Rondo

Director - Drew Barnhardt (Murder Loves Killers Too, Pure Bliss)

Starring - Brenna Otts (Westworld, Scandal), Luke Sorge (Galaxy of Horrors, Feral 2), and Gena Shaw (Creepshow, Not Another Teen Movie)

Release Date - 2018

Genre - Thriller/Crime

Tagline - "Sex. Murder. Revenge."

Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Watching Onward with my family put me in a movie mood.  I wanted to watch something a little more violent and up to my speed but I wasn't really feeling horror at the moment.  I went to my review stack and started looking through it when I found the perfect movie to spin. A few months back Artsploitation Films released the crime thriller Rondo on DVD.  The trailer looked insanely fun and I couldn't wait to watch it.  Wife seems to always get away from me so I was sitting on this one too long but it was well worth the wait.  Thanks again Artsploitation Films for sending this one my way!

     The film follows a veteran who is struggling with alcohol addiction.  He starts seeing a drug counselor who suggests he speak with a man named Rondo who can hook him up with a high end escort.  He reluctantly agrees and finds himself in a small apartment with three other men.  Rondo and his assistants take the men one at a time in a room with a woman and they have their way.  However, the young man spots Rondo and his henchmen killing one of the other men and flees.  He rushes home to tell his sister who doesn't believe him.  Not long after her apartment is raided by Rondo and his goons and her brother is murdered.  She reaches out to her father and the two try to track down who is responsible for his death but there is a much bigger conspiracy at play here than an escort scam. 

     I went into this one expecting a Tarantino inspired modern day grindhouse type flick.  The artwork and poster gave me that vibe but the film was not like that at all.  In fact, the trailer painted a completely different picture but I'm glad it wasn't what I was expecting.  It caught me off guard somewhat and kept me intrigued from scene to scene.  The acting in this one really surprised me.  The entire cast was on their A game.  There was no weak links to be seen and the cast work phenomenally well together.  I really liked the characters and the cast did one hell of a job in each and every scene bringing them to life.  The story for this one does keep you on your toes and it's not one that is easy to predict.  In fact, the twist and turns really surprised me.  I really enjoyed the thriller aspect of the film and the characters, dialogue, and setting really worked in the film's favor.  With that being said, the second leg of the film does drag a bit.  The film could end at any time but we still follow the characters down the conspiracy rabbit hole.  Finally, the film does have a few brutal kills and some blood but no gore.  The kills we get really fit the style of film and we get a decent amount of blood with effects that work.  Nothing that memorable but they work for the scene.  Overall, Rondo does have a few issues but it is still well worth your time.  Th characters really sell the film and the story works for the most part.  Check it out whenever you get the chance because you will not be disappointed.