Willow Creek easily lands itself a spot in my top five "found footage" films. This, my friends, is found footage done right (and, as for Bigfoot films in general, Willow Creek is the new champion).

I was rather shocked to learn that Bobcat Goldthwait wrote and directed this gem, but it's clear that the funny man knows how to make an effective horror thriller. Rare indeed are the films that can invoke an element of the creeps in this horror veteran's bones, but Willow Creek succeeds in doing just that with one of the most atmospheric and uncomfortable (not to mention longest) scenes I've seen in years.

The first half of the movie comes across as pretty formulaic. Jim (Bryce Johnson) and his girlfriend Kelly (Alexie Gilmore) head off to Willow Creek, California, to fulfill Jim's lifelong dream of exploring the very area where Roger Patterson (alongside his buddy Bob Gimlin) filmed the most compelling video footage of Bigfoot ever captured. Kelly isn't really the outdoors type, and she does not share her boyfriend's belief in the existence of Sasquatch, but she agrees to go along just to make Jim happy. That right there is love, people. First, of course, they do the whole tourist thing in Willow Creek -- grabbing a Bigfoot Burger, filming landmark signs and statues, and interviewing locals for Jim's documentary of the trip. For those interested in Bigfoot, it's a lot of fun stuff, including a little Tom Yamarone performance of his tune "Roger & Bob (Rode Out That Day)."

A couple of locals do warn the couple not to go into the forest, but Jim's not about to give up on his dream. Once they do hike deep into the woods, this film hits a whole new gear, best exemplified by an unforgettable 21 1/2-minutes-long "one take" scene. Goldthwait peels back all the layers of modern horror theatrics to expose the audience to raw, gradually building terror. It's brilliant -- it really is.

Another positive aspect of this film is the fact that it's not wrapped in the trappings pervading this particular genre. There's no introductory bit with law enforcement asking for help with the case, no news report of anyone getting lost in the woods -- none of that crap that tends to reveal what is going to happen. The ending of the film is also praiseworthy -- and not just because it is well-done by all involved. It also starts some neurons firing, leading you to suddenly grasp additional insight into what you've seen well after you finished watching the movie.

If your high hopes for Bigfoot: The Lost Coast Tapes were dashed or if you generally enjoy "found footage" films, I highly recommend that you give Willow Creek a try. This film avoids all of the mistakes that afflict so many films of this genre. I know I'm going to enjoy returning to this movie again and again in the future.