I recommend avoiding the reviews as there are a number of selfish ducks who've included a big spoiler without having the courtesy of giving a warning.
26 Reviews
Beware Selfish Spoiler Reviews
shaboish13 August 2022
Passable movie but nothing more
Opacus_Music13 February 2022
Can be somewhat o.k. But really nothing special. It lacks personality and feels extremely generic like so much of what is being done these days. Its a very "run of the mill" movie but still can be an o.k. Watch if you're bored and have nothing else to do but there is by far much better stuff to watch out there.
not a horror genre, more a suspence fantasy
veluhomme8 March 2022
This could have been so much better if classified as 'suspense' and not 'horror' - which it isn't. Expecting a 'horror' genre led us to keep thinking, as we were watching, "When will the horror part start?". It never did.
Excellent acting, good filming, interesting plot. But trying to market this as a horror genre will disappoint many people, and put off an audience who would otherwise enjoy a suspense genre. Hence many negative reviews. Which is a shame for such a well acted film.
Excellent acting, good filming, interesting plot. But trying to market this as a horror genre will disappoint many people, and put off an audience who would otherwise enjoy a suspense genre. Hence many negative reviews. Which is a shame for such a well acted film.
Ghosts of the Ozarks
marinaant-3621726 April 2022
I watched this movie just for David Arquette, the plot seemed interesting as well but sadly I didn't like it. It took me too long to understand what was going on through out the film and that's why I couldn't enjoy it. Even when I finally understood I didn't like what I saw. It was super boring as well and I'm sad it turned out that way for me.
They Tried...
gab-675996 February 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I will givem that. I love seeing Mr. Arquette back in action, after seeing Scream (Whatever number it was) I had hoped to see him again. This movie did not do him justice though. The story was good but it was WAY too much like the movie The Village. I mean almost the same story, just different time periods. But at least The Village was GOOD! This was just not good. By the end the acting felt WAY over the top and very fake. So although I do not recommend seeing this one, especially if you've seen The Village. There is really no point in seeing it again but, I know they tried their best.
beware the fog
ferguson-627 October 2021
Austin Film Festival 2021
Greetings again from the darkness. Most mothers tell their kids, "If it's too good to be true, it probably is." Young Doctor James McCune (Thomas Hobson) has decided to take up the offer from his Uncle Matthew (Phil Morris, who "Seinfeld" fans will recognize as outrageous attorney Jackie Chiles), and become the town doc in North Fork. The year is 1866, and after an eventful trip that sets us up for a horror film, James arrives to find one of the earliest 'gated communities'.
Upon arriving, two things stand out to James. First, it seems all of the North Fork citizens know his name and have been waiting on him to show up. Second, he's fascinated by the sight of a mixed-race community living in harmony. His bright-eyed awe shows his wondering whether this this some type of Utopian society? Not long after he realizes his Uncle Matthew holds the power position in town, James begins to notice the cracks in the façade of his new found paradise.
The town's characters are quite a bunch to behold. Torb, the multi-talented blind barkeep is played by the always-fun Tim Blake Nelson (recently seen in OLD HENRY). Tara Perry (the film's co-writer and wife of co-director Jordan Wayne Long) plays sharp-shooting Annie, not one for putting up with much drama. Her rather large, protective brother William is played by Joseph Rudd, while Angela Bettis as Lucille and David Arquette as Douglas play normal and annoying - I'll leave it to you to discern which is which.
"From one seed an entire forest can grow" is the film's opening quote, and it takes on an entirely different meaning as the story progresses. A gathering red fog indicates the menacing ghosts are present, but are the forest ghosts the real threat? Co-directors Jordan Wayne Long and Matt Glass, along with co-writers Long, Sean Anthony Davis and Tara Perry have adapted their 2016 short film into a ghastly fun feature, with Mr. Hobson and Ms. Perry reprising their roles. As we've learned power plays come in many forms, and sometimes legends are used to distract from the truth. Thanks to this film, I have a new guideline: any movie that features Tim Blake Nelson singing with an Irish accent is automatically worth watching.
Upon arriving, two things stand out to James. First, it seems all of the North Fork citizens know his name and have been waiting on him to show up. Second, he's fascinated by the sight of a mixed-race community living in harmony. His bright-eyed awe shows his wondering whether this this some type of Utopian society? Not long after he realizes his Uncle Matthew holds the power position in town, James begins to notice the cracks in the façade of his new found paradise.
