Beasts of the Field

Low budget films usually good. This movie had the worst acting ever. Waste of time. They need to go to an acting school. Could have been good, but no effort and no skills.

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.

Chase Dudley's most recent release "Beasts of the Field" is a unique twist on the "Creature" type horror film, in that the true monster in question is not what the first act would lead you to believe. Lester (Gregory Blair). A wannabe monster expert and his girlfriend Clarissa (Amber Dawn Fox) who fancies herself a "Hostess with the Mostest" snare an unwitting band of other "Experts" to join them in a search for the mythical creature known as The Thunderbird; Kyra (Ashley Mary Nunes), a university student seeking an internship to finish her college degree, another couple, Horty (Tory L. Beckham) and Reid (Savannah Schafer), are TV ad producers roped into acting as a film crew, James (Patrick Alred), a down on his luck former U. S. Army medic who agrees to provide first aid in the field, and Bigby Keith Nicholson), a good ol' boy hired as the group's guide and security. Lester and Clarissa have promised them all payment and a chance at fame and fortune with little more than a dream to back it all up.

As the journey begins, we learn quickly how unfit most of the team is for such an excursion, and they become even less fit as they encounter inclement weather and unexpected, non-mythical wildlife. As the situation becomes more and more desperate, the true colors of each member of the team begin to reveal themselves.

The synopsis stops here, as any more would spoil the fun.

As you would expect from a low budget, independent feature, there are technical issues with lighting, sound, etc. That sometimes detract from the viewing experience and distract the audience, but solid acting, writing and directing makes up for these shortfalls. The horror elements are nicely balanced by some truly inspired comedic moments provided by the talented cast. Erik Kyr, who composed the music and appears early in the film as an unimpressed, hard-nosed bank loan officer, delivers a sometimes energetic, sometimes haunting score that complements cinematographer Eddie Brown Jr.'s. Capable and occasionally stunning visuals. The screenplay by Brentt Slabchuck and Gregory Blair is a well-crafted bit of writing with a combination of subtle wit and grotesque savagery that frames the entire project. Finally, this latest offering from Director Chase Dudley shows real growth in his talents, and I look forward to seeing what he comes up with next.

The lighting was very inconsistent, the sound was just going in and out, the end fighting scene was a bit cringe, it would have been better to have a glimpse of this creature (whether it was real or his imagination, maybe his Letters pov of what he died trying to find) and cinematography could be better, it was all over the place, could of used that for the fighting scenesl lol but as you know working with mother nature is a pain in the butt especially when you are on a time limit. You only have so much lighting you can work with and with the rain makes sound just harder to work with, it just kinda sucks for the cast and crew. But they worked with what they had. I enjoyed the plot.