Slow start but hang in there,worth the watch,you'll be glad you did
38 Reviews
Feel Good Movie
wanderer1570117 November 2019
Under the Radar Film
Intermissionman_23 November 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Cold Brook is the story of 2 close friends and neighbors who work as maintenance men at a college in Upstate New York. One night they see a man who is actually a Ghost standing in front of a Civil War display at the Musuem at the college. The man Gil LeDoux is essentially a lost Ghost looking to go home. So the 2 men Ted (William Fichtner) and Hilde (Kim Coates) begin to figure out where is Home for Gil. Both Men are married and there are honey do's , but only Ted and Hilde can actually see Gil. There are plenty of flash backs to Gil in the 1860's and how he died. This is a simple story and that is how it is told.Kinda of Drama Kinda Fantasy. Excellent cast of Actors and Nice Soundtrack. Must see for William Fichtner Fans. Now on Amazon
Strangely engrossing
durham10014 March 2021
It kind of draws you in and keeps you there. The characters are immensely likeable and almost invite you into their town and make you feel welcome. There is humour, curiosity, and it isnt all about the main story. I thought it was about people sticking with people, no matter what, always wanting to believe the best and help. i really enjoyed it, it is difficult to pigeon hole and that is an excellent thing! The production values are very high, it is a well crafted movie. All round, watch it, you will be pleasantly suprised and may feel a little happier in these rather depressing times.
A beautiful reminder of the good side of humanity
Gordon-115 January 2020
Hey! It's Michael from Lost
danielcereto17 November 2019
First, what can go wrong if you put together great actors from series like Lost, Orange is the new black, Prison break and Sons of Anarchy?.. The answer is a little bittersweet.
Second, I love William Fincher as an actor but I think Kim Koates is actually on fire and a step over him. Just watch him on Bad Blood series.
Lastly, the script here is a kind of a bittersweet harmony. The movie starts pretty well but end in a mess with no explanations about what you have watched.
So, overall a good movie with great actors but a weak script. A bittersweet symphony.
A Ghost Story that's Not a Bit Scary
rcmoorejr-543-45999213 December 2023
It's a William Fichtner exercise, written by and directed and starring with Kim Coates, shot around western New York, most recognizably in East Aurora. The cast is good, the buddy part a little overplayed, as though he wanted a buddy flick,then threw in the ghost. Robin Weigert is under utilized, and Harold Perrineau is okay as the ghost slave looking for his home, though why a New Orleans slaver owned land in wny is a minor puzzle. A fun and charming piece, locals will enjoy local touches. Not all it could have been, but watchable. When the ghost puts a stolen deed back in the locked display, it is a reminder that this is a ghost story that will never scare you. The ending seems like an afterthought, with Fichtner and Weigert renewing their vows, though it would be a better written script to have tossed an upcoming anniversary in.... Roger Ebert called it under imagined, which seems apt.
But charming and watchable.
But charming and watchable.
I want to like this movie
papreppergal30 April 2020
Overall this was an enjoyable movie, but it was rather slow and had a whole bunch of "filler" in it. It could've been a much better movie without including the wives and kids as part of the story. They really didn't serve any purpose.
The premise of a ghost seeking something which originated in a museum was a great idea. Adding 2 maintenance men who are best friends as the only two who could see them was great too. The movie really started out strong. But then it got slower and slower.
Another thing was that the "ghost" wasn't your traditional ghost. He could appear and disappear out of thin air but he was also a solid figure like the people from the present. Other than his staring off into space, always just standing around or moving very slowly when he walked, and the fact that only the maintenance men could apparently see him, you might have missed that he was a ghost.
I want to like this movie more than I do. It had a good initial plot, decent characters and acting, just missed the mark on what to present and how fast to move things along.
The premise of a ghost seeking something which originated in a museum was a great idea. Adding 2 maintenance men who are best friends as the only two who could see them was great too. The movie really started out strong. But then it got slower and slower.
