The Garden
Sam (Adam Taylor Gordon) is a young boy with big problems: He has bad dreams, he cuts himself, and he’s just been released from a mental hospital. But when he and his recovering alcoholic father (Brian Wimmer) are forced to stay on a ranch owned by the mysterious Ben Zachary (Lance Henriksen of ALIENS and NEAR DARK), Sam’s nightmares become all too real. On this placid land, the dead walk, evil is alive and a terrifying prophecy may unleash the final apocalypse. As the suffering of the innocent takes root, will the taste of temptation lead Sam to the most shocking act of all? Claudia Christian (BABYLON 5, THE HIDDEN) and Sean Young (BLADE RUNNER) co-star in this provocative horror thriller about the battle for the soul of mankind that begins – and ends – in THE GARDEN.
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(out of 10 reviews)
Review by Michael Butts for The Garden
Rating:
One has to give the filmmakers an “A” for effort in trying to come up with something a little original; too bad, that most of what transpires is muddled and far from credible. Adam Taylor Gordon is very good in his role of a thirteen year old boy plagued with horrifying nightmares that result in his sometimes cutting himself. After spending some time under a psychiatrist’s care, he is released to his recovering alcoholic father (Brian Wimmer, more effective than usual) and they head home to his estranged mother’s house. An “accident” leads them into the home of mysterious farmer Lance Henriksen, giving one of his better recent performances. It soon becomes apparent that kindly Lance has something evil up his sleeve, and that the boy and his father are part of it. Sean Young pops up as the relgiously oriented schoolmarm, offering no evidence of what was once considered a star in the making. The movie has some creepily effective moments and director (actor Don Michael Paul) makes good use of lighting and visuals for atmosphere, but by the end of the movie, it’s all so contrived, you wonder what the movie’s point was. Could have been so much better.
Review by Matt Bateman for The Garden
Rating:
This isn’t really a bad movie, all things considered. The actors involved turn in decent performances, and Lance Henriksen plays his particular role extremely well. The first 2/3 of the movie work really well at building a tense, sinister atmosphere. The real problem here lies in the details. There are a lot of little moments in the movie that demonstrate a lack of care on the behalf of the director. There is a scene where the old man says he listens to Mozart, and then promptly puts on a record that sounds absolutely nothing like Mozart. There’s a game of chess that the old man ponders over for a couple of days, and then the boy beats him in one move. And then there’s the slide show/presentation that a girl does in their Bible study class that is pretty silly. One problem that I had with the movie is that it kind of aims itself at a Christian market , but anyone with knowledge of the Bible would know how ridiculous the plot is. The Garden of Eden, for example, is supposed to be guarded so that humans can’t enter it, and it definitely isn’t anywhere near Oklahoma. And since the devil already got a human to eat from the Tree of Knowledge in the book of Genesis, it doesn’t make much sense that his doing it again would achieve much. Also, I’m pretty sure the four horsemen aren’t supposed to signal the beginning of the apocalypse by riding out of some guy’s barn. Overall I can’t help but think that this plot might have been hatched while someone was watching Dogma.
Review by Benjamin Kidman for The Garden
Rating:
I just watched this movie & liked it. Is like thriller/horror category more like it. Is about good & evil, Had lots suspense & creepy parts. Got me in edge my seat most the times, Most I watched this flick because, I am fan of ” LANCE HENRIKESN” since back in 80s. his real good actor.His rugged face and his deep amazing voice, really got me into this thriller/horror, till end.. Anyway might not to buy, but definitely check it out as rental and gives the shot on this thriller ride with Great cast & acting , check it out!!! “BIG B”
Review by the smart guy for The Garden
Rating:
The Garden has a great cast but it failed to deliver. The script is bad. The plot is hokey. The acting is goofy. It’s way too slow. There is no action. And there isn’t a single scary moment in the movie. This movie tries too hard to be like The Sixth Sense. And I didn’t even enjoy The Sixth Sense. Only this movie is a laughable mess. The direction is so poor. The only redeeming factor is the cinematography. At its best it plays out like an extra long episode of Supernatural or Millennium.
A mentally disturbed son and his father have a car accident near Lance Henriksen’s house. They instantaneously develop a bond with each other. The father starts working for Lance. And Lance is the new mentor for the child.
Throughout the movie the mentally disturbed child has visions that are supposed to frighten the viewer. Everything goes downhill when the child gets bullied. And then the fight between good and evil takes over. Lance turns out to be evil. And everything thereafter is unbelievable and silly.
The movie has a lot of Christian values that are imposed onto the viewer. And that takes away from the scariness of the movie. I do not recommend this movie.
Grade: D-
Review by Bindy Sue Frønkünschtein for The Garden
Rating:
THE GARDEN is an allegory w/ religious imagery. Lance Henriksen (Aliens, Near Dark, Pumpkinhead, Face The Evil, etc.) plays an old farmer named Ben Zachery. 13yo Sam (Adam Taylor Gordon) and his dad (Brian Wimmer) are stranded at Ben’s farm after a terrible accident. Ben has an ancient tree in his garden that has some particularly important fruit growing on it. He spends much of his time tempting Sam’s recovering alcoholic dad into drinking and chasing hot women, while secretly tormenting Sam and committing various eeevil acts. Sam soon discovers Ben’s true identity and the reality behind his lies. Can he convince his dad that Ben isn’t the nice guy he appears to be, or will Ben triumph in his bid to reverse biblical prophesy? THE GARDEN is a freaky thriller w/ well-handled, mystical aspects. Henriksen is exceptional in his demonic role, and the kid is believable and never becomes annoying! Watch for Sean Young (Bladerunner, Headspace) as Sam’s teacher Ms. Chapman, and Claudia Christian (“Babylon 5″, The Hidden) as Sam’s psychologist. Their roles are bigger that you might think! Enjoy…