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Sarah (7798 KP) rated Haunt (2019) in Movies
Jul 24, 2020
Better than expected
I love watching horror films, however the majority of them end up rather poor and lacklustre. Yet I cant say this for Haunt, which was actually a rather pleasant surprise.
This starts off very slowly, almost too slowly and this means it doesn't get off to a good start. However once this actually moves into the haunted house it really starts to come into it's own and actually becomes a rather enthralling film. Storywise it isn't anything particularly new, however it's the execution that makes it stand out. It's creepy and full of blood and gore, without relying on too much CGI or jump scares. Whilst a few of the characters are rather irritating and deserve their comeuppance, it's refreshing to see some of the main protagonists actually act sensibly and don't run around like brainless idiots like most horror film victims do - although they do still make the odd silly decision or action, they are human after all. Even the acting was pretty decent. And the ending was a refreshing change and not what I was expecting at all.
Overall this was such a pleasant surprise and one of the better recent horror films I've seen in quite some time.
This starts off very slowly, almost too slowly and this means it doesn't get off to a good start. However once this actually moves into the haunted house it really starts to come into it's own and actually becomes a rather enthralling film. Storywise it isn't anything particularly new, however it's the execution that makes it stand out. It's creepy and full of blood and gore, without relying on too much CGI or jump scares. Whilst a few of the characters are rather irritating and deserve their comeuppance, it's refreshing to see some of the main protagonists actually act sensibly and don't run around like brainless idiots like most horror film victims do - although they do still make the odd silly decision or action, they are human after all. Even the acting was pretty decent. And the ending was a refreshing change and not what I was expecting at all.
Overall this was such a pleasant surprise and one of the better recent horror films I've seen in quite some time.
LeftSideCut (3778 KP) rated Thir13en Ghosts (2001) in Movies
Jun 30, 2021
I absolutely get why this has become a bit of a cult classic, but for everything I like about Thir13en Ghosts, there's something I dislike.
I enjoy the setting. The "modern day" haunted house is an inspired design, and the fact that the set was practically built to film on is quite something. I also enjoy the titular ghosts. Each one has a unique look, and the make up work is superb. I also love that the legendary F. Murray Abraham is in this, as well as Matthew Lillard, doing what Matthew Lillard does best, hamming things up to the max.
Other than that, it's all a bit flaccid. There's a whole lot of characters-walking-around-and-getting-lost going on, and it's honestly a drag. It doesn't help that precisely none of these characters are easy to care about. There are multiple instances of laughably huge exposition dumps, in a narrative that's needlessly overstuffed with unnecessary plot elements.
Personally, it just about coasts by due to the nostalgia of being 13 years old and just getting into horror when it originally released, and I always have a good enough time with it. Also a dude gets vertically bisected which is pretty rad.
I enjoy the setting. The "modern day" haunted house is an inspired design, and the fact that the set was practically built to film on is quite something. I also enjoy the titular ghosts. Each one has a unique look, and the make up work is superb. I also love that the legendary F. Murray Abraham is in this, as well as Matthew Lillard, doing what Matthew Lillard does best, hamming things up to the max.
Other than that, it's all a bit flaccid. There's a whole lot of characters-walking-around-and-getting-lost going on, and it's honestly a drag. It doesn't help that precisely none of these characters are easy to care about. There are multiple instances of laughably huge exposition dumps, in a narrative that's needlessly overstuffed with unnecessary plot elements.
Personally, it just about coasts by due to the nostalgia of being 13 years old and just getting into horror when it originally released, and I always have a good enough time with it. Also a dude gets vertically bisected which is pretty rad.
LoganCrews (2861 KP) rated Dark Shadows (2012) in Movies
Sep 20, 2020
If not for the last 15/20 minutes (sans the atrocious ending, and even then they're only mildly watchable at best) I'd very comfortably call this one of the worst movies I've ever seen - and still will. Not even distracting, and intentionally as non-fun as possible. How exciting, we get to see nearly two LONG hours of nonentities played by actors who clearly couldn't give less of a shit about being there (except for the sole good scenery-chewing of Eva Green) tepidly talk about... like, fishing and shit? Sometimes even to each other! Where's the camp? Where's the (pun not intended) spirit? Doesn't go for jokes, doesn't go for drama, doesn't go for romance, doesn't go for anything - complete and utter apathy all around. It doesn't even look good, dear God some color could have at least made this pop but no of course it's color-coded like ash and jizz. This wakes up a bit when it has a spooky haunted house vibe to it but too bad that's only like a collective (and generous) few minutes of the whole thing. What the actual hell were they thinking, how can a director possibly stoop *noticeably* lower than 𝘋𝘶𝘮𝘣𝘰 (2019)?
The Whispering Skull: Lockwood & Co. #2
10.0
Rate It
Book
In the six months since Anthony, Lucy, and George survived a night in the most haunted house in...
supernatural mystery horror
The Late Breakfasters and Other Strange Stories
Book
An omnibus collection featuring some of the finest works of a master of weird fiction One of the...
Horror
The Dependents
4.0
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Book
A wise and lyrical debut novel about a new widower confronting the truth about his long marriage. ...
The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow
Book
Conceived in love and possibility, Bonaventure Arrow didn’t make a peep when he was born, and the...
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Undercurrent in Books
Dec 25, 2021
211 of 250
Kindle
Undercurrent
By J.A. Baker
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
Phoebe and her disabled husband, Martyn, move into a new house in a village on the edge of County Durham. They plan to lead a quiet existence, a set up that suits them both.
Then Anna, who lives over the road and is bored of spending her days alone, seeks friendship with Phoebe and events take a dark turn.
Phoebe has secrets and is haunted by her past and Anna's arrival in her life may prove to be the catalyst for her undoing.
What is Phoebe hiding and why are she and her husband so reclusive?
When Anna gets caught in a storm and is rescued by Phoebe the truth becomes apparent and Anna is thrown into danger.
Is there a difference between madness and evil?
Some friendships can be murder.
Brilliant! I loved it from start to finish! So well written and kept you interested from the first word to the last. This has to be one of my favourite books that I’ve read in 2021! The story follows a woman with a dark past moving to a small village things soon start going wrong.
Kindle
Undercurrent
By J.A. Baker
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
Phoebe and her disabled husband, Martyn, move into a new house in a village on the edge of County Durham. They plan to lead a quiet existence, a set up that suits them both.
Then Anna, who lives over the road and is bored of spending her days alone, seeks friendship with Phoebe and events take a dark turn.
Phoebe has secrets and is haunted by her past and Anna's arrival in her life may prove to be the catalyst for her undoing.
What is Phoebe hiding and why are she and her husband so reclusive?
When Anna gets caught in a storm and is rescued by Phoebe the truth becomes apparent and Anna is thrown into danger.
Is there a difference between madness and evil?
Some friendships can be murder.
Brilliant! I loved it from start to finish! So well written and kept you interested from the first word to the last. This has to be one of my favourite books that I’ve read in 2021! The story follows a woman with a dark past moving to a small village things soon start going wrong.
