There are too many plot twists to be believable, and the characters are bit flat. There are moments when I just rolled my eyes in disbelief at how unimaginative the writing. I felt nothing for the characters, and the story isn't anchored with any practical ideas.
65 Reviews
A jumbled mess that reminded me of Aloha. There were just too many story lines that didn't seem to fit with each other.
cosmo_tiger22 January 2017
"He knows the mountains too well no one would believe he got lost. You'd have to do it." Miles (Roy) and Liam (Coffey) are brothers who have been struggling. Looking for ways to make money they decide to fake a disappearance and sell their story. Miles, heads up a mountain while Liam reports him missing. What seems like a quick and easy way to make money soon changes the lives of everyone involved. This is a movie that had such promise. The idea was interesting and had me looking forward to seeing it. What the movie became though was a jumbled mess of plot lines that came from everywhere and made it hard to not only get into but keep from laughing at. This fake disappearance movie contained a hardened un-trusting cop, blackmail, an angry collection thug, false accusations, constantly changing sides and stories, hidden secrets and more family drama than a soap opera. The movie was just too over the place and distracted from the main focus of the movie, but then again it was hard to tell what the main focus was. Overall, a jumbled mess that reminded me of Aloha in the way that there were just too many story lines that didn't seem to fit with each other. That aspect really really hurt what could have been an interesting and tense movie. I give this a C+.
Not Bad
rutzelb12 June 2017
We have all heard about true survivor stories and the big bucks, and sometimes a movie made for the story.
Well, we have almost the same thing here in this fictional story. Brothers Liam (Shane Coffey) and Miles (Drew Roy) hatch a plan whereby Miles will go into Sugar Mountain after a "fight" with Liam and get lost and be "found" later on and the story will bring in big bucks to take care of their debts. The plan is hatched, but things go south big time.
Enter Joe Bright (Jason Momoa) who learns of the hoax and wants money to keep quiet. Oh, oh, this can't be good.
Acting all around is very good and the cinematography is outstanding, at times. There are plot holes and twists, but to tell of them would give too much away. And, there is one very big twist later on. Let me repeat: A VERY BIG TWIST.
Okay, one lesser twist - that is obvious - is that Liam has a thing for his brother's girlfriend, Lauren Huxkey (Haley Webb). (Yes. Very obvious)
I was surprised at how many "producers" are listed in this movie. Hey, guys it wasn't that good. Not bad, but why all these producers?
Notable: Cary Elwes as Sheriff Huxley, and yes, Lauren's father.
The ending is somewhat of a reach, but plausible I suppose. (5/10)
Violence Yes. Sex: Yes. Nudity: Yes. Language: Yes.
Well, we have almost the same thing here in this fictional story. Brothers Liam (Shane Coffey) and Miles (Drew Roy) hatch a plan whereby Miles will go into Sugar Mountain after a "fight" with Liam and get lost and be "found" later on and the story will bring in big bucks to take care of their debts. The plan is hatched, but things go south big time.
Enter Joe Bright (Jason Momoa) who learns of the hoax and wants money to keep quiet. Oh, oh, this can't be good.
Acting all around is very good and the cinematography is outstanding, at times. There are plot holes and twists, but to tell of them would give too much away. And, there is one very big twist later on. Let me repeat: A VERY BIG TWIST.
Okay, one lesser twist - that is obvious - is that Liam has a thing for his brother's girlfriend, Lauren Huxkey (Haley Webb). (Yes. Very obvious)
I was surprised at how many "producers" are listed in this movie. Hey, guys it wasn't that good. Not bad, but why all these producers?
Notable: Cary Elwes as Sheriff Huxley, and yes, Lauren's father.
The ending is somewhat of a reach, but plausible I suppose. (5/10)
Violence Yes. Sex: Yes. Nudity: Yes. Language: Yes.
When directors don't question their own work
arclinecreative21 February 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Terrible. The potential was there... really. But the plot twists we're just there to try to add some depth. It didn't work. Bad guy gets hit with a shovel and they think he's dead. In the end, the sherrif gets hit with the same shovel and he's really dead! Kids find an iPod on the side of the mountain...WTF are twelve year-old kids doing playing in the wilderness and miraculously find this ipod? We find out in the end that the sherrif is the protagonists father, but when he's killed by the madman wielding a shovel, the protagonist isn't even moved emotionally? OH MY GOD, DIRECTORS AND WRITER'S; QUESTION YOUR WORK!!! The next people to view your work are your audience...and critics.
