Angels Crest

Well-written low budget thriller with secrets, character development, and plot unraveling until the very end. The characters develop well as they head to a typical day at work. One of the greatest things about the film is that it keeps you guessing. In general, the plot is something that could happen in real life. The writer took time in developing the characters. The director made sure the pacing fared well as that can be hard to do with a story set in one location. Despite being unknown, the actors do a believable job of acting. This, in my opinion, is one of those rare gems that did not see enough of the light of day probably due to low marketing budgeting as movies with higher marketing budgets and recycled stories enter theaters. Go figure!

I just got done watching a movie I've never heard of: Angels Crest.

This is something I picked up at the local Hollywood Video store, just on a whim. It's not a horror movie, but a very satisfying psychological thriller.

To tell you anything about it would be to ruin it for anyone who's going to see it. But I will say that it is an excellent example of what can be done on a small budget. The writing is excellent, the directing and photography are great, and the acting is first rate. Also, the film quality is very good, so it doesn't have the look of many low-budget movies. Oh, and the music is quite good, too.

This was directed by J. Michael Couto, someone I'll be looking for in the future.

***1/2/****

Ever walk through the local video store and you're just not in the mood for the current commercial movies. There are so many "independent" titles that you never heard of with actors and directors you've never heard of? I know, you've tried these types of movies before and 9 times out of 10 they are garbage with little or no production values, bad acting and ridiculous stories. And be careful - the better the cover of a straight to DVD movie chances are the worse the movie will be. Angel's Crest DOES NOT fall into that 9 out of 10 category. The plot on the DVD case does not give away much and neither will I. I rented this on impulse with very little expectation. The acting is very solid. The characters are interesting. There is a neat use of timeline that adds to keeping you interested. The movie has a strange calmness while also having a very nice tension to it. Many of the shots are very serene - close up of blood slowly dripping on leaves... almost has a time lapse look to it. Once the viewer finds out what the plot is really about you are compelled to see how the rest of the movie unfolds.

A wonderful little movie considering there are only 2 actors and a beautiful natural setting called Angel's Crest.

I am always looking for a horror/thriller film with a strong plot and characters, and this movie does qualify on both points. There are only two characters in this film, and both were very well written and acted. The plot of the film is good, the film is very well made, and the scenery is beautiful.

I like originality so my problem is with the story itself, I've seen Frailty and Memento and this movie reminded me very much of those films (but not anywhere near as good), so it wasn't a novelty experience watching this film. Angels Crest did make me wonder if the one guy was nuts or not, but in the end, because the ending left me with no questions, nothing to really wonder about, it was only an okay film. I am glad though that I rented it.

Probably no one has seen this film. I just noticed it at Hollywood video as i was leaving and thought id give it a chance. This movie is really good. Try not to read to much about the film just turn it on and sit back and enjoy. For having no budget and only two actors this movie is better then most. If you see this film anywhere then get it. REALLY GOOD THRILLER!