Graves End

"Graves End" is one of those movies that takes you by surprise with its clever storyline, intriguing plot devices, excellent acting from the lead stars and strong direction. Director James Marlowe opens up "Graves End" with a creepy virtuoso of newspaper clippings and archaic images that is reminiscent of Kenneth Branagh's "Dead Again" and Guillermo Del Toro's "Mimic." Marlowe's opening credits pulls you into the history of the Graves family and what made them what they are. Clearly Marlowe has done his homework about what makes a thriller work and how to compact plot devices into a limited time frame.

The strength of film is drawn from the three leads: Eric Roberts as Tag, Steven Williams as Rickman and Daniel Roebuck as Sheriff Hooper. The chemistry between them is dynamic and propels the film forward. Sky Soleil is outstanding as a brutal psychopath and he reminds one of Jack Nicholson in "The Shining" with his child-like glee upon slaughtering his victims.

The story revolves around a group of missing felons who have been pushed from city-to-city and town-to-town. However, only the little village of Graves End embraces them. These felons happily seek sanctuary in a small town that appears to accept them and all their flaws into their community. All is well until the felons disappear and that prompts FBI agent Paul Rickman to investigate their vanishings and discover what happened to them.

I've been a fan of Eric Roberts but in "Graves End" Mr. Roberts redeems himself for years of prostituting himself out to some very bad films. I would say this is one of Eric Roberts's best performances as he portrays Tag as smarmy and arrogant while still being vulnerable and conflicted. Daniel Roebuck shines as a clumsy backwater Sheriff in over his head but Roebuck plays his character with so much dignity and resolve that you feel for his plight. However, the man who stole the entire film was Steven Williams. Mr. Williams has always brought a level of authority to every role he's played from Captain Adam Fuller in "21 Jump Street" to the mysterious Mr. X in "The X-Files". In "Graves End", Mr. Williams does not disappoint and continues with a commanding performance along the lines of Morgan Freeman in "Seven" and Denzel Washington in "Man on Fire."

Director Marlowe weaves the film together with a fine tapestry of suspense, humor, drama and action. He seems to utilize gore with a wink toward Peter Jackson's "Dead Alive" and Sam Raimi's "Evil Dead" trilogy. It seems as though Marlowe believes the gore and blood is an extension of humor that offsets a scene that is previously gruesome and disturbing. However, where Marlowe really makes his mark as a director and an auteur is how he unfolds events, the characters development, the tempo and atmosphere of the film creates a hypnotic effect that draws you into the film deeper and deeper.

Though the film has many pluses one of the glaring minuses is the supporting cast. Though Edward Perotti is fine as Doc the film is hamstrung by the weak and unconvincing performance of Anthony Santucci as Tedesco. Santucci is listed as one of the four writers and must have written himself into the movie as his acting is amateurish and stiff. Thankfully Mr. Santucci's role is small and he doesn't get in the way of spoiling the film.

These thrillers are often conceived in such a way with clues that deceive. Consequently, with this in mind I carefully explore the motives of each character. I regret to say that I was tricked into coming to a wrong conclusion about the perpetrator of the crimes.

I rented "Graves End" at my local video store in Berlin. The cover art to the DVD is rubbish but I rented the movie on the basis it won so many awards. After seeing the film I can see why because it's so damn good. I would rate this film a 9 out of 10 for its combination of humor, drama, suspense and action that is crafted into a first rate psychological thriller.

I enjoyed the movie enormously. The plot was very interesting, and the acting was excellent--especially Dan Roebuck and my wife, Fairly Tull. Stephen Williams was wonderful in his role as well. The movie was a bit gory (but not overdone), and very suspenseful with delightful twists and a large dose of humor. The cinematography and sound were superb, as were the authentic locations and sets used. I was also impressed with the performances of the background actors who were all very much into their scenes. They gave their very best, which is a testament to the director's talent and his sincere interest in the wellbeing of his entire cast and crew. I saw the film twice and can recommend it to anyone who enjoys suspense thrillers done in a skillful, campy, funny, and scary manner.

Honestly, I wasn't sure that I would care for this movie based on some of the negative reviews. Lo and behold I enjoyed it! After seeing it the first time I showed it to a few friends and they loved it, too! This is a little film that makes no apologies for what it is. This movie is like the little Train that could; it grows on people who've seen it and it's entertainment value is better than most.

The idea is original and the execution is great for the obvious limited budget. I'm on the side of those who support this movie! I gave it a 10 because I can watch this many times in a row and love EVERY moment of it! That doesn't happen for me with very many movies; generally there are spots that lag for me or just don't seem right. This one pleases me, from opening to end credits. Those people who wrote negative things about this movie are obviously haters because I did not see the same movie they did. What were they expecting? "Life of PI"? This isn't a big time drama. It's more along the lines of a David Lynch or Quentin Tarantino movie but with more laughs.

Clearly this film is meant to be fun, funny, humorous, tongue-in-cheek, suspenseful, and action packed at the right times. If you are looking for something deep like "The Butler", you shouldn't be watching any movie like this anyway. It's clearly simple, fun, entertainment and that's what I'm looking for.

For my money, this one is a winner from top to bottom.

I have rarely enjoyed independent films, but I had a feeling about this one, that it was different, and liking Eric Roberts, and having seen several of other actors on TV, especially Valerie Akita on jenny Jones, and the series 21 jump street, etc. I decided to take a chance. the film was as good as if it were produced by warner brothers or any other large movie company. there was never a dull moment. the acting was superb, the actors definitely believable, and I never figured out who the real bad guy was. it is boring when you can figure it out. I saw it at the 3 penny cinema on the north side of Chicago, and would like very much to get a copy on a DVD or video if it ever comes out. I would definitely see it again it if shows in a neighborhood near me. To tell you the truth, I don't remember when I have enjoyed a movie more, not lately. carol Ann gager

Friends saw this movie at the Chicago Horror Film Festival in April 2005 and urged me to go see it when it showed on the west coast. I saw the film at the Santa Cruz Film Festival in early May 2005 and enjoyed it so much that I went to the second showing the next day along with a number of friends. This horror/thriller has unexpected twists and turns in the plot, and I had not guessed "who done it". This campy movie was sometimes scary,sometimes comical, and always entertaining. GO SEE IT! Eric Roberts and FBI Agent Steven Williams gave outstanding performances as did Sheriff Dan Roebuck. I also enjoyed most of the other characters, especially Maudy - very colorful, especially with the flower in her hair. I hope they do a sequel and in the meantime I'll await the DVD of this one. The movie was filmed in Santa Cruz they say -great setting! Loved the place it was filmed, especially the Great Hall with all the trophy's. Definitely a must see film!