Pseudo Horror Comedy: This is the End

This is the End:  2011: +++: CMDY:  Ok, so this isn't a horror movie exactly, but it does have a lot of killing and a demon, as well as a possession scene.  It was however, very funny, and I was actually a little surprised by it.

The sheer amount of cameos in this movie is impressive, from Rihanna to Emma Watson, Aziz Anzari (very annoying BTW), Mindy Kalin (barely tolerable), and Kevin Hart, this movie will definitely make you laugh in a big way. 

Some of the effects were a little cheesy, but they weren't supposed to take center stage anyway.  The scene at the beginning with the apocalypse wasn't horrendous, but the lights coming from the sky and ceilings were.  Again, this doesn't take away much from the scope of the movie which was seeing the actors in their real light.

It's funny how the actors "rag" on each other and make fun of their acting styles.  This makes the movie enjoyable and since new actors keep coming into the mix, it stays fresh and doesn't drag on too much.  I especially liked the part when Christopher Minsz Plase "whatever his damn name is" gets blow all over his face.  That was great!  He's such a dork, wow, I can't believe it.  The Michael Cera parts were classic, so funny!  

I also liked when Rihanna was slapped in the ass, when the actors fall into the hole, when they find the leftover food and go through the inventory and finally when Jonah Hill get's possessed.  There was also a nod to Rosemarie's Baby, 20 bucks to the first person who can actually tell me the part.  Really, I will Pay Pal it to you!  Also, the scene where they drop E and when Danny comes in and cooks most of their food is hilarious.  All of his parts are great in this movie. 

Other than that, it had some other hilarious parts and I bought this movie so I'm going to no doubt watch it a few times.  Was it better than Pineapple Express?  Yes, it was different, but in some ways kind of like a sequel without using the same premise.  Think Conjuring and Insidious.  To me Pineapple Express was too long.  No way was it better than Superbad, but it was pretty close.  Actually, closer than I thought it would be.  Watch it again if you've seen it and if you haven't rent it::::89%

PS:  The Emma Watson parts were hilarious.  Another great part in the movie was when she comes back with the axe.  Really, get off the couch and see this movie!

Horror/ Romance Movie Faceoff

       VS.   

The romance horror movie genre is an interesting one because it deals with dark topics, but also gives the viewer a taste of drama and sometimes a deep love story.  Let's see which one of these two movies gets the nod..

Don't Let the Wrong One In:2008: -+:HRR/ ROM:  What surprised me about this movie was that it was hard to decide right away what was going on.  There was a twist in the movie, but you didn't have to wait until the end to see it.  I of course, won't give it away, but the setting, the mood, and the way in which it was filmed created a dark, brooding, and melancholy effect which created a great backdrop for the twist.

Since this is a Swedish movie, I didn't recognize many of the actors but they did a great job.  Especially the two lead roles, Kare Hedebrant and Lina Leandersson.  This was directed by Tomas Alfredson who took the 2004 novel into new heights. 

The love story is given a lot of power by the violence and horror elements and it makes the love more drastic.  Stand out scenes are when the girl kills the first victim in the tunnel, which the father gets the blood from the victim and when the boy gives the girl the Rubik's cube. 

Really an outstanding movie and worth a watch if you can find it.::::86%


Last Kind Words: 2012: -+: HRR/ ROM:  What I really liked about this movie was the twist, but what I didn't like was the male lead role.  He was very poorly cast and his acting range was extremely limited.  Although I did get "used" to it, it was only because the lead female role played by Alexia Fast was really good. 

This also had the actor that was in the Exorcist III, Brad Douriff and he did a great job of lending some darkness to the cast.  Spencer Daniels was, as mentioned, very flat in this role.  

There were some really violent scenes in this movie, especially when the girl turns into her true form and when she is being chased.  The scares really came from suspenseful elements rather than gratuitous violence and gore and that worked in this film.  The twist was pretty good and made for an above average ending which makes this movie passable.  Overall though, the two actors were not congruent enough to be able to compare to Let the Right One In.  ::::72%

Jennifer Lawrence stars in The House at the End of the Street

House at the End of the Street:  2012: -+: HRR:  Jennifer Lawrence performed well in this movie and she kept me somewhat interested.  This is a psychological, horror, murder-mystery (enough descriptors?) that delivers a good scare/ anticipation, but has times where the viewer is confused for too long.  I agree that there should be a great buildup to the twist, but at times, the writing and direction just contradict themselves because the character motivations don’t correspond at the same times.

