Raveland

First of all, this movie is longer than the average movie, about 2 hours or so. I did not feel like that. I was so engrossed in the storyline that it could have been another hour and I just wanted the film to keep on going. It's even fast paced as it seems a lot of things have been cut out of the film to get to the big reveals. The lead actress carries an agency on screen that keeps you glued every second. I could not take my eyes off her. She did a great job at leading this film especially with so many characters surrounding but the way she expressed the central plot of family and sisterhood was very emotionally gripping and tragic at some points.

Now to my favorite part, THE MUSIC. And I don't just mean the music which was such an excellent score, but the way silence became music, the way screaming became drumming nightmares, the way the island became a sound that struck a chord into the depths of my heart, the way the ocean waves became whispers, the way the plot unfolded in a seemingly melodic rhythm, everything all worked in tandem like a song to deliver a melodic masterpiece. The development of each tragic event was something that no horror movie I have ever watched has ever done. It managed to make every moment emotional, terrifying and melodic at the same time. What a masterpiece Rebecca Ugo! Truly impressive! The fact that this film managed to make me sad and scared and even hopeful simultaneously is something to be said of the impressive work she's done. I can't wait to see more from her. It was an honor to attend this premiere. Truly feel like I am witnessing the birth of a generational talent!

This movie made Gigli look like Godfather 2.

Stumbled on this movie on the free TV app. The initial description was interesting so I gave it a shot. I do not write many reviews, star ratings are usually enough for me. However after reading the reviews for this film and realizing they were obviously written by folks who have a stake in this thing, I had to. This film is convoluted. The reviews say it's deep? It's deep alright, it deeps itself right out of the business. It's amazing to me that someone invested money in this. Acting is awful, writing is terrible, editing couldn't save this thing. I love to give movies like this a shot and sometimes I'm surprised. I was definitely surprised this time and not in a good way.

Perfect, because you have to love movies that reveal themselves at their own pace, making you anticipate every next scene, because you simply cannot get ahead of the story.

Director/writer Rebecca Ugo turns the "Imperiled Teens on an Island"- standard on its head, and dials up the tension relentlessly. The attractive and (mostly) young cast serve the story well, with standout performances by Racheal Ihim, Charlotte Rose, and River Perkins delivering natural and nuanced performances.

Technical highlights include beautiful cinematography, including impressive drone camerawork, lush locations, and a fitting musical score.

A definitely worthwhile alternative to Big Studio blockbuster franchises.

The character's style, dialogue, and essence were tasteful. Some scenes were very technical in the way it was edited using silence to create suspense and cutting back and forth from peace to chaos. The use of flashbacks and memory was quite tasteful and the artistic utilization of fire and nature to drive the plot made the movie all the more enjoyable.

My friends all talked about the nice sunsets and I liked those as well but what I liked more was the way those served as a character in themselves, carrying on personality and changing color as the movie moved from safety to the unknown.

Raveland itself was a character that I came to fall in love with and Rebecca Ugo did an excellent job in achieving this. The use of blue and red colors in the film create a sense of blood and the ocean, communicating many deep messages that soothe the mind while making your blood rise. Not to mention, the way the interplay of powers was done quite well and each character was developed to have an identity and backstory that made me care.

Rebecca Ugo definitely did a number with the suspense on this. I also liked hearing the backstory of the film after the premiere. And after hearing that, I am even more impressed by the plot's ability to leave my mind guessing and impress me through visually striking innuendos.

Deep Films Entertainment seeks to go deep into your heart, but Raveland also achieves cerebrally. Teenagers alone on a beautiful island--what could be more lighthearted and fun? Right?

Wrong.

Raveland is a serious film for serious movie-goers. Much of the narrative is carried nonverbally by its cast, the members of which worked well together. You must pay attention, however. This is a film of layers and nuance. Daydream for a moment and you will undoubtedly miss something.

Of course, Rachael Ihim brings life to her character, and I expect to see more of her in the future. Of particular interest to me in future offerings are young actors River Perkins and Charlotte Rose, both of whom captured various moments throughout, bringing an intensity that I look forward to seeing in other serious screenplay.