Dirt Boy (2001) User Reviews

Interesting Elements, but Doesn't Mesh Completely

[Reviews_of_the_Dead · 6/10 · 10 March 2022]

This was a movie that I got from winning a contest through a podcast. It is part of a compilation of 8 Midnight Horror Movies - Hatchets & Cleavers. This isn't starting out well though as this isn't a horror movie and it also doesn't feature either of these weapons.

That isn't to say I hated this movie though. We get an interesting set up here. Our lead character, Matty Matthews (Jacob Hedman), has been accessed to this workshop with a famous criminologist, Dr. Ronald Klugard (Luca Berovici). This takes Matty to Cape Cod area.

As he leaves, he's given a book titled Dirt Boy. The crimes within in happened in the town he's going and the writer still lives there. Matty listens to it on tape to pass the time. He gets sucked into searching out the places of the murders and it leads to him being targeted as the killer is still around.

What I like about this film is the small town feel. Everyone knows everyone. They love their author, Atwater Bridges (Arthur J. Walsh). They also bring in tourists to the area and this seminar from Dr. Kulgard seems important too. I like that the town knows about the murders, but thanks to Atwater, it has given them a strong economy here. When Matty looks into the crime though, they circle the wagons to stop him.

The story needs work though. We start in a flurry and I was lost at first. I did settle in though. From there we get an interesting little mystery. It is a bit farfetched with some things, but I can work through that. The acting is decent. For the budget though, I thought it was fine. The movie is from 2001 and a low budget, so it looks like it. I do think they do some interesting things with cinematography so I'll give credit there.

We get an interesting concept here, but the execution falls short. It is using elements we've seen before. For me, I'd say this is over average. Despite it not fitting with the compilation, it was a decent enough start.

My Rating: 6 out of 10.

Dirt Boy Needs to be Buried

[jtfriday2000 · 1/10 · 4 December 2012]

I could only watch this up to about the 50 min mark before I started skipping ahead. This isn't a horror movie. I repeat: this is not a horror movie. It could be best described as a "dramatic thriller". The acting and characterizations are bad. The plot holes are huge. This movie is excruciatingly slow. If you're a fan of gore, look elsewhere cuz there's none here. If you're a fan of suspense, look elsewhere, there is none here. The suspense is lacking because no one in the movie is ever in any danger. I bought this from my local Mart for $5 with 7 other flicks and I can't decide if I hate this or Loaded of the eight films.

A valiant effort, a terrible movie

[barbara.chumsky · 1/10 · 3 November 2003]

I can appreciate the work that went into making this movie, but that still didn't make it a good movie. The story isn't bad, the execution is awful. This could definitely be on Sci Fi Theater. Childish dialogue and amateurish acting. Too bad, because I am sure it was made with a lot of blood, sweat and tears.

Like reading a well written mystery novel

[nscaia · 8/10 · 27 February 2004]

I had seen "Dirt Boy" while at the Seattle Film Festival and again at a theatre showing in Massachusetts. I recently noticed it in my local video store and brought it home to watch once again.

After watching the movie at home I realized the move was like reading a well written mystery novel. The movie draws you to concentrate on the narration, not just the visual to solve the mystery. The setting on Cape Cod in the winter was a great location for this story and the actors came across as real "Cape Codders".

I feel the filmmaker did an excellent job with his first time project and I hope to see more from him in the future.

People always say; "If you like the book you'll love the movie" with Dirt Boy it's all rolled into one.

A working director's idea of "The Sixth Sense"!

[Xander_Palmera · 10/10 · 20 June 2001]

This comedic suspenseful thriller stars some unknowns in a story about Matty Matthews, a recovering drug addict saddened by the loss of his Mother whom was killed in a terrible car accident and starting a new life as a "Crime Scene Investigator"-like student, sets off to go to a summet meeting by a well reknowned teacher. He starts his journey from New York City to a Cape Cod-ish town of Attwater Commons, home to their popular writer Attwater Bridges, author of the book "Dirt Boy"(A story within a story, SEE?). But underneath the quiet and peaceful town, a sinester secret unfolds in front of Matty that only he can solve. His actions are similar to Bruce Willis' character of the doctor in "The Sixth Sense" as he tries to have the town face the truth rather than playing cover-up as he solves the puzzle with the Books-On-Tape version of the story. What was surprising to me is that the director used every location and story so eliniquently and deeply moving, you won't, AND I MEAN WON'T, want to get out the movie chair! I saw this movie at the Seattle International Film Festival's last day of showing movies ( aka Sunday, June 17, 2001, aka FATHER'S DAY). I found that the other characters in the story, aka Attwater, the police man, the teacher, and the kid, etc. etc. expect the living survivor, don't let Matty explain himself was really cute and funny, it makes seeing thrillers with ease. At the end of the film, there was a little Q&A from the director, who brought insight to his creation and was suprised when I said, "If I was a critic, I would put this film as a working director's idea of "The Sixth Sense.", to which everybody cheered (Hense my summary title, HEE HEE!! "_") You won't find this in a major movie theater yet, but check it out if the movie comes to a film festival near you! YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED!!!!

SIFF premier

[dulligirl · 10/10 · 25 June 2001]

this is an excellent movie, both in plot and in the acting. If you are into films that have a well thought out plot(rather than all the other fluff that is out there)then this is a film for you to watch. Jacob Lee Hedman is Fabulous as Matty Matthews......I look forward to seeing more from him and the rest of the crew of dirt boy.

My uncle's first independent film to produce was excellent!

[mandyyoest · 9/10 · 17 September 2001]

As the niece of the Producer, John Smalley, I should say this movie is wonderful due to the fact he is my Uncle. Well, whether he is or not, this movie is still great. I know he was very dedicated to the making of this film and it shows in every way. John Smalley did an excellent job for his first independent film and I hope he continues to make great movies such as Dirt Boy. If anyone gets the opportunity to watch this film, please do so! Thanks.

"What A Strange Town!"...

[azathothpwiggins · 9 September 2021]

In the town of Atwater Commons for a criminal investigation seminar, Matty Matthews (Jacob Hedman) becomes embroiled in a local murder mystery involving a serial killer known as DIRT BOY. The more he uncovers, the darker it becomes.

While this may sound exciting, it's really not.

It's an odd story with very little action. Some events are intriguing and seem to be leading to something big, only to peter out. It's fairly creepy, but seeing it once was enough...