The best way to describe this is that at times the foreshadowing DISPROVES the timeline and development of the plot.  This is a minor, but ultimately, damaging element.  It doesn’t make the movie unwatchable though, so keep reading.

Watch this movie if you are a fan of Jennifer Lawrence who of course starred in the Hunger Games.  Her acting style is understated but has a certain quality to it.  I want to see more.  She looks pretty in this movie, but again, has that look that she has the mumps with her big cheek bones and puffy face.  LOL, just kidding, she’s gorgeous and has some “titillating” parts.  As stated, there is an excellent twist in this movie, but perhaps takes too long to reach the moment of “Gestalt” or eruption.  Until then, it’s a sort of guy meets girl, girl likes guy, mom doesn’t like guy, then..well, I won’t spoil it for you!

Stand out scenes are definitely when the twist is unfolded, when you realize that the girl downstairs is abducted, when Jennifer locks him up downstairs, and when she gets totally ape shit on him.  Not the best movie, but certainly not the worst in terms of thriller/ horror.  Again, it’s a Jennifer Lawrence fan boy movie and at that, it’s a good one.  I’ll admit, I like her so:::81%

This week's horror movie showcase: Grave Encounters

GRAVE ENCOUNTERS: 2011: --: HRR:  Filmed in the mockumentary style, Grave Encounters is extremely entertaining and has some truly original scares.  It’s another “found footage” style movie ala Blair Witch Project, but ropes you in with great development, foreshadowing and build-up.

At points, you actually think that this is a documentary or reality show gone wrong because the actors aren’t well known, which caused Apartment 143 to lose some credibility because you could recognize some of the actors, especially “Spanish” from Old School.  In addition, there are points where it’s just plain creepy and convincing at the same time.  The initial backdrop of the movie helped create a type of believable fantasy.  You know it’s a movie but you still “Trick” yourself into believing it because it’s intriguing.

What I really liked about this movie was that it moved very smoothly and didn’t cause any periods of boredom.  I genuinely was entertained the whole time.  This movie met with some mixed reviews and didn’t light up the box office, but in terms of cult following, it’s very popular.  I blame the mixed results on the fact that there were many others filmed like this, and Blair Witch probably cleaned house.

I will say however, that this movie is in many of the top horror movie lists and that’s because it does scare you.  Not just with the “loud to quiet” segments, or the “look what’s behind this door” parts, it had some great crescendo scares that start out innocuously, then terrify you.  Stand out parts are when the “mentalist” gets hung and then thrown, when the girl is in the corner, when Preston finds the doctors’ den and sees the operation and finally when the hands come out of the ceiling.

Another great part was when they found mental institution bands on their wrists and when they couldn’t get out.  Great movie, watch it with someone you want to get to know better, because there will be parts when you want to hide or close your eyes.  This makes it a great movie to watch with that special someone who “likes horror movies but can’t watch them alone!”:::84%

True Story Terror: The Zodiac

THE ZODIAC:  2007:  ++: HRR/ THR:  Another horror/ thriller hybrid that I reviewed this week, The Zodiac scares you because it is a true story, or inspired by true events.  Not to mention that it's really well directed by David Fincher. Jake Gyllenhall and Robert Downey, Jr. gave excellent performances and set the stage for a very believable and engaging movie.

The way in which it was filmed was interesting because it used what looked like older recorded images of the actual murders, yet put them in context.  The killings in this movie were pretty hard to watch, especially when the two love birds get shot at point blank range. 

The treatment of the mystery surrounding the true Zodiac killer of the late 1960 and early 1970s was subtle, yet got the point across.  I also enjoyed how the murders literally turned Jake Gyllenhall into a basket case. 

