Coyote

Do not let the low average rating deter you. The film is the victim of bot attacks online, as most of the negative reviews, at this point, come from countries where the film isn't even available yet. These days, any film that deals sympathetically with the LGBTQ+ community, in any way, is likely to become a target of this nonsense. The best way to fight this kind of stuff, is to SEE THE FILM!

And, if you do, you will not be disappointed. This is a great little sci-fi film that shows what we all learned in the 1950s: you can make a great sci-fi film without BILLIONS of bucks! Yes, it's obvious that there wasn't that much money here. But, the concept and the execution are what carries this off. I kept thinking, over and over, "Cronenberg. Cronenberg. Cronenberg". Not that there's a lot of body horror, there's not. But the icy-cold delivery, and the off-kilter concept behind it all, definitely owe something to The Master.

Just go watch it. The acting is spot-on, the direction is perfect, the script is based on a concept that is unique and intriguing. If you're a sci-fi fan, I can't see how you wouldn't enjoy this.

Neither a 1 or a 10, Teleport or Coyote as it is called has, at its heart, a decent idea for a movie.

The structure of the film with its flashbacks are good as is the basic story.

It does as well as can be expected despite its lack of budget.

Where it suffers most is in the acting which is good for the main character and selected others but distractingly poor for others. The editing could have been sharper and the was ending a little underplayed.

Thoroughly enjoyed this movie. It provides commentary on issues which are sadly becoming more relevant all of the time and the plight faced by a great number of real people. By using teleportation as the basis for the plot the film does feel somewhat like an extended Black Mirror episode, albeit perhaps one with less humour than we'd expect from Charlie Brooker. The acting is good and the relatively small number of locations are used to good effect with some gorgeous visuals. The soundtrack fitted well and the sparingly used visual effects did not distract from the action. Please do see this, it's a sombre look at a world we could easily become.

2 lovers are separated and try hard to get back together using an underground trafficking ring that uses teleportation. Not the most exciting of storyline, but it's Sci-Fi, my favourite genre.

But I quickly realise from the opening screens that it's distributed by Gravitas Venturas, the champions of independent cinema. I'm certain that I once watched a film that was distributed by GV and actually enjoyed it, but it's a while go now and I can't recall the film.

As expected, terrible music, terrible acting, average sets, terrible acting, sometimes confusing and boring dialogue, and did I mention terrible acting?

I strongly believe that it is indeed possible to review a film without watching it to it's end. You would not read 330 pages of a 350 page book and then rave about the book after the last 20 pages? A film is a linear story and it has to engage you along the way otherwise the surprise or whatever the final scenes are, are based on a non enjoyable journey to get there.

So it was with Coyote, which did not engage me in any way even for a minute, so I turned it off and consigned it to the 'rubbish' category.

Watched as part of the Romford Film Festival.

Great example of a smaller film playing to its strengths. After a compelling opening sequence, the story is largely contained to a single location. But it's a great one at that. The grand scale of the house compliments the underlying story themes of class and status well.

As with all good sci-fi, the central story feels lifted from todays news, albeit with a dystopian lens that gives it a genre twist.

Therica Wilson-Reed does a good job of holding focus in an ensemble of female leading roles, balancing strength and vulnerability.

An intriguing script that works around the classic investigation, 'all is not what it seems,' plot thread kept me second guessing exactly where it was going.

All in all I think this is a really thought provoking debut effort from Dustin Curtis Murphy and I'd be interested to see what comes next.