Okay. I'm gonna take some pity on any readers of this thread, and promise that I will NOT follow these comments with even more regarding other aired-on-THAT-CHANNEL travesties (like Killer Mountain, and Croczilla). Although the title of this film has nothing to do with the content (as with Nailbiter), it is the most entertaining of all the titles mentioned herein. And of course, entertainment is certainly in the eyes of the beholder.
Basic storyline: A greedy use-car dealer and landowner (played wildly over-the-top by Michael Badalucco, who some might remember fondly from the TV series, The Practice) re-opens a long-closed gold mine in order to find enough wealth to pay his gambling/@%!@#% debts. Two neer-do-wells begin the film attempting to poach gold, and release a monster that is tied to an ancient curse. As with most, if not all, of THAT CHANNEL's formula offerings, the monster strikes early and often, with a great deal of fast-edited blood splatter, but very little profanity, and no nudity (dammit!). Among the short-lived fodder is a geriatric dingbat played by none other than Marion Ross of Happy Days fame. The rest of the film centers on the trials and tribulations of a young policeman (played by James Belushi's son, Robert), who suffers panic attacks in the most innocuous circumstances. The young cop is sweet on the pretty Asian medical examiner (Cathy Shim) while he tries to contain his wild and sluttish little sister (a Ruben-esque Evie Thompson, whose performance would have been tolerable if she'd dropped her blouse once or twice). Meanwhile, the body count builds well into double figures as the monster shreds anyone it encounters, bleeding (or pissing) gold wherever it visits.
Enough storyline. It's all by-the-numbers, but it is strangely viewable. The acting is of a much higher quality than in most of the film's peer group. The monster is unique, albeit another weak CGI effort, and the 85-minute film moves relatively quickly over familiar, formulaic ground. The rationale for the monster attempts weak social commentary, but rational thought and logic is never a strong point in this type of film.
The formula is standard but the execution is better than expected. Turn off your mind and perhaps you'll find some measure of entertainment.
... Reed
Basic storyline: A greedy use-car dealer and landowner (played wildly over-the-top by Michael Badalucco, who some might remember fondly from the TV series, The Practice) re-opens a long-closed gold mine in order to find enough wealth to pay his gambling/@%!@#% debts. Two neer-do-wells begin the film attempting to poach gold, and release a monster that is tied to an ancient curse. As with most, if not all, of THAT CHANNEL's formula offerings, the monster strikes early and often, with a great deal of fast-edited blood splatter, but very little profanity, and no nudity (dammit!). Among the short-lived fodder is a geriatric dingbat played by none other than Marion Ross of Happy Days fame. The rest of the film centers on the trials and tribulations of a young policeman (played by James Belushi's son, Robert), who suffers panic attacks in the most innocuous circumstances. The young cop is sweet on the pretty Asian medical examiner (Cathy Shim) while he tries to contain his wild and sluttish little sister (a Ruben-esque Evie Thompson, whose performance would have been tolerable if she'd dropped her blouse once or twice). Meanwhile, the body count builds well into double figures as the monster shreds anyone it encounters, bleeding (or pissing) gold wherever it visits.
Enough storyline. It's all by-the-numbers, but it is strangely viewable. The acting is of a much higher quality than in most of the film's peer group. The monster is unique, albeit another weak CGI effort, and the 85-minute film moves relatively quickly over familiar, formulaic ground. The rationale for the monster attempts weak social commentary, but rational thought and logic is never a strong point in this type of film.
The formula is standard but the execution is better than expected. Turn off your mind and perhaps you'll find some measure of entertainment.
... Reed
