SmugKitZine Tied for the best movie I have ever seen

Aedonerre I gave this film a 9 out of 10, because it was exactly what I expected it to be.

Kaydan Christian A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

Lucia Ayala It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

Johnny_Hing The setting was unique, I'll give it that much. 2 runaways and an abandoned kid struggling to survive in a dilapidated shack somewhere out in the desert. Phillip is the new arrival, having been booted out of the car in the middle of nowhere by his step-Dad with no reason given other than possibly being spoiled, on his way to or from tennis camp.He meets up with Lucy and Jack, an odd couple for sure. Lucy is an orphan with a troubled past, but seems kind and good-natured. Jack is narcissistic and a bully, with a non-stop angry barrage of boring, obscene expletives directed Phillip's way. We see a scene fairly early on with the 3 of them sitting at the table eating rabbit, and Phillip impresses with a magic trick. Perhaps the beginning of a friendship? Or at least a common bond of survival for fellow outcasts? We can only wish.The story goes downhill from there, with Jack morphing into a senseless, cold-blooded killer. Phillip has several opportunities to leave, but chooses not to. He seems resigned to living in the desert, and all because his step-Dad is a jerk?? Phone your Mom, Phil! He also seems rather witless and unresourceful. Whenever Jack asks him a question, Phillip has no reply. Intimidated perhaps, but hey Phil... say something, would you please??!!! Darn. It's your survival we're talking about here, buddy! Lucy and Phillip begin to grow close when Jack becomes unbearable for the both of them. Perhaps there will be some redeeming quality to the movie after all? Maybe they'll fall in love and Phillip will rescue Lucy from her sorry lot in life and take her back to civilization? Sadly, no. The conclusion to this movie resolves nothing. What was the message or intent of this movie? That there is no hope? That life has no meaning, and you might as well give up? To be a moronic simpleton when the going gets tough? Entertaining for the setting (mood, atmosphere, scenery) alone, as well as the possibilities that might have unfolded. But otherwise, a pretty big letdown for the second half of the movie.

lilysorrow Phillip was the most annoying protagonist I have ever witnessed in a movie. Not only was the dialogue obnoxious, but the characters were too. Phillip couldn't grow a set the entire movie and came out learning nothing and being weak. Jack slowly slipped into a maniac character who went on a killing spree. He ended up killing a Maid, Lucy, the Priest, but not Phillip. Lucy and Phillip just stood around coaxing him not to do it. No one stood up to him they just went along reluctantly. At the end when Phillip for a few seconds grows a pair of testicles he and Lucy escape by stabbing Jack. However, Phillip doesn't finish the job and the maniac goes back after them wounded. After a split second kiss between Lucy and Phillip, Jack comes back to the scene and calls for Lucy. Like a moron she goes out to meet Jack, Phillip doesn't stop her. He just lets her walk to her death. At the end Phillip is the only survivor, or assumed survivor because we assume Jack bleeds to death. Terrible movie overall that was unfulfillable to the watcher and the protagonist underwent no change at all. It didn't even resolve the issue between his father who kicked him out in the middle of nowhere to begin with. What about the cops and the death of the Maid? The bodies of everyone? Don't waste your time. This had potential but quickly fizzled.

Pepper Anne 'Desert Son' seemed like a movie with an idea, but not much is there to back it up. It was intended to be a thriller, I suppose, but the audience is supposed to rely on much of what the filmmakers give, without much explanation as to why. Everything just seems to happen.The story begins with teenage Phillip being abandoned by his vindictive stepfather in the middle of the desert. Eventually, he's discovered by Lucy, a teenage runaway who shares an abandoned house with another runaway, Jack.Even with unconvincing storytelling, this movie would have been far more tolerable had Jack not been the most annoying character in the history of film. Without explanation, he loathes the world, including at times, Lucy. Naturally, he's not very welcoming when Phillip shows up.Still, having nowhere else to go Phillip is permitted to stay (very much to Jack's chagrin), permitting that he learns and helps in their methods for survival. And then somewhere along the way, Jack, as God's gift to humanity, goes on a sudden killing spree. Luckily, Lucy and Phillip are there by his side, yelling at him and not doing much else.Great acting! Great story! Great movie! .... NOT.

clint-d-bryan Have you ever you felt cheated at the end of film because you were hoping to get some form of entertainment out of it? This is one of those films. This story has potential. But it annoys me that all the good scenes in this film have no relevance. When I sit down to watch a film I want to be entertained. I don't want to take excessive time out to try and comprehend what is happening and why. I won't deny there are some very strong and compelling scenes in this film, but I feel the director is trying to be too abstract in getting their message across to the audience. To me this seems like the easy way out. I don't need a director's ego(or laziness) getting in the way of a good story.