The town's characters are quite a bunch to behold. Torb, the multi-talented blind barkeep is played by the always-fun Tim Blake Nelson (recently seen in OLD HENRY). Tara Perry (the film's co-writer and wife of co-director Jordan Wayne Long) plays sharp-shooting Annie, not one for putting up with much drama. Her rather large, protective brother William is played by Joseph Rudd, while Angela Bettis as Lucille and David Arquette as Douglas play normal and annoying - I'll leave it to you to discern which is which.
"From one seed an entire forest can grow" is the film's opening quote, and it takes on an entirely different meaning as the story progresses. A gathering red fog indicates the menacing ghosts are present, but are the forest ghosts the real threat? Co-directors Jordan Wayne Long and Matt Glass, along with co-writers Long, Sean Anthony Davis and Tara Perry have adapted their 2016 short film into a ghastly fun feature, with Mr. Hobson and Ms. Perry reprising their roles. As we've learned power plays come in many forms, and sometimes legends are used to distract from the truth. Thanks to this film, I have a new guideline: any movie that features Tim Blake Nelson singing with an Irish accent is automatically worth watching.
Been done better
ropelawshiel3 February 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Halfway through, it all seemed familiar, and if you have watched M Night Shyamalan Village, you will have watched a better film. The cast does a fine job and has produced an interesting movie for what appears to be a small budget. But if you have not watched the Village, I would do that instead.
No horror but great movie
ditruter24 September 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Don't trust hater reviews because this movie has great acting, good history, very good characters and is very good filmed.
But it is not a horror movie and i think that is why other reviewers have qualified very low this movie, because it wasn't what they were expecting.
For me this movie is a great surprise. I was expecting an horror movie and my expectations were low (a lot of crap horror movies out there), instead i have found a very good no-horror movie, so i am happy with the surprise.
I think this movie is a remake of other famous no-horror movie who had very good reviews because director and actors were famous, but this film is much better than the famous one.
But it is not a horror movie and i think that is why other reviewers have qualified very low this movie, because it wasn't what they were expecting.
For me this movie is a great surprise. I was expecting an horror movie and my expectations were low (a lot of crap horror movies out there), instead i have found a very good no-horror movie, so i am happy with the surprise.
I think this movie is a remake of other famous no-horror movie who had very good reviews because director and actors were famous, but this film is much better than the famous one.
I don't understand all the hate!
benwalling4 July 2022
OK I would honestly call this movie a 7 or 8 out of 10 but due to ask the negative reviews I felt it necessary to rate it a 10. This was a very enjoyable movie with good acting, cinematography, and plot. It deserves better than what the haters are giving.
Very Old-Fashioned, slow burn Mystery/Horror... Will be way to slow for some, but most definitely a quality film with a lot of heart...
lathe-of-heaven7 February 2022
To be honest, for Horror movies these days, this one is going to strike many as very slow and uneventful. It is indeed very, very different from the 'Hip' Horror of today. It is a very old fashioned story set after the Civil War. Its strong points are that just as a film in and of itself, it is extremely well made. The acting across the board is very strong. There are many instances where because the characters are so well developed and portrayed, you really become emotionally attached to them and are genuinely moved by what happens to them. In many 'Modern' Horror movies this is rarely the case. So, the primary focus here is on character as opposed to a Slam/Bang story.
The atmosphere and time period are created in a deep, layered, and fully believable way. Another strong point is that right from the beginning an intriguing mystery is suggested as the audience wonders just what exactly is going on. I felt the tone and mood that the filmmakers created was quite effective. First presenting us with the almost Fairytale like village, and then slowly but steadily building an increasing sense of tension as the audience tries to figure out where this is going.
First and foremost, in my very lowly and wretched opinion, I just really appreciate the fact that the film is very well made. With such a slow building story, it is vital to keep all of the elements, the acting, the situations, the pacing just right in order to be successful to build to a good finish, which I honestly feel they do quite effectively.
But, be warned that this is NOT your run-of-the-mill Slash & Dash modern Horror movie. And, if you are looking for ANYTHING that even resembles modern day Horror, you are very likely to be disappointed. BUT... if you truly enjoy quality filmmaking in and of itself, and if you don't mind a very slow burn, low key build to the story, and I guess if you also happen to like the time period which is represented very well here, there is a chance that you might enjoy this very unusual, but well put together film.
