Meadowoods (2010)

Such a frustrating disappointment

Best movie ever!

Absolutely Brilliant!

Blistering performances.

Just to let you know off the bat, I'm in no way associated with this film. I just randomly watched it one day. That said, I actually think this is a very well-made piece of independent, low-budget cinema. I really don't see where all the hate for this film comes from with other posters on this site. I guess they were expecting something else. This is a horror film that uses subtlety and emotions to tell a story about the evil that meaninglessness can create.The story is about three college friends who decide one day they want to murder someone and film the entire process so after they die their crime will be revealed, leaving their little mark on society. Their motive: they feel life has no point and that the only way they can make a difference is to commit a horrible act. We have Travis, the de facto leader, who on the surface seems like an amiable, carefree kid. We later see under the surface a twisted determination to keep the trio in tact as they get closer to committing the actual act. We next have Stephanie, who perhaps is the real motivating force behind the trio. She shows us repeatedly she is devoid of any compassion for others. She is angry and empty and uses this to fuel their mission. Towards the end, however, she displays some humanity concerning her other two accomplices that shows some spark, no matter how small, that she may still feel something. The last of the trio is Ryan who documents the events with his camera, bringing the story to us. Ryan starts out as a follower, someone who seems to be along for the ride for the sake of loyalty. As the movie progresses he becomes increasingly aware of how imminent and real the crime really is. When he begins to develop feelings for the intended victim he threatens to abort the entire plot, and this doesn't go unnoticed by his accomplices. I felt this was a fairly mature attempt at human drama, addressing universal issues of meaning, friendship and empathy. Of the trio, props go out to Thorp (who plays Travis) and Roe (who plays Stephanie) as they really embody the characters they're portraying. Another actress who really did a tremendous job was Schactler (who plays Kayla, the intended victim). She brings a much-needed degree of humanity and warmth to the film, not to mention the terror she conveys at the climax is palpable. Overall the shortcomings of the film can be overlooked thanks to the story's strong focus and some amazing acting. This film is short on gore and heavy on character development. If you're not a fan of the found- footage sub-genre you may want to steer clear and if you're expecting horror in the form of violence and jump-scares you'll be disappointed. Those seeking an interesting story, intriguing characters and a strong sense of building dread should give this one a chance.

In a small town sits three college students. Bored with their town and everything in it, they make a pact with each other. They will randomly pick someone, capture them and kill them. Ryan (Downey) is behind the video camera that tells the story. The ring leader is a disturbed sociopath named Travis (Thorp). He is good at manipulating the group and drives them to stick with the plan. Stephanie (Roe) is fueled by hatred of everyone and Ryan the cameraman is clearly bothered with his relationship with his parents. At first the group seems like any small town misguided group upset at their lives. With Travis in charge and Stephanie's obvious unguided rage, the plan moves ahead as they select a victim (Schactler) and a mode. The sick details of their plan are discussed as they work to make it a reality. Anna Siri's screenplay is as simple as it can be and works very well under Scott Phillips direction. The college kids are presented as everyday people you would see at the movies or the local hang out. In fact the leader Travis is usually goofing around on camera and not giving straight answers. As the audience watches the story unfold, they wait for the teens to come to their senses, or to be found out, or the plan to be spoiled in some way yet it doesn't. The concluding 15 minutes is terrifying, unsettling and gut wrenching. Unfortunately in today's society the script of this film could be reported as a segment on 60 Minutes and all though tragic, it would be no surprise. Some may find the first hour slow but it is actually a very well done set up to the acting out of the violent crime that follows. Forget gore, Meadowoods scares the mind and the soul. Knowing everyday kids could be this cruel and unfeeling about another human being should truly terrify any decent person. You get to know the victim Kayla through a series of interviews Ryan does with the camera and she is a very likable person. This makes the conclusion all the harder to watch. This won't be for everyone because it is a film that haunts you when it is over in a very disturbing way. The very 'Real' approach this film takes is truly chilling and effective, but multiple viewing will probably be out.

I can't believe I sat through this entire movie. I like to think I'm rather forgiving in my viewing habits - the movie didn't grab me so I kept waiting... and waiting... and then I was already so far in to the movie I was really just watching it to make sure it ended... somehow.Even worse than that: the whole thing was so stumbling and awkward, I thought for sure it was improvised - like they were trying to do a poor imitation of the 'Blair Witch.' No. I final endure the equally awkward ending, pull up the film's details and see it had writers... it had a SCREENPLAY. Wow. That's all I can say. Horrible, stilted, mumbling dialog performed by cardboard cutouts of bored kids.Avoid. at. all. costs.

Well, it was once again a night where with nothing better to do and no new releases in the Red Box that I wanted to see and had not already seen, I decided to take a gamble on a movie that sounded interesting, in spite of never having heard of it or heard of the production company. Unfortunately, I struck out this time. What sounded like an interesting and possibility entertaining flick on the Red Box summary was just another example of really insidious false advertising. The summary itself was misleading, speaking of half truths pertaining to the plot and making it sound far more entertaining than it was.The honest run down: Three small town college kids are bored and decide that a great way to kill time is to... well kill someone. Each has their own reason, each more stereotypical than the last, such as the Apathetic character who never feels anything and hates life, or the character who is angry at their parents for never being around and decides taking out years of pent up anger on a stranger would be therapeutic. No matter the reasoning or justification, it's still three college kids who decide to make their mark on the world by becoming murderers.The kids film the entire process in a documentary style format, filming themselves making plans and speaking of subjects that the writers probably thought to be deep, but with poor scripting and much less than interesting characters, the dialog completely fell flat and made the movie tedious and just that much longer. It took far too long for anything interesting to happen, and even then, just when you thought things would pick up, you are treated to the slowest moving and least entertaining part of the film yet.The idea was interesting in and of itself, but the execution was terrible. Sub par directing, bad script, okay acting (at least it was not bad, but it was not good either)and sloth styled pacing made the movie impossible to enjoy. It was not that it was annoying, or stupid or even baffling, rather so much as it was just so boring and lacking of creativity. You watch the movie with one eye, the other resting on your watch wondering when it will end.I gave it a 3/10. It's not the worst I've ever seen by and far, but as stated, pacing so slow it almost seems to go backwards, bad dialog, okay acting and a lack of creativity made this a dredging process to get through.