Rating: 
Summary: CORNY TO THE 10TH DEGREE...PREACHY GARBAGE!!!
Review: What? Did these people see the same movie I did? What I was unfortunately forced to endure was a poor poor excuse for a movie. The sentamentality of the film ranks right up there with Little House on The Prairie. The only difference being is that their religious convictions were not rammed down your throat. What a bunch of hogwash...garbage from beginning to the end. The director should stick to his sermons and his religious cult and leave directing to the impartial and insightful.
Rating: 
Summary: A Very Pleasant Surprise
Review: I rented this DVD after reading a review of the film in the local newspaper and I was not disappointed. Everything about this film was excellent. I had never heard of Mr. Dutcher before but I sure hope he continues to make films of this caliber. I'll be watching for them.
Rating: 
Summary: You don't have to be a Mormon...
Review: I'm not Mormon, or even religious, but I found this a very thought-provoking and enjoyable movie. Instead of pounding the viewer on the head with a Bible (anybody see "The Omega Code"?), director Dutcher focuses on the ubiquity of the Mormon faith in the town of Brigham City. That faith has bound the main character's community together, making it a place where the outside world cannot enter--the protagonist, Wes, won't listen to National Public Radio because he feels the news has no bearing on his life. And he likes it that way, too. The film's conflict comes from the tension between the peace of the community and the fear of the world outside. Should Brigham City keep everyone calm by pretending that the violence never happened, or will doing that amount to clearing the way for further sad events? Wes, as the sheriff, tries desperately to maintain a balance of acting for his community and protecting it from tragedy. The story is paced just right, with enough suspense to keep you watching. The characters are well-developed with no "Mainstreet USA" yokels or stereotypical Mormons--Wil Brimley as former sheriff Stu battles his conscience over cigarettes, and a local bar does a thriving business. The cinematography is excellent, with a lot of breathtaking shots of the desert scenery. Even so, my main recommendation for this film is that (in spite of one or two mildly gory scenes that might not be good for those under 10) it's a "family" film with none of the forced quality that so many "family" films have. It examines things you want to discuss with young people, like faith and trust, without any cheesiness of either the religious or the Hollywood variety. Brigham City is a believable story with a believable resolution that people of any religious persuasion can understand and appreciate.
Rating:
Summary: RICHARD DUTCHER'S BRIGHAM CITY ARRIVES ON DVD!
Review: The wait is finally over -- and the wait has been worth it! Richard Dutcher, the independent director of GOD'S ARMY, reaches new depths with his second effort, BRIGHAM CITY. Critically acclaimed by the majority of critics on its theatrical run, it arrives on DVD with a beautiful transfer and an excellent Director Commentary by Dutcher that gives the viewer not only insights into the world of independent filmmaking, but a understanding of why this film is so much more then just a thriller. A NOTE OF INTEREST: There are two different covers for this DVD release -- the one that Dutcher requested and the one that Spartan (the distributor) designed to appeal to video store renters. So don't be alarmed if the cover you see has a large eye glaring at you with a bloody hand reaching out with the catchline: "Your neighbor is a serial killer. Welcome to your worst nightmare." When Dutcher saw this cover he thought it had been done as a joke. He requested the second cover, which follows the theatrical ads and has the catchline: "Nothing Attracts A SERPENT Like Paradise". The Dutcher cover does not have the title of BRIGHAM CITY dripping in blood! Dutcher, with good humor, said that may-be the covers would have a cult following with collectors asking each other: "Which cover do you have?"
No matter the cover, the DVD is excellent in everyway. My pick for the "Best Film of 2001" and one of the TOP TEN DVD's in my collection of 200!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent in every way
Review: I had low expectations when I rented this movie with a free
movie rental pass at my local video store. I saw on the box
that it was an independent film and expected lackluster acting
and cinematography. Boy was I wrong! This is a superior movie
in so many ways. The photograhpy is to put it mildly, stunning.
The shots of the local scenery are as captivating as the well
rounded acting and script. See this movie, it won't let you
down. Very satisfying
Rating:
Summary: Best Mystery I Have Seen
Review: I have never been on the edge of my seat for so long. What is better is that this unpredictable film keeps you there without gore or nudity. This movie proves that one can entertain without needing an NC-17 or R rating. In fact, this movie is better off without it.
Rating:
Summary: An Absolutely Excellent Film
Review: Whether you like his choice of subject matter or not, you have to admire Richard Dutcher. His choices have been some of the most risky made in the world of filmmaking in a long time - risk-taking these days is seldom.
That said - let me say here and now that BRIGHAM CITY is a risk well-rewarded. Well-paced, well-written, Dutcher knows how to pull on the heart strings of his audiences. There was not a dry eye in the house the night I saw it.
From the opening credits to the SUPERB ending, Dutcher keeps you involved and entertained. A movie that will hopefully gain more popularity as time goes on.
Rating:
Summary: Brigham City is not Fargo--Thank goodness.
Review: Richard Dutcher wrote, directed and starred in Brigham City. It is as if he looked at Fargo, made a list of all that movies defects, and set about making a movie correcting them. Brigham City is a murder mystery, in which a serial killer suddenly starts eliminating young women in a small Utah town. The sheriff who must find the killer, is also a Morman bishop. The job makes demands, that as a man of faith the sheriff would prefer not to confront. The murders are grisley, but the details are left to the imagination. The police work portrayed in the story is accurate. The acting is so fine, the people of Brigham City are real enough to be your neighbors. The story is interesting and the suspense builds steadily to the aprehension of the murderer. The murderer is an arrogantly cool psychotic. And most significantly of all, the entire story actually takes place in Brigham City. This is a story of a good man doing a difficult job. Go see this movie, you will like it.
Rating:
Summary: A Suspenseful Masterpiece!!!!
Review: I saw this movie in Cypress, CA (so yes they did show it here in CA) with my friend (Doug) and we were very impressed. We are what you call the Siskel and Ebert of our generation and love to critique movies. Not only was the acting superb, but the directing, editing, and story line were excellent too. It kept our interest the whole way through, and talk about an ending!!!!!! I saw God's Army (also by Richard Dutcher, a must see for the curious or skeptical about Mormon Missionary life) and liked it, so when I heard about this movie I had to go see it. Not sorry I did. If this movie is playing in your area go see it, you will not be disappointed. And NO, you don't have to be Mormon to understand it. Just go and ENJOY!!! I DID!!!!
Rating:
Summary: A touching (and dark) exploration of faith and trials
Review: Richard Dutcher is very skilled at creating characters who are sincere about their faith but who also are dealing with very real issues. He did the same in "God's Army"; the subject matter of this film, though, is quite a bit darker. "Brigham City" is very unnerving and is not a pleasurable watch. It is not a happy film. But I believe it is an important one. The faith of the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not exhibited on Sundays only, but permeates their entire lives. There are deeper issues to explore than what the film introduces, but it does a fine job of showing a wide range of Saints and struggles. The powerful ending touches on the truth that no one of us is perfect, but so long as our hearts and motivations are in the right place, we'll be okay.
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