bighungryboi
For the "found footage" genre, this film certainly stands out. Not just because of its documentary style elements, but also because its actually interesting. For a while. In the very beginning, the documentary card is played heavily, and is done very well, but things begin to go down hill when the group gets to the ranch. While it may be kind of cliché, what happens from the time the group gets to the ranch until Jake goes missing is pretty well written but could have been executed better, however the real problem is with the very ending of the film. All the supernatural buildup that the film did a really good job of putting together is thrown out the window in favor of it all being a prank, and then in a sudden twist the characters are killed by some unseen entity. I think a cliché ending of "guy goes crazy" was trying to be avoided, the only problem is, they had a really good "guy goes crazy" put together. I think if some other way was found to communicate the presence of the supernatural and show that Bert Wall was right the film definitely would have went above and beyond. All and all its put together well and is a fresh take on the found film genre, but definitely didn't hit as hard as it could have
aprilarbogast
OK.....so im going to start out by saying i love scary movies(have watched the old 'the thing' about a hundred times).....can even somewhat enjoy some of the hand-held cam versions. i was really looking forward to seeing this sorry excuse for a movie/docu. watched his dad on unsolved mysteries many moons ago and have even looked up info on the area as well. and granted, didn't get a boatload of high reviews, but thought maybe it was just the people who put their noses up to anything paranormal. that was NOT the case. started out fairly interesting, even suckered my old man into stretching out and watching it w/me. needless to say, he is NOT pleased w/me right now and im even less pleased. it is supposed to do w/an actual journey the son took to spread his dads ashes and friends helping to give moral support and document it. yet, for whatever reason, the part that is supposed to be the journey, is reenacted w/occasional snippets w/the guy and his sisters(actually the son and daughters). why? doesn't make sense? you are absolutely correct.....doesn't make sense. it took a serious nose dive about 15-20 minutes in and continued to get worse from there. so,so bad. there went 127 minutes of my life i will NEVER get back. and i usually don't leave movie reviews....feel its more a thing of personal tastes and whatnot.......do NOT watch this......terrible terrible severely disappointing and terrible!!!! did i mention,terrible?
norman-dostal
I watched this last night and was pleasantly surprised.The overall concept of the film works. It takes an overused genre and adds a unique, compelling spin. The director/writer/star's father is the subject of the first half of the film (done documentary style) and interweaves a current ghost story into the works. The film's first half works REALLY well-it is interesting and the subjects (the real family) are good in the interviews. The film isn't quite as successful with the ghost story second half, but this transition from non fiction to fiction would be tough for anyone to accomplish. It is clear the auteur is expressing real emotion on camera and it works. Overall, a good spin on a genre that needs creative injections such as this.
Justin Barrow
I'm may be a little biased with my review. So, real Texan here. It was an excellent surprise to see Jack Glover's appearance in the movie. I haven't been a fan of bouncing camera Blair Witch Project/Cloverfield style of filming taking over so many new horror movies! I'm glad I gave this one a chance. The manual camera style isn't over the top, and it actually works well with the plot. I think it's time to take a weekend trip to The Devil's Backbone. I know I'll never forget my times with Jack Glover as a child. The fact that he was portraying himself went a long ways with me. I've looked up some of the other stories/events the movie references, and it's obvious there was a lot of research that went into the story.
AD
