Rating: 
Summary: Don't waste your time
Review: As someone who used to see 60 or 80 movies a year and now sees about 10 because they're so mediocre these days... "When Strangers Appear" really goes on my "Why did I even bother?" list. The story makes NO sense. The New Zealand-based filmmakers didn't bother to correct minor details -- the story is set in Oregon, yet they call a doctor's office a "surgery" and a parking lot a "car park." The heroine made me absolutely crazy with her wandering from place to place rather than going to get some help! She runs a diner and a motel (apparently several miles apart) out in the middle of nowhere, and says she's had no customers in a while, yet she can afford to keep both of them open? Worst of all, the writer/director never explains who the bad guys are, why they're so uptight about that CD, or why they're willing to murder to get it back. I could go on and on ... suffice to say I really thought this was a serious waste of time.
Rating: 
Summary: Enjoy the Ride
Review: Caught this movie late one night on the Mystery channel and became quickly enthralled. Although I knew I had to get some sleep before work the next day, I HAD to see how everything turned out. And even though I had pretty much guessed how it was going to end, the plot twists still kept me second guessing. With a cast that includes Radha Mitchell and Josh Lucas, who in my opinion is one of the most talented actors of his generation, the acting was truly first class. Some viewers seem to have a lukewarm reaction to the somewhat over-the-top ending, but don't let that keep you from experiencing the rest of the movie! Similarly, it is true that everything is not fully explained in the end, but I think that's part of the point. To me, the movie is about what Radha Mitchell's character experiences rather than why she experiences it. In the end, we know only what she knows, so in a way, we've truly gone through what she has, which is refreshing if you ask me. If you like well-acted, nicely directed and craftfully plotted suspense thrillers, this movie is for you!
Rating:
Summary: Modern Approach to "Psycho"ism genre
Review: I got to see this film in the fantasy film festival, that took place in Berlin this year. This film has a "Psycho" feeling to it, with all the camera shots, dialogue types. This is very evident at the very beginning. We're in a country kitchen in the middle of nowhere, it's almost eight o'clock, and there is absolutely nobody except for this young and attractive waitress. But, the tension climbs high up just five seconds later, as a mysterious young man enters the eatery. And, indeed, the whole story is about the mystery of this man, who claims himself to be hiding from his friends. The storyboard is quite interesting, in addition to having a known feeling to it, as a thriller-fan would sense it immediately. Yet it is good.
The direction is meticulously done. Juxtapositions in tension scenes are indeed excitement-stressing, such as the young man's dealing with his wound in the most ungentle fashion and the coffee droplets dripping from the coffee machine, making a 'bizzzz' on the metal surface.
Blood, which is a part of most thriller films, is well used. It's not excesive; it's minimally used, yet very efficiently. I think it"s the fear on the victims that thrill us more, and not the blood.
The end is very interesting. I mean not the end of the story, but the end of the film... I will not tell you, because you really have to see it. I highly recommend this movie.
Rating:
Summary: Good stuff!
Review: I loved this movie. It was sparse yet got the story across really well. The director was great and managed to keep the details away from the viewer without losing the story. A definite buy!
Rating:
Summary: Keeps you on your toes
Review: I'm always looking for a good thriller. This one is awesome. Usually, I'm disappointed, but this one is worth the time. Enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: Keeps you on your toes
Review: I'm always looking for a good thriller. This one is awesome. Usually, I'm disappointed, but this one is worth the time. Enjoy.
Rating: 
Summary: Harrowing Action
Review: Saw Barry Watson first on "Seventh Heaven" TV series. In this movie he does an opposite of the Matt role, giving a wrenchingly intense portrayal of a young drifter.
The story is edgy, all acting on target. I did feel we should have received more, not necessarily ALL, explanations at the end. The complete void left some discontent after the absorbing ride.
Rating:
Summary: Scott Reynolds strikes again!
Review: This is yet another well done thriller from Scott Reynolds, the previous two being The Ugly and Heaven. Reynolds has an excellent directing style and his movies should not be missed. When Strangers Appear features great acting and a constantly twisting story. Scott Reynolds has talent that most directors wish that they had. I highly recommend giving this film a try as well as some of his other works (A Game With No Rules, The Ugly, Heaven).
Rating:
Summary: Tidy Little Thriller
Review: This made-on-a-shoestring film delivers a wallop. I went in with no expectations and was instantly drawn into the compelling opening scenes, and the razor sharp acting by the young cast. The movie opens with Beth (Radha Mitchell) striding purposefully down a dusty highway. She is furious when a car speeds past her leaving her in a cloud of dust without offering her a ride. She arrives at a surprising spacious, super hygienic diner that she opens for business. Imaginative quick shots follow of her filling the condiment containers, starting the coffee, turning on the lights highlighting the boredom and repetitiousness of her life. Enter the driver of the car who passed her by, Jack (Barry Wilson) greasy haired, frail, shaky and obviously broke and hungry. Beth warily jokes with him and feels empathy toward this polite young man; she has obviously had troubles of her own. Jack claims that three surfers are after him, trying to kill him. He clearly is frightened and has a serious wound in his side. While he is telling his story, the "surfers" drive up. In a panic, he draws a knife and hides. The three, led by Daniel (Josh Lucas, the only actor I recognized: "Sweet Home Alabama," "Hulk") said they were on their way to the nearby beach. Daniel in particular was charming, funny and sweet. They admitted they were looking for a drifter who they claimed had broken into their car and robbed them. That's the setup, and Beth (and the viewer) spend two-thirds of the movie trying to figure out who to believe. Violence, terror, and things that-go-bump-in-the-night escalate until the tension is unbearable. The pacing is relentless and for me, the movie went by in a flash. Excellent directing by Scott Reynolds who I understand has made other fine, quirky, low budget films. "When Strangers Appear" doesn't answer all your questions. It never tells you exactly what, if anything, was stolen or whether the drifter or the surfers might be disguised agents of some government, maybe our own. I do not consider this a flaw. It was just one more thing to ponder over. A minor annoyance was the "Oregon" locale. The movie was shot in some Commonwealth country; the road and informational signs were a dead giveaway. The lack of extras (probably a budget consideration) was a plus; it focused the intensity on the main players and heightened the sense of alienation. "When Strangers Appear" is excellent entertainment. I recommend buying it for your home library if you are not adverse to a scare or two or three.
-sweetmolly-Amazon Reviewer
Rating:
Summary: New Zealand Film!
Review: This was filmed and produced in NEW ZEALAND (foxton beach, manawatu to be pedantic)- we are a different country to Australia.
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