This is one of those really HORRIBLY awful movies that make you scratch your head and ask "WHY????" It has several notable "gay" actors (specifically one former gay porn actor/present-day escort), but was that REALLY the entire draw to this mess? Because it sure wasn't the script, or the acting. In fact, the parts of the mother and the female sheriff were so wooden it made me wonder if they were somehow related to the producer/director. The music made this even worse to take. This is just bad on all levels. Nothing redeeming at all.
4 Reviews
sad excuse for a movie
cdcrb19 October 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I hate to say it, but quite possibly this is the worst movie i have ever seen. it's stupid on all levels. acting. writing, directing. to name a few. no part of the story is believable. it's not even watchable enough for late nite tv.
Hmm...
BandSAboutMovies28 January 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Long estranged from his widowed mother, Keegan Dark is blessed with the uncanny ability to remember his life in videographic detail. However, this strange ability keeps him at odds with his family and loved ones.
Returning home with his boyfriend in the hopes of making amends, he's shocked to discover that his mother has remarried and that his new sibilings aren't very trustworthy. His investigation into their past is derailed when his mother drops into a coma, his boyfriend seemingly leaves him and the town's sheriff targets him as the most likely culprit. With allies scarce and time running out, Keegan must fight - and use his remarkable mind - to unravel the secrets that threaten to destroy him.
Shot in Hillsboro and Portland, Oregon, USA, this film has played several festivals and was back in theaters earlier this year before being released on streaming services.
Sean Paul Lockhart, who plays Jake Bishop in the film, has had a pretty interesting life. Under the names Brent Corrigan and Fox Ryder, he acted in adult films for several years before working in mainstream movies like Chillerama and directed the movie Triple Cross.
His first boyfriend introduced a 17-year-old Lockhart into the gay adult industry by acting in a scene with him while Bryan Kocis, the owner of Cobra Video watched. His first contract called for Lockhart to appear in six sex scenes and one non-sex scene in exchange for a used Volkswagen Jetta, a set of tires and rims, transportation costs, vehicle insurance, and money for gasoline.
Kocis and Lockhart dated for a short time and there was litigation over his stage name. On January 24, 2007, Kocis was killed by two Virginia Beach male escorts, Harlow Cuadra and Joseph Kerekes. He was stabbed 28 times before his throat was cut, nearly decapitating him. Then, his home was set ablaze and dental records had to be used to identify the body. His computer survived and was used to idientify the men who killed him.
The murder and trials were turned into a book called Cobra Killer: Gay Porn Murder, a play named Cruel Men: In The Lion's Den and a movie entitled King Cobra.
Anyways - The Dark Place is a decent enough mystery with an interesting hook for its protagonist.
Returning home with his boyfriend in the hopes of making amends, he's shocked to discover that his mother has remarried and that his new sibilings aren't very trustworthy. His investigation into their past is derailed when his mother drops into a coma, his boyfriend seemingly leaves him and the town's sheriff targets him as the most likely culprit. With allies scarce and time running out, Keegan must fight - and use his remarkable mind - to unravel the secrets that threaten to destroy him.
Shot in Hillsboro and Portland, Oregon, USA, this film has played several festivals and was back in theaters earlier this year before being released on streaming services.
Sean Paul Lockhart, who plays Jake Bishop in the film, has had a pretty interesting life. Under the names Brent Corrigan and Fox Ryder, he acted in adult films for several years before working in mainstream movies like Chillerama and directed the movie Triple Cross.
His first boyfriend introduced a 17-year-old Lockhart into the gay adult industry by acting in a scene with him while Bryan Kocis, the owner of Cobra Video watched. His first contract called for Lockhart to appear in six sex scenes and one non-sex scene in exchange for a used Volkswagen Jetta, a set of tires and rims, transportation costs, vehicle insurance, and money for gasoline.
Kocis and Lockhart dated for a short time and there was litigation over his stage name. On January 24, 2007, Kocis was killed by two Virginia Beach male escorts, Harlow Cuadra and Joseph Kerekes. He was stabbed 28 times before his throat was cut, nearly decapitating him. Then, his home was set ablaze and dental records had to be used to identify the body. His computer survived and was used to idientify the men who killed him.
The murder and trials were turned into a book called Cobra Killer: Gay Porn Murder, a play named Cruel Men: In The Lion's Den and a movie entitled King Cobra.
Anyways - The Dark Place is a decent enough mystery with an interesting hook for its protagonist.
