Skip to main content

Come Play - Take My Hand....

I'm a Horror freak as most of you know which basically means I ingest as much of the genre as I can. Most of you also know that as much as I love the genre, I believe that most horror movies in the 2000's are just garbage. There are exceptions to the rule of course, but for the most part the people these days making these movies are relying solely on jump scares to frighten their audience and have almost completely neglected a good, creepy story. This is the exception.

Based around a young Autistic boy Oliver, this movie gets into the creepy factor almost immediately. This movie is one of the few newer movies that takes the time needed to build a decent story, to use technology we see everyday in a valid and harmonistic way and that uses tropes that are generally not seen in the genre.

By using a children's story book, this movie taps into some primitive protective consciousness making the events that happen frightening without really trying to. The imagery is generally dark and Erie and for once in a new horror flick, there wasn't a tremendous amount of gore. Gore when it's called for is great, but gore just to have it is sloppy film making. Saw is a great example of a film franchise that fell into the trap of being more about the gore and less and less about the story. 

There were specific shots that, although aren't unique ideas, come off as a unique take which was refreshing to say the least. 

Although very predictable as most horror movies are, the generalist clichés were almost missing, again, a fresh take for a change. Yes, there was jump scares but most were not exactly when you expected them.

The plot was very basic and simplistic, but it worked for the film. I felt that some of the story moved along faster then I would have liked. Like the movie had only 1.5 hours and had to cram everything in, which is kinda a shame. I would have liked to get some more back story on the demon haunting the family. I'd love there to be an accompanying book of lore behind the demon that is only referred to as Larry. 

For a new horror movie, I liked it, and I don't say that about many films now-a-days (OMG I'm so old). Yes, it could have been better, every movie can be better. George Lucas said, "Movies are never finished, they are just abandoned", so with that said, see this any way you are able. I regret having not seen this in the theatres now.

Overall score: 7 out of 10 stars

Pros:
- Story was well written.
- Well adapted from the short story.
- A fresh take on creepy scenes.

Cons:
- Missed opportunity on the book or app not actually existing.
- Predictable storyline.
- The story felt rushed at times.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Bagman (2024): A Surprising Slow Burn That Defies Expectations

Going into The Bagman , I was fully prepared to sit through a low-budget gorefest, packed with cheap jump scares and predictable plotlines. But to my surprise, what I got was something much more refined—a slow-burn suspense thriller that outshines many bigger-budget projects. The film uses its time wisely, building tension and setting up a compelling atmosphere, while steering clear of the typical pitfalls that drag many horror flicks down. Image by IMDb Slow and Steady Wins the Race This movie doesn’t rush. It takes its time to develop the story, but does so in a way that keeps you mildly hooked. It’s one of those rare films where the slower pacing actually benefits the narrative, allowing each element to breathe and come into focus. You won’t find rapid-fire scares here, but rather a creeping sense of unease that makes you wonder what’s lurking in the shadows. The way The Bagman sets up its "rules"—through a twisted fairy tale—was pure brilliance. By tapping into something...
Post a Comment
Read more

Girl in the Basement: A Disturbing Story That’s Hard to Shake Off

Girl in the Basement is a film that might easily be overlooked as just another made-for-TV movie, but that would be a mistake. It’s actually a surprisingly well-crafted and emotionally gripping film, especially considering its television origins. Image by Senscritique A Heartbreaking, True Story The story at the heart of Girl in the Basement is absolutely heartbreaking. We’ve all seen movies that claim to be "Based on real events," but this one is different. It doesn’t take liberties with the truth for the sake of drama. In fact, it tones down the horrific reality of the true story it’s based on, which is almost unheard of. After researching the actual events, it’s clear why the filmmakers made this choice—it would have been too much to bear otherwise.  Image by Heavy.com Genuine Suspense and Engagement It’s been a long time since a film had me so actively engaged in the moment. The suspense in Girl in the Basement is palpable. From the first moment, I found myself anxious...
Post a Comment
Read more

Twisters: Cash-Grab Remake or Refreshing Standalone?

I went into Twisters expecting yet another cash-grab remake, but I was pleasantly surprised by what I found. The trailers might have suggested this film was just another addition to the franchise, but it turned out to be a lot more than that. Image by DVD Release Dates Twisters feels like a movie that could have stood on its own, independent of the franchise. However, like most movies today, it was anchored by a known brand for "visibility." I'm sure this is a marketing decision, but it highlights an industry trend where every new release is tagged as part of an existing series. The only real connections to the original Twister are the tornadoes (obviously) and the machine, Dorothy, designed to capture measurements from within the storm. Interestingly, the film could have completely ditched Dorothy, and it wouldn't have mattered. It was not a central focus of this story. Character-Driven Drama: More Than Just Storm Chasers Much like the original Twister , this film...
Post a Comment
Read more