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Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Sinister (2012) in Movies
Aug 7, 2019
Sinister is a movie that surprised me. I love scary movies, but most of the time it is the pure humor that I find in what people think is scary these days that makes me love them. I figured I would walk into this movie and leave in the same mood I always do. Laughing about how many people jumped in the theater because of what happened on screen. But, this time, I was one of those people. For the first time in over a decade I found a scary movie that downright creeped me out and made me jump. Not just once, more several times.
Sinister opens with old super-8 footage of a family of four being hung from a tree in a rather unique way. The movie is set in a small town in Pennsylvania where Ellison Oswalt (Ethan Hawke; Training Day, Daybreakers) and his family (wife, daughter and son) are moving into a new house. Ellison is a true-crime writer, who hasn’t had a best-selling book in 10 years. His work in the true-crime field did not garner him any favor with the local law enforcement, and the Sheriff in particular would rather see him leave. Shortly, we realize that the house the Oswalt family has moved into the same house that the family in the opening scene lived in, this family is the basis for the book he is writing, and the house is also where they were murdered. This is unbeknownst to the family, except for Ellison himself.
Ellison finds a box in the addicts that is labeled home movies, and it contains several reels of super-8 footage. This footage helps him realize how and why the family from the opening scene were murdered, and their murders spanning from the late 60s to present day. Even more daunting, his discoveries as he moves forward in his investigation place his entire family in the path of a supernatural entity.
I am a firm believer that a film’s score can make or break a movie, despite how good the story is. Sinister did not fail in this department. With haunting melodies littered throughout the movie, and excellent timing by all punctuations, this film will definitely have you tense at exactly the right moments. The one bad thing I can say about this movie, and it was really more of a distraction than a bad thing, was Ethan Hawke’s voice. His voice seemed unnaturally deep compared to my experience with him in his previous roles, a thought which was echoed by many of my fellow critics in the theater. Overall, though, the movie was fantastic. With two interesting cameos in the movie, and a great little role for James Ransone (Inside Man, The Next Three Days), a relative known, and stellar acting from Ethan Hawke, this is a definite must see. Especially for date night, if you’re significant other is into scary movies that is.
Sinister opens with old super-8 footage of a family of four being hung from a tree in a rather unique way. The movie is set in a small town in Pennsylvania where Ellison Oswalt (Ethan Hawke; Training Day, Daybreakers) and his family (wife, daughter and son) are moving into a new house. Ellison is a true-crime writer, who hasn’t had a best-selling book in 10 years. His work in the true-crime field did not garner him any favor with the local law enforcement, and the Sheriff in particular would rather see him leave. Shortly, we realize that the house the Oswalt family has moved into the same house that the family in the opening scene lived in, this family is the basis for the book he is writing, and the house is also where they were murdered. This is unbeknownst to the family, except for Ellison himself.
Ellison finds a box in the addicts that is labeled home movies, and it contains several reels of super-8 footage. This footage helps him realize how and why the family from the opening scene were murdered, and their murders spanning from the late 60s to present day. Even more daunting, his discoveries as he moves forward in his investigation place his entire family in the path of a supernatural entity.
I am a firm believer that a film’s score can make or break a movie, despite how good the story is. Sinister did not fail in this department. With haunting melodies littered throughout the movie, and excellent timing by all punctuations, this film will definitely have you tense at exactly the right moments. The one bad thing I can say about this movie, and it was really more of a distraction than a bad thing, was Ethan Hawke’s voice. His voice seemed unnaturally deep compared to my experience with him in his previous roles, a thought which was echoed by many of my fellow critics in the theater. Overall, though, the movie was fantastic. With two interesting cameos in the movie, and a great little role for James Ransone (Inside Man, The Next Three Days), a relative known, and stellar acting from Ethan Hawke, this is a definite must see. Especially for date night, if you’re significant other is into scary movies that is.
David McK (3770 KP) rated Batman, Volume 3: Death of the Family in Books
Jan 30, 2019
With a title that references the famous Batman story 'A Death in the family' (in which the Joker bumps off Robin - or, at least, one of the characters to hold that mantle), this is third volume in 'The New 52' series of Batman comics (after [b:Batman, Volume 1: The Court of Owls|13223349|Batman, Volume 1 The Court of Owls|Scott Snyder|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1342307351s/13223349.jpg|18412501] and [b:Batman, Volume 2: The City of Owls|15752115|Batman, Volume 2 The City of Owls|Scott Snyder|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1342309403s/15752115.jpg|21446852]), and sees the return of who is commonly considered to be ol' Bat's arch-nemesis: that of the Joker.
And, boy, is the clown prince of crime scary in this.
With more in common, perhaps, to Heath Ledgers portrayal of that character in 'The Dark Knight' than to Cesar Romero's (Batman '66 TV series) or even Jack Nicholson (the 1989 Batman movie), this version is pretty much just a pure agent of chaos, and a formidable (and scary) foe indeed - this is definitely not a read for the kiddies, say.
Taking in a couple of plot-strands from other New 52 titles (including The Joker, Nightwing, Batgirl and Detective Comics, amongst others) this version of the Joker is out to re-create his early crimes; out to (effectively) 'reset' tgime back to when it was just Batman and him duking it out.
