Black River

As a reader of Dean Koontzs' work I looked forward to seeing Black River (originally created as a mini-series but shown in the UK as a short movie). I have always found his work fast paced and well constructed, but I was a little disappointed with this offering as there seemed at times only a tenuous link running through the plot. To me Bo (Jay Mohr) seemed a little 2 dimensional and somewhat lacking in substance. He seemed more interested in finding out who was behind what was going on rather than "getting out of dodge", an aim he professed throughout. I feel that the concept put forward by the author was interesting and could have been handled in a slightly better way. Jay Mohr has in the past delighted me with his performances, however in this case he seemed to have the aspect of someone running around like a headless chicken who shouted all his lines. All in all, a bit of a disappointment.

BLACK RIVER is a great retelling of old TV show episodes, like the "Star Trek" episode where Kirk eventually discovers the townsfolk have been worshiping a computer in a cave. Koontz, who over the years has turned into the best of the three major horror writers with a series of novels that have become downright metaphysical, obviously loves "The Twilight Zone" and "Star Trek" and probably "The Outer Limits." Jay ("Jerry McGuire") Mohr is a writer, originally from Vermont, who has become disillusioned with Los Angeles, and checks out a small Pacific Northwest town only to find he can't leave. Cameras are mounted on every traffic light, in every store and dwelling, and monitor everyone's movements while an unseen hand apparently controls the whole thing. Mohr is excellent as the frustrated prisoner, and is backed up by stellar performances from Ann (sister of Joan and John) Cusack as a too-happy waitress and Lisa ("House, MD") Edelstein as her architect sister who also has become trapped in the bucolic town of Black River. Other than what appears to be a limited budget and the fact it was clearly shot in Canada or some place other than the U.S., it is hard to tell this is a TV movie and not a theatrical release. The writing is first rate, and the actors have a ball with their roles in this old-fashioned paranoia thriller. Highly recommended. I can't wait for Hollywood to adapt any of Koontz's more recent output, which eschew standard horror plots in favor of near-transcendental stories interlaced with intermittent bouts of action.

My wife and I have seen this movie more times than the people who made it. We watch it every night before bed. We even created a Facebook group about it that we are the only two members of. I don't actually know if Black River is a good movie it's just our movie. We quote it to each other daily. Were actually watching it right now. For a TV movie based on a koontz book this thing has legs. I just wish we could connect with like minded black river fans and maybe have a yearly gathering where we.... you guessed it.. watch black river. As I read back this review I think maybe I have gone insane and need to seek help. Or I can just watch it again and when it's over and I get up to pee in the middle of the night I just hit play again. I'm going to get a tattoo of the movie poster.

.

Yes, first and foremost, DO NOT even look at the titles here because you can always count on some Dip$h*t Numbnut giving everything away, just in their title. So, just a kind warning...

A basically good story, fairly decently executed. The main guy is OKAY in his role. The supporting characters I thought were actually better. But, even so... a fairly clever idea moderately well executed. I think that if the writing and direction had been just a little sharper, then this story could have had more impact, but the idea is good.

Again, a moderately entertaining Telefilm based upon a Stephen King short story, one of his more fun ones.

It you are not expecting full theatre grade quality and enjoy a good little mystery of what the hell is going on in this town, then you should enjoy this movie somewhat.

Again, DO NOT read the other review titles unless you want the entire story SPOILED!

"Black River" is a made-for-TV movie released in 2001, adapted from Dean Koontz's novella. The film, while not necessarily groundbreaking in the realm of psychological thrillers, does provide a compelling narrative that explores the mysteries and idiosyncrasies of small-town life with an effective blend of suspense and intrigue.

"Black River" follows Bo Aikens (Jay Mohr), a young man who stumbles upon the eponymous town when his car breaks down. Almost instantly, he finds himself drawn into the town's strange charm and eerily pleasant residents, especially the alluring and mysterious Laura (Lisa Edelstein). However, things start to take a strange turn when he realizes he cannot leave the town, and the once charming place begins to reveal a much darker side.

Jay Mohr delivers a solid performance as Bo, successfully portraying the confusion, intrigue, and desperation of a man trapped in an inexplicably perplexing predicament. Lisa Edelstein stands out with her nuanced portrayal of Laura, instilling her character with an engaging blend of mystery, allure, and dread.

The script, adapted from Dean Koontz's novella, is tightly woven, and while the premise of a strange town trapping its inhabitants isn't entirely original, it's executed well. The screenplay excels at creating suspense, often leaving viewers on edge as Bo attempts to unravel the town's secrets.

Visually, the movie leverages the quaintness of the small-town setting to heighten the unease. The cinematography skillfully juxtaposes the town's beauty and charm against the sinister undertones that gradually unravel.

However, "Black River" does have its shortcomings. The supporting characters can sometimes feel one-dimensional, and the pacing can occasionally falter. Additionally, the resolution may not be satisfactory for some viewers, as it leans more towards an open-ended and ambiguous conclusion rather than a neat, definitive ending.

In conclusion, "Black River" is a decent psychological thriller that effectively portrays the eerie mystique of small-town life. While it may not completely redefine the genre, it offers enough suspense and intrigue to keep viewers invested. If you're a fan of Dean Koontz's work or enjoy psychological thrillers set in remote, strange towns, "Black River" could be an enjoyable watch.