The Lodge

As with many other horror stories, things seem to go wrong when you put any number of young people in the woods. With "The Lodge", this is no exception. A young couple, away from the world and set on a non-stop drug-fueled and sexually-charged romantic getaway, have rented the eponymous lodge. But plans go awry when they encounter the caretaker (soap opera guest star Kevin McClatchy), a friendly but seriously deranged woodsman.

There is much good that can be said about "The Lodge". For a film that is starring and created by completely unknown people, I was impressed with the final product. The writer (Deb Havener) went through extra effort to create a background for the characters (drummer from a rich family with a music degree, for example). The directing is solid, although I question why there are so many shots of the fields (it seems some shots and the opening credits served no purpose other than to stretch out the length). Music, lighting and all the technical aspects were of a respectable quality (not Hollywood, but at least straight-to-DVD).

The two male leads are on opposite ends of the spectrum in the talent department. The young lover was nothing special... he could have been anyone and have been played by anyone, I just had no reason to care about him. The caretaker, on the other hand, was dynamic and menacing. At times I felt he was creepy, at others I felt sorry for him, as he appeared more lonely than sadistic. The range and diversity of his emotions would be hard to put in one character and remain consistent, but yet this was achieved flawlessly. If there's one redeeming factor of this film, it's the caretaker.

On a side note, this film raises questions about relationships that I'd like to touch upon (sorry, horror fans). We are clued in early on that the male lead plans on proposing to the female lead, and we have to give him credit for choosing a beautiful locale and a gorgeous woman. But yet, the constant fighting makes it clear they may not be ready for long term commitment. What is the message here? Are we saying that marriage proposals are good and can solve problems? Are we saying that stressful situations can draw people closer? As I often opine, didn't "Speed" teach us anything? The biggest problem with "The Lodge" is the sheer blandness. While there is a fair level of success in creating a creepy atmosphere, at the same time we are rather limited because there are only three key characters. Unlike other horror films, no one can die here or the film has to end prematurely. So the suspense has to be drawn out as long as possible, which works at times and fails at others. Time is also filled with countless sex scenes that go nowhere (sorry, guys). And if you want gore, you're not going to see much here (low body count equals low blood flow).

I found "The Lodge" to be enjoyable and watchable (which, these days, is more than I can say for many films). But there was nothing here I haven't seen in a dozen other films. I give Deb Havener credit for the development but her plot writing needs work. For another story involving two people alone in a rented room, see "Vacancy". The sheer intensity of that one makes "The Lodge" look like a Lifetime Network film. And that's not good.

I know how difficult it is to make good and reasoned thrillers these days. It seems all the good plots and ideas are long ago taken.

Yet, although this film was formula in some ways, it did escape some of the non sense of a slasher and chase, kill em all dead and bleed em dry blood feast.

It always amazes me how stupid some people can be. For example, they rent a lodge, talk on phone to owner before, and are not greeted by him when they arrive. Bad MOON rising? Then the poor couple find nothing amiss with no key, an open door and finally a kitchen as if somebody had just run away from frying eggs and bacon?

Come on, any average intelligence person would smell something very wrong from the get-go? Further they are careless with the cells, careless with their travel bags and act as if they are so dumb, Darwin and the audience is there hoping an ax will fall and out of the gene pool they'll be.

However, on the bright side, this film was dumb and unrealistic, but at least when somebody is dead, they stay dead.

Please don't buy this flick at the video mart, just rent it for a few good laughs.

A couple, Julia and Micheal, have their getaway weekend at a mountain luxury cabin upset when Henry, the creepy caretaker, takes an unnatural interest in them in this tight well-acted little direct to DVD thriller. I had little to no idea or expectations for this movie when I first started watching it. But as the story unfolded I found myself pleasantly surprised. Not at the story, because that's fairly generic, more at the execution of it all, which I found to be fairly slick. The film starts off slow but does a great job of building up tension and that kept me interested until the end (which admittedly falters a tad). I wouldn't have a problem recommending this to anyone.

Eye Candy: Liz Jones is topless in the pre-credits sequence

My Grade: B-

Tedious, suspense free and not even remotely scary. Nothing you won't have seen done much better in countless other 'alone in the woods' creep fests.

Full of plot holes, predictable to the point we were playing 'spot the next scene' rather than caring about the movie any more.

Some pleasant countryside scenery footage to pad out the film, and the dodgy caretaker was reasonably well played but otherwise nothing here to recommend.

One thing for certain, it has nothing in common with The Shining or Cabin in the Woods. Go and rewatch them is my suggestion.

Also what was the point in repeatedly telling the audience that the main character is a kickboxer and then we don't see any evidence of it?! Odd. And probably the most mysterious thing in the film.

1st star because it is technically a movie. 2nd star because it does have a lodge. To sum it up, it qualifies for both being a movie and being called the lodge. The rest is up to interpretation.