Yellowbrickroad Reviews
LWOODS04
Super Reviewer
July 6, 2010
Director:Jesse Holland, Andy Mitton
Summary: In this indie horror offering from writer-directors Jesse Holland and Andy Mitton, a small team of explorers heads into the New Hampshire wilderness to investigate an unexplained disappearance that happened some 70 years earlier. No one knows why the residents of Friar made a collective decision to leave their homes -- without their money, their clothes or a word about where they'd gone. But the truth could be stranger than fiction.
My Thoughts: "Long, boring, and absolutely no thrills or scares. At least not for me. I had a hard time keeping my fingers from pressing the stop button. An antagonizing film that just leaves you frustrated for renting it in the first place. But that's what I get for being intrigued by a title and cover of a DVD. The story may have been better if directed and acted by different people. But it wasn't and that's why I would rather watch an episode of Barney then to have to sit through this film again."
Cast:Cassidy Freeman, Laura Heisler, Lee Wilkof, Anessa Ramsey, Clark Freeman, Alex Draper, Tara Giordano, Michael Laurino, Sam Elmore
Director:Jesse Holland, Andy Mitton
Summary: In this indie horror offering from writer-directors Jesse Holland and Andy Mitton, a small team of explorers heads into the New Hampshire wilderness to investigate an unexplained disappearance that happened some 70 years earlier. No one knows why the residents of Friar made a collective decision to leave their homes -- without their money, their clothes or a word about where they'd gone. But the truth could be stranger than fiction.
My Thoughts: "Long, boring, and absolutely no thrills or scares. At least not for me. I had a hard time keeping my fingers from pressing the stop button. An antagonizing film that just leaves you frustrated for renting it in the first place. But that's what I get for being intrigued by a title and cover of a DVD. The story may have been better if directed and acted by different people. But it wasn't and that's why I would rather watch an episode of Barney then to have to sit through this film again."
www.themoviewaffler.com
Super Reviewer
January 29, 2012
This movie has a great premise; in the thirties the residents of a small town disappeared after wandering on a trail. Now a documentary team discover the location of the trail and set off themselves to investigate, becoming more and more unhinged as they go. This promising idea is ruined by amateurish acting and directing and awful effects. A rare case of a movie that could be improved with a big budget remake.
Jacob P
Super Reviewer
July 16, 2012
I liked this one. It just kept me wondering throughout the whole thing. A very good psychological horror flick.
Ryan M
Super Reviewer
August 8, 2011
Whenever I write a negative review for a low-budget, independently-made horror film, I'm not lacking in encouragement towards the filmmakers. By all means, I do encourage indie films to be made in spite of their flaws. They can lead to eventual success. Or they can lead to more failure. And if they make money, that's great. There are many horror fans and they eat these kinds of films right up. I've seen indie horror films that are possible to like as well as ones that are possible to despise. And now, "YellowBrickRoad" decides to come along, and it's a particularly unpleasant experience.
But that's the point, right? The film is supposed to be atmospheric and unsettling. It is very-much interested in its setting, but not so much for its characters. Shame about that; here is a film that has a pretty good premise, but it runs the formula that it's based around into the ground. It's not fun to watch and it's not necessarily deserving of all the attention it's been getting. But it doesn't surprise me that the folks at Bloody Disgusting, the popular website devoted to horror films, did most of the advertising. But in the end of the day, that doesn't mean too much.
In Friar New Hampshire, it is said that the ENTIRE population of the place just walked out of town and into the woods; following a trail that they believe will lead them to some sort of God. They never returned. And nobody knows just what happened to them, but that's why a film crew goes hiking on this trail to uncover the truth; as all curious movie-hikers do.
It's been seventy years since all the people disappeared, so maybe whatever got them isn't in the woods anymore. But that doesn't matter. What matters is that the film's cast of characters goes on this journey into the depths of the woods anyways; without questioning, and without reasoning. I would have just stayed away.
The film has two directors. One of them is Jesse Holland, and the other is Andy Mitton. The two also wrote the film together. As directors, the two men seem to focus a lot on characterizing their forest rather than the human beings hiking in it. Expect some bleak, but somewhat beautiful shots of the wilderness and such, but not much more. I wouldn't tell you not to see the film, and if you do see it, you might want to just for what the filmmakers are trying to do.
However, trying and doing have never been the same thing, and this is why "YellowBrickRoad" fails so miserably. What it tries to do is build tension and atmosphere rather than use just a whole lot of blood-and-gore, but this approach is almost becoming a pretension among filmmakers. Some people can make a film that is good, and doesn't need gore; others cannot. For instance, Ti West's "The House of the Devil" was all build-up, and yes, it did have a bloody finale. But I liked that film for reasons other than the ones that pertain to why I dislike this one. It gets what makes a good, tense thriller and what makes a bad one. The directors are too inexperienced to glorify this material and bring it to anything worth talking about. The result is overly talky and overlong (and I say that in spite of the nearly-100 minute run-time, which isn't long at all, but oh boy: it certainly feels like it is).
In the end, the film didn't give me enough reasons why I should be awake. There's one scene that literally attacks the viewer with sounds, sight, and insane madness. This scene was meant to be artsy, much like the rest of the film, but instead it's just trying to keep us awake by force; and that's bad, bad, bad. The flick is nothing more than a very, very bad excuse to show people going into the woods, investigating, going mad, and killing each other. There aren't enough good reasons to go on this long, treacherous walk in the woods. Save yourself some time and attention and see something like, say, "Insidious". If this year continues as it is, for the horror genre, then it's going to be as bleak as an independently-filmed trail in the forest.
3.5/10
Whenever I write a negative review for a low-budget, independently-made horror film, I'm not lacking in encouragement towards the filmmakers. By all means, I do encourage indie films to be made in spite of their flaws. They can lead to eventual success. Or they can lead to more failure. And if they make money, that's great. There are many horror fans and they eat these kinds of films right up. I've seen indie horror films that are possible to like as well as ones that are possible to despise. And now, "YellowBrickRoad" decides to come along, and it's a particularly unpleasant experience.
But that's the point, right? The film is supposed to be atmospheric and unsettling. It is very-much interested in its setting, but not so much for its characters. Shame about that; here is a film that has a pretty good premise, but it runs the formula that it's based around into the ground. It's not fun to watch and it's not necessarily deserving of all the attention it's been getting. But it doesn't surprise me that the folks at Bloody Disgusting, the popular website devoted to horror films, did most of the advertising. But in the end of the day, that doesn't mean too much.
In Friar New Hampshire, it is said that the ENTIRE population of the place just walked out of town and into the woods; following a trail that they believe will lead them to some sort of God. They never returned. And nobody knows just what happened to them, but that's why a film crew goes hiking on this trail to uncover the truth; as all curious movie-hikers do.
It's been seventy years since all the people disappeared, so maybe whatever got them isn't in the woods anymore. But that doesn't matter. What matters is that the film's cast of characters goes on this journey into the depths of the woods anyways; without questioning, and without reasoning. I would have just stayed away.
The film has two directors. One of them is Jesse Holland, and the other is Andy Mitton. The two also wrote the film together. As directors, the two men seem to focus a lot on characterizing their forest rather than the human beings hiking in it. Expect some bleak, but somewhat beautiful shots of the wilderness and such, but not much more. I wouldn't tell you not to see the film, and if you do see it, you might want to just for what the filmmakers are trying to do.
However, trying and doing have never been the same thing, and this is why "YellowBrickRoad" fails so miserably. What it tries to do is build tension and atmosphere rather than use just a whole lot of blood-and-gore, but this approach is almost becoming a pretension among filmmakers. Some people can make a film that is good, and doesn't need gore; others cannot. For instance, Ti West's "The House of the Devil" was all build-up, and yes, it did have a bloody finale. But I liked that film for reasons other than the ones that pertain to why I dislike this one. It gets what makes a good, tense thriller and what makes a bad one. The directors are too inexperienced to glorify this material and bring it to anything worth talking about. The result is overly talky and overlong (and I say that in spite of the nearly-100 minute run-time, which isn't long at all, but oh boy: it certainly feels like it is).
In the end, the film didn't give me enough reasons why I should be awake. There's one scene that literally attacks the viewer with sounds, sight, and insane madness. This scene was meant to be artsy, much like the rest of the film, but instead it's just trying to keep us awake by force; and that's bad, bad, bad. The flick is nothing more than a very, very bad excuse to show people going into the woods, investigating, going mad, and killing each other. There aren't enough good reasons to go on this long, treacherous walk in the woods. Save yourself some time and attention and see something like, say, "Insidious". If this year continues as it is, for the horror genre, then it's going to be as bleak as an independently-filmed trail in the forest.
August Seria
Super Reviewer
July 28, 2011
The premise is not that fresh, the pacing is so slow, the deaths are ridiculous and so is the enigmatic ending.
Francisco G.
Super Reviewer
August 27, 2011
A cross between Blair Witch and Session 9 (if you haven't enjoyed neither, you won't like this for sure) with a nice slow pace that has an intriguing premise and delivers for the most part, though the last act is overly long and fails to creep you out like the first "crazy" moments. Could be much better if the last act kept the rythm of the middle section and if that ending was explored a bit more (though keeping it vague and in lines with Oz's mythology tone was a wise decision),
December 12, 2012
I do appreciate that this is a low budget film and it was shot and editted very well. However, I just didn't really enjoy it. I felt like it was much too long for what we got which was mostly walking. The ending sequence was cool, but I just wish we could have gotten there sooner.
February 13, 2012
Psychological horror shows promise, but towards the middle, the characters start to grate on you and the film begins to lag. They do get an extra 1/2 star, though, for NOT going with the "found footage" approach.