I really like this movie
subxerogravity11 December 2016
So Sugar Mountain is s real place in Alaska? Interesting. I wonder if they call it that cause it's covered in snow? Went to see the flick cause Jason Momoa is in it. Looks like he filmed this around the same time as Justice League, cause he looks massive.
But the new Aquaman has a small part in a movie about two brothers and the woman between them trying to pull off an interesting con.
In order to save their small business they have a plan: Miles, the older bad boy brother would get lost on Sugar Mountain just long enough to make it worth selling his story to journalist and get paid like that dude who the movie 127 Hours is based on. Just to make his story of survival sweeter, an extra added story of Liam, the good little brother, openly confessing his love to his brother's girlfriend and the two brother's staging a fight just before Miles "disappears" on the mountain, making it seem like Liam may have had something to do with it.
Of course the not that interesting twist is that Liam does actually have a thing for his brother's girl (You see that coming), What you don't see coming is how long of a downward spiral the whole con is. Usually in a small town when one of their own gets missing, it brings the town together in a good way, and the three culprits thought that would happen, but the con was getting people they care about hurt, or bringing out the worse in those closest to them and especially , especially each other. It's like the boy who cried wolf scenario , only everyone else gets eaten as the demon's come out.
But Props to Jason Momoa who showed he was not all that one dimensional. One of my fav scenes is when his character Joe Bright ended up in a holding cell with Liam and his big ass roughed up little Liam in the ultimate scared straight "I'm never ever going to jail, ever" situation.
It was a real tangle web of deception. It all started with what seemed like an very easy get rich quick scheme, but as the pages turned in this book the twist just kept getting more complex and disturbing, till you get to turning the page that makes you go "what!?" and your mind is just blown away by how messed up these people are.
Sugar Mountain did the trick.
http://cinemagardens.com
But the new Aquaman has a small part in a movie about two brothers and the woman between them trying to pull off an interesting con.
In order to save their small business they have a plan: Miles, the older bad boy brother would get lost on Sugar Mountain just long enough to make it worth selling his story to journalist and get paid like that dude who the movie 127 Hours is based on. Just to make his story of survival sweeter, an extra added story of Liam, the good little brother, openly confessing his love to his brother's girlfriend and the two brother's staging a fight just before Miles "disappears" on the mountain, making it seem like Liam may have had something to do with it.
Of course the not that interesting twist is that Liam does actually have a thing for his brother's girl (You see that coming), What you don't see coming is how long of a downward spiral the whole con is. Usually in a small town when one of their own gets missing, it brings the town together in a good way, and the three culprits thought that would happen, but the con was getting people they care about hurt, or bringing out the worse in those closest to them and especially , especially each other. It's like the boy who cried wolf scenario , only everyone else gets eaten as the demon's come out.
But Props to Jason Momoa who showed he was not all that one dimensional. One of my fav scenes is when his character Joe Bright ended up in a holding cell with Liam and his big ass roughed up little Liam in the ultimate scared straight "I'm never ever going to jail, ever" situation.
It was a real tangle web of deception. It all started with what seemed like an very easy get rich quick scheme, but as the pages turned in this book the twist just kept getting more complex and disturbing, till you get to turning the page that makes you go "what!?" and your mind is just blown away by how messed up these people are.
Sugar Mountain did the trick.
http://cinemagardens.com
When will it be over?
arclinecreative24 February 2019
Not Bad
chrismackey197210 December 2016
Warning: Spoilers
First of all, I had nothing to do with this movie, and I didn't even think it sounded interesting, but about five minutes in was all it took to keep me interested. This movie was well written, and the acting was good.
I'm not sure why Jason Mamoa took such a bit role. Maybe he did the movie as a favor to a friend, but his part in the film is small, but you come to understand his character and his purpose later on.
The two brothers' roles were well-written and well acted by Shane Coffey (Liam) and Drew Roy (Miles), and there's a twist as to why the hoax takes place that isn't even known to Liam until later.
