Devil’s Pass (2013)

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mbq3dR-SEr4

Director: Renny Harlin

Writer: Vikram Weet

Actors: Holly Goss, Matt Stokoe, Luke Albright

Synopsis: 1959 9 Russian hikers went into the Ural Mountains in Russia. Two weeks later all 9 hikers were found dead. Th ill-fated trip became known as The Dyatlov Pass Incident. Researchers were left mystified as to what happened. Everyone has theories, but no one has any answers.

Today 5 Oregon college student issued a grant to go and follow the trail of the 9 people and see if they can figure out what happened at the Devil’s Pass.

Review: The Devil’s Pass was way better than I imagined it would be. It started out typically. A back story was given about a group of Russian hikers going into the Ural mountains  found frozen to death only steps away from their camp. Years later some Oregon students decide it would be super cool to follow in the steps these of dead people…..REALLY? REALLY?? Who the hell goes hiking after dead people and second who goes hiking in an area known as The Devil’s Pass. I would say, but I may sound racist.

Although you have a good idea what’s going to happen the film still manages to suck you in. I am taken in from the start despite the stupidity of the college kids. I love the back story. They made sure you were well aware that everything happened with the original group. And you like the 9 Oregon students find yourself on a journey and wondering what it is lurking all around you.

Now I admit to liking Devil’s Pass. And I probably would have loved it had it not been for the ending, which I don’t do spoilers. So I won’t say any more than they took a path that just totally through the entire movie off for me. I was actually disappointed. But it is a totally watchable and enjoyable found footage movie and just because I didn’t like the ending doesn’t mean you won’t. So I say give it a shot.

Found Footage O Meter: 8/10

Despite my feeling of the ending I still must give this movie a high score because it was wonderfully shot Even the most motions sick person can watch at least 85% of the movie. I love that they devoted more than 5 minutes to the back story. This found footage film is very meaty you can really dig in and sink your teeth. But I still did not like the ending. Sorry. However,  people do not let my opinion of the ending detour you. It’s a good film.

The Bay

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Director: Barry Levinson

Starring: Will Rogers, Kristin Connolley, Kether Donahue, Frank Deal

Synopsis: July 4th Chesapeake Bay hosting their annual fun and summer festival. But what happens when  two researchers discover a mind-blowing amount toxicity in the water? What happens next you have to see to believe.

Review: I had extremely low expectations for this movie. I am an avid lover of the found footage genre however most times I am left extremely disappointed. But I found this little gem is a diamond in the rough. The story told by Donna Thompson (Kether Donohue) was so convincing you could see something like this actually happening. Watching the kids playing and frolicking, and adults standing around and gossiping when all of a sudden a town filled with laughter and joy turns into a town of horror and nightmares.

This movie impressed me with how it was filmed. It wasn’t overly shakey. You know how it is with the found footage shakey camera style movies. I also love the way it showed various people from the town and how they were all effected from this particular situation. But the real striking point with this movie is the fact that this could actually happen. It touched so heavily on environmental factors and how people and government tend to overlook these things, blow them off , or even cover them up as the mayor did with this movie.

I am relatively sure if you watch this movie the next time you are out swimming and having a good time you will think twice before dipping a toe in at least with Jaws it was quick and killed you fast. These deaths were slow and painful. And the cause of these deaths is terrifying because it’s plausible enough to happen.

Found Footage O Meter: 8/10 Recommended if you love found footage because this one is actually worth the watch unlike so many I am going to have to write.

The Bay