I thought this movie might just be a standard action thriller, I like James Landry-Hébert, he was exceptional on 1883, but I wish there was more exposition to the story. What was it that drew him to Ashley? Was it just her pretty eyes? Were they meant to have met in real life and not just in her choppy dream sequences? And what was happening to her in those sequences? It seems like there could have been some sort of connection between them to work with that. March was drawn to her immediately, and I think she could have been more curious about him, just to put some foundations under the plot. They hardly spoke. He was exceptionally unsettling right at the end, with his sort of dead eyed stare, and I must say I liked the way he called her pretty bird. It is what it is, the location was beautiful, and there was some interesting plot potential, it just could have been fleshed out further. But my most pressing questions.... WHY would she take and keep her boots off????? (Although, I loved his bewildered tone when he held them up) WHY did she keep taking her clothes off???? WHY did she break into a car she knew she had no keys for???? Those questions have no answers, as they are the stuff these types of films are made of.
15 Reviews
Not as bad as the reviews
fourscribers11 February 2023
OK, all those that rated this movie at one or two haven't really seen a bad movie. This is not that bad! The movie introduces you to the characters and slowly builds into a relatively tense thriller.
The movie is far from perfect, and there will be several times your question their decisions. But it's a survival movie, and they all make stupid decisions!
If you were looking for a high end, Hollywood movie, look elsewhere, but if you are looking for something to give you some thrills, give it a shot. But before warned, the ending sucks. Not sure why they can't make movies with legitimate endings and a good conclusion anymore.
The movie is far from perfect, and there will be several times your question their decisions. But it's a survival movie, and they all make stupid decisions!
If you were looking for a high end, Hollywood movie, look elsewhere, but if you are looking for something to give you some thrills, give it a shot. But before warned, the ending sucks. Not sure why they can't make movies with legitimate endings and a good conclusion anymore.
Terrible, really terrible
courmanosj12 April 2018
Slowly Descends into Mindless Horror
sjk09-919-2045215 December 2016
Blue Jay begins as an intriguing if less than masterfully acted mountain adventure, lead by a socially awkward new boyfriend who is oddly motivated to push the main character up the side of the snow-covered mountain in the winter against her better judgment for reasons that are never entirely clear. Along the way they are stalked by a group of men dressed in summer clothing who seem to appear periodically along the trail as if they'd been beamed there from the transporter room of the Enterprise. No explanation is ever given for their motives or their ability to magically ascend up the side of the snow-covered mountain with no climbing or snow gear. The leader of the group talks as if he is part of some kind of environmental or religious cult but much of what he says makes no sense and his companions all appear to be slow, dull, and clumsy, as if they'd just stumbled out of a saloon, which leaves the viewer to wonder what they are doing there in the first place. The movie eventually degenerates into a thoroughly disappointing and depraved horror movie with undertones of sexual violence.
Bad Movie
marleemiller-3830113 April 2020
Wasted time
raphael_erfe5 December 2016
What a disappointment!
The concept of the film was interesting and had potential, but the plot and the way it was executed had me yawning in my seat in 15 minutes. The film squanders all that potential, delivering a lackluster and boring product. It felt like watching a documentary! The trailer looked promising and was mildly suspenseful, but unfortunately, that 2 minutes of action is all you're gonna get in this 83 minute film.
The best things about it are the gorgeous establishing shots and the location, which I admire the crew for filming in such a harsh environment. But everything else is dreary and fails to capture the audiences' attention. The writing wasn't given much thought, and the characters were one-dimensional. The lack of character development and their uninspiring portrayal prevented me from feeling invested to care much about what happens to them, which defeats the whole purpose of the film.
The villain initially seemed like an interesting character, but as the movie dragged on, you realize that this man made no sense - much like the entire film. The limp plot twist at the end was predictable and anti-climactic. The credits roll and you feel like you've wasted your time.
I wouldn't recommend watching this film unless you truly have nothing else to watch.
The concept of the film was interesting and had potential, but the plot and the way it was executed had me yawning in my seat in 15 minutes. The film squanders all that potential, delivering a lackluster and boring product. It felt like watching a documentary! The trailer looked promising and was mildly suspenseful, but unfortunately, that 2 minutes of action is all you're gonna get in this 83 minute film.
The best things about it are the gorgeous establishing shots and the location, which I admire the crew for filming in such a harsh environment. But everything else is dreary and fails to capture the audiences' attention. The writing wasn't given much thought, and the characters were one-dimensional. The lack of character development and their uninspiring portrayal prevented me from feeling invested to care much about what happens to them, which defeats the whole purpose of the film.
The villain initially seemed like an interesting character, but as the movie dragged on, you realize that this man made no sense - much like the entire film. The limp plot twist at the end was predictable and anti-climactic. The credits roll and you feel like you've wasted your time.
