Bestseller

Ms. M and I saw "Bestseller" at the Woodland in Grand Rapids on June 11th, and had a great time.

The film hangs together well as a whole, including superior sound, music choices and cinematography decisions. It was clear that post- production processes were given careful attention. At first we wondered why the camera's focus was so tight as to not include people's entire heads, but that creates a sense of claustrophobic limitation of frame of reference which serves the story. By the end we agreed it was the best way to go.

Almost immediately we recognized a Hitchcock-like tone. The early family-involved scenes seeming like an tribute echo to late 1950s/early 1960s style filmmaking. We were drawn in quickly. Ms. M. said that worrying about what might happen to the lead character reminded her of the dread she felt while watching Misery. In other words, the thrill is in there like you'd want.

The lead, Melissa Anschutz, carries the ball admirably. Given her screen time, there would have been trouble in less capable hands. She keeps the premise's credibility and the sense of rising tension in place without wearing the audience out. D.J. Perry especially rocked out the set of scenes where his character arrives as a possible savior. The irony was amusing, hearing that character run down another writer within the story. Ralph Lister's performance was marvelous, but he doesn't have quite the screen time I'd like to air out such a deliciously complex character.

I only write honest reviews, so it has to be said that the dialogue was a bit unimaginative in a couple sequences, particularly while there was a lot of action happening, though most of the time it was fine.

We sat through all the credits, not because we don't have lives, but because we're very familiar with Petoskey and the surrounding area where "Bestseller" was primarily filmed. Ms. M. is sometimes spotted by her fans at the Roast and Toast, whereas I recognized MacLean and Eakin from a reading I was once involved in. The production team thanked everyone, and gave contact information where relevant—a sign of a class operation.

"Bestseller" has the goods that we look for in a thriller. We wanted an escape, and "Bestseller" delivered. And I can totally see rejected writers losing their damn minds out in the woods. But it's just a story. Check this one out, amigos y amigas.

BESTSELLER is a Michigan-made movie worth seeing, if only to confirm that competent Wolverine film crews and casts can come together to create high-value, high-tension entertainment. Melissa Anschutz and DJ Perry team up once again under the skillful direction of Chrissy Rohn to deliver riveting performances even if some scenes are drawn out a bit too long. Good hand-held camera work brings the viewer into the chases and establishes a voyeuristic point of view during the shower and bedroom scenes that does not exceed standards of decency. Terror grows as horror is established more in the mind than on screen but the loud echoes of Hitchcock and Stephen King were a bit overpowering in my book diminishing what was starting to be a pure white knuckles experience. My criticism here is minor in the wake of what writers Travis Goddard and Chris Knight and director Rohn have brought to the screen, As the identify of the bad guy or guys comes to light, viewers will continue to be surprised by twists and turns and left to wonder if Bestseller II is in the offing. If or when Bestseller comes to your city, be sure to see it, if only to support home-grown talent. You won't be disappointed in any case.

I loved the book, so of course I watched the movie! I loved the camera work - very artistic with some original ideas. There were several scenes where I felt drawn in even more because of the techniques used. Melissa Anschutz was fantastic in the lead role of Anne Harper! I felt she was very believable and really brought me into the story, making me feel that I was there with her, experiencing everything myself. With the character of Anne having so much time on camera - and so much time alone - the wrong actress could have quickly brought the movie to its knees, but Melissa Anschutz did a great job of keeping me hooked until the last minute. Nice job, everyone!

I guess all of the other reviews on here were paid for, or relatives of the film crew, but this was TERRIBLE! By far one of the worst movies I have seen outside of Lifetime Movie Network! Low budget, HORRIBLE acting, and waaaaaaay too long of an ending. Between the bad Jack Nicholson, circa The Shining, impersonation out of the main antagonist and the annoying overuse of the main character's name, it'll be haunting your nightmares, and not in a good way. Please, for the love of all that is holy, read this review as the truth! All of the other writers are lying about this film. It is 100% horrible. If you do watch it, don't say I didn't warn you. I wrote this specifically to help anyone who turns to IMDb for advice, and finds all of the "good" reviews like I did. DON'T FALL FOR IT!

Watched this movie last night 6-11-22 and it was great. Started a little slow but not too bad. Mellisa and DJ Perry were fantastic. I was told not to watch this movie alone so my wife watched it with me. This movie becomes intense towards the end. Over all I have rated it a 10 and I highly recommend it.