Dig Two Graves

source: Dig Two Graves

I've seen it advertised on Netflix but never watched it until now. I've seen so many bad movies and I never heard of it, so I didn't want to watch another stinker. I was pleasantly surprised. It had two stories in one that blended nicely together at the end. It was different and after all I've seen, I can appreciate that. Give it shot, you may just enjoy it!

I was expecting a different type of movie. This was well cast and the story was interesting. It was a reasonable length and had some twists and details you wouldn't have expected. One of the better made movies of this type today.

this is such an amazingly crafted film, with a very low-key subtle style that is genuinely compelling, and Ted Levine makes his character an absolute joy to watch and listen to. the problem with the movie is despite how stylish and well-crafted it is, it's boring. I can't think of any genuine knock on the film other than perhaps its pacing, but that alone isn't enough to explain why it's just so boring

Me and the wife were really intrigued to see this film, which we both decided on after looking up lists about little-known horror films of late. The setting is spooky and surreal, and the scene where the girl is approached by the 3 gypsy men is very unsettling. They set the stage nicely with this.....and then....it is pretty much a letdown from there. I was expecting SO MUCH MORE!!! After seeing all the awards and hype about this smaller film, I had envisioned some dark and original stuff. The setting is nice, and it boasts some creepy characters, veteran actors, and a Chinese proverbial title, but even with all that as a great foundation, this film just left me feeling bored and misled by the end. It would have been so much better if the creepy gypsies assaulted the girl(which is what they led you to believe in the trailer and leading up to the meeting), or if she had some weird plans with them to exact revenge. Maybe she did, as I was drinking and lost interest, but the way they did the part of her being asked to sacrifice her friend for her brother just seemed disjointed and lame. The flashbacks got lamer, and I felt Ted Levine's talent was wasted on this project. Some snake cult people, gypsies being raped in flashbacks, and some shotgun action-- that was about the extent of the movie. It had all the atmosphere and decent actors, but the whole thing feels like a weird dream you had on drugs, but that doesn't really pay off with anything memorable. When I don't recall anything spectacular or original in a horror/suspense flick, you failed to impress. Such a waste of a good premise, with disjointed nonsense that felt like it was jammed together on the cutting room floor by different writers/editors/directors on different planets. I was kind of disillusioned and lost by the end.

Acting is okay. I dislike the direction of the movie. This isn't a horror movie; misleading title and description.

A slow, muddled mediocrity with several things going against it. 1. The plot is full of messily directed flashbacks in which is difficult to distinguish between the two mustached characters from the opening scene. 2. The corruption of the previous sheriff is way over-the-top. Typical left-wing film-making. 3. The girl's unwillingness to tell Levine about the "Gypsy" offer isn't very credible. It exists simply as a flawed plot-device to stretch out the dragging plot. 4. The boring cliches of the bullied nerd. 5. The utterly idiotic way in which the girl's brother gets killed. They couldn't come up with something less absurd? A brother and sister want to jump together from a dangerous cliff, for no discernible reason, with their clothes on. Short of being a suicide attempt, I can't find a reason why anyone older than three should try this. 6. Considering how powerful the "Gypsy" magic is, why would they: a) rely on the girl to kill the ex-sheriff's grandson, b) wait for so many years to get their revenge. 7. The shoot-out between the two old geezers makes no sense. 8. And of course, as per usual, "Gypsies" featured in American movies aren't real Gypsies. The girl's character is called Jake, which is an annoyance. That's a bloody guy's name. Americans and their damn silly useless unisex names... Her brother's character is Sean, another unisex name, except that Sean really is a guy's name. The actor who plays the "Gypsy" leader is an identical twin almost of Peter Stormare. Somewhat moody, but fairly sloppy horror film, in terms of story.

Cinematically Dig Two Graves is a decent movie, the mysterious noir aesthetics is just right, most scenes are breath-takingly crafted. What it really lacks is a more authentic and fluent way of storytelling to go with it. From a pop culture fanatic's point of view, elements found in Dig Two Grave rings more than just a few bells. 80s, young teenagers, quarry accidents...I know what you're thinking, stranger things came afterwards, but I can't help but to reminiscent of Let Me In during the bully scene. Wait, Three criminal Gypsy brothers? You know its about to get "Peaky". Even the costumes look a bit redundant, don't know if they're purposely making one of the guys look like Lincoln. The audience is meant to be curious of what happens next, yet the plants they've used in this movie are so obvious they almost take away the excitement of occasionally being able to recognize them. 15 minutes in You feel like you're back in high school proof reading your friend's English essay packed with attention drawing, awkwardly artificial metaphoric objects. It bores down the whole inquiring process when you're literally getting bombarded by raw information every two minutes as the characters are busy trying to keep you updated through their clunky cigars and dialogue. Everything is the opposite of what a seamless story telling should look like. At one point a question is raised, then it gets answered too quickly. Rather than a gradual build up of suspense, Dig Two Graves exudes short spurts of energy that come across as adrift of its genre. Dear film makers, at least try to make your audience feel stupid, that's what good film making is all about. We like it better that way.

A unique and provocative thriller about rising above the sins of the past, it's slightly heightened yet familiar, like a surreal nightmare. Imagine the otherworldly evil of The Witch thrown into the realistic American heart of It, but without any of the blatant horror of either. Even with the unwieldy storytelling, it's a beautifully gothic and creepy indie, hiding within the bowels of Netflix like a deep dark secret in a family tree.

I avoided watching this movies for a while but I wish I'd watched it sooner. it's one of those movies you get a feel for straightaway and has you guessing most of the way through only to switch back and make you wonder.. Brilliant flashbacks and the ends are tied up so you know you just watched something good. Thoroughly recommend it.