***EDIT
After reading Ferguson-6's excellent review above, I just wanted to add that if you would like more details about the characters and such, his review will give you some excellent information about the flavour of the movie. I have a tendency to give more of an overview of how good of a film I thought it was and why, but without giving very many specifics.
So, I would HIGHLY recommend that you also make sure to read Ferguson-6's great review above (he also gave it a '7') 😊
The atmosphere and time period are created in a deep, layered, and fully believable way. Another strong point is that right from the beginning an intriguing mystery is suggested as the audience wonders just what exactly is going on. I felt the tone and mood that the filmmakers created was quite effective. First presenting us with the almost Fairytale like village, and then slowly but steadily building an increasing sense of tension as the audience tries to figure out where this is going.
First and foremost, in my very lowly and wretched opinion, I just really appreciate the fact that the film is very well made. With such a slow building story, it is vital to keep all of the elements, the acting, the situations, the pacing just right in order to be successful to build to a good finish, which I honestly feel they do quite effectively.
But, be warned that this is NOT your run-of-the-mill Slash & Dash modern Horror movie. And, if you are looking for ANYTHING that even resembles modern day Horror, you are very likely to be disappointed. BUT... if you truly enjoy quality filmmaking in and of itself, and if you don't mind a very slow burn, low key build to the story, and I guess if you also happen to like the time period which is represented very well here, there is a chance that you might enjoy this very unusual, but well put together film.
***EDIT
After reading Ferguson-6's excellent review above, I just wanted to add that if you would like more details about the characters and such, his review will give you some excellent information about the flavour of the movie. I have a tendency to give more of an overview of how good of a film I thought it was and why, but without giving very many specifics.
So, I would HIGHLY recommend that you also make sure to read Ferguson-6's great review above (he also gave it a '7') 😊
My Fault for Paying to Watch
atxgirl720 February 2022
This movie is definitely in the Top 10 of worst movies I've seen. Besides being stupidly pointless, everything about it made no sense. Instead of being listed as a "horror" movie, it should be under the comedy genre. My bad for paying to actually watch it. Another hour and a half I can never get back. The acting is marginal and the only part that helps you sit through it, but make no mistake, you'll still fall asleep from boredom. I wouldn't even recommend watching it if it were free to do so. It's really that bad.
Time I can never get back
bkntrwmb25 August 2022
Its been quite a while since I felt I completely wasted time on a pointless film but here I am . I did get to the end but felt I knew it was going to be poor about 10 minutes in the only thing that made me give it one star was the gore when something did happen.
Strangely strange
radhrh4 February 2022
A very odd movie indeed. Very low production values, it looks incredibly cheap. Most of the cast would struggle to get work in TV commercials but what on Earth are Tim Blake Nelson and David Arquette doing here? Are they close friends of the director or were they blackmailed into it? Although the acting is wooden, the script stilted, the plot bizzare and the aforementioned negative production values this movie has a strange attraction. I can well see it becoming a cult classic especially among those keen on mind expanding fungus.
Good, right up to the actual reveal of what was going on...
paul_haakonsen16 March 2022
Right, well I hadn't even heard about this 2021 mystery thriller from writers Sean Anthony Davis, Jordan Wayne Long and Tara Perry before now in 2022 as I sat down to watch it. So I had no idea what I was in for here, but I have to say that I found the movie's cover and title interesting.
Directors Matt Glass and Jordan Wayne Long sort of manage to deliver a good enough movie. I liked the build up and the staging of the entire storyline. However, the reveal and the actual truth as to what was going on sort of felt very anti-climatic. And for me, once it became clear what was going on, I felt like I had essentially just wasted about an hour and a half of my life on the movie, as the reveal was sort of a slap to the face.
Initially then I was rather impressed with the cast ensemble that were in "Ghosts of the Ozarks", with the likes of Thomas Hobson, Phil Morris, Tim Blake Nelson, Angela Bettis, David Arquette and more. So there definitely were some talented people involved with the movie.
Visually then "Ghosts of the Ozarks" was good. It wasn't an over-the-top special effects movie, and with good reason. But I will not reveal the ending or what was going on. You have to experience that for yourself. But I will say that the effects were brooding and definitely added a good atmosphere to the movie.