Another thing was that the "ghost" wasn't your traditional ghost. He could appear and disappear out of thin air but he was also a solid figure like the people from the present. Other than his staring off into space, always just standing around or moving very slowly when he walked, and the fact that only the maintenance men could apparently see him, you might have missed that he was a ghost.
I want to like this movie more than I do. It had a good initial plot, decent characters and acting, just missed the mark on what to present and how fast to move things along.
Refreshingly satisfying.
mcewen889 November 2019
In the case of COLD BROOK, home is where we find our peace, and the proverbial "heart" dwells at home, in nature, and among friends. At least, that's the message I got from this precious gem of a film.
When two co-workers discover a lost soul, it is in helping the stranger that they unearth their rooted humanity, despite dire consequences.
Scenes of a tentative marriage are revealed, but when the stakes become searingly present at a do-or-die moment, trust and united strength prevail.
Some sympathy is evoked for the antagonist, a security guard who takes his job a bit too seriously (think wannabe cop) over his actual duties of keeping "do not touch" and visitor closing times, per art museum rules and regulations. When his albeit imagined authority is of no consideration, after an actual violation occurs, I couldn't help but think, "aww, poor thing."
The direction is clear, the actors are exquisite, and the photography is idyllic; above all, the story engagingly unfolds without beating us over the head with a lot of flash and noise.
When two co-workers discover a lost soul, it is in helping the stranger that they unearth their rooted humanity, despite dire consequences.
Scenes of a tentative marriage are revealed, but when the stakes become searingly present at a do-or-die moment, trust and united strength prevail.
Some sympathy is evoked for the antagonist, a security guard who takes his job a bit too seriously (think wannabe cop) over his actual duties of keeping "do not touch" and visitor closing times, per art museum rules and regulations. When his albeit imagined authority is of no consideration, after an actual violation occurs, I couldn't help but think, "aww, poor thing."
The direction is clear, the actors are exquisite, and the photography is idyllic; above all, the story engagingly unfolds without beating us over the head with a lot of flash and noise.
A mediocre film, with an odd choice of story. It's not terrible, but it's also not a film I will remember
James_Denton5 December 2020
A ghost story, and an odd one at that. A couple of maintenance workers at a museum spot someone, a person from the past, wanting to get home - sounds good, but the film doesn't live up to its expectations.
The good and the bad:
The movie is mediocre at best, with plot-holes, a poor storyline and a lack lustre ending. This review will be the only reminder I once saw it.
There are better movies on Netflix to watch, but if you're looking for a light feel good movie, then this may appeal.
The good and the bad:
- It started so well as a ghost story, but sadly, went downhill
- Without wanting to give anything away, it was an odd story to choose and not a particularly interesting one
- It stars William Fichtner, an actor I have liked since Black Hawk Down (2001)
- It's a feel good movie. We need more decency in the world
- The movie doesn't make a lot sense, but this is down to the odd choice of story
- With the exception of adding a background for the two maintenance workers, their wives, Chip and their two road maintenance friends added little to the movie
The movie is mediocre at best, with plot-holes, a poor storyline and a lack lustre ending. This review will be the only reminder I once saw it.
There are better movies on Netflix to watch, but if you're looking for a light feel good movie, then this may appeal.
Engaging story, great acting, wonderful movie
NC-writer11 December 2019
The relationships are nuanced and believable; the acting is spot-on; the story is intriguing; and I liked every single character. It's a "buddy movie," but their relationship isn't a silly one, they're genuinely friends. The dialogue is believable, the pacing is perfect, and the music is lovely. There were a couple of small plot issues that were a bit far-fetched, but they didn't detract from how much we liked this movie. The reviewer here who said it was a similar theme to Night at the Museum must have been watching a different movie. This is an adult film with an intelligent story, and a wonderful break from the ridiculous claptrap coming out of Hollywood these days. Bill Fitchner, you need to write more movies!
This should be called a Night at the Museum 2
alsupremo26 March 2019
William Fichtner did a great job of acting but the remainder of the cast were mediocre. The story and comedy is weak and a little silly, similar theme to other movies like Night at the Museum. The Two museum Police officers were depicted as absolutely stupid to try to get cheap laughs but the comedy was more embarrassing than funny. Saw this at a Florida film festival and was one of the worst shown.
