Quickie Movie Review: "The Dust Factory"

Rated: PG for thematic elements and some scary images
Starring: Hayden Panettiere, Ryan Kelley, and Armin Mueller-Stahl
Released: October 15, 2004 (limited theatrical release) / March 22, 2005 (DVD)

Synopsis: After suffering accidents, Ryan (Ryan Kelley, Mean Creek) and Melanie (Hayden Panettiere, Heroes) meet in an enchanting new world called the Dust Factory, where amazing things happen. People walk on water and disappear in the mist, and Ryan's grandfather (Armin Mueller-Stahl, Shine), who has Alzheimer's, is now lucid. With magic everywhere, will Ryan and Melanie ever find the courage to leave this wondrous sanctuary and return home?
(Adapted from the back cover of the DVD)

My Review: I only learned one thing from watching this: Unless I am absolutely sure it will be good--i.e., I've seen it before, or it's from a series that I know I like--I will not buy any DVDs from the clearance rack at MovieStop! This absurd "movie" had low-quality special effects, poor acting at times, and an overall dumb plot.  I doubt even die-hard fans of the stars in this movie would like this mess.  If you're looking for a movie that is both strange and fun, go rent The Great Buck Howard, which was both good and like nothing I'd previously seen.  Honestly, the only place this movie belongs is in the bottom of a trash bin.

Content Concerns:

• Sex: The kids exchange a few brief kisses. 4.25/5
• Nudity: A woman shows some slight cleavage. 4.5/5
• Language: Some mild name-calling and occasional profanity. 4/5
• Violence: An implied death because of a train/auto incident, and a kid falling from a bridge that leads him onto his otherworldly adventure.  Nothing too serious. 4/5
• Drugs: Two kids make a "toast," though it is unclear exactly what they're drinking. 4/5
• Frightening/Intense Scenes: The entire movie's oddness is a bit scary, and could be off-putting to kids, especially ones who are too young to understand what's going on. 2/5
• Other: A comment from Ryan's grandfather implies that all roads lead to heaven, which contradicts John 14:6. 4/5

 Final Score: 0/5