| Overall Grade: |
A- |
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| Story: |
A |
|
|
| Acting: |
B |
|
|
| Direction: |
A+ |
|
|
| Visuals: |
A+ |
|
|
A different take on horro
by Jesse (movies profile)
Oct 10, 2009
661
of
791 people found this review helpful
Ok. I felt like it was important someone write the review I am writing now.
Many, most of the F reviews I've come across (I believe there were some 20 ish on yahoo) were from people who criticized this movie for mostly two reasons. Either they thought the idea was stupid, a home video-camera catching a haunting in action, they don't believe in ghosts, something that equates to that, or they said it was a low-budget POS that anyone could make with a home video camera, something equatable to the Blair Witch Project.
So, with all of that being said. I ask you two questions. Do you think that the idea of a home video camera catching ghosts is cool? Do you enjoy documentary-esque movies like the Blair Witch Project?
My biggest problem is that many of the people who are writing the bad reviews knew, going into the film, they wouldn't like it.
If you don't like movies like this, don't want to see a movie that only cost $11,000 to make, or don't believe in ghosts and can't take it seriously, or at least enjoy it as it's supposed to be enjoyed, then don't go watch the movie. You won't like it.
If, however, you enjoy different takes on ideas, enjoyed the Blair Witch Project, and are able to see the beauty in making a film with a low budget that focuses more on what your imagination can come up with than actually showing you monsters, then you will enjoy it.
With that being said, is it a little slow? Yes. It is a little slow, but I enjoyed the slow parts. Had they cut the movie so it was just night after night of spooky sounds, things moving on their own, etc, etc, it would have been incredibly dull. But getting to know (at least somewhat) the characters, seeing the tension between the two main characters, watching them slowly break down as they get less and less sleep as it progresses I think all added to the movie.
The special effects were, of course, lower-grade, but good none-the-less. Yes, in response to the reviews that they could all be done on a MAC, they could all be done on a MAC. They were all computerized, of course. So are all of the special effects in Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, The Exorcist, etc. etc. Of course it's computerized fake effects. If this stuff actually had happened and had been captured on film they wouldn't be releasing it like this.
Was the acting a little sub-par? Maybe a little, note it is the lowest graded thing on my review. The characters were a little one-sided, with little depth. I don't really think this detracted from the films value, but they probably could have done a little more and added to it.
Not too much to be said about the direction. It was primarily one of the characters holding the camera, or it being set up in their bedroom. Some good effects and such added in, but it was a pretty simple idea.
I think that you will enjoy this movie more if you have ever had any kind of paranormal experience yourself. Be it something you believe to have been a ghost, a demon, or if you subscribe to the idea that many of the unexplained phenomena in the world can be explained scientifically, they just haven't yet, that personal experience will really help you relate to the characters.
If you enjoy watching shows like Ghost Hunters, or Most Haunted (unless you're like me and watch Most Haunted to make fun of everyone on it and laugh) you will likely enjoy this film as it is almost like a fictionalized long term investigation.
You won't like the movie if the idea of ghosts or demons offends you, if you do not believe in ghosts and can't set that aside to enjoy a story, or if you don't like low-budget films. If you fall into one of those categories, do us all a favor and save your money, and your review time, you won't enjoy it, you'll get on here and write a negative review bashing the film, and will push others who might have otherwise enjoyed it away.
Yes, I'm long-winded, but I do hope this review was helpful. |
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