My Review Of "The Dark Place"
ASouthernHorrorFan18 November 2014
The story is a well written, smart mystery that doesn't rely on over-drawn stereotypes, or caricature personas to create character or entertainment value. "The Dark Place" keeps with a more serious tone, building a tense story arc that aims to draw viewers in with drama, action, and suspense. At times the story takes itself a bit too serious missing some moments that could have shown a comfortable, authentic feeling. The dialog, and writing move quick, with some witty, dark humor. However the acting, at times, feels somewhat contrived. Two dimensional characters present us with only superficial connectivity in scenes that require a strong emotional investment from the viewer. However there are some stand out moments from the cast during some of the film's more dramatic scenes.
"The Dark Place" starts a little choppy and confusing, forcing us to trust that things will fall into place as the story moves forward. It works to the extent of setting the tone of mystery and suspense. The downside to the choppy scene transitions at the start falls on the fact that not enough back story, or character development exists for us to give in completely to that trust. It caused a conflict in my ability to get into the story, and my knee-jerk reaction of distrust of Wheeler's intentions and objective. Luckily the story arc stays pretty focuses and moves right into Wheeler's intended vision effortlessly by the second act. More of the story becomes clear, characters become stronger, and a hint to the intense climax starts to unfold. By the third act I found myself glued to the drama unfolding, and the big reveal about some character's back story, I was quietly seeking, was given to me.
The special effects and sound effects didn't really impress me, the special effects wear minimal. Wheeler had plenty of opportunity to show a darker, grittier, and more visceral side but chose to play it safe. Letting the drama, and dialog support most of the thrills. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. I would have liked to have seen more gruesome effects during altercation and action scenes. What Jody Wheeler chose to give us came closer to Lifetime level of effects. With that said, "The Dark Place" does manage to create some real intense situations, plenty of emotion, and is quite entertaining. Even the mediocre instrumental music score and effects aid in the film's suspenseful atmosphere.
Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by "The Dark Place". The characters were not cartoonish stereotypes, and the story was a serious mystery, thriller. Even with the rough start, "The Dark Place" manages to become a captivating thriller. It is above most LGB&T thrillers that I have seen. There isn't really any horror elements in the film, and the thrills are hit/miss throughout, so that was a slight disappointment. Still, Jody Wheeler does have a solid story here, with some stellar moments that create the necessary suspense and intensity. The ending was a little flat, but I was given the ending that I was hoping for, even if the final scene was a bit rudimentary and hokey. I definitely think mystery fans, and especially the LGB&T community should watch "The Dark Place". Not that the film doesn't have merit for the broader, hetero inclusive fan base.
"The Dark Place" starts a little choppy and confusing, forcing us to trust that things will fall into place as the story moves forward. It works to the extent of setting the tone of mystery and suspense. The downside to the choppy scene transitions at the start falls on the fact that not enough back story, or character development exists for us to give in completely to that trust. It caused a conflict in my ability to get into the story, and my knee-jerk reaction of distrust of Wheeler's intentions and objective. Luckily the story arc stays pretty focuses and moves right into Wheeler's intended vision effortlessly by the second act. More of the story becomes clear, characters become stronger, and a hint to the intense climax starts to unfold. By the third act I found myself glued to the drama unfolding, and the big reveal about some character's back story, I was quietly seeking, was given to me.
The special effects and sound effects didn't really impress me, the special effects wear minimal. Wheeler had plenty of opportunity to show a darker, grittier, and more visceral side but chose to play it safe. Letting the drama, and dialog support most of the thrills. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. I would have liked to have seen more gruesome effects during altercation and action scenes. What Jody Wheeler chose to give us came closer to Lifetime level of effects. With that said, "The Dark Place" does manage to create some real intense situations, plenty of emotion, and is quite entertaining. Even the mediocre instrumental music score and effects aid in the film's suspenseful atmosphere.
Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by "The Dark Place". The characters were not cartoonish stereotypes, and the story was a serious mystery, thriller. Even with the rough start, "The Dark Place" manages to become a captivating thriller. It is above most LGB&T thrillers that I have seen. There isn't really any horror elements in the film, and the thrills are hit/miss throughout, so that was a slight disappointment. Still, Jody Wheeler does have a solid story here, with some stellar moments that create the necessary suspense and intensity. The ending was a little flat, but I was given the ending that I was hoping for, even if the final scene was a bit rudimentary and hokey. I definitely think mystery fans, and especially the LGB&T community should watch "The Dark Place". Not that the film doesn't have merit for the broader, hetero inclusive fan base.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