This movie also starred Elias Koteas, see my review of The Prophecy, and aMark Ruffalo, who always seems to play the same character who is wise, but act's like he is not.  It works in this movie very well though.  Stand out performances were definitely Robert Downey Jr, who played the cynical newspaper writer with ease.  All of the murders were grizzly and I especially enjoyed when they started connecting the dots to find the Zodiac.

If you haven't seen it, definitely rent it.  If you have, see if again, it might surprise you::::84%

Flashback Horror Movie: The Prophecy

THE PROPHECY:  1995: ++:HRR:/THR  THE PROPHECY  drew my attention because it has Christopher Walken in it as well as other notable actors like Elias Koteas, Virginia Madsen and Vigo Mortensson.  Definitely a sleeper movie, it's a refreshing movie although some of the effects will seem dated by today's standards.  The first fight especially will set the stage because there is little to no CGI.  It's all real gore gore gore..

Not exactly a horror movie, it's more of a thriller with horror movie elements in it.  It does provide some interesting story-line with the advent of the war of the angels against the humans, but it was long.  At some points, the story just dragged on.  This isn't a horrific thing however, since you are watching entertaining actors.

It is still a movie worth watching simple because it's not well known and overall delivered.  It greated an intriguing atmosphere juxtaposed with excellent actors and an above average plot.  The writing and direction were top notch.

Christopher Walken is his usual condescending, yet amusing persona and plays the most memorable character.  He is not usually one to be upstaged, is he?  His scenes where he burned the corpse in the morgue, coerced his human minion to do his bidding, and the last fight scene were memorable because the action crescendos. 

There was also enough mythology and description of the battle between the angels, good and evil, for humanity that it made you want to see what happens in the end.  It's worth a watch if you're a Christopher Walken fan::::82%

Horror Weekly Showcase: Apartment 143:

APARTMENT 143: 2012:-+: HRR:  This is an interesting take on Paranormal Activity, directed by Carles Toreens, a Spanish director.  Some might argue that it's actually better than many of the sequels.  Is it better than the original Paranormal?  I'm not 100% sure, but it's up there. 

Borrowing from the "Found Footage" & "Documentary Style" horror movie motif, this movie tries to do what Paranormal & The Devil Within did simultaneously; a difficult task to say the least.   It was also somewhat successful, which is praiseworthy since those two films did VERY well both critically and with the audiences that paid money to see them.  It didn't make a lot of money though, but it has a following, which is sometimes more important. 

The scenery was convincing enough and there weren't as many "cheap" scares as you see in some of the other horror movies.  The music was a non factor at times, but that's what they are going for in these "reality" movies.  The music just works as a sort of "special effect".  It worked very well here. 

This movie did it's earnest to scare you and didn't throw in any comedic elements, except for the starting role of "Spanish" from Old School.  It's a frightening movie.  Maybe I've been watching too many horror movies in a row, but this one freaked me out!

The way in which the movie was filmed, with it's out of focus shots, and rhythmic repetition  was excellent and it really made you think that you were there.  This is extremely important in this genre of horror movie. 

The actors, except for Spanish, were not easily recognizable which gave the movie ALOT of credibility.  The main "ghostbuster" as I like to call them in these "Documentary" flicks, (see Insidious and Sinister)  was convincing enough and gave the mythology you need to understand the backdrop and get into why it's scary.  The blond girl, was pretty good as well.

Fiona Glascott as "Ellen" really steals the show and is convincing enough to scare the heck out of you.  I guarantee if you watch this alone, open the windows and light a candle, you WILL be freaked out.  Try it.  I won't even give any Stand out Scenes.  Find them yourself!:  88%

Weekly Horror Showcase: Insidious

INSIDIOUS:  2011 -+:HRR:  Insidious is a great, eye catching horror movie with some interesting mythology.  I especially liked the bit about "Astral Projection" which made for an excellent twist at the end.  God, the psychic in this movie was annoying, and I believe she was the landlord from..a Woody Harrelson movie..Kingpin I think?.  I can't remember it..hey why don't you respond with a comment! 

