Beasts of the Field

The 4.0 IMDb rating tricked me into watching this film. I don't mind low budget films, or the kind of bad film that's entertaining. So 4 stars would seem like a reasonable rating. This film really isn't 4 star quality, in any aspect.

At first it looked like it could be fun, with the actors knowing it was going to be bad, and going to go for it. I even liked the fact the acronym for their show was PIS. But no, it's honestly boring, and bad.

The acting gets worse in a race to the bottom. You never see the creature at all. Which considering I thought it was going to be a creature feature disappointed me. Like even if it is hilariously bad, have the creature!!

The cinematography is so bad that they often don't get the exposure, and colour balance of the shots right. The sound is weird, and terrible. I've not even seen student films this bad.

First let me say that this is not a great movie. It is extremely rough and fraught with laughable errors. The cast are on par with a group of friends with someone's video camera heading out to *make a movie*.

That being said, it also isn't a hateful movie. The general story line, although very unpolished, shows potential. The concept deals with who or what a monster really is. Even the title is a subtle jab at the cruel and selfish nature of man's heart. The story held my attention and although the acting and dialog was excruciatingly painful. I found myself tipping my hat to this brave crew of first timers who had the courage and trepidation to complete the madness that is film making. Everyone has to start somewhere. I hope thebl best of luck to those who take the opportunity to hone their craft and continue on.

A couple interested in cryptozoology and paranormal happenings are determined to record the first episode of their proposed investigation show. They assemble five others for a (dubious) crew and enter into the wilds of eastern Kentucky to find the mythological thunderbird, which they believe to be a Pteranodon.

"Beasts of the Field" (2019) is a micro-budget Indie that only cost $30,000. It was shot in mid-September, 2018, and the many rain sequences are the peripheral effects of Hurricane Florence that hit the Carolinas. Obviously, you can't expect much with such a non-budget but it's generally entertaining with several highlights, assuming you don't mind Indie productions with little resources and the corresponding limitations.

For one, it's genuinely amusing in the first half, before the situation turns grim. Secondly, the forest cinematography is colorful and well done, which will be appreciated by those who value movies with a deep-woods milieu. Also, Ashley Mary Nunes (Kyra) is stunning in the female department; and Savannah Schafer (Reid) is also notable. Lastly, there is a relevant moral to the story.

It's significantly superior to the comparable "Monsters in the Woods" (2012), which cost the same amount (not counting six years of inflation).

The flick runs 1 hour, 17 minutes, and was shot in eastern Kentucky.

GRADE: C+/B-

Begins with some nice low-key humour but then goes in a different direction. Unusual and admittedly implausible story, but with interesting and well-acted characters. I'm willing to settle for that.

The only folks giving this above one star must be from the same homeless camp that they picked the actors from!? OMG I've seen better acting from my kids preschool drama class lol.