This film is loosely inspired by a urban legend that haunts many a towns throughout the US. The legend of Munger Road is that a bus filled with school kids got hit by a train after stopping on the train tracks. Many teens now place baby powder on the bumper to see if you get ghostly hand prints that indicate spirits were trying to push you off of the railroad tracks, as a means to protect you from the same fate. This film incidentally is based & located in ST. CHARLES, Ill. where some of these legends are located and still practiced today. I'd also like to mention that the film itself also has another side story, so in all this is two films kinda merged into one.
The film starts with Trevor Morgan (who plays Corey LaFayve), and the lovely Brooke Peoples (as Joe Risk). The two teens are seen in a coffee shop waiting on their friends for a possible double date with Hallock Beals (who plays Scott Claussen) and his girlfriend Rachael Donahue (played by Lauren Storm). Subsequently, the date doesn't go as planned as they decided to take the girls "Ghost Hunting" on "MUNGER ROAD" (hence the name of the movie) to test out the local legend on the train tracks. The "ghost hunting date" doesn't pan out as expected. Although, there is one scene where the video is pitch black and it makes YOU as the audience use your imagination which I thought was quite brilliant. The film itself has quite a slow burn to it until about the 48 minute mark, that being said it DOES have a nice steady edge of keeping your attention to see what happens next. There are also quite a few creepy moment & some nice scares that kind of catch you off guard in the beginning & near the end as well.
Throughout the beginning we are getting to know the younger cast of characters, then we meet our local police officers. Film star veterans Bruce Davison (X-MEN, Willard, & Apt Pupil) as Chief Kirkhoven as well as Randall Batinkoff (For Keeps?, Kickass, & X-men: First Class) who plays Deputy Hendricks. As we are introduced to them, we find out about a local killer who breaks out of a prison and is on the loose. The Kids on Munger Road are unknown to this fact, as the two police officers begin to scramble to find this man. The escapee several years ago was responsible for the various disappearances of several teens & children in the area (also another local Urban Legend which is implemented into the story, I do believe).
As the facts begin to fall into place, the teens begin to disappear from someone or something in the night...
I really enjoyed the film, as it isn't a big budget flick but it does have the feel of it even though it's a INDIE FILM. This film relies less on gore & nudity and more so on the visuals, cinematography, artistic style & storytelling to take you along on this thriller. You can tell that the writer, director, and cast & crew put there heart and soul into this film. You can also see that they borrowed from some of the horror greats, with slight homages inserted into the story & the backdrop scenes.
The cast of younger unknowns do a great job of keeping the tension, humor, & drama on a even level of authenticity takes to a nice & solid script. Bruce Davison as always brings his A game & Randall Batinkoff plays well off of Davison as a deputy who slowly sees his strengths and conquers his weakness by the films end.
My ONLY complaint is that the film ends exactly like another Independent film I own that starts slow & gets a great finale near the end then cuts you short with a "TO BE CONTINUED..." prior to the end credits. Keeping in mind, that there is a possible follow up sequel in mind for this film, I do believe it worth a watch. I definitely am glad I have this in my collection, it has replay value considering the abrupt ending.
The film starts with Trevor Morgan (who plays Corey LaFayve), and the lovely Brooke Peoples (as Joe Risk). The two teens are seen in a coffee shop waiting on their friends for a possible double date with Hallock Beals (who plays Scott Claussen) and his girlfriend Rachael Donahue (played by Lauren Storm). Subsequently, the date doesn't go as planned as they decided to take the girls "Ghost Hunting" on "MUNGER ROAD" (hence the name of the movie) to test out the local legend on the train tracks. The "ghost hunting date" doesn't pan out as expected. Although, there is one scene where the video is pitch black and it makes YOU as the audience use your imagination which I thought was quite brilliant. The film itself has quite a slow burn to it until about the 48 minute mark, that being said it DOES have a nice steady edge of keeping your attention to see what happens next. There are also quite a few creepy moment & some nice scares that kind of catch you off guard in the beginning & near the end as well.
Throughout the beginning we are getting to know the younger cast of characters, then we meet our local police officers. Film star veterans Bruce Davison (X-MEN, Willard, & Apt Pupil) as Chief Kirkhoven as well as Randall Batinkoff (For Keeps?, Kickass, & X-men: First Class) who plays Deputy Hendricks. As we are introduced to them, we find out about a local killer who breaks out of a prison and is on the loose. The Kids on Munger Road are unknown to this fact, as the two police officers begin to scramble to find this man. The escapee several years ago was responsible for the various disappearances of several teens & children in the area (also another local Urban Legend which is implemented into the story, I do believe).
As the facts begin to fall into place, the teens begin to disappear from someone or something in the night...
I really enjoyed the film, as it isn't a big budget flick but it does have the feel of it even though it's a INDIE FILM. This film relies less on gore & nudity and more so on the visuals, cinematography, artistic style & storytelling to take you along on this thriller. You can tell that the writer, director, and cast & crew put there heart and soul into this film. You can also see that they borrowed from some of the horror greats, with slight homages inserted into the story & the backdrop scenes.
The cast of younger unknowns do a great job of keeping the tension, humor, & drama on a even level of authenticity takes to a nice & solid script. Bruce Davison as always brings his A game & Randall Batinkoff plays well off of Davison as a deputy who slowly sees his strengths and conquers his weakness by the films end.
My ONLY complaint is that the film ends exactly like another Independent film I own that starts slow & gets a great finale near the end then cuts you short with a "TO BE CONTINUED..." prior to the end credits. Keeping in mind, that there is a possible follow up sequel in mind for this film, I do believe it worth a watch. I definitely am glad I have this in my collection, it has replay value considering the abrupt ending.