"Ghosts of the Ozarks" was sort of a slow paced movie, but the building up of the entire scenario and atmosphere was well-deserving of a slow paced narrative. Just a shame about that atrocious reveal.
I was adequately entertained by "Ghosts of the Ozarks", but this is hardly a movie that I will be returning to watch a second time. Nor is it a movie that I would recommend anyone to rush out and get to watch.
My rating of "Ghosts of the Ozarks" lands on a bland five out of ten stars.
Directors Matt Glass and Jordan Wayne Long sort of manage to deliver a good enough movie. I liked the build up and the staging of the entire storyline. However, the reveal and the actual truth as to what was going on sort of felt very anti-climatic. And for me, once it became clear what was going on, I felt like I had essentially just wasted about an hour and a half of my life on the movie, as the reveal was sort of a slap to the face.
Initially then I was rather impressed with the cast ensemble that were in "Ghosts of the Ozarks", with the likes of Thomas Hobson, Phil Morris, Tim Blake Nelson, Angela Bettis, David Arquette and more. So there definitely were some talented people involved with the movie.
Visually then "Ghosts of the Ozarks" was good. It wasn't an over-the-top special effects movie, and with good reason. But I will not reveal the ending or what was going on. You have to experience that for yourself. But I will say that the effects were brooding and definitely added a good atmosphere to the movie.
"Ghosts of the Ozarks" was sort of a slow paced movie, but the building up of the entire scenario and atmosphere was well-deserving of a slow paced narrative. Just a shame about that atrocious reveal.
I was adequately entertained by "Ghosts of the Ozarks", but this is hardly a movie that I will be returning to watch a second time. Nor is it a movie that I would recommend anyone to rush out and get to watch.
My rating of "Ghosts of the Ozarks" lands on a bland five out of ten stars.
Not sure of the low scores?
pacman-8123 August 2022
Great suspense with a strong cast playing intriguing characters that you really buy into and care for some. That's what makes a good story you have to care about the characters and the cast do a great job.
A simple premise of a village were everyone has a role but most play by the rules otherwise the Ghosts outside the walls exact punishment.
I'd say this is less horror and more a mystery thriller/drama but that doesn't change the fact it's well worth watching.
A simple premise of a village were everyone has a role but most play by the rules otherwise the Ghosts outside the walls exact punishment.
I'd say this is less horror and more a mystery thriller/drama but that doesn't change the fact it's well worth watching.
Know Your purpose
nogodnomasters2 March 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This is one of those films that has great characters that you can change out and make into a series. James McCune (Thomas Hobson) is requested to come to Norfolk, Arkansas by his uncle (Phil Morris) who appears to run the utopian village. The old doctor had passed away, taken by the ghosts of the red fog. Ghosts are outside of the walled community and keeps them prisoners. The town has secrets besides the ghosts.
I thought the ending messed up a good post reconstruction supernatural tale.
I thought the ending messed up a good post reconstruction supernatural tale.
Decent Period Piece, but a WEAK Horror movie.
brawler-4333411 February 2022
This is one of those cases where the way a movie's advertised or sold to you ends up hurting it in the end. We've seen plenty of period piece horror movies, but rarely have I seen it set in the Old West. Sadly, unlike something like 'The Witch' or 'The Lighthouse', the horror elements are not in anyway harmonious with the setting, and in fact, the film probably would've been alot better had they dropped them altogether. While I'm happy they didn't resort to cheap jumpscares, their attempts to frighten the audience is downright pathetic. Really the most intense moments in this are the realistic bits without any hint of the supernatural. It's a shame really cause they probably could've done so much with their premise, but in the end they couldn't make it work. The 'Scooby-Doo' style ending was especially a sour send off.
That all being said, I did really enjoy the characters, and when it wasn't trying to do horror, I was actually interested in the story. True it might be unrealistically progressive for the time period, but regardless, it did draw me into what was going on with the people. In no small part thanks to the acting which is solid across the board.
There's a good movie in here trapped inside of a horror film that couldn't scare a toddler.
That all being said, I did really enjoy the characters, and when it wasn't trying to do horror, I was actually interested in the story. True it might be unrealistically progressive for the time period, but regardless, it did draw me into what was going on with the people. In no small part thanks to the acting which is solid across the board.
There's a good movie in here trapped inside of a horror film that couldn't scare a toddler.
