Deep Dark Canyon

Yup, comments on this movie are all over the place, so let me clear up a few things.

This is a low budget Indy film. A fairly simple story, small cast, local filming locations. The acting is awfully good, cinematography is crisp and beautifully shows the Northern California woodlands.

Is the film perfect? No. Is it highly entertaining? Yes, indeed. Is it a feel-good package? Not even close. So ... it is an uncomplicated film with action, but character driven. I am quite comfortable recommending that people give this one a try.

An action thriller that has two teenage brothers hunting for deer in the woods when one of them accidentally kills the mayor who happens to be hunting as well. The boys happen to be the sheriff's sons which make matters worse upon arresting them. With one brother being released he fears the worst will happen to his brother so he breaks him out killing two officers in the process. Two handcuffed brothers set off in the woods which begins a manhunt with no intentions of arresting them just killing them.

This film kept you on the edge with loads of tension. More plot is revealed adding on some layers. The music is awesome in this one as well. Violence is mild.

Matthew Lillard is in this for two seconds and Justine Bateman is looking older in a weird waitress role.

You'll enjoy this one.

This is not a family film. Numerous words were bleeped and sometimes I had trouble understanding what was going on in scenes where fewer words could be heard than were not heard. And ever since the Janet Jackson incident (or for whatever reason) reading lips is also out of the question.

There is a lot of excitement as the chase happens, especially toward the end. The final scenes put me on the edge of my seat. Regardless of the outcome you are looking for, I think the ending can make you happy.

I know Ted Levine best as a tough, capable detective in a suit who has to deal with a quirky but brilliant P. I., while here he is blue-collar in appearance and manner and quite convincing. But capable? As an actor he certainly is, but the character may not be any good at his job, and he is somewhat flawed as he makes the boys his priority. He even makes us laugh a couple of times.

When the boys are being "hunted", Tony and Joel, the two who are chasing them, are morons and for the first time, we have comic relief. Eric and Ronnie, also part of the chase, are bigger morons and we really get to laugh.

Michael Bowen doesn't have a lot of lines as what appears to be a sheriff but he commands respect and you'd better listen to him.

Spencer Clark does a capable job leading his brother down a dark path, while Nick Eversman has the challenge of deciding to sacrifice himself for what is right.

Martin Starr is kind of a weak link in an otherwise talented cast. I don't think Lloyd reached his full potential. He was mostly just there.

Let's also give credit to radio host Cool Breeze (I think I got his name right, but didn't see him on IMDb). Every town needs a folksy DJ who knows the people and what is meaningful to them. For example, he says our thoughts should be with the Cavanaughs after their loss.

There is lots of beautiful scenery and plenty of great looking bridges. We also get to see a nice modern bridge which just doesn't have the character of the others.

And the guitar music is great. I consider rock music to be evil, but this isn't rock music. Not exactly. It isn't quite country either. Maybe folk. A good example is a song I heard at least once, and maybe twice. With the closing credits, I heard the words "birds of prey". "Birds of Prey" is in fact the name of a song in the credits, performed by Wyoming. It is quite appropriate for the setting and both the guitar and the vocalist sound great. Other music in the movie sounds similar.

It's a worthy effort.

was praised obviously by one of the persons who's either the director or one of the producers. i have difficulty to distinguish this movie's genre, a horror one, a thriller or anything else that i just failed to categorized. the screenplay is kinda ridiculous, a mayor's family could have such independent super power to put law and the execution authority to hunt down couple of young people? what era is this? feudalism era or dark age? i just hate to see dimwit producers or lousy directors of b movies use IMDb to promote and fool people to watch their blind investments. this is not a movie that you'd go back to the movie theater and pay for the 2nd viewing experience. read carefully of that review and judge by yourself.

when i watched it again, i've found out something even more ridiculous: when the two brothers ran to the object they shot and thought it to be a deer, their running route was just ridiculous, they ran along the forest opening in a very wide big curve, the victim was lying behind a big trunk and thick high bush. so it meant that it's absolutely impossible for them to shoot that target from where they hid, and it's impossible to see the target. this is so ridiculous, man.