Desaparecidos

In this film a UK couple travelling across Australia, pal up with an easy-going American who turns out to have a 'dark-side'.

This film scores in the respect that the way the American gradually reveals his hidden character is quite subtle. He manipulates the couple into turning against each other and then uses the chasm he creates to perform a divide-and-conquer type operation.

The film falls short in as much the female, as the easily duped girlfriend, isn't quite believable, and seems so gullible that if you told her with a cute smile that her panties were on fire she'd probably go and jump in a lake. Although I think this can be accounted for by the script.

Also the ending is quite silly.

Although a little predictable this film kept me and all of my family on the edges of our seats.

Scott Mechlowicz as Taylor was understated but eerily evil from the outset.

Shaun Evans, who now plays a young Endeavour Morse, is very good as he slowly falls apart under the strains of Taylor's actions.

Amelia Warner is also believably innocent, but strong when she needs to be.

All in all a tense and satisfying movie. Just the right length for a Saturday night in.

A young British couple are travelling through the outback, hitching a ride with a mysterious, charismatic American who becomes increasingly suspect. After this music montages(the first choice doesn't even seem to fit) its way through most of the first third, you might be led to believe that it's picking up. You would be sorely mistaken. It never actually goes anywhere, in spite of genuine potential, and the very last portion of this just gives up on being convincing(especially as far as the actions and logic goes, and it was already on shaky ground). This is a road movie, psychological horror exploitation flick set in Australia, and as such, it is decent. The filming and editing are skillful enough(it even creates mood several times) and there is one or two bits that are downright good. Characters are pretty bland, undeveloped and not entirely credible. Alex, the boyfriend with a secret he doesn't want her to discover, is the best in the latter regard. Their behaviour and poor decision-making abilities keep the paperthin, predictable plot just barely going, until the seemingly ceaseless 80 minutes finally come to a close. Acting isn't bad. This is mostly focused on the three leads, albeit they're not isolated(I expected this to have them stranded and that be a cause of conflict, and it went stupider than that) for more than maybe half of this combined. One has to wonder why they don't simply get out of the situation since that's clearly the smarter option. They have cell phones, too. Operating ones. Yet we're just expected to accept this at face value. For an interesting psycho(whose attraction may not be towards Sophie... not that it actually pays off to notice that) and potentially visually compelling setting(not photographed in any kind of engaging way) and other things I've mentioned, this doesn't actually end up offering anything worth it in return for your investment of time and attention. There is a bit of disturbing content, a little gory/bloody violence and sexuality and momentary nudity in this. The DVD comes with a reasonable and informational enough 29 and a half minute featurette and 8 minutes of deleted(or rather, extended, not to mention padded, no-wonder-these-were-cut) scenes. I recommend this to people who enjoy this kind of thing. 4/10

Gone, despite the lame title, is an enjoyable film from first time director Ringan Ledwidge.

A very underplayed thriller revolving around the relationship between a backpacking British couple and a suspicious American, I found the film refreshing for managing to avoid the same traps that most films of this genre stumble with.

The catalyst of the film - the relationship between the two male leads - was handled delicately, full of nuance, and was almost Hitchcockian in its building of suspense.

As the events of the film are comparable to the recent Peter Falconio / Joanne Lees case, it would have been advisable to set the film elsewhere - especially since the vast expanse of the Australian outback has been seen too recently in films like John Hillcoat's 'The Proposition' and Phillip Noyce's 'Rabbit Proof Fence'. A possible alternative for the ___location of the film could have been New Zealand's South Island - picturesque, isolated, and just as popular with backpackers as Australia.

I was lucky enough to see a preview screening of the film, followed by a Q&A session with Ringan Ledwidge and Amelia Warner. Definitely one to watch, Warner could be a future English rose of the film industry (especially if she manages to avoid wearing orange lamé blouses in public!). Watch this space!

Elsewhere on this site, there is mention of the film being a rip-off of Dead Calm. Although I can see the similarities, Gone is a much more intriguing film. Although the two films deal with the same issues, I see Dead Calm as a popcorn film for the masses. Gone, on the other hand, is much more cerebral and perfect for an audience who appreciates attention to detail.

I would definitely recommend this film to friends.

I stumbled across this on the "Tubi" app It caught my eye because a scene shown in the teaser is filmed in a building in King's Cross that I lived in in the 1980s, thought I'd give it a try and was pleasantly surprised!

Following scenes are filmed around Byron Bay, Lennox head, Mullumbimby and Billinudgel, an area I've lived in for the past 22 years. Nice to recognise a lot of the locations including the much-missed "Popular Cafe" in Mullumbimby which closed several years ago. Also nice to see the late Tony Barry who I've met several times in a small part.

Considering I was living in the area when this was filmed I can't believe I hadn't heard of it before.

Acting was great, story never lags, nicely filmed, and one thing I feel other reviewers have missed but really deserves a mention is the make-up and FX are extremely well done.

There's also a scene with a kangaroo (no spoilers) that is very nicely done too.