Graves End

I have rarely enjoyed independent films, but I had a feeling about this one, that it was different, and liking Eric Roberts, and having seen several of other actors on TV, especially Valerie Akita on jenny Jones, and the series 21 jump street, etc. I decided to take a chance. the film was as good as if it were produced by warner brothers or any other large movie company. there was never a dull moment. the acting was superb, the actors definitely believable, and I never figured out who the real bad guy was. it is boring when you can figure it out. I saw it at the 3 penny cinema on the north side of Chicago, and would like very much to get a copy on a DVD or video if it ever comes out. I would definitely see it again it if shows in a neighborhood near me. To tell you the truth, I don't remember when I have enjoyed a movie more, not lately. carol Ann gager

Eric Roberts shows of his facial expression once again in this mystery thriller with a serious made for TV-feel to it. So you have the standard peaceful town with a dark secret, and it's up to an FBI-agent not unlike Fred Williamson to figure things out and solve a murder or whatever. The first half of this movie is pretty bad actually, mainly because of the embarrassing attempts at sharp, witty dialogue. What the hell is up with that Maudy character? I just want to kick her in one of her chins every time she opens her mouth. And is there anyone is the world that still addresses people by "doll face"? And let's not get into the supposedly brilliant repartee between the good and the bad guys. Dear God, Steven Seagal gets cooler lines than those. Even considering the quality of the material, the actors are all pretty bad(except maybe for Steven Williams). They get to do a lot of narrating and monologues but they barely have enough skill to make me last more than two lines. I just don't get the feeling they're saying something that's interesting in any way. The worst situations though are when the wife tries to emote, despite the fact that she looks like a retired porno star. The movie can grab itself together just enough to have an entertaining second half, with all kinds of fairly clever plot twists, and the ending is pretty hysterical too. So plotwise I'm okay with it. But that first hour, dear God.

Living locally and finally getting to see this title years later makes this a nice time capsule piece for the San Lorenzo Valley. Content-wise this is a standard B-movie suspense thriller with some slight horror thrown in to add some depth. Eric Roberts, Daniel Roebuck and Mr. X (X-Files fame) give some decent performances in this story of an FBI agent tracking down some "missing" felons in the small rural town of Graves End. Through the course of several plot twists and murders we discover who the bad guys really are and who the saviors become.

Regarding the filming locations that come across on screen clearly: the Mountain Store, Bear Creek Rd, River Rd (Brookdale), Blake Hammond Manor, Boulder Creek Fire Station, Boulder Creek downtown, Big Basin area, and the Boy Scout Camp (Bear Creek Rd).

The catch is this film is only available on Region 2 DVD right now. The American distributor would not even give me a date for our region. Probably not worth the cost to get it shipped to you from the EU unless you live here in Santa Cruz County (CA).

Honestly, I wasn't sure that I would care for this movie based on some of the negative reviews. Lo and behold I enjoyed it! After seeing it the first time I showed it to a few friends and they loved it, too! This is a little film that makes no apologies for what it is. This movie is like the little Train that could; it grows on people who've seen it and it's entertainment value is better than most.

The idea is original and the execution is great for the obvious limited budget. I'm on the side of those who support this movie! I gave it a 10 because I can watch this many times in a row and love EVERY moment of it! That doesn't happen for me with very many movies; generally there are spots that lag for me or just don't seem right. This one pleases me, from opening to end credits. Those people who wrote negative things about this movie are obviously haters because I did not see the same movie they did. What were they expecting? "Life of PI"? This isn't a big time drama. It's more along the lines of a David Lynch or Quentin Tarantino movie but with more laughs.

Clearly this film is meant to be fun, funny, humorous, tongue-in-cheek, suspenseful, and action packed at the right times. If you are looking for something deep like "The Butler", you shouldn't be watching any movie like this anyway. It's clearly simple, fun, entertainment and that's what I'm looking for.

For my money, this one is a winner from top to bottom.

I went to the video store on a Saturday and had a choice between Graves End and Nightmare Man, so I asked the video store clerk which one he would recommend, he said Nightmare Man sucked in general and Graves End was pathetic plainly put, and considering that my options were limited I asked him which one was the worst and he said Nightmare Man, so I left Nightmare Man and took Graves End. and it turned out to be a pleasant surprise.

The film was actually quite good, I was expecting another cheap slasher flick but was treated to a great storyline with a few excellent plot twists and the performances by Eric Roberts, Steven Williams and Daniel Roebuck were dead on, the movie generated a lot of suspense mixed with a small dose of horror, so despite the video store clerk's opinion I enjoyed it fully, so I would recommend you check it out for yourself.

8 out of 10