Absolute rubbish
jimbob25513 February 2022
I only watched is because Tim blake Nelson is in it but what in the name of god is he doing in this ? It's like a bunch of high school students put it together. The effects are the cheapest of the cheap. Really don't waste your time.
Move Beyond the Walls
gjohnson-982706 February 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The film is sort of "the Village" meets "Wild, Wild West". Ghost of the Ozarks is an historical fantasy with a horror-movie feel that tells the story of James 'Doc' McCune (Thomas Hobson) who becomes the latest resident of Norfork, a fortress city in the post-Civil War Ozarks, built around a mysterious mine and surrounded by a red fog and the ghost creatures that surround it.
With themes of oppression, racial harmony, greed, fear and liberation, the story establishes a large cast of interesting characters. Hobson creates a likeable portrayal of James McCune and the tension that develops between him and his uncle Mathhew McCune (Phil Morris) is excellent if not fully developed. James soon meets Annie, the town's hunter, who breaks stereotypes and is a strong female character that is a dominant contrast to her stron, silent brother William (Joseph Ruud). Tim Blake Nelson shines as the blind barkeep, Torb, as does Angela Bettis as his "darling" Lucille. The devotion between these two characters and their mysterious back-story is perfectly played with minimal dialogue and leaves us wanting more. The film's first act lingers as it establishes these rich characters including Douglas (David Arquette), the town's haberdasher, tailor and photographer who prior to James arrival was the newest resident in town and who seems very eager to sell his wares.
Some of the best scenes in the film come in the establishment of Torb and Lucille's relationship, parlor tricks and even a song sequence that can't help but remind one of Tim Blake Nelson's outstanding performance in O Brother Where Art Thou.
The costuming seemed appropriate to the period but the miner's cloaks were confusing and made one think there might be cultish overtones coming in the plot but then the cloaks are never really explained and seemed to have been merely functional. The sets are weak in places like (the mine) and this no doubt reflects the budget. And the purpose of futuristic elements (for the period) like the doctor's gadgets, gas masks and gas lighting in a small rural town are never made clear in the service of the plot but do provide mystery and give the film a unique feel.
The special effects were simple but effective, especially the red fog and the mysterious horned and hoofed ghosts.
SPOILER ALERT. Plot details. McCune at first enters a town that seems somewhat utopian. Friendly people eager to greet him, who accept his as a black doctor, and who live in a town where his uncle is the town's black mayor. But the wheels of the utopic view begin to fall off as he discovers more about the behavior of mysterious ghosts that keep the townspeople within the gates out of fear. Only Annie and William dare to live outside the gates.
McCune needs Annie to help him as his nurse as we learn that his left arm was badly damaged in the Civil War.
McCune grows increasingly distant from his uncle as he discovers that he is controlling people in the town and leveraging the fear of the ghosts to keep people under control and presumably prevent them from learning of his secret diamond mining activities. Punishment by the ghosts of the townspeople who dare to speak out are swift and brutal. When Annie is attacked, Torb and Lucille, who have apparently reluctantly kept the secret up to this point do battle with the mayor's henchman and eventually Torb is killed as Annie's held in the mayor's grip. Douglas shows McCune a photograph that proves that the mayor, his uncle, stood by as Annie was attacked. Annie and her brother return to their house and while her brother is out, the house mysteriously burns down. McCune angrily confronts his uncle and insists that the diamond mine should be revealed to the townspeople.
The next day this is all leads to a large town gathering orchestrated by the mayor. He turns the table on his nephew McCune and reveals that he has a bad arm and is a fraud as a doctor. But McCune in turn accuses his uncle of orchestrating the ghosts and running a diamond mine. Thanks to Annie's surprising return (she wasn't killed in the fire after all), the town is saved and the townspeople escape outside the gates.
CONCLUSION. What does it all mean?
The metaphors in the film are rich and not obvious leaving the viewer to ponder the deeper social themes of greed, oppression, racial harmony, fear, control and freedom. I think it may be dangerous to draw to close a connection to current events as the film was likely written when the national debate was attenuated differently.
The mayor, motivated by greed and a desire for respect, controls and oppresses an entire town through fear and a fog that puts people to sleep. The doctor, motivated by a desire to heal and be freed by the truth leads people to break outside the walls of their captivity. If we try to make the mayor Obama or Trump or the doctor Democrat or Republican we may miss a larger point that anyone can fear and fog to control a society to act against its own interests in the name of being protected. Only as we step outside the boundaries of nationalism, tribalism, and partisanship can we find true liberation and the ability to live lives of freedom, well-being and truth.
