Rogue River

I try not to compare films with others and just watch it based on its own merit. Having said that, I thought the film was not as bad as most reviews made it out to be. The story had potential and the actors were quite convincing in their role.

What lacked for me was the lead actress not being able to connect with the audience. I think one of the most important things that a protagonist has to do is to be able to establish some sort of rapport with the people watching the film, and this is something she failed to do with me. I thought most of her decisions were quite questionable, though I did like the ending.

On its own, the story lacked some character developments and seemed to be "hurried", as if the writer wanted to get into the "action" real quick. The result was that the suspense did not build enough to put me at the edge of my seat, so to speak. There were a lot of instances for this, but the writer and director failed to deliver on this aspect.

The cinematography is good though. Scenes were clear and the shots complimented the entire movie.

All in all, it's an okay movie to watch if there's nothing else, but I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend it to friends.

Let's see...where do I start? Let's start with what you're craving throughout the entire length of the film, character development. This is a basically non-existent element of the movie. The protagonist is unlikeable, a judgment which I base only on the first thing she says. The main reason why is because I actually have nothing else to go by. Her first impression is never redeemed, because her character never develops in the slightest. The only purpose of her existence is to be tormented and scream. And no, most horror protagonists are not necessarily like that. As far as the antagonists go, they do get more and more insane throughout, so at least something's happening.

There's no shortage of plot holes. I won't spoil anything (not that you'd care). But, I will say that even the motives of the kidnappers I feel were not fully explained.

Of course there's endless horror cliché's, but you're already expecting that. There are however some very creepy and original moments near the beginning.

I've heard people claim this is similar to Timber Falls (???). I honestly don't understand that at all. There's two scenes which bare a very slight resemblance to it, everything else is totally different. Those two scenes are not enough to accuse it of ripping off Timber Falls. Also, let's remember that Timber Falls is a much better film.

Ending on a positive note, the acting is pretty good actually. It has Bill Mosley of course. The other performers are quite good as well though.

4/10

The horror indeed! Rogue River would have been rather interesting, if only..there wasn't already another movie with basically the same plot! Basically... at least 90% identically, no questions asked! Anyone remembers Timber Falls? Come on really, what was the point of this one? It is not better made, doesn't have more thrills, has the same location but it does manage to bring a whole lot more plot holes! Easy to anticipate, boring and annoying!

So, if you haven't seen Timber Falls and you are just dying to get a look at this one instead, here is one good reason why not to do it: BECAUSE "TIMBER FALLS" IS ACTUALLY GOOD!

It really is quite shameful, almost a shot-by-shot copy this Rogue River, i mean really, can't they at least pretend to think of an original story? Or maybe take one that is already out there, but bend it a little, add something to it, not make a "little baby sister that COULDN'T"!

Therefore, my advice, if you want to see a horror and you find Rogue River's story interesting, make one giant step and take on Timber Falls instead. You will thank me later, trust me! Enjoy!

ROGUE RIVER is one of those low budget horror films that feels like it has big aspirations. It wants to be the next big fear flick, the sort of film to have crowds flocking to theatres to get caught up in a thrilling journey into hell. Unfortunately it's an entirely predictable and routine affair, one that slavishly copies the plot of a dozen other movies (such as the Aussie flick THE LOVED ONES) while remaining singularly unsatisfying throughout.

The best thing ROGUE RIVER has going for it are some surprisingly decent production values, and effective cinematography to boot. Jourdan McClure certainly knows how to make his film look good on a budget, and there's none of that dodgy shaky cam editing to spoil things. The acting isn't too bad either; Michelle Page is a relatively likable heroine (until she starts making dumb decisions, that is) and Bill Moseley and Lucinda Jenney are quietly effective as the mysterious homeowners.

Unfortunately what sinks this is the calibre of writing, which just isn't up to much. For once I would like to watch a low budget horror film that avoids clichés, but I wonder if it will ever happen. There's the usual excursion into torture porn territory here (although thankfully nothing too distasteful), along with some extremely dumb character decisions in the second half that will make you despise the characters. I think of such moments as plot holes, designed purely to string a lacking plot out just a bit further, and they make ROGUE RIVER a disappointment.

A phonebook like note book would not be big enough to put down every movie title of films speaking of this kind of scheme. A lonely - or a couple - more or less lost in the wilderness and suddenly confronted to "evil" forces, peasants, man hunters, psychopaths of all kinds.... This movie is effective, not too long - and that's a good point when you have not that much to tell - and tense. I have never heard of the director nor the actors but the contrary would have surprised me. Not a pure horror film but instead a thriller with some horror accents. Many viewers crave for this kind of low budget films, precisely because the lack of budget let you focus on the settings, story, atmosphere...Things that CGI, most of the time, prevent you to do....