We here at AmityvilleNow.com International Headquarters Central Matrix Global LLC Enterprises were just looking for something to run in the background while we poked at people on Twitter…and somehow came across The Canyon, a slightly harrowing little survival-in-the-wilderness film from about five years ago, starring Yvonne (Chuck, Dexter) Strahovski, Eoin (Covert Affairs, Once Upon a Time) Bailey, and Will Patton (Falling Skies, The Postman, Armageddon). Who knew it wouldn’t be bad?
Yeah, Will Patton does a really embarrassing turn as the cliche’d Grizzled Prospector (Where have you gone, Gabby Hayes?) in the first reel, and there’s a little too much competition between Yvonne and Eoin on just who’s prettier, but once they actually get lost in the Grand Canyon it gets pretty good. Both the characters and the filmmakers make some tough choices. There’s more than a little Danny Boyle/127 Hours shit goin’ on here, but stlil: well done, and way better than most of what we’ve rubbed our eyes against this week.
Strahovski, of course, is on a heck of a roll. I, Frankenstein earlier this year, and new the revival of 24: Die Another Day. And Patton’s back for more Falling Skies on TNT in a few weeks, playing essentially the same character as the one in The Canyon with just a little less loony growl. Still, you could do worse. Not streaming on Netflix (though it is on DVD), but it’s available here for purchase on Amazon or to Watch Instantly for a measly $2.99. So make your own coffee for once and spend the money on a decent movie, why don’t you? Jeez, you kids today.
