DVD Corner

Boneyard Blu-ray Review

“Boneyard” is better than your average B-movie thriller. 

Based on the real life West Mesa murders, “Boneyard” is set in New Mexico in the year 2009. The story begins with a woman and her dog discovering skeletal remains. She immediately phones the police and the area is soon excavated. Numerous bodies of women and girls are uncovered and it becomes quite evident that a serial killer is on the loose. Police Chief Carter, Police Detective Ortega and his partner Detective Young, and FBI Agent Petrovick are tasked to investigate. There are suspects aplenty including a corrupt cop (including Tate) and Caesar Monto (a guy who creeps on women), but are they responsible for the murders?

Over the years, many B-Movie thrillers have been reviewed on this site and most of them tend to be downright awful. Director Asif Akbar’s “Boneyard” is by no means a stellar thriller, but it’s certainly better than most of the limited release offerings in the same genre.

Written by Asif Akbar, Hank Byrd, Vincent E. McDaniel, and Koji Steven Sakai, “Boneyard” is based on an unsolved case and is dedicated to the victims of the West Mesa murders. Those looking for a more contemplative and serious examination of the horrific and tragic mystery won’t get that here. This is very much a straightforward thriller involving police corruption, cops haunted by past events, and a frantic search for a killer. It’s fast paced and lacking in deep characterization, but it holds your interest. That’s enough for a low-budget movie like this.

The cast has a few notable names including Mel Gibson, 50 Cent (AKA Curtis Jackson), and character actor Brian Van Holt. Brian Van Holt does a commendable job here. Mel Gibson steals the entire movie as a grizzled, eccentric FBI agent who looks like he just rolled out of bed. 50 Cent cannot act period. How he keeps getting parts remains a mystery.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 2.39:1 1080p. Grade: A-

Audio Track: 5.1 DTS-HD MA. Grade: B+

Extras include a Digital copy and a DVD copy.

August 25, 2024 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | 50 Cent, Boneyard Blu-ray Review, Mel Gibson, thriller