Thora Birch – ALLIANCE OF WOMEN FILM JOURNALISTS

13 MINUTES – Review by Brandy McDonnell

November 10, 2021November 17, 2021 Brandy McDonnell 13 Minutes, Amy Smart, anne heche, Disaster movies, Lindsay Gossling, Thora Birch

The movie — named for the short time frame residents have to seek shelter before the massive tornado touches down — delves into the lives and issues of small-town residents of the often-ignored “flyover states” without too much judgment. It offers a close-up look at the twisters that plague Tornado Alley without overly sensationalizing them, with effective reminders that for folks who don’t speak English or have disabilities, weathering these storms can be particularly difficult. But “13 Minutes” doesn’t offer many interesting insights or much compelling storytelling.

Reviews

13 MINUTES – Review by Rachel West

October 18, 2021October 18, 2021 Rachel West 13 Minutes, Amy Smart, anne heche, Lindsay Gossling, Paz Vega, peter facinelli, Thora Birch, Trace Adkins, Will Peltz

Thirteen minutes is all the time four families in a Central Midwest town have to seek shelter from the tornado of the century. Directed by Lindsay Gossling, the disaster drama does a remarkably good job of depicting the massive tornado and its wake of destruction on what is surely a minimal budget. The 13 minutes leading up to the tornado’s touchdown and the immediate aftermath are the strongest elements in the movie. However, the tornado strike alone isn’t a compelling enough reason to watch the personal dramas unfold in the build-up to disaster, making 13 Minutes worth not much more of your time.