Amber Road

Clearly an indie, but nevertheless doing doing a great job within its limitations. The lead, Rachel Riley, is incredible, with a strong supporting cast. You got your typical low-budget big names like Robert LaSardo, Tom Sizemore and Vernon Wells, but all perform admirably and don't take it for granted it. The gore is good. The movie is suspenseful and I did not see the twist at the end coming.

Kind of funny to see people whine and complain that an actor like Sizemore only had a small role. I'm pretty sure a movie like this uses what they can afford. Anyway, I like low budget movies that take chances and this movie definitely takes changes. Nicely done. Very creepy.

I am sorry I did not like this movie. Tom Sizemore was barely in it. I had to skip most of the film just to see him in it.

By far one of the worst movies I have seen in my whole life.

The acting, the script, the cinematography was a dogs breakfast.

Why did I waste my time on this garbage?

I'm sorry this was a waste of time. I am never going to bother watching this again. I have seen way better films than this.

This film was a massive disappointment.

Just not a fan of smut movies I guess.

I tried to watch it last month but no thank you next.

I do not recommend this movie at all. Unless you want to waste your time.

This movie is not for everyone. It has a very specific audience, and, I just happen to be in it.

As a former critic (with an actual paying job now) I've started leaving reviews on IMDB as long as people keep sending me screeners! I'm happy to make AMBER ROAD my third official IMDB review!

This is a low-budget movie that manages to get some well-known actors and the movie makes the most of its limited budget in every way possible.

Most of the story follows an imprisoned husband and wife played by William McNamara and Janet Wang. McNamara was big star back in the 80s and 90s. He was fantastic in the horror-mystery COPYCAT opposite Sigourney Weaver. It's really great to see him back at it here and performing wonderfully in this role with limited space to do so. In fact, he and Wang barely move throughout the movie. Wang, a relative newcomer with a lot of movies coming out soon, is solid as well.

I don't know if this movie is big enough to really get noticed beyond people like me, but McNamara's performance is worthy of career revival.

Tom Sizemore, who seems to live in these types of indies these days, also makes an appearance in a few scenes with the always interesting Robert LaSardo. Their roles are a little confusing but get explained toward the movie's end.

The primary leads are lesser known but all the performances are incredibly strong. Rachel Riley, who has extensive credits, but this is the first time, I've seen her, is exceptional and creepy as the mortician turned torturer - not a spoiler as this is revealed pretty quickly.

Elissa Dowling is a low-budget horror mainstay who has a solid performance. And Jed Rowen who is probably best known for his role in the so-bad-it's-entertaining, THE AMAZING BULK, also has a good performance.

The movie borders on torture porn with its close up slashing and hacking throughout, and much of it is very graphic, and very believable. There is enough mystery and story, to keep the movie propelling forward, with some interesting surprises too.

It's a movie with budget limitations that are easy to look beyond and simply enjoy for the pure shock and gore factors.

Amber Road has a fantastic cast, with some big name talent like Hollywood legend Tom Sizemore (Saving Private Ryan, Black Hawk Down), and Robert LaSardo (Death Race, CSI Miami) in addition to a talented group of actors you'll recognize if you follow the indie scene. I recently saw Janet Wang in Bermuda Island, but this is the first time I've seen her in a lead role. Get used to hearing her name! Wang and McNamara really shine in their roles as a married couple imprisoned by a killer. Rachel Riley is also great in her role, but I hesitate to single anyone out because the acting in general is great. Director B. Luciano Barsuglia clearly knows how to get the best out of his cast.

Amber Road is NOT for the squeamish. The torture scenes are well done and believable, and made me squirm more than once. Great job by the SFX crew.

Amber Road is well paced and with a short runtime of just under 90 minutes, it's a quick watch that never drags. Definitely worth watching if you're a fan of indie horror. 8/10 stars.