Cold, bland and boring.
daveamac24 November 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This is a movie that looks promising from its description (a ghost story. How can you mess that up?) but is so poorly made that it's literally unbearable to watch. The acting is practically nonexistent (only Harold Perrineau has a go) and the dialogue is as lifeless as the spectre in the museum. There's so much filler and nothingness going on that, most of the time, you feel like you're watching a boring, family home video playing out. The attempts at humor totally miss the beat and become yet another reason to cringe uncomfortably. Also, there's no explanation for the main character's offbeat persona - you assume he's recovering from some family tragedy, or perhaps living with the effects of past substance abuse. Nope he's just naturally like that, so it's actually pointless when his wife accuses him of acting distracted and distant after seeing the ghost, as he is perpetually in that state, even before the ghost appears! Forget suspense and surprises, as they are in short supply, too, which for a ghost story seems to somewhat defeat the point. Oh dear. The only thing I can take from this movie, is that literally anyone should have a go at making movies! It will never be this bad!...But, please, invest some time in a decent story, screenplay and acting lessons.
Easy Watching
elcuccina23 December 2019
This movie is a pleasure to view. William Fichtner is one of the most under-rated actors of his generation and now with this movie he demonstrates his talent as a director. The friendship between the two leads comes over as very genuine and their disparate family lives adds to the depth of this film. A sleeper gem.
Very boring indeed
lopezpatricia-0613919 February 2021
Charming surprise
snootsncoots14 May 2020
I didn't expect much from this movie, but I was pleasantly surprised. No, it's not a big budget, CGI, or agenda driven picture, it's just a nice story with no gratuitous sex, violence, or language. How refreshing.
It would be nice if more movies like this were made today.
It would be nice if more movies like this were made today.
Strange goings on in Utah
geoffreyharris20039 January 2021
2 great love stories!
micky993-584-30114611 February 2019
I saw this movie at the Woodstock Film Festival and it was the BEST movie there and Best movie I have seen all year!
William Fichtner did an amazing job on both sides of the camera and Kym Coates and he work together so well!
A truly heart warming story that everyone in the family will enjoy!
When humanity goes above the law.
sym-7828311 August 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Funny, touching, and you don't wanna miss the duo Fichtner/Coates. Those two buddies sparkle when together, and not. In fact, Rachel sums it up when she says: "Oh boy, we better hurry up, they're about to marry each other".
The story is surprising and sweet. Those Two want to help a lost soul find his home, and no man of law will deter them, not even the overzealous security guard. The wives are sooo good and understanding even if they got no idea what their husbands are up to.
It's a decent movie which shows that friendship, family, neighbours, are unshakable values.
Thumb up to the director William Fichtner!
The story is surprising and sweet. Those Two want to help a lost soul find his home, and no man of law will deter them, not even the overzealous security guard. The wives are sooo good and understanding even if they got no idea what their husbands are up to.
It's a decent movie which shows that friendship, family, neighbours, are unshakable values.
Thumb up to the director William Fichtner!
Loved it.
mercedes-6510218 August 2019
Watch it if you enjoy surprises
thejdrage8 January 2022
I watched this because ....... I have no idea why I decided to watch it. But am SO glad I did. The first part of the movie is ambiguous, but after a fun run with the boys, you are in for a very interesting experience. Do NOT watch this if you want car chases and things blowing up. Do watch if you are curious and enjoy not knowing what the heck is happening at the moment. Great ending!!
Very enjoyable
pattipickens19 August 2020
Very Enjoyable..
ocean_breeze1ca2 December 2019
It's a good movie despite all the negative reviews!
RM7851611 May 2020
I liked the movie and I'm no critic or crazed fan, with all the remakes, rewrites and failed movies out there. This movie Is enjoyable. Just watch it make up your own mind if you like it and if you don't good for you. I've seen way worse.
Great film
kevmurray-448463 December 2020
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