mexicanjunior
10-09-2009, 01:32 PM
Saw it the other night, here is my review...
I had read alot about this movie before actually seeing it. I looked up stories of Steven Speilberg watching it on DVD, then taking it back in a paper bag muttering the movie was haunted. I also saw lots of critical praise saying it is the "scariest movie of the decade". After watching it, I was slightly disappointed.
It was very much a 'Blair Witch Project' clone in the use of a camcorder for footage and shot documentary style. The audio and video quality is pretty low rate, kind of like watching an amateur wedding video or something. While it had some clever moments, I never felt the urge to scream or jump out of my seat as the trailers seem to sell you on.
The story revolves around a couple living in a very nice home in California. The boyfriend (Micah) buys a camcorder due to his girlfriend (Katie) having weird dreams and feeling like something is haunting them in their bedroom at night. Over the course of about 3 weeks, we see them reviewing the tape and noticing irrational things start happening. It is a slow build to a decent climax that was somewhat ruined by one of the ending shots being in the trailer (so you kind of expect it coming). Lots of loud banging noises, invisible steps, moving doors and covers being pulled are the range of this haunting and it seemed more campy than scary.
This is not to say this wasn't an entertaining movie, I really enjoyed the boyfriend's performance from a comedic standpoint. He is a control freak that really likes cussing at would be ghosts and antagonizing them with Ouija boards (which made for one of the cooler scenes). The girlfriend also played her role decently, especially when she starts to be controlled by the demons surrounding her. I think one of the better things that made the movie watchable was how they acted like a real couple instead of a couple of actors playing roles. This movie would have been made alot worse with high budget effects and big name stars, losing some of it's charm.
Overall, don't go into this expecting to be scared out of your minds like the promos would lead you to believe. Aside from a few minor jolts here and there, the majority of the movie is alot of conversation and watching 2 people unravel into panic mode before you eyes. Also, be prepared for 'Cloverfield' nausea if shaky camera work bothers you. That said, it was an entertaining movie and had some originality to it's story. Wait for a late night dollar movie showing if you can or grab the DVD and watch it after hours to try and muster some the dark horror feel. Thumbs semi-up...
http://content8.flixster.com/photo/12/20/75/12207578_gal.jpg
I had read alot about this movie before actually seeing it. I looked up stories of Steven Speilberg watching it on DVD, then taking it back in a paper bag muttering the movie was haunted. I also saw lots of critical praise saying it is the "scariest movie of the decade". After watching it, I was slightly disappointed.
It was very much a 'Blair Witch Project' clone in the use of a camcorder for footage and shot documentary style. The audio and video quality is pretty low rate, kind of like watching an amateur wedding video or something. While it had some clever moments, I never felt the urge to scream or jump out of my seat as the trailers seem to sell you on.
The story revolves around a couple living in a very nice home in California. The boyfriend (Micah) buys a camcorder due to his girlfriend (Katie) having weird dreams and feeling like something is haunting them in their bedroom at night. Over the course of about 3 weeks, we see them reviewing the tape and noticing irrational things start happening. It is a slow build to a decent climax that was somewhat ruined by one of the ending shots being in the trailer (so you kind of expect it coming). Lots of loud banging noises, invisible steps, moving doors and covers being pulled are the range of this haunting and it seemed more campy than scary.
This is not to say this wasn't an entertaining movie, I really enjoyed the boyfriend's performance from a comedic standpoint. He is a control freak that really likes cussing at would be ghosts and antagonizing them with Ouija boards (which made for one of the cooler scenes). The girlfriend also played her role decently, especially when she starts to be controlled by the demons surrounding her. I think one of the better things that made the movie watchable was how they acted like a real couple instead of a couple of actors playing roles. This movie would have been made alot worse with high budget effects and big name stars, losing some of it's charm.
Overall, don't go into this expecting to be scared out of your minds like the promos would lead you to believe. Aside from a few minor jolts here and there, the majority of the movie is alot of conversation and watching 2 people unravel into panic mode before you eyes. Also, be prepared for 'Cloverfield' nausea if shaky camera work bothers you. That said, it was an entertaining movie and had some originality to it's story. Wait for a late night dollar movie showing if you can or grab the DVD and watch it after hours to try and muster some the dark horror feel. Thumbs semi-up...
http://content8.flixster.com/photo/12/20/75/12207578_gal.jpg