2012 Viewing Journal #10

"Yellowbrickroad"

One of my FB Friends posted a status update regarding this 'divisive' Slamdance entry, which has apparently been a hot topic of some kind in the indie horror movie circuit. As a card carrying member of that circuit, I was deeply embarrassed to have never even heard of it. My kneejerk was hate it based on the title alone, but I love and trust Mattsuzaka, so I knew it had to have some worth.

'Yellowbrickroad' concerns a small group of book researchers traveling a forest trail with a deep, dark past. They want to know what happened to the last group that mysteriously made this pilgrimage - an entire town that subsequently disappeared.

While I suspected a 'found footage' film, especially based on the fact that a video camera plays a rather large role, this is fortunately a straight narrative. And a beautifully executed one at that. The budget was clearly low, and with a few exceptions, the setting is... the woods. Brilliant for a low budget feature. There's also only five or six principal roles, all of which are more or less well developed. The strength of this film, though, is clearly the tone. And it is goddamn creepy.

The central mystery is evocatively realized, with a supporting soundtrack that is chilling. There are also a few moments of genuine dread that slow boil to a point of almost 'pause-to-recover'-worthy. Great stuff here. Highly recommended.