I wouldn't recommend watching this film unless you truly have nothing else to watch.
Some beautiful mountain scenery and that's about it.
silver9293 March 2017
Warning: Spoilers
In an interview, director/writer Michael Ciulla states that he got the idea to make this movie after an unsettling encounter with a group of hikers while on the trail. After watching the result, it would seem it inspired him to fill 83 minutes with every tired cliché from 100 other thrillers of this type.
Movie offers absolutely nothing new on the old 'woman chased by hillbilly-rapists in the woods' horror trope. The stale storyline could be overlooked somewhat if the characters were worth caring about but the movie fails miserably on this score as well. Actors are uniformly irritating and unlikable. Ashley, our heroine, comes off as whiny and never convincingly able to handle the situation that's thrust upon her. Her overbearing boyfriend, one of those men who thinks it 'manly' to make the decisions and constantly prod and badger his girlfriend, generates little sympathy. The bad guys, all southern accents and preaching voices, are typical offensive stereotypes.
On a technical level, the photography of Mt Whitney and the national park is crisp and sharp. Although occasionally marred by artsy time-lapse shots and the prerequisite, running-in-the-dark, night vision scenes. Pacing is tight. At least it moves swiftly enough to sustain interest in spite of the tedious plot beats.
The horror elements are neither grueling nor graphic enough to make the movie a stand out. Zero tension or scares, only groaning from the silliness of the whole thing. There's a twist ending but not only is it contrived but telegraphed too soon to create any genuine surprise.
A time killer with some nice cinematography is all Blue Jay has to offer.
Movie offers absolutely nothing new on the old 'woman chased by hillbilly-rapists in the woods' horror trope. The stale storyline could be overlooked somewhat if the characters were worth caring about but the movie fails miserably on this score as well. Actors are uniformly irritating and unlikable. Ashley, our heroine, comes off as whiny and never convincingly able to handle the situation that's thrust upon her. Her overbearing boyfriend, one of those men who thinks it 'manly' to make the decisions and constantly prod and badger his girlfriend, generates little sympathy. The bad guys, all southern accents and preaching voices, are typical offensive stereotypes.
On a technical level, the photography of Mt Whitney and the national park is crisp and sharp. Although occasionally marred by artsy time-lapse shots and the prerequisite, running-in-the-dark, night vision scenes. Pacing is tight. At least it moves swiftly enough to sustain interest in spite of the tedious plot beats.
The horror elements are neither grueling nor graphic enough to make the movie a stand out. Zero tension or scares, only groaning from the silliness of the whole thing. There's a twist ending but not only is it contrived but telegraphed too soon to create any genuine surprise.
A time killer with some nice cinematography is all Blue Jay has to offer.
Unexpctedly good!
benareameya4 December 2016
I saw this film thinking its other Blue Jay 2016. I don't know much about another movie too other than it has Mark Duplass so kinda waited for him throughout the film. But before I realized it the other movie I was hooked. It's a nice little movie made with heart. Totally good if you want good Sunday afternoon thriller. Nothing great but not bad at all. Thriller for trekkers and hikers. The climax is not very impact full but its descent. Anyways in thrillers, good climax add additional start in the review. In this case it is just descent. Watch it if you like slow thrillers. acting is good too. Just don't go with your potential girlfriend /boyfriend ;)
This movie was made as a filler for nothing
hrhkalways4 December 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Someone please tell me why was this movie made? What? Very frustrated after seeing this movie. I wanted to see Blue Jay by Alexandre Lehmann, but this is some other movie by the same name. For the record, this movie has no connection with Blue Jay. Its not even worth the trouble writing a review for this movie, the only reason I am writing is because it upset me off to have wasted my time on this utter waste of a movie. I didn't really follow the reason for someone to have made this movie....Thrill, Adventure, Mystery, nothing...does not even classify as a B or C grade movie. Nothing.
I was expecting some better stuff than this, the start had some promise. But it just senselessly went on building up on some non existent suspense. I kept searching the web to find out frankly is this movie for real or did the title change by mistake. But no. I couldn't even find a reference to this movie anywhere. Then I started searching by the cast, finally I landed on to it. And I had to write about it. Don't even bother reading this review till the end. Just follow the first line and drop any intentions of watching this movie. And if you do, please after that at least come and rank my review higher.
I was expecting some better stuff than this, the start had some promise. But it just senselessly went on building up on some non existent suspense. I kept searching the web to find out frankly is this movie for real or did the title change by mistake. But no. I couldn't even find a reference to this movie anywhere. Then I started searching by the cast, finally I landed on to it. And I had to write about it. Don't even bother reading this review till the end. Just follow the first line and drop any intentions of watching this movie. And if you do, please after that at least come and rank my review higher.
