Customer Reviews

Stonebrook [VHS]

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Stonebrook is one of those movies inevitably called "a sleepy little film," and in this case, it's an apt description. A low budget indie that evidently went straight to video without hitting cinemas, Stonebrook is well worth the rental money, and is in some ways more satisfying than a lot of big budget blockbusters.

Erik Landson (Brad Rowe) is working as a farmhand when a friend of his late father's, a police detective named Oliver Franklin (William Mesnik), wrangles him a scholarship to Stonebrook University, a fictitious branch of the Ivy League. Erik is accepted at the college, so he packs his meager belongings into a battered Ford pickup, and hits the road.

Unfortunately, he soon learns that the police department scholarship is contingent upon a blood relationship with Franklin. His funding suddenly revoked, Erik has to produce some money fast, and his nerdy roommate Cornelius (Seth Green) proposes a get-rich quick scheme.

The two immediately run afoul of a small-time swindler, Alexander Tali (Stanley Kamel). Tali is cynically charmed by the two boys' chutzpah, and hires them to work for him. After a couple of easy successes, Erik realizes they've gotten in way over their heads-- Detective Franklin turns up in the dorm, and tells both guys that they stand to face a five-year prison sentence if convicted of their crimes. The only way to clear their records is to turn against their ersatz employer and give the DA evidence that will help convict him.

The story gets somewhat muddy at points, and I found a second viewing necessary to clarify who was scaming whom, but the dialogue is crisp and witty-- and remarkably free of obscenities. Likewise, the violence and bloodshed are kept to a bare minimum. It pays to keep your eyes open during this film; even small details turn out to be important.

One thing that particularly impressed me is the depiction of college life. There's not one beer bash, frat-house orgy, or gratuitous shot of naked female students in the entire film. Further, Erik is shown going to classes, studying, and wonder of wonders, even scrubbing pots in the university dining commons. These down to earth touches make the story easy to believe, and make Erik a likeable hero.

Another notable feature is the music-- in an age where movies practically exist as advertisements for their own soundtracks, the music in Stonebrook-- mostly acoustic country and rock-- stays unobtrusively in the background, highlighting each scene without taking it over. Similarly, the directing is simple and straightforward, lacking obnoxious trick shots and weird angles. Again, because the characters are presented in such an ordinary, human manner, it's that much easier to sympathize with them.

If you're looking for a quirky, well-acted film that's thought provoking but not preachy, Stonebrook may well fit the bill. It's refreshing to see a movie stripped of typical Hollywood excesses; Stonebrook is as notable for what it doesn't do as for what it does.

While this independent film is flawed, it is nevertheless a gem and time worth spent. If you like suspense-yarns that don't spoon-feed you all the plot connections, you will have fun watching this one. On the other hand, if you need to have everything spelled out for you, this one may be a brain-struggle. Personally, I favor movies that let me do a bit of the work myself. But whatever camp you're in, I think you will ultimately walk away having enjoyed it. Another reason to check this one out is Seth Green who, as always, is in top form. What I like about Seth is how he always brings flair and depth to his characterizations. He is a charming and talented actor, so I wish he had had more screen time. Brad Rowe is well suited as the farm boy lost in a big city, but his performance lacks dimension. For those who haven't seen it, try not and read too much on this movie before seeing it. I've deliberately not delved into what the movie is all about here...you'll have fun finding that out yourself! Unfortunately, the DVD has no extras. So all you're getting is the movie with scene selections.

I picked this direct-to-video film up based on my respect for Seth Green. It was, unfortunately, a mistake.

This movie, a first-time venture for both Byron Thompson and Steve Morris, ends up failing in so many respects that its skipping theatrical release was as predictable as much of its plot. While the indie market is flourishing, more films like this could stop it in its tracks.

When Erik (Brad Rowe) enters the ivy-league Stonebrook on a bogus family scholarship engineered by a family friend (Bill Mesnik) it is, of course, too good to be true. In the first few minutes his scholarship is revoked and he falls helplessly into the hands of his nerdy roommate Cornelius (Seth Green) and a small-time criminal named Tali (Stanley Kamel).

Cornelius and Erik begin to dupe virtually everyone around with their elementary confidence scams before discovering they are in much too deep. In the midst of the myriad scams, Erik finds a love interest in the form of Londyn (Zoe McLellan) who turns out to be integrally related to the tangle the cast soon finds itself in. While each scam breeds another and the roommates dig themselves deeper and deeper it is only the number of cons that grows, not the tension or suspense. Indeed, the final resolution of all their scams is so predictable I was moved to tears.

Almost as an after-thought Morris throws in a brilliant criminal mind that has orchestrated it all. The attempt is pathetic, made even moreso by the shot-for-shot stealing from "The Usual Suspects."

On the whole, the movie is not worth even renting. The acting is hardly worth mentioning; Rowe plays Brad Pitt instead of Erik. Green's take on nerdy is only as deep as the glasses he wears. McLellan, as the poor little rich girl is pitiable only as an actress and admirable only for keeping a strait face. Mesnik defines emotionless while Kamel underplays to the point of monotony. The direction is reminiscent of a sixth grader with a film crew and the writing could very well be attributed to a team of monkeys with a typewriter.

Early on, Green's character mentions "everyone's a sucker." Turns out he's referring to the movie's audience.

Some think this was a direct to video movie and it was not. I personally saw this movie at the theatre! I can say I was honestly surprised. It is very suspensful, with a number of unexpected twists. Brad Rowe is very believing in the character he plays. I personally saw a couple of the scenes in this movie being filmed in Chapel Hill, NC, and it is a professional flick, not amateur as stated by a couple of other reviews here. If you like suspense, thrillers, twists, catch this movie!

Seth Green and Brad Rowe play an excellent con duo in this must see independent film. Seth, who plays a dweeby like College student is into the whole con game. When it comes to him that his roommate, Brad Rowe, Needs money, hes more than willing to help. But that can cause some major problems, such a corneilius (Seth Green)getting back into con games? See what happens in this suspense thriller. Little blood, big puzzle.

Seth Green is, as usual, wonderful in this small indie movie of scams, money, and love. great! Does start to delve into morality issues, which brings it down a bit, but see it anyway.

Some think this was a direct to video movie and it was not. I personally saw this movie at the theatre! I can say I was honestly surprised. It is very suspensful, with a number of unexpected twists. Brad Rowe is very believing in the character he plays. I personally saw a couple of the scenes in this movie being filmed in Chapel Hill, NC, and it is a professional flick, not amateur as stated by a couple of other reviews here. If you like suspense, thrillers, twists, catch this movie!

Good acting, good story and good price. The image and sound are fine, altough it does have that straight-to-video look about it. This is a movie I could rewatch. It is not exactly a classic, but it is entertaining. I do not regret viewing this.

Seth Green is my favorite actor, period. This movie is ok, but the shootout at the finale feels dumb but its uplifted by its striking sorta "The Usual Suspects" ending, which I liked in this movie. Green sorta dissapeared for like god knows how many minutes making people think hes dead but then comes back, great performance by him, in a geeky way. a must see for Green fans