Dog Days Of Summer Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES PLOT SUMMARY
As Phil Walden wanders the streets of his deserted hometown, the memories of a fateful childhood summer return. The summer he grew up. The summer that turned this once idyllic paradise upside down. The summer the stranger came to town. This stranger doesn't beg for change, peddle ointments or speak soothe, Eli Cottonmouth builds models - enchanting models, and this sleepy southern town will be the perfect subject. His charm bewitches the townsfolk. His intentions concern the town fathers. And his secrecy captivates two curious boys. As Eli works to re-create the true essence of the community, the boys act as his eyes and ears. Armed with his ancient camera, they snap vignettes of small town life. But, shot-by-shot, Eli changes the way they look at the town. Childish wonderment turns to despair as the boys' eyes open to the true nature of the world around them. That understanding, and Eli's hidden purpose, threaten the existence of the entire town.
| Will Patton | Eli Cottonmouth |
| Devon Gearhart | Phillip |
| Colin Ford | Jackson Patch |
| Richard Herd | Frank Cooper |
| Gregory Alan Williams | Sheriff Lem Baker |
| R. Keith Harris | Pastor Salem |
| Wayne Crawford | Quincy Patch |
| Colin Key | Phil Walden |
| Mark Joy | Chuck Walden |
| Megan Blake | May Walden |
| Richard Fullerton | The General |
| Patricia Herd | Marilyn Rockwell |
| Joe Inscoe | Doc Rockwell |
| Bonnie Johnson | Martha |
| Logan Fahey | Chip Robinson |
| Mark Freiburger |
8.10 out of 10 (83 votes)
Visitor Reviews
Growing up and seeing things in a different light.
posted on 24 May 2009This was a good coming of age/growing up and life changing type film but more in depth about what and how the changes came about. The odd stranger that comes to the small town gives the boys a new way to look at people and things. He guides them. The way the boys perceive the town and how the stranger does also changes the town. It comes full circle for one of the boys as he loses part of his childlike hope and youthfulness in a way but is able to get it back when he comes to understand the things that occurred during that time about that particular summer and small town life.The time period was transcendent but it worked.The story was great and could have happened in any time period.The Cinematography was great and it was shot in 35mm film.The look was marvelous. It was nice that it was not all digital like so many movies. The area they filmed in had a great look and feel. It was a very interesting movie and a bit twilight zone like but not overly.I hope this breaks out of the Indie roll as it was an outstanding movie.
what a special film
posted on 30 Jun 2008We live in eastern NC and saw this movie at the theater. What a special film! I heard the director say that this was his first film but it sure did not seem like that. He pulled a great performance out of the child actors and you could tell that Will Patton (one of our favorites) really brought his 'A' game. This movie is a really special coming of age film that really had us thinking.A great message... and interesting story...It kind of reminded us of Ray Bradbury story... almost like Dandelion Wine... More than anything, it captured the laid back pace of a small southern town. This is a great 1st film.
Overlong coming of age tale that might have been better in a shorter Twlight Zone episode
posted on 06 Mar 2008Coming of age memory tale concerning a man who returns to his home town before it's flooded for a power project in order to try to come to terms with the past. He remembers back to the summer when a mysterious stranger comes to town and forced him to grow up and the town to see itself for what it was. It's magical realism of the sort that Ray Bradbury or the Twilight Zone did so well. Here its done well but unfortunately it stretched to probably twice the length it should be. I know that had the film been shorter it would never have gone anywhere but at the same time I don't really think that this works as well as long as it is. More so with the several of the dark turns happening with no real pay off including one death, the one that ends our hero's childhood, happening before we simply move to the next thing. I'm sure that the build up was supposed to make up for it, but for me it just sort of fell flat. I kind of felt the same way that the people seeing the finished model that Cottonmouth makes feel. Worth a look but I'd wait for cable.
An inspiring first film.
posted on 30 May 2009I felt this film was very special, as I am an aspiring kid out of college and going on to do film/video production at university, it was a great inspiration to me, and definitely an encouragement during my gap year to work hard at my own ideas. Mark has everything that makes a good director, Determination, a good cinematic eye, and kindness. Which i think clearly shows through each scene during the film. It had a warm, yet sinister atmosphere. With a very down-to-earth approach, therefore holding the brutal truth for some characters. He matched the soundtrack well with the scenes (especially the opening scene), which I picked up on a lot as I am looking to first go into music video production. Overall, I think mark and his crew made a first film to be very proud of, and I can sympathise with how much effort and patience it must have taken to get the film to where it is today. I can't wait to see what else Mr. Freiburger has up his sleeve!