There is a gross twist towards the end between Liam and Lauren which I won't give away, but...yeah, it was gross. lol
Cary Elwes and Haley Webb were very good in their roles as police chief and his daughter.
There was a really stupid part in the movie, however. When Angie (Anna Hutchison) and Liam are in the car. She confesses that she liked him, and he says it back to her. Then, as if in a comedy, she says "Really?" and jumps on him and starts stripping (no nudity) until they're interrupted by the police. For such a serious drama, it was very out of place.
I gave it a 6 out of 10 for the good writing, acting, directing, and suspense. And I really like movies with a twist.
I'm not sure why Jason Mamoa took such a bit role. Maybe he did the movie as a favor to a friend, but his part in the film is small, but you come to understand his character and his purpose later on.
The two brothers' roles were well-written and well acted by Shane Coffey (Liam) and Drew Roy (Miles), and there's a twist as to why the hoax takes place that isn't even known to Liam until later.
There is a gross twist towards the end between Liam and Lauren which I won't give away, but...yeah, it was gross. lol
Cary Elwes and Haley Webb were very good in their roles as police chief and his daughter.
There was a really stupid part in the movie, however. When Angie (Anna Hutchison) and Liam are in the car. She confesses that she liked him, and he says it back to her. Then, as if in a comedy, she says "Really?" and jumps on him and starts stripping (no nudity) until they're interrupted by the police. For such a serious drama, it was very out of place.
I gave it a 6 out of 10 for the good writing, acting, directing, and suspense. And I really like movies with a twist.
Well...
dianamarya3 September 2019
To be honest the plot is good, but I don't know what happened. I won't blame the director, but I think that the writing could have been better. There were parts, especially at the end, when the movie sounded more like a soap opera.
All I can say now is that Alaska is amazing.
Not impressed.
virginia-gorg29 May 2022
Potential but very drawn out and all over the place
schatzkilla19 January 2019
Warning: Spoilers
It has some good moments and context but overall it's lacking simplicity and suspense. Also I've gotta mention it.. I guess apparently the women up in Alaska enjoy having intercourse with their unknowing step brothers... seems like a thing up there, I guess.. Not to mention the dude has a perfectly smoking hot blonde french girl who likes him yet he'd much rather sleep with his brothers girlfriend who later we find out is his his step sister... yeah great suspense there Mr. Director...
Had potential if it was directed by maybe a David Fincher or Joe Carnahan type ! And higher list main actors! It for sure has the story just needs the substance to back it up, we're talking potential Oscar nominations if it took that route!
Had potential if it was directed by maybe a David Fincher or Joe Carnahan type ! And higher list main actors! It for sure has the story just needs the substance to back it up, we're talking potential Oscar nominations if it took that route!
Wild is an understatement...
AverageMoviegoer11 December 2016
I don't quite understand how this movie is incurring such poor ratings since it is one of the more original films I've seen in some time.
Special effects? Forget it. This is pure wilderness territory in panoramic play. Wild Alaska at its finest in natural scenery, music (native Alaskans Black Railroad Company with bluegrass twang and a rugged, rustic feel), with "real" people in the background throughout.
I could not predict anything that would happen in this film even though it *appeared* mundanely spelled out from the outset. Nothing is at it seems in 'Sugar Mountain'; for that, my interest was sustained and entangled with the very good acting, plot twists, and disbelief throughout.
This movie felt very Indie-"ish" to me. I appreciated the stripped down rawness and feeling of realness. If you're looking for glitz, elite Hollywood garbage, again forget it.
This is deeper than that.
Special effects? Forget it. This is pure wilderness territory in panoramic play. Wild Alaska at its finest in natural scenery, music (native Alaskans Black Railroad Company with bluegrass twang and a rugged, rustic feel), with "real" people in the background throughout.
I could not predict anything that would happen in this film even though it *appeared* mundanely spelled out from the outset. Nothing is at it seems in 'Sugar Mountain'; for that, my interest was sustained and entangled with the very good acting, plot twists, and disbelief throughout.
This movie felt very Indie-"ish" to me. I appreciated the stripped down rawness and feeling of realness. If you're looking for glitz, elite Hollywood garbage, again forget it.
