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Documentary filmmaker Cooper Tilson (Dennis Quaid) moves his family to the country because the
hazards of life in the city have finally gotten to them. The last straw is son Jesse's almost getting run over by an inattentive driver. They look forward to enjoying
the peace and quiet of their spacious farm and house. Thus they are unprepared for the series of events that soon take place. Previous owner Dale Massie (Stephen Dorff)
just out of prison comes looking for a job. Cooper takes him on as house restorer and handyman, and unexpected scary things begin to happen, terrorizing the new house
owners. Then Cooper finds out that Dale wants his property back and is going to continue his desperate, and getting more evil, means to drive the family out. However,
in researching on the history and lay of the place, Cooper discovers signs that some terrible evil has taken place on the grounds. As he desperately searches for clues to
prove his suspicions, which he could present to Sheriff Annie Ferguson (Dana Eskelson), he is dogged by Dale every step of the way.
Cold Creek Manor is interesting enough for those who occasionally watch suspense-thrillers or horror films. Fans of this genre however, could find fault with it. For one, it has a longish introduction that shows more than necessary details for the move to the country. For another, Dale's characterization appears faulty, for a bad guy, which is not Stephen Dorff's fault. As the central character, Dennis Quaid's Cooper is adequately portrayed. The lean roles of Leah Tilson, Cooper's wife (Sharon Stone) and that of Ruby (Juliette Lewis), Dale's battered girlfriend are insufficient to show the two artists' acting talent.
Cooper is concerned about the safety and security of his family. Moving to the country
assured him of this, not knowing that it could turn out different. Leah does not show any problem in her relationship with Cooper until the terror that visits them.
Then Cooper learns that all's not well in his house. She almost had an affair with a business associate, but his call to her about the near accident of their son aborted
that. Also, she isn't happy about giving up her job to relocate to a "God forsaken place". But their horrible experience helps them to affirm their love and
relationship. The people of a town tend to close ranks when strangers come in, especially city slickers, like the Tilson family from their point of view. Dale is one of
them, just out of prison, deprived of his manor and farm, which the bank foreclosed and sold it to Cooper. The town folk have no idea, of course, the secrets the property
holds, and what the growing-up years of Dale were like for him. The nature of the film includes some scenes of violence, gore, sexual situations and inadequate language.
(Date Reviewed: November 28, 2003)
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