December 31, 2011
A bizarre and offbeat psychological horror movie with some pretty big flaws. The length feels staggering given the subject matter and extremely slowly burning plot, and it leaves so many unanswered questions that the movie almost has no payoff.
December 17, 2011
This film is too disjointed and confusing for me to feel justified in giving it a rave review, but there's something strangely fascinating about it nonetheless. Really, my biggest problem with it was the incredibly fake New England accents. Why can no one pull those off? But besides that, I thought this was well-acted, and although it's painfully obvious the budget was almost nonexistent, this is quite a well-made independent film. Don't watch it if you don't enjoy movies that are hard to follow, though, or if you think a huge budget is necessary for an entertaining movie.
gtrsplace
November 29, 2011
this has to be THE worst film I have ever seen. almost fell asleep in the first 30 minutes, oh how I wish I had. A complete waste of time. Hell, I`m wasting my time even writing about it. Not any more.
TammiOblivion
November 12, 2011
Low budget and longwinded, this sci-fi/horror thriller tries to be too much like Blair Witch and takes forever to make its point. Some spooky moments though, as a team of filmmakers set out to produce a documentary about a mysterious trail which leads people to my favorite place: Oblivion.
Loren T.
May 15, 2013
One of those movies that could have been SO much better.
April 7, 2013
I'm a sucker for these movies YellowBrickRoad is another myth behind the mysterious disappearance of a town. This movie kept me wondering what was going on trying to solve the puzzle and mystery keeping me glued to the screen I was only able to find out parts to this Freaky mystery but yet the movie kind of feels out of place with the characters all in all I felt like this movie was a good mystery but still felt like there was no ending plot. which I think is what they shot for.
toxiemite
March 4, 2013
Has anyone seen Yellow Brick Road? I would love to get some opinions and theories about this one. I don't know how to feel having just watched it and I guess that's a good thing. I am confused and don't know what to make of it, however I do know that I enjoyed it. In 1940 an entire small town followed a trail into the mountains and never returned. They left all of their possessions behind, including their clothes. A military search party was deployed and many bodies were found butchered, the rest were simply missing. And so the film takes place in modern times with a group of researchers retracing the footsteps. They are well equipped and each of them serves a purpose (a psychologist, geographer, survivalist etc). And so they walk and walk and walk, documenting various behaviours in each other and trying to understand surreal things happening around them. Their GPS goes haywire and a strange muffled music haunts them. That's all I will reveal because the rest ventures into some really fucked up David Lynch territory. I loved what I was seeing but I didn't always understand it. I think I know and then I don't. It's the type of film that is bound to generate debate and theory. A discussion would be most welcome and I think I'm going to have to sit through this one again.
January 5, 2013
The premise is actually pretty good and lures you into thinking this will be a good movie. The beginning is nothing but the old "Blair With Project" style, with a group of friends preparing to go on a journey. As soon as they leave, things start going downhill. Characters are poorly designed and at some point you find yourself wishing they would all die at once so the movie would be over. Dialogues are dumb, the plot is lost in so many random scenes and, once again, nothing that happens seems to make any sense at all. The end, however, sums up what this movie is about: not making sense at all. I wasted a good couple of hours watching this, and I hope you won't.
Easily one of the worst movies I've ever seen. From beginning to end, it's nothing but stupid, to the point where it just stops making sense.
The premise is actually pretty good and lures you into thinking this will be a good movie. The beginning is nothing but the old "Blair With Project" style, with a group of friends preparing to go on a journey. As soon as they leave, things start going downhill. Characters are poorly designed and at some point you find yourself wishing they would all die at once so the movie would be over. Dialogues are dumb, the plot is lost in so many random scenes and, once again, nothing that happens seems to make any sense at all. The end, however, sums up what this movie is about: not making sense at all. I wasted a good couple of hours watching this, and I hope you won't.
November 3, 2012
I've seen worse movies, I'm sure of it. None come to mind, immediately after watching this stinker. Supposedly, it's a horror film. But it's not scary at all. It's scarily BAD, but nothing contained in the film is scary. Mysterious? It's a mystery how a film this bad even gets made. Suspenseful? Yeah, I was left on the edge of my seat...about to leap up and eject this steaming pile of crap from the DVD player. Awful, awful, awful. The characters were dull and boring. The plot just wanders through the woods just like the characters do. There is nothing to care about, not even the WTF ending. I don't even care enough to look up the movie online to find out what that ending even meant. STUPID BAD MOVIE. Stay as far away from it as you can!
December 31, 2012
This movie left me not only unsettled, but also appreciating it's success as a movie that is terrifying and beautiful at the same time. It invoked new objective to an overdone story. The ending is this movie's biggest flaw, leaving me more frustrated than interested, but with that said, the ending is really just a blemish on an overall pretty face.
