Customer Reviews

Pirates of the Great Salt Lake

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

This Film is a true Pirate's Treasure!, 13 February 2006

Author: (mackay@captjackspiratehats.com) from Isle de Tortuga
*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

On Sunday Feb 5th I flew down to SanFrancisco to attend the San Francisco Independent Film Festival and the second showing of Pirates of The Great Salt Lake. I arrived at the theater an hour early in order to meet up with ER Nelson, the director of the film, Kirby Heybourne (who plays Kirk) the star of the film and several of the producers.

I was told by the SF Indie film fest organizers that the much awaited Friday night World Premiere of PotGSL received a standing ovation from a sold out crowd. I was getting so excited to see it, and hoping I wouldn't let down. I've been sitting and waiting since August, not an easy thing to do. Independent films are a tricky business, often it is the director's first film ( as in this case) , often the actors are less experienced "unknowns", and in almost all cases the production budget puts extreme limitations on everything. Despite these factors or because of them , Pirates of the Great Salt Lake is like finding that elusive buried treasure. This film is a real gem! It is original and refreshing, and dare I say.... OK, so I hate the comment "it's a Feel Good movie". just not the kind of comment Pirates should make. Well........This is a Very Very Feel Good Movie, and its a feel good Buddy Movie!! I smiled all the way through the screening Dammit! I hope I wasn't being watched or there goes my Pirate rep.. A very well thought out script ,co-written by Eric Nelson who also skillfully directs, and solid comedic performances by the principle actors had me laughing out loud within the first few seconds. It has everything that a good Pirate film should, Pirates (duh), ships (er, boats) , the plank, weapons, maps and cursed treasure, ghosts, skirmishes, thievery, back stabbing, murder, wenches ( and not all in that order) It's campy, it's tongue in cheek, it pokes fun at the current pirate culture, and stereotypes. It even pays backhanded homage to Johnny Depp. And I loved this film for it. The music perfectly underscores that our two heroes are living their Grand Pirate Dream. And while they may be two average young guys,... they are truly Pirates! There are also some unique cover versions of contemporary rock songs strategically placed that will have you chuckling. Like when Kirk and Flint meet for the first time

Spread the word and keep a weather eye open for this Treasure, and keep our cutlasses crossed that this film gets picked up and distributed. It deserves it and we all NEED it!

Synopsis: Kirk Redgrave and Flint Weaver are two young, 20- something loners in Utah who live near the Great Salt "Sea". Each with their own issues, they meet through chance and set out together to become the best Pirates the world has ever seen. As in real life, Piracy is a tough go for our heroes, filled with much failure and disappointment, it is a hard life ( well, three weeks anyway) and then they come across a long lost treasure map. They must battle a ruthless rival and contend a curse in order to collect the treasure and fulfill their dream. Will they or will they not....

I had the pleasure of seeing Pirates of the Great Salt Lake at a special screening in late 2007. It is such a shame this movie did not get widescale release in the theaters. It is offbeat, crazy, and funny. I would have thought that distributors would have learned something from the success of Napolean Dynamite. Although, obviously not a big budget production POTGSL has alot of talent and alot of heart. With all the pig fodder that comes out in the name of "entertainment" POTGSL is a breath of fresh air. It is very much worthy of a DVD collection. Don't miss!!!

We watched this on a recommendation from a friend and once finished my children immediately asked to watch it again. This is one of the most creative and smartly written movies I've seen in a while. It even has a good moral message which was delivered so subtly it was not overplayed. Refreshing really.

This film was amazing! It was funny and sweet and just a little bit twisted. I saw it at a screening in honor of Talk Like a Pirate Day 2007 and my sides hurt after it was over from laughing so much.

Our family had been waiting the release of this movie for quite some time...and despite what some other reviewers have posted, it did not disappoint. It is too bad this did not receive a wide release in theaters, it was fun, interesting, and much better than some of the over hyped 'box-office' hits that are being released. If you have any inkling to be a pirate in modern times this movie is for you ~ and relax everyone apparently there is even a pirate heaven! ~ with much arrrrr! ~ Cap'n Cavan

I have to say this movie is not for everyone but then neither is Monty Python and the Holy Grail or any other film. Some may consider it boring as I did in a few sequences. Some movies really should be shorter to maintain effect, this is one of them. However, I never liked movies trying to appeal to everyone since they really never hit the mark anyway for me, must more formula stories. However, for those who love comedy or pirates this is a new classic with a future cult following for generations. It is somewhat similar in tone to Napoleon Dynamite and if there is one thing I have learned about any movie but especially comedies is the things you can get out of it from repeated watchings. I get something new each time I watch it, which is really unusual for me, typically when I watch a film once that is it for me. That is another reason I love this film, from all the campiness, including the fake hand that gets carried away by the dog only addes to its charm. I wouldn't want it any other way and I still recommend this film! Although probably not a childrens movie if you want that go buy the latest Pixar or Disney film they are usually good and stand up well for family fare. Go out and be a pirate for a day or two...just because you can! :) Aaaaarrrg!

I bought this several months ago and finally watched it. It's a great little independent movie about guys trying to be pirates in this day and age, which is actually funny. Great purchase!

I really enjoyed the movie. I think it's pretty funny and Flint is really HOT! I love the pass it on theme as well.

The story plot was odd, kept a secret during most of the movie.

If you like "different" movies than this just might be for you. We found the movie to be too different for us. There were some funny moments, but the death didn't make much sense. Perhaps if the story unfolded in though a series of dream sequences, flashing back and forth between reality and fantasy.

The most interesting character was the indian "guide" with the white horse.

If you like Mr. Kerby Keyborne buy the DVD while supplies last! I don't think there will be a second run. Pirates is definitely a low budget, Grade B movie in the spirit of 1950s Grade B movies.

We rented this dvd from our local library and my son absolutly loved it! We found it on Amazon - no surprise :) and ordered it.

This vendor delivered it in a timely manner and my son has enjoyed showing it to his friends who don't know about the Great Salt Lake or that there were pirates that patrolled it shores...

Appropriate viewing material for Ages 12 & up.