORY: 8/10
In independent film story is key, and in a dialogue-driven film you'd better go for broke on the writing. Point Man's writer did precisely that. Outstanding dialogue. Marvelously written, from the characters to their development to the plot, which begins with a simple foot patrol in the jungle and descends into the dark heart of humanity. It's a thinker's movie without the pretentiousness that usually accompanies them.
CINEMATOGRAPHY: 5/10
Point Man is watchable, certainly, but its director isn't going to win any awards for the cinematography. It's not particularly creative, instead using standard back-and-forth shots for the majority of the film. I guess this comes with the territory in anything dialogue-driven, but everything was far too static for my tastes. Which leads me to...
PRODUCTION VALUE: 4/10
My biggest criticism of Point Man lies under this category. It's a great story but it just could've been so much greater had the producers not missed so many opportunities. This thing was shot in Southeast Asia (Cambodia and Vietnam, according to their page) but failed to really feature the topography in a way that accented the production. Why not harness that terrain with the camera? Why not take advantage of the rice patties you can't get anywhere else in the world and get some creative establishing shots?
What saves it production-wise and ultimately makes it passable are its few meritorious big acquisitions, like Huey helicopters, which greatly enhance it, some big explosions, and the wardrobe, which appears carefully crafted, if dotted with some inaccuracies.
TOTAL: 7/10
Story means the world - lots of big budget flicks out there with terrible stories that leave viewers disappointed. And it's the story, ultimately, that makes Point Man worth watching.
ACTING: 9/10
Unbelievable performances out of this one. Christopher Long is incredible. Ditto Jacob Keohane as his antagonist, and Chase Gutzmore, the film's tabula rosa. It's hard to find indie films with no known actors that can garnish this kind of review, but seriously, the entire ensemble is magnificent. These guys won't stay under the radar for long.
STORY: 8/10
In independent film story is key, and in a dialogue-driven film you'd better go for broke on the writing. Point Man's writer did precisely that. Outstanding dialogue. Marvelously written, from the characters to their development to the plot, which begins with a simple foot patrol in the jungle and descends into the dark heart of humanity. It's a thinker's movie without the pretentiousness that usually accompanies them.
CINEMATOGRAPHY: 5/10
Point Man is watchable, certainly, but its director isn't going to win any awards for the cinematography. It's not particularly creative, instead using standard back-and-forth shots for the majority of the film. I guess this comes with the territory in anything dialogue-driven, but everything was far too static for my tastes. Which leads me to...
PRODUCTION VALUE: 4/10
My biggest criticism of Point Man lies under this category. It's a great story but it just could've been so much greater had the producers not missed so many opportunities. This thing was shot in Southeast Asia (Cambodia and Vietnam, according to their page) but failed to really feature the topography in a way that accented the production. Why not harness that terrain with the camera? Why not take advantage of the rice patties you can't get anywhere else in the world and get some creative establishing shots?
What saves it production-wise and ultimately makes it passable are its few meritorious big acquisitions, like Huey helicopters, which greatly enhance it, some big explosions, and the wardrobe, which appears carefully crafted, if dotted with some inaccuracies.
TOTAL: 7/10
Story means the world - lots of big budget flicks out there with terrible stories that leave viewers disappointed. And it's the story, ultimately, that makes Point Man worth watching.
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