Mine Games (2012)

Number Rolled: 98

Movie Name/Year: Mine Games (2012)

Tagline: The deeper you go, the darker it gets.

Genre: Horror

Length: 93 minutes

Rating: NR

Production Companies: Vitamin A Films, Backlot Post Melbourne, Yellow Brick Films

Producer: Sylvia Dambrosio, Michele Davis-Gray, Mike Gillespie, Gemma Godfrey, Wayne Marc Godfrey, Peter D. Graves, Richard Gray, Christine Holder, Mark Holder, Jamie Houge, Robert Jones, Virginia Kay, Christopher Kikis, Christopher Lemole, Raffaele Lopriore, Vanessa McMahon, Bryce Menzies, Benton Morris, Warren Ostergard, William Rosenfeld, Joseph Trichilo

Director: Richard Gray

Writer: Robert Cross, Michele Davis-Gray, Richard Gray, Ross McQueen

Actors: Joseph Cross, Birana Evigan, Rafi Gavron, Julianna Guill, Alex Meraz, Diane Duca, Ethan Peck, Rebecca Da Costa, Michael Guillod, Lindsay Lamb, Duane Loken

Stunt Doubles: Tim Henderson, Chris Nielsen

Languages

Speech Available: English

Subtitles Available: English

Blurb from Netflix: When a group of friends fine a remote abandoned mine and decide to explore, their excitement turns to fear as they’re haunted by a mysterious force.

Selina’s Point of View:

This wasn’t exactly what I was expecting. In fact, it wasn’t anywhere near what expected. That didn’t mean it was unique. It was just exactly what I would have expected from a different type of film. What that means is that the lazy storytelling was marketed incorrectly. I don’t know which part bothers me more.

I’ll be clear. It wasn’t the worst thing I’ve ever seen. It wasn’t even close. Then again, I’ve seen a fuck-load of crap in my day. It was simply on the low side of mediocre.

I can tolerate recipe films. Especially if there’s something remarkable about them. The problem with Mine Games is that there really isn’t anything that made the recipe special for it. I can’t really explain which recipe I’m talking about without giving spoilers, however. Of course, about ten minutes into the film you’d probably be able to guess how it ends… but we still don’t like giving spoilers here at Trust the Dice.

It might be acceptable background noise or something, but don’t bother watching it for the actual story.

Cat’s Point of View:

This one’s a tough call. I’ve been sitting here, for what has felt like forever, trying to figure out what I should say about this movie. I’m conflicted about how much I actually enjoyed it.

On one hand, it fell prey to a few of the standard horror tropes. The film did, however, seem to try something different – and managed to do a decent job of it. I’ve still got questions as to what was actually happening. I usually say that’s a good thing. Movies that make you think and leave you scratching your head afterwards have done their job, right?

The cast was a mixed bag. There were relatively unknowns and also familiar faces. Ethan Peck (Twelve, In Time, Eden) was a little stiff, but I think that was part of his character – thumbs up there. Briana Evigan (S. Darko, Sorority Row, The Devil's Carnival) is usually a pleasure to watch. I loved her in the dance movies she’s been in. Here, I bought her performance…for the most part. Joseph Cross (Running With Scissors, Milk, Lincoln) sold me on his role, even though I just seem to be missing something where the plot is concerned.

Unfortunately, Rebecca Da Costa (Trick of the Witch, Breaking at the Edge, The Bag Man) fell a bit flat to me. I didn’t really get into her part in the story. There was a bit of a disconnect for me there, and it took away from my overall suspension of disbelief.

This is one of those movies that I think you’d have to watch again to try and catch little details that might fill in the gaps for what might’ve been missed the first time around.

Do I want to watch it again, though? That’s the question I’m not sure I have an answer to.

If someone asked me what I thought of the movie, and whether or not I’d recommend it – I’d likely say it was ok, and they should see for themselves.

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – None

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – 26%

Netflix’s Prediction for Selina – 4/5

Selina’s Trust-the-Dice Score – 2/5

Netflix’s Prediction for Cat – 3/5

Cat’s Trust-the-Dice Score – 3/5

The Random Rating: R

P.S. A different name for the film appears on the title screen of the movie.

Movie Trailer: