Though an obviously low budget film, this movie is quite fun. The story is somewhat predictable until you get to a good surprise ending. The actors range from amiable new actors to some seasoned vets who give quite good performances. This is a fun movie for an afternoon matinée or an evening of popcorn and horror. I was at the world premiere where the movie and its cast were given the full star treatment - red carpet, limo and lots of flashing lights. This was well received by an audience full of fans of the genre who really appreciated what George and Louise Baker had created. If you are a horror fan, give this one a try. It's a real treat! One fun little note - pay attention in the diner. The kids talk to a waitress while food and drinks sit on the table and in the next scene, the waitress brings the drinks, then the food to the table. But not many mistakes like this. This is the first movie produced by Tales By Firelight and I am hopeful it will not be the last!
3 Reviews
Decent film, fun to watch
larrystanley18 October 2006
Warning: Spoilers
Greeley's Field http://www.greeleysfield.com/ *** Written & Directed by George A. Baker Co-written and Produced by Louise E. Baker Cast: Julie Ames Diana Kyle Ron Rouge Michael Sorensen Brittani Lantz Tyler James Guy Fowler Bill Herrell
Review by Larry Stanley www.penguincomics.net
I should be faithful to my neighbourhood and talk about how much I like this film because it is filmed locally, used a lot of people from the area and stuff like that. Well, I don't play those kind of games. I actually liked this film for the cast and the story. I mean, with the set of characters they had and the people they picked to play them you could have filmed this just about anyplace and it would still have been good. Sure, seeing some places that I actually have seen before is a kick. But it was mostly the professionalism and standards that sold me on "Greeley's Field". And God knows, I expected something really bad. I mean you plan on it, just in case it turns out that it really does suck, you are not too disappointed. But as it turns out you wind up having a really good time. Dealing with two couples who decide to take a long weekend off since school is over for a while and end up at a place called "Greeley's Field" to go camping. Along the way they stop for some lunch at the local Greeley Café run by Dwight and Bernice. Dwight is your stereotypical short order cook in a small greasy spoon restaurant, with stained apron and half smoked cigar hanging from his mouth. It is here that we get our first clue as too what the kids might expect when Bernice gets a shocked look on her face as they tell her where they are going. "You don't want to go there," she tells them; "Bad things happen at Greeley's Field." Which proves to be truthful, which is the point of the film. I mean if only Good things happened it would not be much of a horror film, would it? Bernice and a somewhat spoiled blonde girl name Britni clash right from the start, with name calling, spilled coffee and a generally bad attitude from both of them. Which gives us our first suspect in what comes next. While a lot of low budget films would have broken down into goofy horror, with lots of stupid jokes mixed in with somewhat lame acting and bad actors, "Greeley's Field" chose instead to take a higher, less traveled road. This is a straight, down home, old-style horror film with a set of characters we begin to feel for and care about. And as we watch them get picked off and follow the twists and turns throughout the film we appreciate what the survivors are going through. This isn't you typical teenage campers all get killed film. There are some excellent twists that you don't see coming every time. Diana Kyle as the waitress Bernice was amazing and helped create a nice mixture with the rest of the cast. She dealt with the 'spoiled rich kids' like she really didn't appreciate them while at the same time presenting a hostile attitude that was at times unnerving. She worked well with Ron Rouge who played the cook Dwight and was able to work equally well with newcomer Bill Herrell as the local lawman, Sheriff Charley. Rouge came across as sleazy, and totally uncaring about what seemed to be happening to these kids. He was probably the most experienced of all the cast, and it showed. But it was Bill Herrell who shocked me the most. Having known Bill for almost 13 years, it was a shock to find out he actually had talent! He also had the best line in the film and if you ever meet him, ask him to repeat it for you. I am sure he will, he is very accommodating. Just remind him it was the one dealing with the description of Britni, he will remember. And the twist ending caught a number of people off guard. Yes, the film is derivative of hundreds of other cheap slasher films of the last couple of decades. But it is still the actors and the story that make this film worth watching and maybe even owning. Personally, I would love to see the blooper reel. Maybe on the DVD? And yes, there were a couple of errors but nothing major. Like with the drug bottle that has one of the Bakers names on it. Or when the kids have food in front of them in one scene but Bernice brings them the same food a little later in another scene. But stuff like this was few and far between. I wonder if most of the audience even caught the little things like that? Over all, this is a really good first feature film for George and Louise Baker and Tales by Firelight Productions and I hope it is not the last.
