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Black Mass (2015)
Black Mass (2015)
2015 | Drama
The Departed it isn't
When it's a gangster film set in Boston, it's always going to get compared to The Departed. The problem with Black Mass is it's very similar to The Departed, but sadly not in quality.

The acting and cast are great, there is some fantastic casting in this although it's Johnny Depp that I'm not too sure on. He seems to be a little over the top and his physical transformation is very creepy and disconcerting. The true story is very interesting, but it sometimes comes across as dull and I do have questions over how true some of this. The film is lacking in humour too and they would've done better to try and liven it up somehow. Whilst I appreciate it's a true story, I do feel it's a little lacking. Not one I'd go out of my way to watch again.
  
The House with a Clock in Its Walls (2018)
The House with a Clock in Its Walls (2018)
2018 | Fantasy, Horror, Mystery
I had no expectations going into this film. The only thing I knew about it was that it was based off of a book that was originally illustrated by Edward Gorey.
It's strange that Jack Black has found his niche in making kids movies. I thought he was great as the eccentric uncle, and Cate Blanchett was a good counterbalance. Their banter was enough to keep me entertain most of the film.
Yes, the story line is very predictable, and you would think it's because there have been so many films like it before, but since the book was written in the 1970s, I'm assuming all of the other films were originally riffing off this story.
The costumes and visuals were great, and I liked the creepy vibe. Eli Roth did a pretty good job keeping it PG. It wasn't great, but I didn't hate my life while watching it.
  
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Dianne Robbins (1738 KP) created a post

Jan 1, 2019  
Ok, who has seen The Strangers 2: Prey at Night? The first one was very unsettling and scared me to death. I don't always need a happy ending. Have you ever seen the Dutch version of The Vanishing? So different than the Americanized one.

I'm trying to decide if I want to watch Strangers 2.

Pros: I like Christina Hendricks.
It looks creepy.
Strangers still haunts me and makes me check under beds and in closets before going to sleep.

Cons: It's a sequel. It is as good, nearly as good, or better than the first?
It takes place in a trailer park?
Christina Hendricks screams a lot. Does it get annoying?
The lighting seems darker than the first movie and I don't want it to be so dark that I can only hear and not see the action on the screen. Is it too dark to follow well?
     
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Sarah (7800 KP) Jan 1, 2019

I liked the first one too for the same reasons but sadly the sequel didn’t live up to expectations. It’s not creepy, just bloody and gory. I didn’t think it was too dark & I don’t think Christina Hendricks was annoying. This is my review:
https://smashbomb.com/content/perma?id=501304

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Dianne Robbins (1738 KP) Jan 1, 2019

Thanks, Sarah. I appreciate your opinion on this. I'll put it on my movie to watch (eventually) list instead of my gotta see it list.

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Night Reader Reviews (683 KP) rated Bendy and the Ink Machine in Video Games

Jan 28, 2020 (Updated Jan 28, 2020)  
Bendy and the Ink Machine
Bendy and the Ink Machine
2017 | Action/Adventure, Puzzle & Cards, Strategy
Amazing game
Ok, I have never played this game myself but I have watched it being played. I know that's not quite the same thing but I'll take what I can get. Anyway, not flat out scary but definitely creepy enough to keep even big gamers interested. It has a strong plot with unexpected twists all over the place. Once the game is over there are still so many theories as to what happened because the developers did such an awesome job of layering on just enough facts to get people thinking.
The artwork reminds me of Betty Boop meets Steam Boat Willie (not sure is I should know those references but hey I grew up with oldies lol). Even the music and the way the characters move look like an older cartoon. Can't say anything about the controls but I still find myself in love with this game.
  
The House That Jack Built (2018)
The House That Jack Built (2018)
2018 | Horror, Thriller
My first experience of a Lars Von Trier film and I certainly have mixed feelings. The film is undoubtedly technically well put together and Matt Dillon makes for a creepy and convincing serial killer (the kill scenes are very graphic and unsettling). Despite being 2.5 hours long for the most part the film actually managed to hold my interest in part due to Von Trier’s unique visuals and the numerous WTF? moments. Unfortunately there is little in the way of actual plot and the film tries to be some big profound work about seeing art in death but ultimately just comes off being pretentious .The final half hour in particular is completely baffling leading to an unsatisfactory ending. I also don’t know what would possess talented actresses like Uma Thurman to agree to appear in this solely as one dimensional victims either. Not a film I can see me watching again.
  
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Austin Garrick recommended House (1986) in Movies (curated)

 
House (1986)
House (1986)
1986 | Comedy, Horror

"Seeing House for the first time is probably my fondest film-watching experience of the past couple of years. I’m drawn to the idea of creative purity, something House emanates in a way no other horror film I’ve ever seen does. That’s if you can even call it a horror film (the director himself doesn’t). Obayashi found his own moviemaking solution to Picasso’s lifelong goal of creating like a child: sourcing ideas for the script from his ten-year-old daughter. The result is a heartful, imaginative, creepy, weird, and wonderful dream come to life. It’s sort of like John Hughes, Miyazaki, Evil Dead 2–era Sam Raimi, and bizarre 1970s children’s TV rolled into one. The score in its more sincere moments is also incredible. I’m still in the totally infatuated honeymoon stage with this one, recommending it to people any chance I get."

Source
  
Forest of The Damned
Forest of The Damned
Lee Mountford | 2019 | Horror
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Sleep with the light on
Just when I thought it couldn't get any better, Lee Mountford goes and does it again. Mountford knows exactly how to build an atmosphere of terror, so much so I am pretty sure I am now terrified of woodlands and I certainly slept with the lights on.

Although this is not the first of the books I have consumed by this author, he certainly had me captivated by Forest of the Damned, and I most certainly did not see that ending coming.

Forest of the Damned is a must read, for those that enjoy the horror genre. It is a well written page turner, that I was unable to put down. From the creepy forest setting, the choice of characters some of which I was glad to see the demise of and the intense shock factor. I would definitely recommend.