With themes of oppression, racial harmony, greed, fear and liberation, the story establishes a large cast of interesting characters. Hobson creates a likeable portrayal of James McCune and the tension that develops between him and his uncle Mathhew McCune (Phil Morris) is excellent if not fully developed. James soon meets Annie, the town's hunter, who breaks stereotypes and is a strong female character that is a dominant contrast to her stron, silent brother William (Joseph Ruud). Tim Blake Nelson shines as the blind barkeep, Torb, as does Angela Bettis as his "darling" Lucille. The devotion between these two characters and their mysterious back-story is perfectly played with minimal dialogue and leaves us wanting more. The film's first act lingers as it establishes these rich characters including Douglas (David Arquette), the town's haberdasher, tailor and photographer who prior to James arrival was the newest resident in town and who seems very eager to sell his wares.
Some of the best scenes in the film come in the establishment of Torb and Lucille's relationship, parlor tricks and even a song sequence that can't help but remind one of Tim Blake Nelson's outstanding performance in O Brother Where Art Thou.
The costuming seemed appropriate to the period but the miner's cloaks were confusing and made one think there might be cultish overtones coming in the plot but then the cloaks are never really explained and seemed to have been merely functional. The sets are weak in places like (the mine) and this no doubt reflects the budget. And the purpose of futuristic elements (for the period) like the doctor's gadgets, gas masks and gas lighting in a small rural town are never made clear in the service of the plot but do provide mystery and give the film a unique feel.
The special effects were simple but effective, especially the red fog and the mysterious horned and hoofed ghosts.
SPOILER ALERT. Plot details. McCune at first enters a town that seems somewhat utopian. Friendly people eager to greet him, who accept his as a black doctor, and who live in a town where his uncle is the town's black mayor. But the wheels of the utopic view begin to fall off as he discovers more about the behavior of mysterious ghosts that keep the townspeople within the gates out of fear. Only Annie and William dare to live outside the gates.
McCune needs Annie to help him as his nurse as we learn that his left arm was badly damaged in the Civil War.
McCune grows increasingly distant from his uncle as he discovers that he is controlling people in the town and leveraging the fear of the ghosts to keep people under control and presumably prevent them from learning of his secret diamond mining activities. Punishment by the ghosts of the townspeople who dare to speak out are swift and brutal. When Annie is attacked, Torb and Lucille, who have apparently reluctantly kept the secret up to this point do battle with the mayor's henchman and eventually Torb is killed as Annie's held in the mayor's grip. Douglas shows McCune a photograph that proves that the mayor, his uncle, stood by as Annie was attacked. Annie and her brother return to their house and while her brother is out, the house mysteriously burns down. McCune angrily confronts his uncle and insists that the diamond mine should be revealed to the townspeople.
The next day this is all leads to a large town gathering orchestrated by the mayor. He turns the table on his nephew McCune and reveals that he has a bad arm and is a fraud as a doctor. But McCune in turn accuses his uncle of orchestrating the ghosts and running a diamond mine. Thanks to Annie's surprising return (she wasn't killed in the fire after all), the town is saved and the townspeople escape outside the gates.
CONCLUSION. What does it all mean?
The metaphors in the film are rich and not obvious leaving the viewer to ponder the deeper social themes of greed, oppression, racial harmony, fear, control and freedom. I think it may be dangerous to draw to close a connection to current events as the film was likely written when the national debate was attenuated differently.
The mayor, motivated by greed and a desire for respect, controls and oppresses an entire town through fear and a fog that puts people to sleep. The doctor, motivated by a desire to heal and be freed by the truth leads people to break outside the walls of their captivity. If we try to make the mayor Obama or Trump or the doctor Democrat or Republican we may miss a larger point that anyone can fear and fog to control a society to act against its own interests in the name of being protected. Only as we step outside the boundaries of nationalism, tribalism, and partisanship can we find true liberation and the ability to live lives of freedom, well-being and truth.
