Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Dark Mountain’

Written by Scott Edwards 

Trying to make a film can be a difficult thing to do. Even if you have the equipment and the knowhow, there are still several aspects that elude even the best film makers. Some people think it is easier to film a documentary, but that is just ludicrous as you have to do more research and make sure that you do a wonderful job of keeping the narrative focused upon what point you are trying to get across. My hat is off to people that try to do this, as it is something that I will probably never try to do in my lifetime, since I have seen the good and more than my fair share of the bad.

Young filmmaker Kate is trying to make a name for herself and has found a way to do it; by unlocking the truth behind the Lost Dutchman Mine that is believed to be located in the Superstition Mountains of Arizona. Having some of her facts together, Kate, her boyfriend Paul and friend Ross all take to the road and get ready to reveal the actual location of the mine that has been lost for over a hundred years. Meeting up with some of the locals, Kate has to give them direction on how to respond to her questions and several stories come into play.

Each person interviewed knows the story of the Lost Dutchman’s mine and is willing to speak to the camera about it. Despite countless deaths and disappearances, as people have been trying to find the lost fortune of gold in the mountains, not a day goes by that someone is not looking for it. Not knowing the causes behind the deaths in the mountains, there are several theories involving Native Americans killing people to protect their land, ghosts of the lost souls wanting to keep the treasure safe, aliens from above that watch over their riches and even vortexes to another time or place that causes the treasure hunters to lose their way. Nobody knows for sure about what happens in the mountains as the only people that have witnessed the strange accounts are six feet under. But Kate and her crew are looking to end this and they take to the trails and are on their way to find the Lost Dutchman’s mine and make history.

Dark Mountain follows Kate, Paul and Ross as they are trying to locate the Lost Dutchman’s Mine that has been lost to time. Hearing the stories about what has happened in the mountains in the past, they are still willing to put all of their fears aside and uncover the mystery that has plagued the area for many years. With their map and clues, they believe that they are on the right track and after stumbling upon a Native American prayer site, they see a cave as well. Entering the cave, Paul and Kate find some old drawings, but that is not what catches Paul’s eye, as he sees gold on the ground. Picking up a piece of it, Kate sees something move behind her boyfriend and the two are forced out of the cave without any further investigation. Even though they seem to be okay, Ross knows a little bit more about the mountain and asks that the gold be returned to the cave, since the local spirits will not take to kindly to their loss. With nobody believing what Ross is saying, a strange force has taken over Paul as he starts to speak in unfamiliar tongues and his attitude changes drastically. Finding out that there is someone or something on the mountain with them, the group has to find a way to get back to safety, but will they be able to escape the clutches of the Superstition Mountains with their lives intact?  

This started off as a movie that I was playing in the background when looking for something else to watch, but it quickly pulled me in when all of the interviews hit the screen. I love seeing what locals think about their mountain and the stories that they can bring to the table. After that, I was lost on the hunt with the group for the Dutchman’s mine and wondering what secrets the mountain had in store for them. With there being so much that I liked about the movie, I must admit that the cell phone footage kind of upset me since it was all grainy and looked like they were going for an old-time look. Besides that, it was great watch and you have to let your own mind come up with the answer as to what is haunting or hunting on this mountain. Stay Scared.

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