I wasn't sure what to expect from Driftwood. There were no trailers to go by and I resisted reading reviews as they are usually biased against real horror. All I really knew is that it was directed by Tim Sullivan and starred Raviv Ullman. I should start by saying that I've been a fan of Raviv's since he was still Ricky. I used to watch Phil of the Future, even though I was 19 when it premiered. I know that isn't a reason to like a movie, but it does help. The main reason I like Driftwood is the story. Ullman plays David, a 16 year old boy who is sent to an "attitude adjustment" camp after the death of his older brother. It is soon evident that the camp is more about punishment than reform. As David struggles to adjust to the harsh conditions, he is haunted by visions of a former Driftwood resident. He soon discovers that the boy's death was not an accident, and that solving the mystery may be his only way out. I was in middle school when Columbine happened and in high school for 9/11. I'm a part of the generation that had their world crumble down around them and then tried to build it back up. Our school had bomb threats that lead to metal detectors and security cameras. I knew kids like the residents of Driftwood, I was even friends with some of them, and I can tell you that most of them were just confused, adolescence does that. I've grown past that part of my life but I'm still close enough to remember what it was like. I have a nephew who is 16, he reminds me of David in a lot of ways. His parents freaked out when he started painting his nails black, dyed his hair blue and got his ear pierced, they weren't sure how to handle it. I knew it was just a sign he was a teenager. Last winter, in a fit of anger, he punched a wall and broke his hand. It scared me and his parents; luckily they are handling his issues in a better way, better than sending him away anyway. Driftwood is unique in that it takes on a real issue, the fact that teenage angst has become a problem to be solved not by love and understanding, but by punishment. The idea that a child should be sent away from something as simple as the clothes they wear or the gender they are attracted to, is a concept that should have gone out of style with the poodle skirt. Back to Driftwood, this film is better than almost any studio film out there. The writing is outstanding, the performances are superb, the set isn't even a set, it was filmed at a closed down juvenile prison that was supposed to stay that way but didn't. Another sign of how important this film's message really is. Driftwood is so chilling because it rings true to how we all felt in our adolescence; lost, alone, trying to sort things out when everyone seemed to be against us. Driftwood isn't a big budget movie, it doesn't claim to be. It doesn't have dozens of big name stars, it doesn't need them. Driftwood has what few films today have, it has heart. I love this film and if you give it a chance I'm sure you will too.

I was really disappointed that I didn't like this movie that much.From everything I read about it and by the trailer I thought it would be way better.It's a shame the budget was so low because I think it is an important story to tell.I also thought it was a great idea using the supernatural element for this movie but like another person said,it came across too much like b-movie acting.The only actor's I enjoyed the most who had any depth and emotion were "Raviv Ullman" and "Connor Ross" who played David and Jonathan. The film just seemed really rushed and it seemed like a lot was missing.After watching a few of the deleted scenes and alternate ending I decided that they should have included a few of those scenes and gone with the alternate ending instead.I liked the 1st deleted scene called "driftwood infomercial" but especially liked the scene called "dark daddy" because it showed a darker side to the captain by explaining his relationship with his daughter instead of just portraying her as a stupid whore.The alternate ending was more realistic and satisfying instead of just abruptly ending the movie because it doesn't seem finished.I think it was important for the viewer to have some kind of idea of what will become of the boys when they leave after that hellish ordeal.There could have been at least one more scene with David and his brother since they were so close.At the end of the alternate ending where the boys discuss where they are gonna go,Noah asks David where he is gonna go and he replies "i'm gonna go home",but he should have said "i'm gonna hit the road" instead just like what he told his brother,and because he and his parents don't see eye to eye and they were the idiots who put him in that jail like attitude adjustment institution. Another important part of the story that was left out was a scene that showed the ghost of Jonathan finally being put to rest. I think this movie would have worked better if it had been all horror and suspense and no comedy.It just would have been more believable and more respectful to kids that are stuck in or have survived those demented places to show it as all horror.If there ever is a director's cut then please at least include the "dark daddy" scene.That scene also has a cool shot of the photo and ghostly image of Jonathan that seems to disturb the captain.And for Chrissake's include the alternate ending for closure!

This weekend I got to see this film at the Weekend of Horrors in San Jose, CA. I went in not sure what to expect and was surprised. If you are expecting gore, you will be very disappointed. This is not a zombie/slasher flick. If you are expecting a well written story with great acting and suspense, you are in for a treat. This is a ghost story. And not an average terrible person died and became a ghost who destroyed people. This is the complete opposite. It is someone wrongly killed wanting to bring justice. While the movie is not one that I would typically have the opportunity to see, I really enjoyed it and look forward to seeing more from the director and actors!

I saw Driftwood Saturday at the Fango Weekend of Horrors. At first I thought Ullman would just pull off some low-end Disney acting, but he was actually very good. You can see a smoldering in his eyes that I didn't expect him to be able to emote at all. Also, he gets to use his real name for the credits in this movie, Raviv. The poster still shows Ricky though.My expectations were low for Diamond Dallas Page, but he was good. Oddly, I thought the scenes in which Page didn't speak a lot were better than the ones in which he did. But if he can keep getting better than you never know.Driftwood is NOTHING like 2001 Maniacs. I tried not to think about Maniacs when I went in to see this movie. I didn't need to bother. I wouldn't think Driftwood was by the same director as Maniacs if I had gone in blind. The movies are vastly different in approach and feel.I have some fun facts for this movie I am afraid to put in here because they might mildly spoil the movie. I do suggest seeing Driftwood. A good ghost story with multi-layered social commentary. The acting is much better than I think most people expect from a B film so don't let that be a deterrent.