Clear Lake, WI (2009)

CLEAR LAKE, WI is one of those low-budget movies which actually would have benefited from the Hollywood scourge of "too many chefs" which plagues many big-budget flicks. Specifically, the absence of top-notch film editors and script supervisors from the crew of a movie like CLEAR LAKE sometimes allows the primary plot twist to get lost in the shuffle. Maybe the twist is ADDED in post-production, through a patchwork of throwaway material better LEFT on the cutting room floor. Maybe the twist was left for the last day or two of filming by rookie writers\directors who didn't know any better--not realizing that their project inevitably would fall three or four days behind the shooting schedule, leaving little or no time to actually put the pivotal scene of their story on film. CLEAR LAKE seemingly suffers from this syndrome, as the identity of the real killer for the plot's first set of murders is revealed by Michael Madsen's imprisoned bogus "Reverend" character in a postscript line of dialog captured on a hand- held a year after principle filming wrapped (according to the DVD featurettes). Bottom line: the best to be hoped for from this CLEAR LAKE is that it will become Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's OWN PRIVATE ELBA after he's recalled later this year (i.e., an island of exile for a deposed emperor).

I'm not an American resident and have only visited twenty or so states, but I've heard and read numerous times already – whether in jokes or more serious conversations – that Wisconsin is the most boring of all the United States of America. As I said, I can't really judge, but purely based on my viewing experience of "Clear Lake, WI" I'm tempted to believe the statement. The state of Wisconsin perhaps can't be held accountable for this dull and derivative movie, but the reference in the title definitely doesn't help their reputation. And yet, this movie displays a lot of potential in its basic premise and during the atmospheric opening sequences. I have a personal fascination for stories handling about ghost towns and religious small town cults, so I was immediately sold to "Clear Lake, WI". The plot centers on a young and ambitious girl student who reunites five former acolytes of the convicted reverend and self-acclaimed messiah of their hometown Clear Lake. Fifteen years ago, during the outbreak of a bizarre virus, the reverend proclaimed that the people of Clear Lake were being punished by God and encouraged his young disciples to help the Lord with this process. The return to Clear Lake doesn't only brings back old intrigues and affairs, but also oppressed nightmares and … a killer. The first full hour of the film goes by intolerably slow and practically nothing happens except for dire dialogs between characters you don't feel the least bit connected to. Biggest disappointment of all is the setting. The filming locations definitely don't raise the impression that they have been abandoned for fifteen years! The school building looks impeccably clean and the tiny paths through the woods are still easily accessible instead of bewildered. The whole thing becomes slightly – just slightly, mind you – more interesting when the killer strikes. There's a bit of tension and excitement during the third act, but the denouement is predictable and actually very logical. The DVD cover proudly pimps Michael Madsen's name, but naturally he only briefly appears during a couple of flashbacks. Not recommended.

I just want to comment that I watched this movie at a theater downtown in Minneapolis, MN and absolutely thought it was a great independent film. I think the story plot was complex and interesting. It was more than just another indie film. The actors did an awesome job acting their parts. I believed and felt their horror especially Beth's character played by Carla Toutz. I really felt the pain she was harboring for 15 years and fell in love with her character. Furthermore, Dustin Booth's character Reed had an interesting twist. I don't want to give it away, but lets just say he doesn't turn out to be who you would expect. This is a great film traveling around Wisconsin and Minnesota. If you have a chance to see this film I would definitely recommend it.

A girl decides to do a documentary about five people who were involved in murders fifteen years ago. She takes them back to where the murders happened to film the documentary. They split up to look for a man one of them saw in a supposedly deserted town, but can't find him. Of course people then start dying. The worst movie I have ever seen! I was so looking forward to it being from WI. The acting was horrible, the story lame, the camera shots shaky. My friend fell asleep twice it was so boring. The killer was so predictable we knew who it was right away. The nude scene was to long and unnecessary, like it was just thrown in so they could have a nude scene. The characters were so bad I didn't even care when they were being killed. Also very unrealistic. How did the killer get the dead bodies up on the basketball hoop by himself? I want my money back!!!!!