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Oxenfree

Score: 77%
Rating: Not Rated
Publisher: Candy Factory Films
Region: 1
Media: DVD/1
Running Time: 93 Mins.
Genre: Adventure/Comedy/Drama
Audio: English 5.1 Surround

Oxenfree is a weird, funny, and sometimes sad movie about a group of estranged foster brothers who reconnect at the old family lake cabin following the death of their father.

Aaron (Steven Molony) is the only natural child among the three brothers and he is hiding an illness from the others, while Roy (Paul Vonasek) is the clear bully of the group, but somehow still seems to be fun. Benjamin (Timothy R. Lane) is the gay outcast who even skipped their dad's funeral altogether, but still managed to drive 15 hours to come to the cabin when summoned by Aaron. Clearly, these guys have some issues to work out.

After a bit of mild tussling and airing of grievances, the guys get down to serious fireside business, including beer and a tale they've heard since they were children, the story of the Grumpaboo, as can only be told by Roy. The Grumpaboo is a fearsome creature with the fur of a bear and the giant antlers of a deer, but with claws that can shred a tent in a second and dangerous tusks on its face. It's a story passed down from their grandfather, to their father, and finally to them, although later in the film, the trio discover that maybe there was an alternate reason for the telling of the tale.

When Roy and Ben awake the next morning, they find that their stuff has been taken, presumably by Aaron, and in its place is clear evidence that they must go to their childhood homemade playground, a land they called Oxenfree, as is evidenced by the old hand-drawn map affixed to the cabin door. When they arrive, they realize Aaron has been up at the camp for longer than the few days he claims, as it's all been rebuilt, from Fort Buttkicker, to Hideout Rock, to the Dino Men's lands, to even the Oxenking's throne (an old toilet). If they want their keys and phones back, they'll have to play along, but before long, they are all in character and experiencing the freedom only a group of kids can (even if those "kids" are men in their 30's) and it's kind of a joy to watch. A silly one, but a joy nonetheless. As they play in their old stomping ground as the Oxenking (Roy), Chief Triceratops (Aaron) and Captain Danger (Ben), secrets are revealed, bonds are rebuilt, and the monster of their childhood is faced, once and for all. There might even be a little bit of growing up that happens along the way.

While Oxenfree isn't the best movie out there and it screams indie, I enjoyed it. It's probably not one to buy, but if you can catch it on Netflix, it's a sweet tale.



-Psibabe, GameVortex Communications
AKA Ashley Perkins

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