Sharing the Work: What My Family and Career Taught Me About Breaking Through (and Holding the Door Open for Others)
Book
"Myra Strober's Sharing the Work is the memoir of a woman who has learned that 'having it all' is...
Online Calling
Social Networking
App
Online Calling is the smart way to connect with your friends at extremely cheap rates. VoIP calling...
Silk Road Vegetarian: Vegan, Vegetarian and Gluten Free Recipes for the Mindful Cook
Book
"Her first cookbook, Silk Road Vegetarian, ...is a thoughtful and delicious collection of...
Multiframe - Picture Editor & Photo Collage Maker
Entertainment and Photo & Video
App
Create photo frames for Thanksgiving, Christmas, new year, love & birthday more Photo Montages for...
The Very Hungry Caterpillar– First Words
Games and Education
App
The Very Hungry Caterpillar™ & Friends First Words is an adorable preschool learning app for...
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated The House with a Clock in Its Walls (2018) in Movies
Jul 2, 2019
The character of Lewis is your stereotypical weakly newcomer, who has no friends and has no athletic ability what-so-ever. This is portrayed in an extremely comical scene in the beginning of the film where his new classmates are picking basketball teams and would rather take a kid on crutches over Lewis. This one scene did an excellent job of making Lewis very endearing and the underdog you want to root for. Not only is Lewis having a hard time fitting in at school, but he is finding his home life is also a bit unsettling. Lewis and his uncle have a few odd interactions, and eventually he finds out his eccentric uncle is actually a warlock, or as Lewis lovingly likes to call him, a man-witch. After they finally have a heartfelt talk and realize they are both “black swans” in life, his uncle reluctantly agrees to train Lewis to become a warlock. The training sets in motion a series of events that not only grow Lewis as a more powerful warlock-in-training, but also as a person. Ultimately, Lewis must use his new-found magical gift and the power of his new family to prevent the clock from carrying out its devious plan.
Eli Roth, better known for his less kid friendly movies such as Hostel and Cabin Fever, did an astounding job of bringing the film to life. While there are certainly intense moments that may not be entirely suitable for younger viewers, it brought enough scares and creepy moments to entertain both young and old alike. The level of intensity is comparable to other kid friendly horror titles such as the Goosebumps series and this film does a good job of mixing up the lighter moments, jump scares and the use of creepy props to bring both a sense of terror and wonder to the screen at the same time. I do have to say, the scene where a bunch of spooky dolls come to life hit a bit too close to home considering my wife has a very large doll collection. After seeing this film, walking into her doll room will never be the same again.
Owen Vaccaro does an extraordinary job in his role of the quirky and nerdy Lewis and Jack Black is his usual zany self in the role of Uncle Jonathan, but he also does a great job with the more serious moments as well. Cate Blanchet, however, was one of the biggest surprises. Her talents are usually seen in dramas and playing more serious characters, so it was nice to see her in a more fun and playful role. All the characters have an excellent chemistry from the moment we are introduced to them, and that captivating chemistry carries through to the very end.
The House with a Clock in Its Walls certainly kept me entertained throughout. The characters and story were interesting, and the suspense and thrills were scary enough to elicit the occasional jump. While I hesitate to say it’s fun for the whole family as once again, some of the scenes may be a little too frightening for younger audiences, it certainly is a great movie for kids who are a bit older or who are not easily spooked. If you are a fan of lighthearted Halloween movies and can overlook a few silly and unnecessary moments, then this film has the potential to be an instant family classic and one that you will likely want to watch every Halloween season. Hmm, suddenly, I have a craving for homemade chocolate chip cookies and when you see the film, you will completely understand why.
iCook - Recipes & Cooking with Neven
Food & Drink and Lifestyle
App
* Apple's "iPhone App of the Week" June 2011 * Shortlisted for "App of the Year" Eircom Spider...
Knuddels Chat, Freunde, Flirt
Social Networking and Entertainment
App
Chat, flirt, get to know new friends. Childs play with Knuddels, the unique community from Germany....
Advocate for Music!: A Guide to User-Friendly Strategies
Book
Across the US, school budgets are tightening and music programs, often the first asked to compromise...
WikiCamps Australia
Travel and Reference
App
WikiCamps is the ultimate camping companion, whether you're heading away for a weekend camping trip...