Angels Crest (2002)

A brilliant film that helped define a genre

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

In Angels Crest, J. Michael Couto shows what a talented AFI graduate can do on a minimalist budget; crafting a fine movie that seizes both audience and mainstream Hollywood's attention. Angels Crest essentially plays out within the confines of a 2 person play set to a single location - purposely dissecting each character and scene in a perverse, contorted tale of suspense. Mr. Couto brilliantly sets the characters against a backdrop which offers a pleasant, salient counterpoint, yet magnificently illustrative of the twisted and gnarled storyline. If you liked 'Misery' you will love this film. One hopes that Hollywood knocks on J. Michael Couto's door very soon.

This was perhaps one of the stupidest movies I'd seen all this year. nearly 50% of it is simply flashbacks Which really didn't explain much at all. I was so confused I had no idea what was going on. The two characters were annoying and unlikable. Near the end I didn't really care what happened I just wanted it to end This movie was not satisfying in anyway The story was like a really bad adaptation of a Stephen King novel thrown in with some cheap cinematography ripped off from Memento. I can't believe this passes for decent entertainment these days. Garbage 2/10

Once again I found myself looking at new releases and seeing a solitary copy of a movie I'd never heard of before. So, who am I, anyway, and who cares what I have to say? I just love movies and I know talent when I see it. I actually only joined IMDB because I wanted to spread the word about this film and a couple of others which I thought deserved more favorable reviews. Angels Crest has two actors in it. For two actors, I thought, they'd better deliver. After the first few minutes of: "Oh, here's another low-budget no-name actor flick", I couldn't stop watching. The story is great, the actors slowly turn into who they actually are (terrific jobs!) and the editing develops along the way. It's better to have a movie edited in such a manner as to not hit one over the head with style - this style actually develops, I say. Bare bones sets (the woods), good story and acting and I wonder why film budgets have to be in the multi-millions to be considered any good by passers by along video store shelves. I say, nevermind the artwork or the hype, pick up a movie like this that you've never heard of, and feel good about the money you've spent renting it. And you'll probably watch it twice. (remember Donnie Darko? I had to see it again....a kind of sleeper, I think). But then, who am I? I just like da movies!

Ever walk through the local video store and you're just not in the mood for the current commercial movies. There are so many "independent" titles that you never heard of with actors and directors you've never heard of? I know, you've tried these types of movies before and 9 times out of 10 they are garbage with little or no production values, bad acting and ridiculous stories. And be careful - the better the cover of a straight to DVD movie chances are the worse the movie will be. Angel's Crest DOES NOT fall into that 9 out of 10 category. The plot on the DVD case does not give away much and neither will I. I rented this on impulse with very little expectation. The acting is very solid. The characters are interesting. There is a neat use of timeline that adds to keeping you interested. The movie has a strange calmness while also having a very nice tension to it. Many of the shots are very serene - close up of blood slowly dripping on leaves... almost has a time lapse look to it. Once the viewer finds out what the plot is really about you are compelled to see how the rest of the movie unfolds.A wonderful little movie considering there are only 2 actors and a beautiful natural setting called Angel's Crest.