This is deeper than that.
nice premises
Kirpianuscus9 July 2022
Cary Elwes and Jason Momoa. A huge fist of twists. A not bad story but not brilliant used. And a lot of holes.
Siblings, the girlfriend of one of them, the sheriff , mountain as refuge and a not so credible story, truths and not inspired dialogue.
And, sure, few good scenes.
Not a bad film but an example of story complicated in too many plots , with a not so great end.
Siblings, the girlfriend of one of them, the sheriff , mountain as refuge and a not so credible story, truths and not inspired dialogue.
And, sure, few good scenes.
Not a bad film but an example of story complicated in too many plots , with a not so great end.
What A Tangled Web We Weave
Foutainoflife30 January 2019
This film is about a plan to fake a survival incident in hopes of selling the story to media. While this production is low budget it is the uppercrust of low budget filming. So it has a decent polish to it. The acting isn't too bad and the plot is is interesting. It is lacking something although, I can't say exactly what that something is. I'd categorise this as a slightly suspenseful drama. I'll probably never watch it again but it was a "Meh." way to spend a lazy day.
Lame waste of time
meganashleyxx17 January 2019
When you watch actors reading their script lines instead of a movie
helldesk6661 October 2019
I woke up at night due to a storm and looked for some entertainment. This movie caught my eye, unfortunately.
It is a principle of mine to always finish a movie, out of courtesy. This time it was tough. Way too long, I had to force myself not to fast forward.
Empty characters, forced interactions and dialogue, a ridiculous concept to begin with.
All in all, pretty bad. If you watch this and feel any kind of sympathy or any kind of feeling towards any of the cardboard characters, then kudos to you.
It is a principle of mine to always finish a movie, out of courtesy. This time it was tough. Way too long, I had to force myself not to fast forward.
Empty characters, forced interactions and dialogue, a ridiculous concept to begin with.
All in all, pretty bad. If you watch this and feel any kind of sympathy or any kind of feeling towards any of the cardboard characters, then kudos to you.
Not bad, but could have been written better.
Top_Dawg_Critic14 July 2017
This was an enjoyable little film, cast not too bad, but I felt the actors were a little too infantile for their roles. I'm not sure if it was the acting or the screenplay, but I just couldn't take this film as seriously as I would have liked. Jason Momoa was the stand-out performance, but it was missing that wow-factor for me. Not bad, but nothing great either. It's a 6/10 from me.
Barely watchable!
mtsinara30 June 2019
The premise of the movie, Sugar Mountain, sounds intriguing, but the execution of the story turns out to be lackluster/mediocre at best. It lacks either good direction, writing, acting or whatever it is that makes a movie thrilling and dramatic. The movie has many twists and turns, but I felt no excitement for or interest in any of the characters and their situations. Cary Elwes delivers the best performance acting-wise, while the others are okay.
Contrast this movie with let's say the movie, A Simple Plan, which is dramatic, suspenseful, thrilling and has excellent acting throughout where you feel for the characters and their various plights.
Overall, If you're bored and just want to watch something to pass some time, Sugar Mountain is watchable...just barely.
Contrast this movie with let's say the movie, A Simple Plan, which is dramatic, suspenseful, thrilling and has excellent acting throughout where you feel for the characters and their various plights.
Overall, If you're bored and just want to watch something to pass some time, Sugar Mountain is watchable...just barely.
Slow Moving But Worth The Watch
magicbymiketurner26 January 2019
Just came across this movie today while searching for something to watch. I came on IMDb to look at the reviews which were mixed. It seems like others either hated it or loved it. It is as others have mentioned a bit slow. There are some places where I had to do a little rewind to understand what just happened but over all it's a 6 on my scale. Acting and scenery is good and it does have some twists that keep you interested.
Really really slow
jhr201222 December 2018
Who dreams up this garbage?
This movie is incredibly boring. It moves so slow. I simply got to a point that I couldn't stand it anymore. I couldn't finish it.
Nice scenario, but bland characters, that I really didn't like; except for Anna Hutchison who is quite hot but simply out of place in this movie.
A real waste of time. Skip this one.
