Purely Joyful Movie!

Best movie of this year hands down!

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

If there is a story, then I can watch regardless of budget. However, the story, if we can call it that; jumbled around aimlessly until after 30 minutes I couldn't take anymore. Shallow water, SEAL team in Middle East dealing with terrorist, archaeologist doing dig, drug dealers killing a custie, young people partying on a lake/dead sea, then monster attack. It looked more like a student film in which no one decided that there should be something to hook the viewer into watching. It was like a few stories thrown at the viewer to see which one would stick and if it did, then the viewer would have been disappointed and left to write their own story.

Do yourself a favour and don't bother. I've watched some bad movies in my time', those sort of no brainers you go in knowing are going be bad like those on movies on the syfy channel, but jeez this is terrible. The only good thing about it is when it ends! The acting is bad, the sound is bad, the filming is bad, and that stupid monster groan has no justification for being used at any point, it's beyond ridiculous.I have seen better home movies shot on a iPhone! If you paid to buy this I'd write to the makers and demand your money back, even if it was only 50 pence, it be worth the postage stamp for the principle of the matter!

Writer/Director Brandon Slagle's follow up to last year's successful "The Black Dahlia Haunting", "Dead Sea" manages to avoid the sophomore jinx by relying on: strong characters, taut action sequences, and intricate plot threads. Set in a small, lakeside town, this "creature feature" with a brain combines a lot of familiar elements of genre fare into an interesting, fast paced feature.After a violent Gulf War setpiece involving Kier (Slagle) and Castor (Griffith), and a "Piranha" inspired boat party gone horribly wrong, we find marine biologist Victoria (Iacono) returning to her hometown to investigate a recent rash of mysterious fish kills, and we soon learn that her connection to this town isn't all pleasant childhood memories.A large hungry seas beast is awaiting it's next meal, Victoria is making science sexy again while also dealing with daddy issues, Kier and Castor are involved in less-than-legal activities, and Auriel washes up on a beach full of dead fish looking hotter than she did when she went into the drink--these things and more are what make "Dead Sea" a great watch. Throw in a Lovecraft (and more than a few shades of Stephen King) inspired sub-plot involving the entire town and the suspense just ratchets from there.Great performances from an excellent ensemble cast (many ported over from the aforementioned "Black Dahlia") and an engrossing story make the monster almost secondary in this study in small town America and the relationships and secrets that hide just under the surface. Iacono and Pinn are both brilliant, and Griffith's acting chops just keep getting better. Superbly shot, with some really effective underwater camera work, "Dead Sea" is technically sound as well. Slagle's previous efforts are carefully timed exercises in suspense, while containing intricate plots that just suck you in (no pun intended...), and "Dead Sea" shows a director honing his craft. Keeping the plot accessible while maintaining his "signature" style of complex characters, a cerebral narrative, and a strange disconnect between camera and viewer, this is definitely a unique film that keeps the focus more on the players as opposed to dazzling effects. Combining the elements from at least half a dozen sub-genres into an intelligent, cohesive, and ultimately entertaining film is no small task. Slagle and company have proved to up to the challenge--"Dead Sea" is another winner!

Although it wasn't what I expected, the film is very good! Devanny Pinn, Alexis Iacono, and Brandon Slagle are all scene stealers throughout the film, but truthfully, the entire cast is great in their roles. I feel that the film itself is more of an action/thriller than a horror film though. But, as a credit to Brandon, he does put the film's roots in the horror genre, and doesn't make a mockery of it like other water-monster films. Sharknado, I'm looking at you. He also respects the craft enough to give the monster enough credit to where it is a formidable foe, leaving mankind helpless in its wake. The score in the film is solid as well, assisting the mood of the scene like it's supposed to, rather than trying to make more money off of an album. Some of the set design is amazing, especially the beach of dead fish (you'll have to see it). There is also a ton of cameos in this film from the indie film scene, including Truth Or Dare's Ryan Kaiser, and indie icon James Duval, so what's not to like?But, at the end of the day, although this is a monster flick, I felt the film itself is about family. It's about coping with the loss of loved ones, the reuniting of a father and daughter, and trying to escape the past and the places that you grew up. It's a very cool film with a lot of intensity! And if you have to chance to see it during its premier run around the US, I highly suggest checking it out! There's action, drama, monsters, and chicks in bikinis!