Desierto (2015)

[wormraper]

saw there wasn't a thread for this one. Watched it last night. not a bad little thriller. I can see where Curan was kinda fanning the flames of trying to sympathize with illegal immigrants and their plight, but I think Martin's review of 1/5 is a BIT harsh. it's s still a decent thriller based off the classic "The most dangerous game" pathology, and was pretty intense at time. probably give it a 3/5, nothing great, but certainly entertaining enough

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Desie...167111/#Review

[Leonidas King]

Yeah this was done by Alfonso Cuaron's son. It looked alright.

But damn that 1 star score for the movie. Ouch.

[GasmaskAvenger]

Honestly, that was a kinda pathetic review.

The movie really is a slasher film with a marginal political tinge. Very much a "what you see is what you get" ordeal and if you don't care for what it's aiming for, then whatever.

I, however, enjoyed it for what it is and do plan on getting the blu-ray when it hits stores.

[MulhollandDr]

That review was way too harsh, I'm sorry but nothing produced by Alfonso Cuaron deserves one star! It's a solid, straightforward, well-made, technically proficient, edge of your seat thriller. I rented the Blu-ray and thought it was refreshing to see a film that got straight down to business and didn't inject 30 minutes of needless backstory!

I also have to take issue with the reviewer's problem that the motivations of Jeffrey Dean Morgan's character were not revealed. I think it's much more effective to allow the viewer to imagine the reasons as to why he's unhinged. I don't need everything spelled out for me!

I liken his character to the truck driver in Spielberg's Duel. If the driver got out of his truck halfway through the film and explained to Dennis Weaver exactly why he was chasing him, it would totally ruin the film! We don't need a backstory for every character, and I love it when screenwriters provide a few clues here and there and credit the viewer with enough intelligence to create their own.

To call this a 'nothing of a movie' is quite frankly ridiculous. Definitely worth a rent.

[asabreed]

Originally Posted by MulhollandDr

That review was way too harsh, I'm sorry but nothing produced by Alfonso Cuaron deserves one star! It's a solid, straightforward, well-made, technically proficient, edge of your seat thriller. I rented the Blu-ray and thought it was refreshing to see a film that got straight down to business and didn't inject 30 minutes of needless backstory!

I also have to take issue with the reviewer's problem that the motivations of Jeffrey Dean Morgan's character were not revealed. I think it's much more effective to allow the viewer to imagine the reasons as to why he's unhinged. I don't need everything spelled out for me!

I liken his character to the truck driver in Spielberg's Duel. If the driver got out of his truck halfway through the film and explained to Dennis Weaver exactly why he was chasing him, it would totally ruin the film! We don't need a backstory for every character, and I love it when screenwriters provide a few clues here and there and credit the viewer with enough intelligence to create their own.

To call this a 'nothing of a movie' is quite frankly ridiculous. Definitely worth a rent.

If the film doesn't involve God or Christianity, Liebman will hate it.

It gets proven over and over again.

Some of the movies he gives 5 stars to makes me legitimately LOL. They border on Hallmark Channel stuff.

[blufellas]

I saw it when it was released in theaters last year, I thought it was pretty good, I will definitely be buying it. 3.5/5

[Blu Titan]

Originally Posted by wormraper

saw there wasn't a thread for this one. Watched it last night. not a bad little thriller. I can see where Curan was kinda fanning the flames of trying to sympathize with illegal immigrants and their plight, but I think Martin's review of 1/5 is a BIT harsh. it's s still a decent thriller based off the classic "The most dangerous game" pathology, and was pretty intense at time. probably give it a 3/5, nothing great, but certainly entertaining enough

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Desie...167111/#Review

A one star rating from Marty is as rare as winning the lotto .

[wormraper]

Originally Posted by blu titan

a one star rating from marty is as rare as winning the lotto .

lol!!!!

[unclejay73]

Wow, it's a shame that Blu-ray.com has Martin Liebman's review attached to it, because, with all due respect Mr. Liebman, he couldn't have been more misguided with this rather engaging piece of work.

This was a horror film of a political kind. Jeffrey Dean Morgan's character does not need to be explained, and for two reasons: 1. it's not necessary to this story to understand exactly who he is, and 2. if you use your brain a little deeper, his actions clearly tell you exactly who he is. This is the all-American white male, living in a part of the country where illegal immigration is a recurring problem and a sensitive subject. He's a gifted marksman, which hints ex-military, he's PRO-USA, and obviously has pent-up aggression with a few screws loose (as many veterans do), and has the opportunity and the location to take these matters into his own hands since the immigration system has holes of its own.

Morgan delivers certain elements in his acting where the viewer can understand exactly who he is. In the end, it's a believable modern day slasher film using a political topic running the engine.

You wanna talk about superb cinematography, editing and sound...here's one of the best overlooked films of 2016...directed and co-written by Jonás Cuarón with Alfonso Cuarón producing. "Desierto" has the isolation, adrenaline and hopelessness of "Gravity"...and the inspired feel of Spielberg's "Duel."

Put the politics and the subject matter aside, and see the artistic integrity of the film.

-UJ

[civiclx]

I've seen the trailer for this a few times and I thought it looked pretty interesting. I definitely want to check it out at some point. Someone wanted me to ask if this Blu Ray was released with a slip I have seen the DVD at Target but not the Blu Ray.

[bigdaddyhorse]

Originally Posted by civiclx

I've seen the trailer for this a few times and I thought it looked pretty interesting. I definitely want to check it out at some point. Someone wanted me to ask if this Blu Ray was released with a slip I have seen the DVD at Target but not the Blu Ray.

Blu-ray did have a slip. I found one at Family Video last month with a slip (used ex-rental, no dvd or digital code though) for $1.50 ($1.99 or 2 for $3). If you have that store in your area, maybe take a peek in.

I finally watched it and enjoyed it though there isn't much to it, but JDM is always good and it didn't go anywhere stupid like I feared it might as it played out.

[civiclx]

Originally Posted by bigdaddyhorse

Blu-ray did have a slip. I found one at Family Video last month with a slip (used ex-rental, no dvd or digital code though) for $1.50 ($1.99 or 2 for $3). If you have that store in your area, maybe take a peek in.

I finally watched it and enjoyed it though there isn't much to it, but JDM is always good and it didn't go anywhere stupid like I feared it might as it played out.

Thanks for confirming! You should snap a few pics and upload them to the database I don't have a Family Video near me but I will check Rasputin.

[GasmaskAvenger]

Several years on, I still strongly stand by me identifying this as a horror film.

This ain't no thriller, crime caper or drama. Its an all and all out slasher film with sharp objects swapped out for firearms and a companion dog.

[bigdaddyhorse]

Originally Posted by civiclx

Thanks for confirming! You should snap a few pics and upload them to the database I don't have a Family Video near me but I will check Rasputin.

Only took me a year and a half (the thread disappeared on me, and I might've been/probably was suspended) but I just submitted my scans of the slip.