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DixiesUncle wrote on 12/24/2011:

Can't say that I hated it, but it was hard to watch and I couldn't hear half of what the cast was saying, sound was horrible. The story was good, just wish it had been better quality sound wise. If I could figure out how to rate it, I would only give it 2 stars.

pscollector wrote on 12/16/2011:

Matthew Montgomery may be a 'heartthrob' to someone, but not my idea of one. And David J. Bonner is good in his role, but his full frontal is very 'normal', if you know what I mean, and the scene of him laying shirtless in black briefs on the bed while Matthew quickly touches his leg must be padded. The nude scene and the bulge in his black briefs do not match.
Picky I know, the rest of the movie is very good and for the most part well acted and photographed.

Amos Lassen wrote on 02/07/2011:

“Flight of the Cardinal”
A Weekend at the Lodge
Amos Lassen
Beetle Hobbs (David J. Bonner) lives is a small town that is very confining and he wants out. When he meets Grady Wilson (Ross Beschler), he sees a chance to get away. Grady has movied to the Smoky Mountains to run a resort and Beetle gets a job working for him. Robert Gatson takes us through a suspensful experience as the film keeps us on the edge of our seats. There is more than suspense—there is comedy and drama as well, fine performances, beautiful cinematography and a wonderfully literate screenplay. Past meets present and futures are at risk and a group of friends come together for a weekend at Grady’s lodge.
Grady decided to give his life a new start by taking over the lodge. His boyfriend, Andy (Matthew Montgomery in yet another excellent performance), is coming to visit for the weekend along with two other friends, Karen and Rye. Grady has plans to ask Andy to marry him but tensions come along with the guests and the weekend turns out not to be what was expected. When the group realizes that there is someone else staying at the lodge this weekend—Beetle, a small time drug dealer who is now homeless and Grady allows him to stay in exchange fkor a shift’s work. Beetle has a plan and as we learn of Grady’s past, Beetle begins to develop an idea which he can use.
Gaston both wrote and directed the film and he gives us a treat. I love the way things slowly come to light, bit by bit and the same is true of the way we get to know the characters, bit by bit. This is an amazing experience in filmmaking and while the film will leave you shaken, it also leaves you with a sense of having seen something really worthwhile.
Beetle was able to cash in on the fact that Grady acted strangely when his guests come to visit. As Grady’s character falls apart, Beetle’s solidifies and this is the emphasis of the film. Gaston concentrates on his characters, all of whom turn in excellent performances. I think the fact that we really never get to know how Beetle feels about anything adds a great deal of mystery to the film. I love a film that leaves me thinking and that is what happens here. The fact that Beetle is a character that is both weak and strong allows him to remain an enigma long after the film is over.

paulrdietz wrote on 09/24/2010:

While I have yet to see this movie I did want to say that this is excellent that our genre is blossoming out to reach new frontiers. Romantic comedies, drag flicks are all nice, but we are starting to see our stars with scripts with flesh to them. I can't wait to see it

pinckleman wrote on 07/24/2010:

Enjoyed this movie at the Philly Film Festival. The role of the young gentlemen who plays the devious houseboy reminded me a tad of the role of Rebecca DeMorney in The Hand That Rocks the Cradle.

The owner of the lodge and the breakup of the bf reminded me of a past relationship.

This was quite intense for me.