And, boy, is the clown prince of crime scary in this.
With more in common, perhaps, to Heath Ledgers portrayal of that character in 'The Dark Knight' than to Cesar Romero's (Batman '66 TV series) or even Jack Nicholson (the 1989 Batman movie), this version is pretty much just a pure agent of chaos, and a formidable (and scary) foe indeed - this is definitely not a read for the kiddies, say.
Taking in a couple of plot-strands from other New 52 titles (including The Joker, Nightwing, Batgirl and Detective Comics, amongst others) this version of the Joker is out to re-create his early crimes; out to (effectively) 'reset' tgime back to when it was just Batman and him duking it out.
Mysteries of the Past: Shadow of the Deamon
Games
App
Scary locations, beautiful visual style & interactive hidden-objects mechanics. "Looks incredible!"...
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Rings (2017) in Movies
Oct 29, 2017
Unnecessary
Did we really need another Ring film? And the answer is probably not. The first film wasn t great, the second one I couldn't even finish and I'm afraid the third doesn't fare much better.
Completely agree with Dean, this isn't a horror film it's more of a thriller. It isn't scary in the slightest and is entirely predictable. Johnny Galecki really should just stick with the Big Bang Theory and I'm highly surprised Vincent D'Onofrio was in this. Personally I just think was very disappointing, I was expecting so much more in the way of scares and creeps. The only good thing was getting more of a back story on Samara.
Completely agree with Dean, this isn't a horror film it's more of a thriller. It isn't scary in the slightest and is entirely predictable. Johnny Galecki really should just stick with the Big Bang Theory and I'm highly surprised Vincent D'Onofrio was in this. Personally I just think was very disappointing, I was expecting so much more in the way of scares and creeps. The only good thing was getting more of a back story on Samara.
Dean (6927 KP) rated Jigsaw (2017) in Movies
Oct 30, 2017
Some good twists (2 more)
Good death trap design
Popular cast
I want to play a game
A decent entry to the franchise after a long break from the last film. I like that it centres on one group of people doing several rounds of the "games" rather than lots of individuals. I wouldn't say it was scary but Saw has always been more about the gore and there is enough to keep fans happy. Those playing detective will have plenty of twists and red herrings to keep them entertained as well. Along with a familiar cast from various TV shows, the pieces come together to make a Saw film that's better than many of the later entries. Perfect for Halloween.
Dean (6927 KP) rated Quarantine (2008) in Movies
Jan 7, 2018
Decent Western remake for a change
A really great horror film, made apparently just months after the Spanish original @REC (2007) . What I don't understand is so many people saying this is not as good? It's almost the same film scene for scene, but with a different cast and set in LA. The only changes from the original are a few more attacks and the origin of the virus was changed slightly. The only real problem if you have seen the original first is you know what is coming and when viewing second time round it's not so scary. Otherwise almost a carbon copy of the original but in English. Watch out for Rec2!
Dean (6927 KP) rated Rec 2 (2009) in Movies
Jan 8, 2018
A good follow up film to Rec, which was re-made months after release as Quarantine. This continues right after the events of the first film, on the same night. In many ways it's more of the same, but a little less scary second time round. The fact you're following a swat team as well diminished the scare factor a bit as well. A couple of plot lines didn't quite make sense, other wise it's very entertaining if you liked the first one. It does also explain the nature of the virus, that was only mentioned briefly in the first film. A good sequel for a change, go and see it!
Story times!
Lore narrated by Aaron Mahnke is awesome. With a book series, an Amazon video series and this podcast Aaron has a voice that adds an extra creep factor to the scary stories based in true life he tells. At times, I get goosebumps listening to the history and folklore surrounding places and things of the past. A must hear episode is episode 15: Unboxed. The story of Robert the Doll, who inspired the Chucky series and his original owner of the same name, is one of the creepiest. This story of inspired me to drag three other unknowing adults through a museum in Key West. Be sure no pictures exist of this venture.
Hannah (27 KP) rated The Silence of the Lambs (1991) in Movies
Jun 6, 2017
Great acting (2 more)
Creepy, but not too scary
Entertaining
Creepy but amazing!!
This is one of my favourite films, if not just because of the amazing acting of Anthony Hopkins!! He plays Lecter so believably, it's incredible!! He genuinely seems very creepy, and it lends the film much more entertainment value. Foster is ok in the film, but I've never been a massive fan of hers anyway. I do love the character she plays though, so that makes up for it!
This is a weird, creepy, on-the-edge film that, even though it can be slow at times, is very entertaining to watch. Would definitely recommend this, its a great film!!
This is a weird, creepy, on-the-edge film that, even though it can be slow at times, is very entertaining to watch. Would definitely recommend this, its a great film!!
Verner Latskin (74 KP) rated Suicide Squad (2016) in Movies
Jul 20, 2017
A Complete Waste
No movie with a concept and set up like this should be boring. But it was/is. Incomprehensible and dumb I can deal with and still have a good time, But this was impossible to care about enough to even properly hate. I give it two stars just for how committed Margot Robbie is to a character that shouldn't be remotely likable (she is a psychopath murderess, after all, who is in love with the least charming or scary version of the joker ever conceived) and for Will Smith being Will Smith again.