Murder Mountain

I was drawn into this show right away during the opening narrative. I had just turned it on, on a whim, and was only prepared to give it a few minutes. I thought it was going to be a marijuana show, and I didn't think that beyond sensationalism that it would have substance. But I give it really high points because it was paced wonderfully. The weaving of the father's story, the history of the town and the marijuana farmers were all laid out so thoughtfully, that my interest was kept the entire time and I ended up binge watching it. I really hope they do a second season! I want to revisit the farmers, and maybe investigate another missing persons.

Murder Mountain is, ultimately, an in-depth look at a family trying to seek justice for a murdered loved one in an area that has been defined by its "lawlessness" for generations due to the large amount of illegal cannabis grows once found there. Humboldt County, California is known for its "Emerald Triangle", where most of the illegal cannabis in the U.S.A. used to be grown and has gone through intense upheaval due to the legalization of cannabis in California (everybody wants a piece of the monetary pie). Lurking behind the cannabis industry, legal or illegal, are the sobering statistics regarding the amount of missing people in the region, the number of unsolved murders, and other crime stats this documentary didn't delve into, and a Sheriff's Office that's more intent on the cannabis industry than anything else (they'll say it's because illegal grows are the root of all evil, however, taxation and money appear to have a lot more influence on their actions than the causation of crime). The documentary, also, exposes what happens when a way of life is obliterated in the name of progress.

I am lived, very close to Alderpoint from 1979 to 1985. This documentary is so accurate, and so haunting, I can't stop thinking about it. It really hits the nail on the head for where Humboldt County came from and where it went into the 80s and 90s. It was paradise when we first moved there it was a war zone when we finally left.

Yes it was a little slow... but the beauty and disparity shown in Northern California make for an interesting backdrop and amazing film. Add in a true crisis (the black market history of pot) and some shady deep woods people and you have yourself an intriguing series that captures something I have never seen before.

* I really loved the scenery and cinematography, especially the drone shots from high above Humboldt County.

* Did a very good job of toe-ing the line between actual footage and re-enactments.

* I appreciate that Murder Mountain tells virtually every side of the story, and that it starts from the beginning, with the OGs, working its way into the present. It's a complex situation and the story touches on: crime, taxation, libertarianism, law enforcement (competent and incompetent), prison, technology, regulation, history, etc.

* I am getting sick of having to add a disclaimer like this to most of my reviews, but as with most IMDB entries, this one is being dragged down by unrealistic and overly negative 1- and 3- star reviews. I 100% disagree that the full scope and nuance of the situation could have been covered in one movie. Besides, what if I don't want to sit around and watch a 2-hour movie, but really enjoy being able to spread my viewing experience out over several days (or binge-watch all at once)? I really wish IMDB would implement some standards when it comes to excessively positive OR excessively negative reviews, as they really ruin the average in a lot of cases.