Writer: Nick Szostakiwskyj (Screenplay)
Starring: Shane Twerdun, Michael Dickson, Carl Toftfelt, Marc Anthony Williams, Andrew Moxham, Timothy Lyle, Steve Bradley
Plot: Black Mountain Side follows a group of archaeologists after they uncover a strange structure in Northern Canada, dating over ten thousand years before the present. The team finds themselves isolated when their communication systems fail and it is not long before they begin to feel the effects of the solitude.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Suspense Driven Horror
Story: Black Mountain Side starts as Professor Piers Olsen (Dickson) gets sent to a remote Canadian archaeological dig as they have found something out of place. The base has a team of Jensen (Twerdun), Francis Manro (Toftfelt), Marc Anthony Williams (Giles), Dr Andrevs (Moxham) Drew McNaughton (Lyle) and Steven Wells (Bradley). The team have discovered an ancient temple that simple put should be around the Canadian landscape and before long members of the dig team start disappearing.
With the workers gone and communication lost the men have to work together to figure out why this settlement was created in the first place. To make matters worse the men find themselves infected with an unknown virus that is causing them to become unstable, with hearing and seeing things. Can anyone make it off the mountain alive?
Black Mountain Side is a film I was worried about being just another The Thing rip off but I was pleasantly surprised. The story is filled with suspense as we are left to wonder just what is real. The added in historical discovery works because it doesn’t go through the alien or out of this world idea rather than just an ancient evil. Where we are left to wonder which part of the story we think are real and having the mystery really helps.
Actor Review
Shane Twerdun: Jensen is the leader of the dig, he believes the dig will be the biggest in recent human history as he tries to give professor Olsen a reason to fund the archaeological dig. When the camp becomes compromised he fights to kick the site open before seeing the errors of his way. Shane is good in this role being a good leader in what is an opposite to what we are used too in this role.
Michael Dickson: Professor Piers Olsen is set to the site to see whether the team has discovered something worth funding. He has to make sure they can cope through any situation and soon he finds himself realizing what the problem is and that the failed to follow quarantine procedure. Michael is good as the voice of reason through the situation.
Carl Toftfelt: Francis Manro is a member of the team who finds himself being controlled by an unseen force, we are left to wonder if it is in his head or in fact something real. Carl is good in this role being the one you just are never sure about throughout.
Marc Anthony Williams: Robert Michael Giles is another member of the team, he is looking forward to his Christmas away in Florida, he is short tempered when it comes to distraction. Marc is good in this role where he along with the rest of the crew work well together.
Support Cast: Black Mountain Side has a smaller supporting cast that all work with the rest of the cast well.
Director Review: Nick Szostakiwskyj – Nick gives us a horror thriller that keeps us guessing throughout the film.
Horror: Black Mountain Side puts us into an isolated location with an unknown horror waiting for our characters.
Thriller: Black Mountain Side keeps us on edge through the film as to what will happen.
Settings: Black Mountain Side uses the setting to create the isolation needed in the film.
Special Effects: Black Mountain Side has good effects when needed but doesn’t go for too many.
Suggestion: Black Mountain Side is one for the horror fans to watch. (Horror Fans Watch)
Best Part: Suspense.
Worst Part: Might not be for everyone.
Believability: No
Chances of Tears: No
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: No
Oscar Chances: No
Runtime: 1 Hour 39 Minutes
Overall: Suspense fueled horror that just keeps us on edge throughout
Rating