Sand Castles

Ten years ago, little Lauren Daly (Anne Winters; Wicked City) was abducted while on a family trip to the beach. Devastated, the remaining family members spend the next ten years battling against alcoholism, depression, and suicide. Sand Castles depicts a tragic story of a lost childhood and the lives affected by that loss.

Ten years on and Lauren's brother, Noah Daly (Jordon Hodges), is taking care of his now alcoholic mother with help from his uncle Tommy (Randy Spence). Quick flashbacks reveal why Noah's father is no longer in the picture; an event that also took its toll on their family. The household is squeaking out a type of existence although it is clear that Lauren's disappearance hit them hard. But then they get a visit from the detective who has been on the case since he was a rookie. He informs them that they have found Lauren alive and it throws their new world for a loop.

Now a teenager and unwilling and/or unable to speak, Lauren tries to reintegrate into her broken family with the detective and a case worker looking over their shoulders. The case worker does her best to help Lauren, including taking her to a play based on a worn out book she carries around. But the presence of alcohol does not help. Lauren's mysterious return also re-energizes the investigation into her disappearance. Clint Howard co-stars as an eye witness who believes he saw Lauren getting dropped off where she was found; an account that leads Tommy down a dark, potentially heart breaking path.

The use of flashbacks is nearly perfect in this film. They tended to be short little clips introducing characters or circumstances just when that information is most useful. For example, when the detective is introduced, they have a quick flashback to him as a rookie getting the call of a missing person (Lauren). It's not too drawn out, gets the exposition out of the way, and keeps the story flowing at a decent pace.

Overall, Sand Castles is an interesting, emotional roller coaster. The characters are (mostly) likable and the actors are very respectable in their parts. The plot is depressingly believable and shows that your world can change in an instant both for the worse and for the better. I would have preferred a bit more closure regarding Lauren's kidnapping, but stick around during the credits for a bonus scene that does wrap up a few last threads of that mystery.

• Bradley Smith, Red Carpet Crash

I do not write reviews, but I signed up because there is something special about this film. It's got an indie grittiness that you love in movies like Winter's Bone, but with a light, love and beauty (cinematography is amazing) that you would see in a Terrence Malick film. The story is full of nuance and things you "get" without being told, almost philosophical at times. I read a reviewer called it "Hauntingly poetic", which is a perfect term for it. But like most good movies, you either really love it or you really don't. I loved it. The cast is subtle and raw, the music is captivating, the story is complex and subtle (pay attention to the details, some I only picked up on 2nd watch)... and the cinematography is beautiful. The film won a lot of awards on the film festival circuit and for good reason. Bottom line: The movie made me feel different than most.

P.S. There is an important scene in the middle of the end credits, so stick around!

In a sea of virtual oil spills for flicks, I have been watching a lot of foreign/indie films. Yes this is low budget, a bit old in movie world, but transcends its financial limitations through realistic ground in its telling. It's worth watching through to its bittersweet finale with more than one surprise revelation. I'm giving a high rating mainly because I don't believe this is a work of fiction, I believe it's someone's actual life story, and if it isn't, many elements of it ring with truth. If you need a blockbuster to be entertained Indie film viewing isn't for you.

Look hey is it the worst movie I've seen.. not by any stretch. There was some potential there but, to me, they wasted it.

The acting does in fact leave something to be desired and while I enjoy subtlety in a movie this one does not really give you quite enough to know what really is/did happen... Really some guesswork without any answers that actually make sense. Sure you want to do a piece about human unpredictability fine but to me this is the writers being unpredictable not the story.

In some ways I do get that people liked it and you may as well, but from my perspective it was quite drawn out and mostly focused on family dynamics and sort of tried, unsuccessfully, to tie it into a 'neat little bow'.. that's not so neat.

I am a movie lover. I watch movies every day and night. My husband and I should be movie critics I know everybody's taste is different but we know a good movie when we see one and especially if the film maker is good etc. We started making jokes saying well this is not a cheap made movie they can afford a helicopter and the trees look real. No lie. We are horror movie addicts but decided tonight we would watch something else.

Let me just add that when these people rank this movies any of them from horror to comedy in the best movies, top movies etc it is a joke so must of the time watch for yourself.

This movie was the best. Good storyline so many emotions. This is the first movie I have came on and actually sat down to write this much or give a movie so much good credit. From start to finish amazing. Now one well mainly is at the top of my list as best film ever made in a very long time. You get such a real look at life, what tragedy does, what good life is and a bittersweet end. This is a must watch movie and if you are a movie lover like we are you won't regret it. I give this movie 10 out of 10 starts. Definitely a must see.