Blood River (2009)

I love this movie so much

Simply A Masterpiece

Overrated

A film with more than the usual spoiler issues. Talking about it in any detail feels akin to handing you a gift-wrapped present and saying, "I hope you like it -- It's a thriller about a diabolical secret experiment."

The title conjures up images of some cheesy slasher flick, but Blood River is anything but. I've rented a few (well, more than a few) horror titles in my time with the word 'Blood' in the title. It seems to say a lot about the film, i.e. filled with gruesome deaths and maybe the odd rubbery monster thrown in for good measure.However, Blood River definitely doesn't fit into those categories. At the beginning, I didn't like it. It starts off with the obligatory couple driving through the deserted deserts, only to come across the one wandering lunatic hell bent on making your final hours a living hell. It all sounds pretty average, but it's worth sticking with. Its one down point is that it is a little longer than your average horror film and most of the first 1h 15 minutes is spent watching three people in one location, having various conversations about all sorts of supposed deep and meaningful issues.That was how it starts. It doesn't pan out quite so obviously though. Without going into too much detail, it has a few surprises along the way and Andrew Howard deserves a special mention as the 'stranger' Joseph who the unsuspecting couple meet.Give it a watch if you want a 'horror movie that contains plenty of talking points.' However, the 'talking points' may also serve to be a bit of a let down. Not everything is totally explained and wrapped up neatly, leaving some questions which will be up to your interpretation afterwards.Blood River is one of those movies where you could show it to four different people and be given four totally different opinions to its merits and meanings.

There really should be a disclaimer at the start of films that rely on any form of fantasy to hold a plot together...at least ones that masquerade as a thriller, like "Blood River." To expect us to believe the "avenging angel" nonsense might fly on some Disney TV show or some bible-belt rouser like "In Search of Historic Jesus" but in the context of a traditional horror film, it's just lazy writing.I can't remember being so let down by a film. This is a very well-made, well-shot, generally well-acted picture that falls apart in its last twenty minutes through a variety of indecipherable and unclear "revelations" all of which may or may not be true. No one knows....no one. Every single post I've read falls back on either the angel explanation (which Mason obviously BELIEVES, according to interviews) or just meanders with semi-plausible, wistful thinking. The killing, torturing savior for Jesus, right? Ugh...fine. You believe...whatever. Don't insult the rest of us with this fairy nonsense.What really stinks is what a waste this film is. Lots of good character conflict, good dialog, some genuine tension...and it ends in a pseudo-Sunday school lesson. What a gyp.

This three-hander is essentially a variation on the theme of the couple who pick up a hitcher who then takes them captive and puts them through all sorts of torture.Having said that, it has ideas above its station, with pretensions towards a more meaningful subtext. I applaud its ambitions, but it isn't entirely successful in realising them.The good points are the cinematography, the acting and the music.The bad points? Well, it is very sluggish at times, and you really wish it would get a move on. And, while Tess Panzer performs well, having one character with hysteria turned up to 11 for a huge proportion of the movie does get a bit wearing after a while: I can't imagine how exhausted she must have been after each day's filming, because I was knackered after an hour watching her.

This movie kept me in my seat !! I wanted to screen a few movies at this years Newport Beach Film Festival Thinking I had enough time to eat before the screening, I hit traffic on the 405 freeway from San Diego, needless to say, I got there as the movie started. Thinking that I would just grab a bite from the snack bar, I was waiting for a slow point in the film where I wouldn't miss much or lose my seat (placed was packed)Let me start by saying "I never had a chance !" This small movie with a cast of three kept me riveted in my chair until the end credits. I though I had it all figured out and then something happens in the middle of the movie that made me realize I don't know what the heck is about to happen. (I wont spoil it for you) I will finish with saying the lead girl "Tess Panzer" makes you feel you must jump up into the screen and save her !Job well done !!!