The scenes in this movie were visceral and extremely surprising, especially when they move to the newer house.  The scene when she is chasing the one apparition and he appears in the closet was heart-stopping!  I also liked when the one lady was just dancing in the living room.  The main demon looks just like Darth Maul, but whatever, that's a minor gripe.  He was pretty cool, especially when he walks on the wall.  The music, wow, it was a big selling point in this movie.  It was absolutely terrifying, and many times actually created many of the scares itself.  Well done!

James Wan did an excellent job directing this movie written by Leigh Whannell and overall, it delivers.  Were the ghostbuster people annoying?, yes, but I guess it did need some comedic elements.  I wished that the medium would have died, that's my only other request.  Patrick Wilson was pretty good, and Rose Byrne was also good.  This movie has some ties to Paranormal Activity.

Stand out scenes are the part when the kid comes out of the closet, when the son gets possessed and beats on the dad, when the dad goes into the Further, and when they are running back into the home.  I also liked the part when the one ghostbuster sees the ghosts.  Very much like The Shining.

This movie is all over the place on top horror lists.  It's an example that movies these days can be pretty good, and not lost in the usual over rated crap.  Guess what, there's a sequel coming out so get off your butt and rent this.  It's not on Netflix, but it's pretty easy to get..:::enjoy this scary one and of course, watch it alone and with ALL the lights off!::::93%

 

 

 

Movies Part III: Horror, Gore, & Blood!

There are in my opinion, three types of horror movies:

1.  The serious ones, like The Exorcist, The Possession, The Ring, etc. that are not supposed to be anything but eerie and scare the living hell out of you.  They are not supposed to be funny. 

2. Then there are the semi-serious/ gore fests such as the Friday the 14th, Nightmare on Elm Streets, The Cabin in the Woods and Child's Play.  They deal with deaths, killers and other horror elements but they are so formulaic and feature so much gratuitous violence that they are satires of themselves.  Plus, some offer more than 10 sequels and aren't meant to be taken completely seriously.  They are on occasion good, but many are cheesy!

3.  Then there are movies that are completely supposed to be humorous and display horror but are meant to be funny like Evil Dead II with Sam Raimi and Scary Movie 1-4

This part will rate the serious, supernatural ones.  They are in no order. 


SINISTER:  2012: +-:HRR:  This is a very scary movie, period.  It's extremely creepy and not at all campy or tongue in cheek, which is great.  Someone, "cared about this movie".  It has the mythology ala the "Child Eater" and is completely believable, as much as a fictional horror movie can be.  I don't care that this movie isn't based on a true story, it's much scarier than those that are..

Let's get down to business.  The music was extremely low key, but absolutely terrifying with use of backward sampling, grainy effects and repetition.  It was there, but wasn't obnoxious.  The special effects flowed naturally.  Yes, it is kind of a "haunted house" movie, but you forget about this with the splendid writing and foreshadowing (probably some of the best in the last DECADE). 

I loved this movie and watched it twice, back to back, just because it intrigued me and I liked being part of the development.  It makes you feel like you are there.

From the beginning, you know what you are in for. I relished the home movies, with their "super 8" quality and the music during those sequences.  The back plot was fascinating and stand out scenes are when "Mr. Boogie" popped up for the first time and when the people were dragged into the pool.  All the "home movie" scenes had a "home made" movie/ psycho appeal that was as disturbing as it was addictive. 

If you are alone and watch this movie, good luck going to sleep.  Ethan Hawke and Scott Derrickson impressed.  93%

THE DEVIL INSIDE:  2012: --: HRR:  This movie actually surprised me and I've watched it a few times and still love it.  It puts a different spin on the "based on true events" title because instead of just saying it's "true", it details that the Catholic Church didn't endorse the movie, or support the claims.  It makes you think that there was an actual case in this movie.  And apparently there is.  I might just look up the "Rossi" files.

This really gives you a lot of background on exorcisms and treats it like a science.  It dissects it, classifies it, differentiates it from mental illness, and overall draws you into it's "documentary" style.  The female role played by Fernanda Andrade was surprisingly good and she has a good future, but she is not an "actress", she's really in this, or so they say....  I enjoyed her performance and liked it better during the end.

