Crestone Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		3.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.5

Crestone Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf June 21, 2021

IMDB and various online information related to “Crestone” label the feature a documentary. It’s not, actually, with co-writer/director Marnie Ellen Hertzler making it clear throughout the endeavor that she’s making a staged representation of possibly real people. “Crestone” follows the struggle of a Soundcloud rap group known as Deadgod, with its members electing to move to the middle of nowhere in Colorado, hoping to find the meaning of life through music and marijuana. Spoiler alert: they don’t, but Hertzler tries to make a compelling commercial for the unit, channeling the spirit of Harmony Korine as she spends time with old friends(?) who need all the publicity they can get.

Hertzler narrates “Crestone,” claiming to be pals with members of Deadgod, interested in their future as a group, which involves a relocation to Colorado to help them focus on their lives. Money is limited, so the characters claim abandoned homes, setting up studio space and grow houses in complete squalor, learning to live with one another as they try to lure the public to their music. Hertzler tries to help the cause, inserting Deadgod videos into “Crestone,” and she’s careful not to push too hard on the residents, refusing to challenge life decisions. Instead, the feature goes for a more dreamlike quality, exploring the movie through stoner poetry from the gang, while one member of the community is fond of drones, sharing his thoughts on the state of his mind while flying around the area (it’s the cinematic equivalent of SNL’s “The Girl You Wish You Hadn’t Started a Conversation With At a Party”).

Deadgod are the new hippies, trying to be free while constantly in search for food and shelter, and some of them aren’t really in contact with reality anymore, with one rapper sharing his belief in a flat Earth and the “simulation” we’re all living in. Time to put down the joint, dude. “Crestone” would work wonderfully as a comedy, but Hertlzer is committed to making some form of doomsday art, setting up an approaching wildfire as the plot of the picture, also taking the whole commune concept seriously. However, “Crestone” is scripted and Hertzler includes the creation of “takes” to highlight the process of filmmaking, which is a curious choice, breaking the illusion of reality, which makes it amazingly easy to doubt the authenticity of anything found in the feature. It’s not a directorial puzzle worth solving.

Crestone Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Captured with commercial grade equipment and smartphones, "Crestone" offers digital sharpness during the AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation. Video limitations are present and occasional blockiness is spotted, but clarity is generally quite good, surveying skin particulars on the actors, and most are covered with tattoos to inspect. Squalor is open for study as well, and exteriors secure the great outdoors, offering passable dimension. Colors are satisfactory, with naturalistic hues throughout the viewing experience, including distinct greenery. Strange light sources offer bolder primaries, and clothing is varied. Delineation is acceptable.

Crestone Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix offers crisp dialogue exchanges, capturing conversations and voiceover, which offers a bit more depth to handle the significance of inner thoughts. Soundtrack selections deliver clarity as well, with pronounced low-end for rap offerings and sharp synth. Atmospherics are compelling, with a circular sense of household bustle and environmental changes.

Crestone Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary #1 features director Marnie Ellen Hertzler, co-writer Corey Hughes, and editor Albert Bernie.

• Commentary #2 features actors Champloo Sloppy and Sadboytrapps.

• Music Videos (HD) include "Boneless Drugs" (2:09), "Hit the Lick" (2:25), "Deadgod Vlog #1" (1:18), "Hot Sauce Challenge" (14:14), and "Dragonhir #1" (4:17).

• Deleted Scenes (8:51, HD) are offered.

• And a Red Band Trailer (2:40, HD) is included.

Crestone Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Crestone" is made for a Generation Z audience, with the film's appreciation for homegrown rap and weed sure to be rapturously received by those involved in this subculture. For outsiders, Hertzler doesn't offer interesting psychological profiles, she's crafting a shapeless tone poem, aiming to manufacture a special mood for Deadgod and their grand wilderness experiment.