A ghost of a chance to entertain
joker-45 February 2022
The plot is simple - and one that should work with relative ease. James, a young doctor (Thomas Hobson), is invited to set up his practice in the remote, utopian town of North Fork in the post-Civil War Arkansas Ozarks. This town, of course, is set in their ways. They host their own internal secrets, while fighting off an external supernatural menace. Ghosts of the Ozarks had the potential to be gothic and creepy; low-lying fog and the full moon are every horror fan's friends. The mystery could have been a slow, involved burn with Shyamalan-ian twists. Instead, the movie is hampered with sub-par acting, generic dialogue, and ridiculous Civil War cosplay. Truly, North Fork's ghost wouldn't even have kept the Scooby Gang overly occupied.
If Ghosts of the Ozarks had a style to its production, the amateur acting from its primary cast of Hobson, Perry, and Phil Morris as the town's mayor, could almost be excused. But the movie looks flat and dull. The story is a dud that even Tim Blake Nelson with a cleaver could not cut with any excitement. XYZ Films, the movie's distributor, is known for chancy, genre flicks (Nic Cage's Mandy, anyone?). Ghosts of the Ozarks has a ghost of a chance to entertain even the basest of genre fans.
If Ghosts of the Ozarks had a style to its production, the amateur acting from its primary cast of Hobson, Perry, and Phil Morris as the town's mayor, could almost be excused. But the movie looks flat and dull. The story is a dud that even Tim Blake Nelson with a cleaver could not cut with any excitement. XYZ Films, the movie's distributor, is known for chancy, genre flicks (Nic Cage's Mandy, anyone?). Ghosts of the Ozarks has a ghost of a chance to entertain even the basest of genre fans.
Voodoo of the Ozarks
109YearsOld11 February 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Someone here questioned if there was black doctor at the time of the post-Civil War, and who in the world taught him medicine. I have the answer, he is a voodoo witch doctor, like Doctor Voodoo in Marvel. That explains why he is addressed as a doc. So there you go. I turned it off and watched something else after half an hour into this voodoo, be warned.
Could have been better
lynnbarr-721289 February 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Where to begin? Firstly the music score was terrible it really grates on every nerve. The acting was good each character played their part well, Its a pity David Arquette didn't have much screen time I like him as a actor. The story was almost like the 2004 film The Village (which is a more superior movie ). Overall the movie wasn't bad if you have nothing else to watch but just expect a lot from it. Its slightly woke, you have a mixed-race community all living together as one big happy family seeing it was set in 1866 this would be rather unlikely but then again its just a movie. Would I recommend it? Yes, if your bored and nothing else to watch.
Ozark.
DoorsofDylan5 October 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Finding the likes of Dead Birds (2004-also reviewed) to be a stylish take on the Horror Western,I was intrigued to stumble on a recent title in this genre combo, leading to me walking across the ozarks.
View on the film:
Locking their target on a Western with an eerie supernatural mood, the screenplay by Sean Anthony Davis, Jordan Wayne Long and Tara Perry (who also co-stars) disappointingly completely misses the mark, due to the long build up towards a fairly easy to predict twist ending, lacking any sense of a bubbling rising tension under the surface of this walled off town, which makes the push for the final into Folk Horror,come off as forced.
Locked and loaded over the red mists coming from the mysterious woods to the terrified town, co-directors Jordan Wayne Long & Matt Glass (who also did the cinematography and the score) display some ambition in the stylish long panning and crane shots across this chilly Wild West town, but are sadly able to delivery a fitting parting shot, due to the low budget undermining attempts at a creepy atmosphere, thanks to awarkward long silences in the soundtrack, and hollow sound effects, which crumble as the ghosts enter the town.
View on the film:
Locking their target on a Western with an eerie supernatural mood, the screenplay by Sean Anthony Davis, Jordan Wayne Long and Tara Perry (who also co-stars) disappointingly completely misses the mark, due to the long build up towards a fairly easy to predict twist ending, lacking any sense of a bubbling rising tension under the surface of this walled off town, which makes the push for the final into Folk Horror,come off as forced.
Locked and loaded over the red mists coming from the mysterious woods to the terrified town, co-directors Jordan Wayne Long & Matt Glass (who also did the cinematography and the score) display some ambition in the stylish long panning and crane shots across this chilly Wild West town, but are sadly able to delivery a fitting parting shot, due to the low budget undermining attempts at a creepy atmosphere, thanks to awarkward long silences in the soundtrack, and hollow sound effects, which crumble as the ghosts enter the town.
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