ONE OF THE BEST IN THE SERIES
(1 of 1 Found this Helpful)
October 29, 2008
EYE OF THE BEAST
When it comes to monster flicks out on the water we all know that "Jaws" is the supreme ruler of the sea, but this creature feature is actually really good. This is part of the "Man Eater" series that has been coming out lately in fact I believe that it was the 5th or something in the series. Robert Halmi Sr. and Jr. are the executives behind this popular series, and for the most part their films have been good. In fact this one in particular is very very good and worth not only a viewing but also a purchase. As a low budget b movie that only has one really recognizable name attached to it this is actually a very entertaining movie, I love these types of flicks.
The story is about a scientist that is sent to some town to research the area and find out what is going on out that way. While there it seems that there is something in the water that is going after those who get to close to the water, so naturally he stays around a little while. Also while there he becomes interested in the local sheriff who is very new to her job and the town thinks she is nuts, mainly because she believes in the sea creature. So has the story progresses people start to disappear and the towns people start to kick the new guy in town out because of his associations. Of course the town nut who happens to be the local law enforcement pleads her case to every one about a sea monster and naturally they turn her away. That is until two of the locals are attacked in broad day light, then all of a sudden it is war on the creature. So we are off to the races setting up a very Jaws like finale but a very good one at that.
The most surprising thing about this film is that for the type of film that it is it was very well written, all of the dialogue was believable and was well paced. Mark Mullin did a fine job with this movie, his writing is probably one of the best in this genre that I have seen in a while. Even the long speech like moments are well written and well paced and for a film that debuted on the Sci-Fi channel that may be saying something. Director Gary Yates did a fine job on this film as well because a lot of that pacing I mentioned is handled by the film maker and he did a great job with it, and his choice to not really show the creature through out the film until the end and in select well timed parts adds to the atmosphere. I would have to say that this could be the best in the man eater series by far, although some others are good.
The acting is really good in this film as well with James Van Der Beek leading the way as the scientist outsider, he gives a wonderful and believable performance. As does co star Alexandra Castillo as the local sheriff that has known about the creature since she was a child, she looks good and performs well. All the other actors in this do equally as good as the two stars and turn in excellent performances, it seems every one came on board to create a great film. Also the creature effects are very well done and look very good for this type of film.
Over all I would say that this is one of the best from the production company and one of the best in the genre, I recommend this film to every one out there. I would say that it is perfect for a weekend and you are out at the video store looking for something, pick it up. P.S this is a squid or octopus type creature.
Giant squids are cool
October 23, 2008
A fishing village is attacked by a giant rubber tentacle and fishermen are forced to roll around the deck of their boats wrestling it...no wait...they're attacked by a giant squid and are forced to roll around the deck of their boats wrestling it.This is a made for tv movie.The effects are cheesy,but I have seen worse.This is a pretty good entry in the giant monster movie genre that I love.
Fishing has been dying off in the village.Local fishermen and native fishermen blame each other.In comes James Van Der Beek(don't let this keep you from watching the movie)as Dan Leland...scientist.There is a local legend of a giant water beast in the village.No one believes it except the local law enforcement officer played by Alexandra Castillo.I look foreward to seeing her in other things.Of course no one wants the government scientist there because they think he'll shut the village down.James Van Der Beek and Alexandra castillo play their parts well as they contend with the anger and distrust of the fishermen while trying to stop a beast nobody believes exists.That is until a local brings in a chunk of the beast.Then they along with the obligatory angry,crusty old boat captain must unite the village if they hope to kill the beast.
Yes it's another giant sea monster movie.There's nothing new here,but the acting,scenery and filming are realy good.If you like giant creature feature type movies,you will like this.And check out the other "Man Eater" series of films.I've seen "Croc","Shark Swarm",and "Maneater" as well as "Eye Of The Beast"and have enjoyed them all.Also check out Peter Benchley's "The Beast" and "Rogue" a Dimension Extreme film about a big Australian crocodile.
A Biologist's View
(5 of 5 Found this Helpful)
June 20, 2008
I have seen this movie a couple of times on the SciFi Channel and eventually bought it. The acting for this movie is above average as had been commented on by several other reviewers. My interest in this movie however is how it treats scientists and some of the social issues. Compared to some other SciFi/horror films recently, this film is a bit more reasonable in portraying a fisheries scientist. Still kind of ridiculous but in a more reasonable way (just watch Snakehead Terror or Frankenfish if you want to the the unreasonable version).
The fisheries scientist does not have super human powers (as far as scientist go) compared to Snakehead Terror. The equipment he uses is reasonable (and he seems to have lots of it)though his results are generally hard and fast which isn't the way it really happens.
Besides the better than average acting and screenplay I was very impressed with the social issues that this movie touches on. The first is the conflict between the white fishers and the aboriginal fishers on the lake. I work on the Great Lakes and this conflict has occurred in the past and still in the present, especially in the upper Great Lakes. The second point I was impressed with is the conflict between the scientist and the fishers. In the past the fishers have cooperated with the scientist/government and seen their position reduced to the point of hostility to the scientist. And in the past 20 years I have seen that happen on the Great Lakes, where the data collected by scientists working with the commercial fishers hurts the fishers lively hood.
So I feel that this movie (even though it concerns a giant freshwater squid) touches on some current issues and that makes it a cut above other horror films that touch on freaks of nature.
This Ain't Jaws, Thats for Sure
(1 of 1 Found this Helpful)
May 24, 2008
You know, the sea creature gone amok genere was best done by Peter Benchley. However, this movie doesn't try to live up to 'Jaws' or 'Beast'. Instead, its a cheesy made for TV movie about a (appearantly fresh water) giant squid gone wild in a lake up in Canada. In spite of this, its still a fun movie.
The plot is pretty much self-explanatory. James van der Beek is a marine biologist who goes up to a small fishing town in Canada to figure out why all the fish are disappearing. The town, which is split between whites and Indians (who, refreshingly, seem to be played by actual American Indian actors) is being preyed on by a giant squid. And he enlits the aid of the lovely Metis sheriff (played by Alexandra Castillo, who was a surprisingly good actress for someone I'd never heard of before). Love story with the lady sheriff ensues. Along with lots of giant squid attacks. How the squid adapted to fresh water isn't really explained, but who cares? I mean, its a giant squid attacking people. We aren't exactly looking for too much plot here.
All jesting aside, this is definately one of the better outings in Sci Fi channel's Maneater series. The fact that the writers actually included Metis in the film suggests they actually know something about Canada's history and culture (which is good because it looks like they filmed there). And I have to agree with an earlier reviewer that Alexandra Castillo was quite good in her role. I would certainly like to see more of her! So definately check this movie out, and keep your eyes peeled for other movies in the Maneater series, like 'Grizzly Rage,' 'Blood Monkey,' 'Croc' and 'Shark Swarm.' A very nice collection of movies they have going on there.
Beat Beast
(1 of 3 Found this Helpful)
May 21, 2008
I'm a big fan of sea monster movies, and this one does have its entertaining moments. However, it's also a terrible film. Characters are, of course, two-dimensional, the dialogue is embarrassing, and it just never picks up any steam. We also get alternating shots of a rubbery tentacle flopping around on the decks of boats and the shabby-looking CGI monster the tentacles are attached to. I have the same problem with this movie that I have with all of the "Maneater" series movies I've seen so far: Where's the violence and gore? When you plug your movie with a DVD box that depicts creatures, animals, people, etc. slathered in blood, I expect to see some darn blood! Please, please, if you're a filmmaker and you're out there, and you're going to make a horror movie, please don't skimp on the grue! It's what we want! Don't you know that?!
