Beasts of the Field

A couple interested in cryptozoology and paranormal happenings are determined to record the first episode of their proposed investigation show. They assemble five others for a (dubious) crew and enter into the wilds of eastern Kentucky to find the mythological thunderbird, which they believe to be a Pteranodon.

"Beasts of the Field" (2019) is a micro-budget Indie that only cost $30,000. It was shot in mid-September, 2018, and the many rain sequences are the peripheral effects of Hurricane Florence that hit the Carolinas. Obviously, you can't expect much with such a non-budget but it's generally entertaining with several highlights, assuming you don't mind Indie productions with little resources and the corresponding limitations.

For one, it's genuinely amusing in the first half, before the situation turns grim. Secondly, the forest cinematography is colorful and well done, which will be appreciated by those who value movies with a deep-woods milieu. Also, Ashley Mary Nunes (Kyra) is stunning in the female department; and Savannah Schafer (Reid) is also notable. Lastly, there is a relevant moral to the story.

It's significantly superior to the comparable "Monsters in the Woods" (2012), which cost the same amount (not counting six years of inflation).

The flick runs 1 hour, 17 minutes, and was shot in eastern Kentucky.

GRADE: C+/B-

After getting rejected for their pilot, a team of desperate producers trying to get their cryptozoology show off the ground con a group of individuals to travel out into the woods to find a legendary creature only for something more dangerous to affect their show and threaten their lives.

This was a pretty solid genre effort. Among the films' better qualities come from the enjoyable first half that gives everything an intriguing and engaging start. Starting with the groups' rejection of their show and the desire to get it filmed as well as the duplicity they use to procure the crew for the shoot is a great way of starting this off, focusing on the desire to get their dream project together but being way out of their element since the obviousness of their sketchy business practices is never noticed or questioned by anyone. The more it carries on with their improper behavior and meltdowns that showcase the incompetent nature of their mission even more and just makes the upcoming encounters that much more fun. Once the film moves into the final half and their struggles in the forest to get out alive, there's a nice bit of energy that carries this one along quite nicely. Their single-minded determination to keep pressing on deeper into the creatures' hunting zone makes for a fun time as their sense of inexperience and incompetence kills off a group member and turns the action around nicely when a new, unexpected threat emerges which is rather fun. This leads to some intriguing cat-and-mouse chases that are quite surprising and unexpected as the series of confrontations by the various members of the group throughout the area provides some thrills and brutal action in the graphic kills included, making fine use of the forest surroundings. These here give the film some likable qualities. This one did have some minor issues involved here. The main drawback is the fact that the film spends the majority of the first half on that build-up about their incompetence about filming this kind of show that it never brings the creature into focus. Rather than do something simple like seeing it in the background without their knowledge or seeing it hunt animals or other people in the woods to break up those kinds of sequences can make for a rather dull time if viewers are looking for a straightforward creature feature. This lack of attention to the creature makes this one somewhat underwhelming at the beginning of the film when it matters and impacts our lack of knowledge about the creature overall since there's nothing about what it is, where it's been living, or anything else. The other slight factor is the somewhat confusing series of actions that carry out through the final half of the film. Regardless of the fun nature involved or the deserving nature of the scenes, the way it twists and turns around on itself comes off rather confusing. The shift in focus from the creature they're tracking to a different killer entirely is a bit out of nowhere with the change being somewhat out-of-nowhere and relies on inference more than anything else to explain what's going on as the series of scenes and chases that emerge here is never really explained. While some might be somewhat turned off by the finale which becomes quite cliched yet doesn't provide the kind of payoff some would want, these here are the main factors that drag this down.

Rated Unrated/R: Graphic Language and Graphic Violence.

The lighting was very inconsistent, the sound was just going in and out, the end fighting scene was a bit cringe, it would have been better to have a glimpse of this creature (whether it was real or his imagination, maybe his Letters pov of what he died trying to find) and cinematography could be better, it was all over the place, could of used that for the fighting scenesl lol but as you know working with mother nature is a pain in the butt especially when you are on a time limit. You only have so much lighting you can work with and with the rain makes sound just harder to work with, it just kinda sucks for the cast and crew. But they worked with what they had. I enjoyed the plot.

Chase Dudley's most recent release "Beasts of the Field" is a unique twist on the "Creature" type horror film, in that the true monster in question is not what the first act would lead you to believe. Lester (Gregory Blair). A wannabe monster expert and his girlfriend Clarissa (Amber Dawn Fox) who fancies herself a "Hostess with the Mostest" snare an unwitting band of other "Experts" to join them in a search for the mythical creature known as The Thunderbird; Kyra (Ashley Mary Nunes), a university student seeking an internship to finish her college degree, another couple, Horty (Tory L. Beckham) and Reid (Savannah Schafer), are TV ad producers roped into acting as a film crew, James (Patrick Alred), a down on his luck former U. S. Army medic who agrees to provide first aid in the field, and Bigby Keith Nicholson), a good ol' boy hired as the group's guide and security. Lester and Clarissa have promised them all payment and a chance at fame and fortune with little more than a dream to back it all up.

As the journey begins, we learn quickly how unfit most of the team is for such an excursion, and they become even less fit as they encounter inclement weather and unexpected, non-mythical wildlife. As the situation becomes more and more desperate, the true colors of each member of the team begin to reveal themselves.

The synopsis stops here, as any more would spoil the fun.

As you would expect from a low budget, independent feature, there are technical issues with lighting, sound, etc. That sometimes detract from the viewing experience and distract the audience, but solid acting, writing and directing makes up for these shortfalls. The horror elements are nicely balanced by some truly inspired comedic moments provided by the talented cast. Erik Kyr, who composed the music and appears early in the film as an unimpressed, hard-nosed bank loan officer, delivers a sometimes energetic, sometimes haunting score that complements cinematographer Eddie Brown Jr.'s. Capable and occasionally stunning visuals. The screenplay by Brentt Slabchuck and Gregory Blair is a well-crafted bit of writing with a combination of subtle wit and grotesque savagery that frames the entire project. Finally, this latest offering from Director Chase Dudley shows real growth in his talents, and I look forward to seeing what he comes up with next.

First let me say that this is not a great movie. It is extremely rough and fraught with laughable errors. The cast are on par with a group of friends with someone's video camera heading out to *make a movie*.

That being said, it also isn't a hateful movie. The general story line, although very unpolished, shows potential. The concept deals with who or what a monster really is. Even the title is a subtle jab at the cruel and selfish nature of man's heart. The story held my attention and although the acting and dialog was excruciatingly painful. I found myself tipping my hat to this brave crew of first timers who had the courage and trepidation to complete the madness that is film making. Everyone has to start somewhere. I hope thebl best of luck to those who take the opportunity to hone their craft and continue on.