Wuchak RELEASED IN 2013 and directed by Larry Fessenden, "Beneath" documents events when six high school graduates get together one last time, but find themselves trapped on a boat in a secluded lake, threatened by something in the water.This is a "confined location" horror flick with a psychological subtext. Except for the beginning and climax, these kinds of films focus on two or more threatened people in a restricted setting and the mental/emotional struggles thereof. "The Mist," "Wind Chill" and "Prey" are good examples (all from 2007). "Beneath" isn't as good as the first two, but it's debatably on par with the last one. The best part is the first act. Bonnie Dennison (Kitty) and, especially, petite cutie Mackenzie Rosman (Deb) score well on the female front and the director wisely highlights the latter's beauty (no nudity or sleaze). The monster is well-done and is plainly revealed before the first act is over. This shows that the heart of the picture isn't the creature, but the psychologies of the six victims and the hidden hostilities thereof. They're a fun-loving group of friends, but are they really? It's a well-made movie for only $1 million, but I found the second and third acts kinda tedious. Still, the film makes its point. The movie runs 90 minutes and was shot in Oxford, Connecticut (Naugatuck State Forest). Writers: Tony Daniel & Brian D. Smith.GRADE: C

Woodyanders Six high school friends take a trip to the remote area of Black Lake to celebrate their last big time together before going their separate ways following graduation. Things go nightmarishly awry after the teens find themselves stranded on a lake in a rowboat with a giant man-eating fish that intends to devour all of them.While the bleak script by Tony Daniel and Brian D. Smith makes a valid and provocative point about how easily the fragile bonds of friendship and loyalty are shattered when it comes to survival, this potentially powerful theme alas losses its substantial emotional resonance and most of its necessary tension due to the fact that the characters are universally dumb, hateful, and unappealing: One quite simply doesn't care if any of these grating bozos manages to emerge from this harrowing ordeal alive and intact, which in turn makes it impossible to be remotely concerned about their well being throughout. Worse yet, the acting from the young folks is mediocre at best, with only veteran character actor Mark Margolis managing to keep his dignity as crusty old cuss Mr. Parks. Although director Larry Fessenden deserves some praise for using funky old school practical f/x over cheesy CGI, delivers a few nice bits of gore, maintains a pull-no-punches grim tone to the literal bitter end, and even generates a modicum of suspense at times, he unfortunately can't surmount the fundamental problem that these despicable adolescents all basically deserve to be fish food.

Scott LeBrun A gaggle of teenagers who've just graduated high school go on a rural excursion together before they all head their separate ways. They end up on a boat, on a lake, and at least one of their number, Johnny (Daniel Zovatto), seems to know the score. He's heard "legends" regarding the place. As it turns out, this dumb bunch ends up stranded on the boat - which develops leaks - and franticly trying to make it to shore when a goofy monster fish shows up and, every so often, gobbles up one of them.It's a shame, really. You expect more from writer / director / editor Larry Fessenden ("Habit", "Wendigo") than this kind of cheese ball entertainment. It seems as if he's trying to rise it above most of the efforts in this genre by ruminating on the idea of the depths to which people will sink when it comes to saving their own worthless lives. How much does friendship and family count for in such a situation?Negating whatever honest intentions Fessenden may have had is the fact that this is one truly despicable bunch of jerks. This is the kind of movie where you root for the monster, by default, to eat everybody because there's not one human character on hand that's tolerable. Zeke (Griffin Newman) is one of the worst because he's a walking cliché: the kind of film geek / aspiring filmmaker who stubbornly insists on filming everything, the kind of guy who drives this viewer right up the wall.The acting is pretty bad from most everybody concerned, which doesn't help matters. The young cast is amateurish, with just one old pro present: veteran character actor Mark Margolis ("Pi", 'Breaking Bad'), who has just two scenes.The design for the monster fish is, as was said, rather goofy, but the visual effects are better than one might expect; the fish actually feels like a physical presence in the movie. And there is a smattering of amusing gore throughout.This isn't one that this viewer would really recommend, unless you have a high tolerance for bad writing and bad acting.Four out of 10.

Michael Thompson Frankly I don't know how these young actors could keep straight faces while making this stupid movie, yes I said stupid. Also I don't understand how anybody and everybody involved just did not refuse to make this movie.?????This movie could have been a bit better if the giant fish in the river had not looked so false. It looked like a huge wind up toy.It looked like it come from the puppet TV series Stingray.Also I've seen many rubbish movies, and so I cant understand why they are made ??????. Why would a director, direct a rubbish film in general.???.In the movie world today there are so many unanswered questions.Part of the story line in this film is about several young people suddenly without oars to get their boat to back to land, so what do they do with their time ?????. Argue amongst themselves. I felt like telling them all to shut bloody, up!This movie was frustratingly stupid. End of story.