Review by Larry Stanley www.penguincomics.net
I should be faithful to my neighbourhood and talk about how much I like this film because it is filmed locally, used a lot of people from the area and stuff like that. Well, I don't play those kind of games. I actually liked this film for the cast and the story. I mean, with the set of characters they had and the people they picked to play them you could have filmed this just about anyplace and it would still have been good. Sure, seeing some places that I actually have seen before is a kick. But it was mostly the professionalism and standards that sold me on "Greeley's Field". And God knows, I expected something really bad. I mean you plan on it, just in case it turns out that it really does suck, you are not too disappointed. But as it turns out you wind up having a really good time. Dealing with two couples who decide to take a long weekend off since school is over for a while and end up at a place called "Greeley's Field" to go camping. Along the way they stop for some lunch at the local Greeley Café run by Dwight and Bernice. Dwight is your stereotypical short order cook in a small greasy spoon restaurant, with stained apron and half smoked cigar hanging from his mouth. It is here that we get our first clue as too what the kids might expect when Bernice gets a shocked look on her face as they tell her where they are going. "You don't want to go there," she tells them; "Bad things happen at Greeley's Field." Which proves to be truthful, which is the point of the film. I mean if only Good things happened it would not be much of a horror film, would it? Bernice and a somewhat spoiled blonde girl name Britni clash right from the start, with name calling, spilled coffee and a generally bad attitude from both of them. Which gives us our first suspect in what comes next. While a lot of low budget films would have broken down into goofy horror, with lots of stupid jokes mixed in with somewhat lame acting and bad actors, "Greeley's Field" chose instead to take a higher, less traveled road. This is a straight, down home, old-style horror film with a set of characters we begin to feel for and care about. And as we watch them get picked off and follow the twists and turns throughout the film we appreciate what the survivors are going through. This isn't you typical teenage campers all get killed film. There are some excellent twists that you don't see coming every time. Diana Kyle as the waitress Bernice was amazing and helped create a nice mixture with the rest of the cast. She dealt with the 'spoiled rich kids' like she really didn't appreciate them while at the same time presenting a hostile attitude that was at times unnerving. She worked well with Ron Rouge who played the cook Dwight and was able to work equally well with newcomer Bill Herrell as the local lawman, Sheriff Charley. Rouge came across as sleazy, and totally uncaring about what seemed to be happening to these kids. He was probably the most experienced of all the cast, and it showed. But it was Bill Herrell who shocked me the most. Having known Bill for almost 13 years, it was a shock to find out he actually had talent! He also had the best line in the film and if you ever meet him, ask him to repeat it for you. I am sure he will, he is very accommodating. Just remind him it was the one dealing with the description of Britni, he will remember. And the twist ending caught a number of people off guard. Yes, the film is derivative of hundreds of other cheap slasher films of the last couple of decades. But it is still the actors and the story that make this film worth watching and maybe even owning. Personally, I would love to see the blooper reel. Maybe on the DVD? And yes, there were a couple of errors but nothing major. Like with the drug bottle that has one of the Bakers names on it. Or when the kids have food in front of them in one scene but Bernice brings them the same food a little later in another scene. But stuff like this was few and far between. I wonder if most of the audience even caught the little things like that? Over all, this is a really good first feature film for George and Louise Baker and Tales by Firelight Productions and I hope it is not the last.
B Movies are better than Hollywood remakes
pippsta14 October 2006
Take your typical teen camping experience and add unexpected diversions from the normal popcorn fare. It is refreshing to see filming returning to this part of California and done with a lot of respect, even if the movie still contains small errors (watch the clock in the diner). The acting was done well and this movie may provide a good stepping stone for some new talent. All the teens fit their roles very well. Diana Kyle as the waitress was fantastic and brought a colorful character within the mix of spoiled city kids and hostile locals. While nothing truly original, this is an enjoyable film to watch with friends and toss popcorn around. There is plenty of humor and enough atmosphere to make you wonder what will happen next. Thanks to the Baker's for bringing us an alternative to the myriad remakes and adaptations to J-horror that have overrun the screens for too long.
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