Paul Rae

Bruce Boxleitner

William Katt

Walter Koenig

Gil Gerard

Michael Horse

Adoni Maropis

Clara Bryant

Jesse Janzen

John Callahan

Jennifer Lee Wiggins

Veronica Hamel

Brian Gross

Jim Storm

Roark Critchlow

Stormy Shuff

Timothy Starks

Robert Clotworthy

Tom Schmid

Kristen Honey

Carlos Moreno Jr.

Jeffrey Scott Kelly

Adrian Alvarado

Sonny D'Angelo

Cole S. McKay

David Ott

William Langlois

Edward P. Blinn

Randy Flagler

Scott Guenthard

William Murphy

Scott Norris

Jim Wynorski

Brian Tidmore

Alan Smithee

Iain Pirie

Kim Nickerson

David Gamble

Nick Langseth

Cole McKay

Heather Dennis

Tom Ceglia

Tom Funk

Shawn Dyrdahl

Sue McGraw

Samuel Brownfield

James Glembala

Marian Ng

Joe McGill

Kristen Gonzalez

Jill Hoppy

Team Bashet

George Wymenga

Kevin Hummel

Ana Foy

Jo Rosen

Eric A. Haynes

Daniel de Anda Fast

Sena Kwasi Amengor

William B. Langlois

Richard D. Hubbard

Megan Graham

Jake Sullivan

Edwin Silva

Charlie Martinez

Tad Griffith

John S. Burnette

Lucas Martinez

Genaro Rodriguez

Douglas E. Ryan

Timothy Ryan

Max Logan Boyer

Julia K S Miles

Landon Bootsma

Francois Latremoille

Mark Brisbane

Mike Luehring

Shelley Yustak

Bradley Adams

Nicholas Mundy

Thierry Latremoille

Willy Allen

Jim Kirkland

Carlos Rodriguez

Patrick Giraudi

Geoffrey Soga

Cristina Turek

Miles Harrington

Stephen Cropo

Casey D. Eberhart

William S. Elmore

Will Alovis

Andrea V. Rossotto

Paul Hertzberg

Lisa M. Hansen

Chuck Cirino

Stefano Dammicco

Michael R. Williams

Fern Champion

Robert Hummel

Xavier Sol

Rick Kelleher

Horror

TV Movie

The Bone Eater

Sunfilm Entertainment

Syfy

CineTel Films

United States of America

***Comic booky, but all-around entertaining and, sometimes, even moving***

"Bone Eater" (2007) is yet another Grade B monster movie that debuted on SyFy. All these creature features have the same basic plot: Strange monster appears, people start dying, and the locals have to figure out how to destroy it or, at least, escape it. The only things that change are the creature, the setting, and the characters.

"Gargoyles" from 1972 is one of the best examples of these types of low-budget creature features and the genre is still going strong over 45 years later. What is it about these kinds of stories that attract people? It's because imagination and legend are about good vs. evil and the power of selfless courage against impossible odds. In short, there's nothing more heroic than man against monster. (I say "man" in the generic sense, of course, which includes male AND female).

"Bone Eater" mixes elements of flicks like "Gargoyles," "Ghost Rider" (2007) "Prophecy" (1979) and, believe it or not, "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" (1966). It's pretty entertaining throughout and sometimes surprisingly moving. Despite its micro-budget comic book trappings, the filmmakers effectively strike a reverential chord with some of the relationships, the AmerIndians, and the spiritual parts of the music. Speaking of the latter, the score by Chuck Cirino is notable with the Western-ized portions giving homage to Ennio Morricone's classic "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.”

The main characters are distinguished and impressive while the protagonists are likable. There’s the stalwart sheriff, his loyal people and beautiful daughter, her bad boy beau, the crew-supervisor father, his son, the wise chief, his winsome granddaughter and the angry brave, Black Hawk (Adoni Maropis). You also have the evil entrepreneur and his lackeys.

As far as women go, Clara Bryant is stunning as the Sheriff's blossoming daughter while Jennifer Lee Wiggins shines as Storm Cloud's charming granddaughter, Kaya.

The writers throw in some potent insights and moral conflicts here and there. For instance, the crew-supervisor's son says it's wrong for them to hide archaeological artifacts; his father counters that it's easy to be idealistic when you're young but, when you're older, your paycheck and security come first.

FINAL WORD: Yes, "Bone Eater" is a juvenile monster flick that cost only $700,000, but it's entertaining: It’s surprisingly impressive in ways and sometimes moving; there are even some gems to mine, not to mention the fabulous locations and the awe-inspiring presence of Clara Bryant (Kelly) and Jennifer Lee Wiggins (Kaya). So if you have a taste for Grade B creature features like 1972's "Gargoyles" you'll probably appreciate it. If, on the other hand, you can't handle cartoony storytelling and TV-budget effects, stay away.

The film runs 1 hour, 30 minutes, and was shot at Sable Ranch, Santa Clarita, and Vasquez Rocks, California, with exterior shots of Alabama Hills, California.

GRADE: B+

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