11:14 – Well worth a (proper) watch

'11:14' is one of those films that is destined to have a 'cult following.' Although, to date, I have yet to find any evidence of it achieving this honour.  I loved it right from the word go and frequently try and recommend it to many a friend, only for them to look at me blankly as if I'm speaking a foreign language.  I suppose I can see why... it's certainly not your average Hollywood film and it's a little hard to describe.

I'll try and 'sell' it in as few words as possible: It's a film containing around four (seemingly unrelated) stories all set in the same time one night, all of which begin approximately 15-20 minutes before 11:14pm .  What we see is the built-up of events in each tale, all of which come together at the titular time.  Yes, I know - that synopsis hardly blows your mind.  But, please, bear with me...

It's really good!  Or rather it's really good if you like stories like that.  If you're looking for something to watch in the background, or you have a habit of checking your Instagram account on your phone while you 'watch' a movie then you're probably best off glossing over this one.  It really is a story that needs to be properly watched to be properly appreciated.  As each story ends, times rewinds around half an hour for the next story to begin.  Each new set of characters then goes some way to shed light on the questions you're left with from the previous story, until - finally - all loose ends are tied up by the time the credits roll.

Plus it has an excellent cast.  I know Patrick Swayze will always be remembered for 'Dirty Dancing/Ghost/Point Break,' but he's pretty damn good here.  And, although Hillary Swank will probably never win another Oscar for her role here, she's also an excellent addition to the cast.  The you have Colin (son of Tom) Hanks and a fair few other familiar faces you've probably seen here or there.

Perhaps, ultimately, whether or not you're going to enjoy '11:14' rests on whether you're into severely black comedy.  Yes, as the stories unfold, the body-count rises (and that's not including 'intimate' appendages that are severed in some freak accident.  So, if you fancy taking a break from watching superheroes flying round a major city killing aliens and want to watch something that forces you to actually watch it and take in what's happening, then - seriously - give this one a go.  And I will continue to do my best to 'plug' it as, even without the 'cult following' it really is a hidden gem of a movie (plus it's not that long - if that goes any way to sway your opinion).

9/10 almost as perfect as The Godfather