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Lightning Bug

  • 2004
  • Not Rated
  • 1h 37m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
1.4K
YOUR RATING
Bret Harrison and Laura Prepon in Lightning Bug (2004)
Trailer for Lightning Bug
Play trailer2:36
3 Videos
8 Photos
Drama

A drama/thriller, set in the South, about a young boy who longs to escape the misery of his childhood and the misunderstanding of his hometown. A gifted, self-taught, special effects make-up... Read allA drama/thriller, set in the South, about a young boy who longs to escape the misery of his childhood and the misunderstanding of his hometown. A gifted, self-taught, special effects make-up artist, Green dreams of going to Hollywood to make his own monsters. But the real demons ... Read allA drama/thriller, set in the South, about a young boy who longs to escape the misery of his childhood and the misunderstanding of his hometown. A gifted, self-taught, special effects make-up artist, Green dreams of going to Hollywood to make his own monsters. But the real demons of Green's life threaten to hold him back: a drunken stepfather who terrorizes his mother,... Read all

  • Director
    • Robert Hall
  • Writer
    • Robert Hall
  • Stars
    • Bret Harrison
    • Laura Prepon
    • Kevin Gage
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.4/10
    1.4K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Robert Hall
    • Writer
      • Robert Hall
    • Stars
      • Bret Harrison
      • Laura Prepon
      • Kevin Gage
    • 28User reviews
    • 33Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos3

    Lightning Bug
    Trailer 2:36
    Lightning Bug
    Lightning Bug
    Trailer 1:12
    Lightning Bug
    Lightning Bug
    Trailer 1:12
    Lightning Bug
    Lightning Bug
    Trailer 1:11
    Lightning Bug

    Photos7

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    Top cast22

    Edit
    Bret Harrison
    Bret Harrison
    • Green Graves
    Laura Prepon
    Laura Prepon
    • Angevin Duvet
    Kevin Gage
    Kevin Gage
    • Earl Knight
    Ashley Laurence
    Ashley Laurence
    • Jenny Graves
    Shannon Eubanks
    Shannon Eubanks
    • Ms. Duvet
    Lucas Till
    Lucas Till
    • Jay Graves
    Hal Sparks
    Hal Sparks
    • Deputy Dale
    Josh Todd
    Josh Todd
    • Rusty Knight
    Bob Penny
    Bob Penny
    • Mr. Tightwiler
    George Faughnan
    • Billy Martin
    Jonathan Spencer
    Jonathan Spencer
    • Tony Bennett
    Austin Westfall
    • Young Green
    Kate Clemons
    • Cashier
    Jamie Avera
    • Deputy Hollis
    Donald Gibb
    Donald Gibb
    • Uncle Marvin
    • (as Don Gibb)
    Jon Everry
    • Student
    • (uncredited)
    Audrey Fafard
    Audrey Fafard
    • Punk Rocker
    • (uncredited)
    Kevin Christopher Kline
    • Jerry Spunkmeyer
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Robert Hall
    • Writer
      • Robert Hall
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews28

    6.41.4K
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    Featured reviews

    7gavin6942

    Robert Hall Tells His Story

    A drama/thriller, set in the South, about a young boy who longs to escape the misery of his childhood and the misunderstanding of his hometown...

    I have known about this film for many years, being a serious horror fan and thus a fan of both Robert Hall and Ashley Laurence (both very nice people, by the way). Not until now, with the Blu-Ray release, did I finally get around to checking it out.

    Robert Hall impresses. How much of this is autobiographical and how much is not is hard to say -- I suspect it is much more dramatic than the real story. But it works here, and is legitimately frightening in a way that horror films are not -- abuse is a serious fear for many people. Spousal abuse and child abuse are sadly all too real.

    The religious aspect I am uncertain about. There are obviously religious people in the South, and I think the film did a good job by showing that not everyone in town thinks Halloween is Satanic (the line for the haunted house is pretty long). I wish they had explained more about how the church was or was not Bible-based...
    toddjones-1

    Glad I watched it

    I picked this one up at the video store because Prepon is on the cover, and being a huge That '70's Show fan I like to see other stuff that the cast is in. I was glad I did get it as it was very well acted by everyone in the film. The characters were very believable whether it was a psycho religious mom or a redneck teenager. The story was pretty simple and in this case that's not a bad thing. I also found it interesting that Prepon was exec. producer. I think anybody that has or has had aspirations of getting out of their hometown to make it the entertainment industry will relate to this movie on some level. It also goes to show that you shouldn't overlook a DVD on the shelf of the movie store just because it hasn't had a big theatrical release.
    7nemde-1

    Pretty solid movie

    I know this is based on the writer/ director's real life and I am curious exactly how much detail is as usually some is fictional for theatrical purposes. Either way, this movie has enough going on to hold your interest throughout.
    7ratblast-1

    it's not that good

    the movie starts off with Jenny Graves driving to a new small town with her 2 kids. she talks like a normal smart person but the very next scene she looks and acts like a dumb backwoods hick. i feel the movie moved along to quickly for the first quarter , all the actors except for Green Graves and his brother acted WAY over the top as dumb as a post hicks. i was almost going to turn it off.... but it improved greatly once Angevin duvet (Laura Prepon)character appeared. the story being told is OK but nothing special and in no way shape or form is this a horror movie. why is IMDb listing so many movies as horror lately? it is a drama with a small bit of thriller. 7 out of 10
    10sozment1

    Awesome Movie

    I had the honor of seeing Lightning Bug a couple of months ago. It is a movie that has it all. It is beautifully written and directed by the very talented, Mr. Robert Hall. It is wonderfully acted by such stars as Bret Harrison, Laura Prepon and Hal Sparks, to just name a few.

    A must see for any person who has ever had a dream and strived to achieve that dream. Green (Bret Harrison) has a dream. To leave this small rural town and make it big in Hollywood. Designing and building monsters for television/movies. This story is about his hard work, dedication and loyalty to his dream, regardless of the "monsters" in that small town trying to stop him. Will he make it? Will he and his newfound love, Angevin, leave the town and all the monsters behind?

    Excellent movie!

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    Related interests

    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      At one point in the film, Ashley Laurence picks up a copy of Fangoria magazine with a picture of Pinhead from Hellbound: Hellraiser II (1988) on the cover. Ashley Laurence starred in the first two Hellraisers and made an appearance in the third and sixth in the series.
    • Goofs
      Although this film takes place in the late 80s, a posters for a few movies made in the 90s can be seen both in Green's bedroom and on display at the video rental store.
    • Quotes

      Angevin Duvet: [about the "new" Friday the 13th] Excellent body count.

    • Connections
      Features The Dead Next Door (1989)
    • Soundtracks
      Sun Tangled Angel Revival
      Written by Kevn Kinney

      Performed by Kevn Kinney's Sun Tangled Angel Revival

      Kevn Kinney Music (BMI)

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    FAQ16

    • How long is Lightning Bug?Powered by Alexa
    • How much of the film is based on Robert Hall's life?
    • Where was the film shot? Was it the actual locations from Robert Hall's Youth?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 9, 2004 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official Site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Светлячок
    • Filming locations
      • Alabama, USA
    • Production company
      • Dry County Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 37m(97 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.77 : 1

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