I loved this movie!
craigmad6 December 2016
You see, this is the problem with reading reviews on here sometimes; no appreciation of a well made independent film. I loved this thriller. I think a lot of people like to come on here and trash movies. This movie was well written, well acted, and had my wife and I on the edge of our seats. The angrier my wife gets when I talk through movies, the more I know she loves it. This film was beautifully shot for not being a large budget film, with multiple intense scenes that were extremely intense. Sara Lindsey was especially convincing. I thought the acting was very strong, from the waitress in the beginning, who clearly had the authenticity of a mid-west girl to the antagonist, who was well chosen and did a great job. I would definitely recommend seeing this movie.
Bluejay Boring
oaimerid17 March 2021
Idiocy in crescendo
imdbcom-699692 January 2020
Realistic, Beautiful, Scary
liliofthethorns3 July 2018
Warning: Spoilers
I thought this movie was extremely well done! It had a very realistic feel through out the movie (until the end - I'll get to that later).
While I was watching this movie I felt like I was actually just watching two people hiking a mountain (in a good way). There were no crazy or cheesy and effects, just absolutely stunning scenery! The acting was realistic too which added to the realness of the film.
The villains of the film were creepy - exactly what real bad guys are like (which makes it an even scarier scenario).
I would have EASILY given this movie 10 stars, had it not been for the ending...
SPOILER ALERT BELOW
This movie ended with one of my absolute biggest pet peeves in movies...
After the character goes the whole movie fighting the bad guys, watching them murder two people (one being her new boyfriend), she essentially "wins," and gets to the town. The twist of the movie is a female character seen earlier in the movie actually knows the bad men and is in on their stalking "game." The heroine of course runs into this woman after her escape and seeks help from her. The woman isolates our heroine and then the 2 surviving bad men show up. AND HERE'S THE ANNOYING PART THAT COST THE MOVIE A STAR - at a snap of a finger the woman suddenly just changes and is going to join their gang! WHAT!?!?
The movie should have simply ended with a few people running to her when she collapses in town, the police showing up and interviewing her (you know, have her wrapped in a blanket sitting in the back of an ambulance), and her going home or something! Not her joining the group she just killed half of the members because they tried to rape her and killed her boyfriend.
While I was watching this movie I felt like I was actually just watching two people hiking a mountain (in a good way). There were no crazy or cheesy and effects, just absolutely stunning scenery! The acting was realistic too which added to the realness of the film.
The villains of the film were creepy - exactly what real bad guys are like (which makes it an even scarier scenario).
I would have EASILY given this movie 10 stars, had it not been for the ending...
SPOILER ALERT BELOW
This movie ended with one of my absolute biggest pet peeves in movies...
After the character goes the whole movie fighting the bad guys, watching them murder two people (one being her new boyfriend), she essentially "wins," and gets to the town. The twist of the movie is a female character seen earlier in the movie actually knows the bad men and is in on their stalking "game." The heroine of course runs into this woman after her escape and seeks help from her. The woman isolates our heroine and then the 2 surviving bad men show up. AND HERE'S THE ANNOYING PART THAT COST THE MOVIE A STAR - at a snap of a finger the woman suddenly just changes and is going to join their gang! WHAT!?!?
The movie should have simply ended with a few people running to her when she collapses in town, the police showing up and interviewing her (you know, have her wrapped in a blanket sitting in the back of an ambulance), and her going home or something! Not her joining the group she just killed half of the members because they tried to rape her and killed her boyfriend.
Better than rated
ginof-226493 November 2022
This is a well made movie and Survival movies give sense of adventure and experience of place. That alone in this movie makes it rate higher than average. Acting is good, directing, cutting, even a good song in it make it rank higher than 4 or 2.9. Give it a try and u won't be dis-appointed in the scenery. Set in the wilds of Mt. Whitney early in the season before it's crowded with people and sets the scene of a horrific time running into psychopathic nomads. Plus the lead actresss is a beauty. Her blonde hair shining like rays of sunlight, piercing cool blue eyes, a thick bottom and put together like a woman. Really tho, the rest of the movie is great and I wish there were more movies like this. Out in the wild in real places that most of us hav'nt seen, but dream of seeing someday.
I really liked the song in the middle of the movie. It's haunting and kind of psychedelic and also fits the movie and adds to the overall feel. These types of horrors r the real horrors that anyone can go through and it always makes it more shocking and scary to see stuff like this and be reminded that thus could possibly happen and what would you do in thus situation.
I really liked the song in the middle of the movie. It's haunting and kind of psychedelic and also fits the movie and adds to the overall feel. These types of horrors r the real horrors that anyone can go through and it always makes it more shocking and scary to see stuff like this and be reminded that thus could possibly happen and what would you do in thus situation.
Pointless tripe
Rebekahjanel23 November 2020
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