BootDigest Such a frustrating disappointment

Console best movie i've ever seen.

Doomtomylo a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

Nayan Gough A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

Wuchak Released to video in 2002 and directed by Andre Van Heerden, "Deceived" is a sci-fi/drama in the mold of 1997's "Contact" or 2003's "Alien Hunter" except that it's decidedly a 'B' production with several comic book caricatures rather than characters. Although, thankfully, there are a few likable and realistic characters, like the ones played by Michelle Nolden and Judd Nelson. The story centers around seven people who meet at a remote observatory in the mountains after contact from (presumably) space has finally been made. But something weird and eerie is going on and they might not make it out alive. While this is a Christian production, the ideology doesn't become a factor in the story until the third act and it ties into the reality behind the strange phenomena happening at the observatory. The production quality is akin the the typical comic booky Syfy movie, but without any palpable monster. As noted above, at least three of the characters are over-the-top caricatures -- the new ager masquerading as a reverend (Jefferson Mappin), the colonel (Louis Gossett Jr.) and the hot reporter (Deborah Odell). Stewart Bick and Ramona Milano complete the main cast.There are kinks in the script that needed worked out and so the story flow is uneven at times and lacks suspense build-up. But I liked the confined environment and the interplay between the characters. All the main actors (not the peripheral ones) take the material seriously and give their best, despite some campy elements, which was the script's issue, not the actors.Several other things impressed me. For one, this ain't no conventional Christian movie. Despite its low-budget, it's ambitious and has a unique plot. The three females cast members are all beautiful in their own way, with Ramona standing out, but they're each exquisite. The images of Kara (Odell) holding a candle in the dark tunnel are striking. Then there's the interesting way the Reverend is depicted: At first glance you'd think he's a Southern Baptist preacher, but it becomes clear that this isn't the case. He's a New Ager, but he's not really a hypocrite in that he really believes what he says and is even shown practicing what he preaches, which isn't to say that he's without flaws. He's obviously a glutton, for instance. Speaking of which, it seems like the screenwriter tried to implement the seven deadly sins into the story but, if so, it was half-hearted. Lastly, as cited above, the character of Smitty and her possible relationship with the computer geek, Jack, is compelling. Smitty is the sole Christian character and I like the way she's portrayed as sincere, but flawed; and walking in some morally-conflicting situations, like working for Shaw (Bick), a company whose goal contradicts her belief system. The movie runs 95 minutes and was shot in Toronto, Canada, substituting for the Sierra Nevadas in California.GRADE: C+ (5.5/10)

sth_Weird I watched this movie because I read about the story on the back of the DVD cover and I really liked it because I'm a big fan of the X-Files series and it seemed to be something of that sort. But unfortunately this movie was a complete disappointment. I watched it twice (only because I was confused after watching it the first time and I thought I might have missed something) and it still leaves me confused and wondering what the main plot is (if it has a plot, that is). The only highlights in the movie are the main actors (at least the male cast). I think Judd Nelson's performance was brilliant. Having taken basic lessons in sign language I got to know some hearing disabled people myself and something they all had in common was their calm nature. I think Judd was very believable in his role. His performance and the performances of Louis Gossett Jr and Jefferson Mappin made me give this movie a 4/10. It was a pleasure seeing them play so well together, but the best performance can't save a bad story, so I can't really recommend this movie to anyone but fans of the actors, and even they probably won't watch it more than once.

Jim Brymer (BionicBozo) This movie is fairly suspenseful as far this kind of movie goes. It has its moments where it kept me glued to the TV. On some occasions, I did grow bored enough to go to the fridge without bothering to hit pause. One of the climatic scenes where three of the characters end up in a fight over who will control Nelson's character was just plain ridiculous, and whether intentionally so or not, was out of place in such a serious movie. It seemed rather contrived. Also contrived was the time sequence of the transmission that is at the focus of this movie. The time lapse of the transmission is...(you guessed it. tahdah.) This being my first Cloud Ten film, I won't make a decision on their style and brilliance (or lack thereof) until i have had a chance to see others of these Christian-based films.

smokehill retrievers "Deceived" is a pretty good title, since most sci-fi fans would be just that -- deceived by a thinly-disguised and abominably-acted piece of so-called "Christian drama" by a purely "Christian Production Company."It was fairly obvious early on where this one was heading, and awful as it had been thus far, I thought I'd stick it out strictly from curiosity. Big mistake.As even most Christians with any taste will admit, the only thing worse than "Christian music" is "Christian films." Think of this little stinker as the film equivalent of a Jack Chick comic-book tract, only you find it wasting space in a video store rather than stuck in a phone booth or a men's lavatory. The Bible-thumping contingent will of course love this film for the same reason the other 95% of us will be bored -- the cooked-to-death preachiness wherein the power of prayer replaces the cavalry to the rescue.