A Desert

A Desert really got under my skin. It starts like a lonely road movie about a photographer wandering through the Southwest, then slowly turns into something much darker and more dangerous. The desert landscapes look beautiful, but there’s always this feeling that something bad is waiting just outside the frame.

I liked how the movie doesn’t rush the horror. It lets the isolation, strange encounters, and bad decisions build until the whole thing starts feeling like a neo-noir nightmare. The photography is a huge part of why it works too — wide-open skies, empty roads, harsh light, and a really strong sense of place.

The Blu-ray release is solid as **** too. You get three commentaries, a feature on the film’s photography, and a booklet, so there’s plenty to dig into after the movie.

Beautiful to look at, bleak as ****, and way more unsettling than I expected. I even grabbed the cassette because the whole aesthetic and atmosphere worked that well for me. Easy 5/5. 😁

The artwork made me curious read the description and thought why not. . .

A true gem.

Great stuff! I was definitely not disappointed by this one. Being a Jesus Lizard fan for many years, I obviously had to see this movie, and I was honestly blown away by David Yow's performance here. He really has become a formidable actor. Yes, I know he's been at it for many years having had several roles in various indie films, but he really impressed me this time. The movie itself was pretty cool. It didn't go quite as dark as I imagined it might from the write-ups, but it was well done in all aspects. I especially loved the music, and I hope the soundtrack gets a proper release too. The movie certainly does take its time getting to the meat of things, but it's well worth it. Highly recommended!

Excellent film.

It captures the feel of the desert wonderfully, bringing back the sensations I had when I'd spend as much of my summers as a kid out there. The cool winds you'd be thankful for in the mornings and evenings, the sound of a cracked highway and all the traffic, the homes and motels built sometime around the 1950's with cracked wood and sunlight creeping in at every corner, the unique sounds and feelings you'd receive as darkness came at night. All of this laid out here along with a brainworm of atmosphere and tone that, coupled with the excellent photography, makes it riveting at times to watch. I had never really noticed David Yow before, but he was a standout here, even amongst the always appreciated Sarah Lind and Zachary Ray Sherman who does a great Bill Mosely if Bill was both restrained and lethal at the same time. The finale may not deliver what you'd expect at first, but I don't think I'd want it another way, going out with a way that goes against typically narration in order to create a more lasting impact.