Ice Men

Four twenty-something guys, all of whom were childhood friends, get together at a cabin in the snowy backwoods of Ontario for some weekend hunting, poker playing, and general male bonding. The film calls to mind "The Big Chill" (1983), with its ensemble cast, about the weekend reunion of old friends.

In "Ice Men", one of the four guys is Vaughn (Martin Cummins), who owns the cabin. He is outraged when his estranged, older brother, Trevor (Ian Tracey), shows up unexpectedly, crawling around under the house, of all things. Trevor's arrival changes the group dynamics, and propels the plot toward expressions of anger and resentment, suitable as a basis for requisite story tension and conflict. But there's too much angst, and the story descends into a kind of male bonding soap opera.

The script is very talky. Yet, we actually learn relatively little about the five guys. Vaughn is self-centered, and belligerent toward the others. I didn't like him at all. Questions about these guys, and their back-stories, are left largely unresolved. And it's up to viewers to interpret character arcs and the story's overall message.

The film's ensemble acting is generally acceptable. Color cinematography is fine, especially interior lighting. Several flashbacks show the guys as childhood friends. The plot's pace is slow, with very long camera "takes". Background music is haunting and low-key.

Maybe the point of the film is to show how adult men interact with each other when they're alone. Or maybe the point is to show the effect of time, as childhood friends mature into adults. But I'm really not sure. The story's theme is ambiguous. And the story itself, like the ice they play hockey on, is rather thin.

"Ice Men" may be of some interest to viewers interested in cinematic character studies. But somehow, I just couldn't get interested in these guys and all their ... issues.

If you like drama, you came to the right place because this will give it to you. No the acting is not great but not awful either. Characters are easy to identify with but story can be a little weird at times. Worth the time. Left me wanting to know more.

Without ruining anything the main character has a bug up his but about the past. His brother ignores the past. Two people get it on that should have but didn't want to - Two people who shouldn't have didn't and wanted to.

The weaknesses and fears of men are exposed and stomped on in this movie. It reminded me of my straight brothers and how weak they can be when they proclaim toughness. Drama, Drama, Drama

This is what a movie is to be about. The acting was superb, the story content held you in your seat, and the confused love merry-go-round tells you what real life is all about. If it can't bring fear and tears to your eyes, then i suggest you continue watching reality shows. I do know I will search out these actors and try to see their other accomplishments. They are a team to be reckoned with. Go to your blockbusters, or favorite video store and pick up a copy. Prepare yourself for entertainment; invite a date and get the popcorn ready. Oh, and don't forget the rag to wipe the butter off the fingers and the drops from your eyes.

I just saw this on DVD and was blown away by it. Thank God they didn't do another film in Canada and then lamely try and 'pretend' that it was set in upper Wisconsin or something just to appease American audiences.

It's a great Boys-Bonding-Over-Brews movie and manages to reveal a lot about the characters -- who are all believable -- while not burying the audience in fart jokes and bravado.

I wish I'd heard about this movie when it was playing in the theatres or maybe during the local indy filmfest because I would have loved to see it on the big screen.

I hope the filmmaker, Thom Best, makes more. And I hope he gets more press for the next one.

When the movie first started, it seemed a little slow moving in terms of character development and it felt like some of the lines were contrived and just weak. I found myself thinking, ho hum...is this going to be another mediocre film by Wolfe Video? (Not all their stuff is bad, but some of it is terrible.) Fortunately, after a few minutes, the stories of the characters begin to unfold and we begin to get a sense of identifying with each of them, who they are, and why they have come together. I say "each of them" because I'm a man and can see a little part of myself in each of these characters (whether now or in the past). I won't give any of the story away--there are some very tense scenes; however, they are well done. The bright spot is that this film is an insightful look at how men interact with each other sometimes, they way we think as men and hide things...not just from women, but from other men as well as from ourselves, even to our own detriment. Deep down, all men are searching for acceptance.

While I wouldn't call this an uplifting film, it's also not a downer either. We are left with good feelings. Admittedly, I do think there could have been a bit more character/story resolution in the end with some of the characters. We're left hanging in some ways...but then again, life is also like that at times, ie: sometimes, things in life happen that we as humans are just not able to resolve, and again, as men, our way of resolving them is just to bury them and not talk about them.

While not the next big Oscar winner, I definitely found this a good, solid, watchable film, and would recommend it. Great performances by all the actors, but Ian Tracey really shines as Trevor. His outstanding performance throughout really helps bring the whole ensemble together. I could not imagine this film working as well as it did without him as Trevor. A+