Willow Creek (2013)


REVIEWER RATING: 
3/10


After years of making comedy-dramas, comedian-turned-director Bobcat Goldthwait ventures into horror territory with Willow Creek--yet another found footage feature to add to the long list of recent efforts. I'm no stranger to Goldthwait's previous films, so I went in with a very curious open mind, wondering what the man could bring to the genre. As it turns out, he brings a whole lot of nothing, which is one way to describe what happens in the movie--NOTHING.

So the flick opens up with a young couple video documenting their adventurous trip to the famed Willow Creek, which is the real life location that's home to one of the most legendary Bigfoot sightings in history. The whole town is one big tourist attraction, featuring everything Bigfoot, including their burgers (which look delicious, by the way). After a little playful banter and interviewing some of the locals (some of which warned them to steer clear of the woods, as they usually do), the couple make their way into the dense forest, hoping to eventually reach the spot where the original footage was shot and maybe even spot a Bigfoot or two along the way.

I don't mind movies where the director chooses to leave certain things to the viewer's imagination. Sometimes less is more, but there's only so much nonsense a person can take, especially when it seems like it's completely wasting everyone's time. Willow Creek is guilty of such an undertaking. The scene I'm referring to is not only 20 minutes long (too long), but it consists of nothing but the two leads sitting on their asses inside a dark tent and listening to the strange sounds around them, while going "what was that?" and "did you hear that?" along with several minute long pauses and a little debating on what they heard.

Seriously guys? That's all you can come up with?? Some odd moaning in the distance followed by some growling sounds!? And we're forced to watch these two idiots sit there and do nothing for literally 20 MINUTES!?? They couldn't go outside with a friggin' flashlight and look around, AT LEAST!?? I'll admit that when the creature seemed right outside their tent it was a little creepy, but it literally takes almost 20 minutes to even get to that point. As if that wasn't already bad enough, the remaining 15-or-so minutes of the flick seemed like just a Blair Witch rip-off, up until the last minute of the movie, which can only be described as simply "WTF".

If you go in expecting a creepy found footage creature feature you'll be sorely disappointed, because Willow Creek is nothing more than an exercise in viewer patience. If you like long lengthy scenes of nothing then check this out. If you actually want an entertaining or scary movie, look elsewhere.
OVERALL: 
If you go in expecting a creepy found footage creature feature you'll be sorely disappointed, because Willow Creek is nothing more than an exercise in viewer patience. If you like long lengthy scenes of nothing then check this out. If you actually want an entertaining or scary movie, look elsewhere.


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