Dead Stop

This is something that bothered me that probably won't bother many other people watching this movie. They are headed to Mammoth Lakes and somehow wind up lost deep in the Mojave Desert somewhere. I have been to this area many times. It's difficult to convey just how stupid you would have to be to head out for Mammoth Lakes and wind up on a dirt road somewhere in the desert like that.

Beyond that bit of nonsense, this is an okay monster movie. Some people get lost and wind up in the middle of the desert. They decide to stop until daylight and do some drinking. The next day, their car won't start because movie. They are stuck in the desert with almost no food or water. That night, they see some headlights of some other people who are out here for some reason or other. Then the headlights vanish. The monster attacks. The rest of the movie is them trying not to get killed by whatever this thing is.

Th cast of this is pretty good for a low budget monster movie. It's pretty well shot and looks good. The monster is okay though they don't do anything really creative or interesting with it. It's just a monster that kills people because it's a monster that kills people. The plot is passable if generic but they do throw in a lot of pointless relationship drama stuff early on that doesn't really add anything and is dropped as soon as the monster starts attacking. It has a twist ending that they should have just left off. That knocked a couple of points off.

A well made film, with attractive visuals, keen acting, likeable characters and an atmosphere that at times has one thinking they're in a Clint Eastwood western. There is an earnest and intimate effort here to provide a thought provoking and emotive experience. The only thing is, and it's quite a significant thing, is that it's not as scary as it indeed should be, billing itself to be a horror. But in saying that the scenes are done with careful consideration and all round it's a good effort. The story itself is not an original one, it's been done before many times, the stuck in the middle of nowhere with some gruesome creature hunting them down scenario, but what many other horror films lack, unlike Dead Stop, is creativity and attention to detail. You could do a lot worse if you're looking for an aesthetically effective film, even if it's not particularly spooky there's still portions of this to appreciate.

I think this film is a lot better than what the reviews say. Come across it on Amazon so thought would give it a go.There was enough in this film to keep me watching and I didn't get bored. It's not the best horror but have seen a lot worse. Decent acting with a tense storyline,enjoyed it.

It's like they had a list of stereotypical characters and ticked them off; the outsider, the old people, the bad guy, the good girl, the token and the hero. Still, I did finish it and despite the horrid sepia filter, the fact that being lost is hard when you are camping next to POWER LINES that are so frequently shot that I started thinking they were taking the piss, I did enjoy the ride. If (and that's a big if) you can forgive the many plot holes, obnoxious characters & their stupid choices.......it's not that bad ride of a movie.

The movie gets all 3 stars purely for that one greatest dialogue ever! 'do you want me to hold that for you?' I think if you find a woman who is willing to aim your ding song for you while you wee is going to be a keeper.