Sugar mountain
cobuspotgieter-780-33353413 August 2019
I was so looking forward to catching this thriller, .... and yet it was disappointing
Ed-Shullivan17 September 2020
I have been waiting a couple of years now to catch this film on TV, and when it was recently aired I made sure I taped it so that I could watch it with my undivided attention. With first rate stars such as Jason Momoa and Cary Elwes I was expecting a much better thriller than what was delivered. The director Richard Gray does not have an extensive resume, his previous mainstream film was the 2014 film titled "The Lookalike". I have not seen that one either yet. After watching his latest directorial film, Sugar Mountain I am in no hurry to watch The Lookalike.
This film started off pretty good, but don't let the film name or the film's suspenseful and artful cover fool you. It's nothing special and quickly goes from a zoom zoom to a putter putter.....and then pffffttt
I give it a 4 out 10 IMDB Rating
This film started off pretty good, but don't let the film name or the film's suspenseful and artful cover fool you. It's nothing special and quickly goes from a zoom zoom to a putter putter.....and then pffffttt
I give it a 4 out 10 IMDB Rating
Very good...
RosanaBotafogo8 September 2020
Incredible photograph, packed by a beautiful, cold and tragic soundtrack, masterfully combining with its plot, not so masterful, yet captivating, emblematic, filled with plot twist, orchestrated by the iron lady and her two subjects, adorable, I liked the conflicts, loves and dislikes, sometimes I was in doubt about the real feelings of the characters... Very good...
About Alaska
vincentjones21 December 2016
Warning: Spoilers
I am surprised that Jason Momoa is the reason for so many people to watch this movie. But I watched this movie to look at the view of Alaska.
I was disappointed at the Alaska scene because there is so few.But I was attracted by the connection and atmosphere of the little community: people know each other since childhood and people are tied with each so close that they could beat each other and like each other at the same time.
Both actress are gorgeous and sexy.
I am happy with this part.
I was disappointed at the Alaska scene because there is so few.But I was attracted by the connection and atmosphere of the little community: people know each other since childhood and people are tied with each so close that they could beat each other and like each other at the same time.
Both actress are gorgeous and sexy.
I am happy with this part.
Appallingly bad
rdrysdale16 April 2017
don't waste your money or time. Nothing to recommend this movie. EVEN the scenery does not save it. I did watch the whole of the movie, but will not wish to revisit the content The acting was as poor as the story line - really, did you expect us to believe that tosh. Move along, find something that is believable in its content, as this one holds no believable content
Great story & scenery
mompaxton-481-1213819 December 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Getting 5 rating due to the storyline.
Well written and thought out. A scam of selling a story to the press of being lost in the mountains of Alaska. We have all thought at one time or another how to make a quick buck on some idiot thing in the news. Sugar Mountain was a great take on that idea. But of course, when you have an idiot idea thought up by desperate idiots, you have a grand idiot adventure.
Cary Elwes is not the Westley we know and loved from Princess Bride, playing the sheriff in backwater Alaska he has more Kiss the Girls crazy than anything. Well played and introducing all the twists to the story.
But the Oscar for worst actor on the planet goes to none other than the future Aquaman, Jason Momoa. If you really want to learn the craft of how to be a bad actor, study the science of The Momoa. Just wow. He had one great role and that was Game of Thrones. His other roles have been barely OK, but Sugar Mountain really hit the mark on being plain bad.
All in all an interesting little film set in the breathtaking Alaskan wilderness. Well worth the watch. Especially for the train wreck performance of Mr. Momoa.
Well written and thought out. A scam of selling a story to the press of being lost in the mountains of Alaska. We have all thought at one time or another how to make a quick buck on some idiot thing in the news. Sugar Mountain was a great take on that idea. But of course, when you have an idiot idea thought up by desperate idiots, you have a grand idiot adventure.
Cary Elwes is not the Westley we know and loved from Princess Bride, playing the sheriff in backwater Alaska he has more Kiss the Girls crazy than anything. Well played and introducing all the twists to the story.
But the Oscar for worst actor on the planet goes to none other than the future Aquaman, Jason Momoa. If you really want to learn the craft of how to be a bad actor, study the science of The Momoa. Just wow. He had one great role and that was Game of Thrones. His other roles have been barely OK, but Sugar Mountain really hit the mark on being plain bad.
All in all an interesting little film set in the breathtaking Alaskan wilderness. Well worth the watch. Especially for the train wreck performance of Mr. Momoa.
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