The way it was filmed made you believe it's real and because of that. this movie gets rated in the high 80s.  The only reason I won't put it into a 90 is that it was drawing on too many other movies.  This is a very crowded section of the horror movie genre and it just wasn't different enough to garner higher ratings.  I will say however, that the possession scene in the basement is ingrained in my memory and caused some sleepless nights.  Nice Work!

Were the possession scenes scary?  Hells yes!  They were excellent and very believable.  The music wasn't a focal point in the movie because it wasn't meant to distract you.  The two priests were played well, but at points they seemed like they were acting.  The stand out parts are when the daughter meets up with the mom in the asylum, the supposed class on Exorcism, the exorcism in the basement (really scary) and then of course the last possession scene.  The ending was excellent as well!  This movie did well in the first week and then fizzled.  Why?  I guess because it was very scary and people didn't want to watch it.  I liked it::::89%
 

PARANORMAL ACTIVITY: 2007: --:HRR:  The first of the Paranormals, this movie hits on ALL CYLINDERS.  It was great and I was scared, until I realize that "based on a true story" is...well, never mind.  Produced with "Found Footage" this movie has the distinction of being the most "profitable" movie of all time.  How many times can I use "" in this rating?  I don't know but let's "see"..

The female role was extremely annoying, but perhaps that was the point.  Equally matched by her husband, a "stock broker" in CA that likes to "record everything", she made you want to see her get possessed, killed, or whatever.  Going back to the husband, he was a "video" hobbyist...you know the type, the one that you want to body slam after he won't put away his camera. 

The movie did make you feel like you were "interacting" with the movie and not just watching it.  OK, that was 7 quotes already.  It was recent enough so that these movies weren't played out yet and since it was the first Paranormal, you believed it.  Heck, some people still believe it.  I watched it with some friends and they were literally scared $3itless.

This movie earned $194 Million worldwide and the rumor is that it was purchased for about 400K.  Not a bad return on investment right?  Oren Peli did a great job in this flick and it will scare you.  It has it's cheesy parts and yes there is a Ouji board in it but it all builds up rather nicely, without much delay and truly feels like a great horror show ride. 

The way the husband sees the wife on the swings was very spooky and the scene going up to the attic was tangibly scary.  I also liked it when they came home and everything was in disarray.  The ending was excellent and overall, this movie gets high marks.  This is the best and only Paranormal I will recommend:::91% 

PULSE: 2001:F-+:HRR:  After I watched this movie I had to do a double take to see if The Ring & The Grudge copied this movie since it was so good.  Not only did it capture the eerie quality that a scary Japanese movie can capture, it was also highly philosophical and entertaining to watch.  Plus it had some really creepy, "stay under your skin" parts.

I've been watching horror movies for about 2 weeks straight now.  No break, just horror movies.  The only respite I get are from the Zombie movies like Night of the Living Dead and The Dead Walking.  I have to say that after watching all the Exorcist  movies, this one started to creep me out.  I'm watching it again mind you, but only because I think the actors did a great job and I want to pay a little more attention to it.  Kiyoshi Kurosawa stuns you in this movie and granted, he is a great director.  After some inspection, it might have "borrowed" from some movies like the Ring but it puts an interesting spin on it.  Ringu  was written in 1998 and the only reason I say it borrows is..well you watch it!

I want to speak about the stand out scenes while they are still fresh.  The initial scene with the ghost was great and the hanging.  I loved the scene with the female ghost sneaking up, which was very much like Ju On, which was also like The Ring.  I guess borrowing is cool in Japan?  Well, I guess all directors do that, but this was a little embarrassing.  Anyway, it was creative and still pretty cool.  I also loved the time period it was in, because it depicted the "birth" of the Internet.  The lead actress was compelling and good looking, but only after a few glances:::86%

SESSION 9:  2006: -+: HRR:  Subscribing to the "less is more" school of thought, this movie didn't insult your intelligence with gore, gratuitous violence, or demonic possessions.  It tackled real mental illness issues and therefore is one of those movies that "could have happened!" Session 9 is an excellent movie!

This is another movie that stuck with me because it was creepy and made you fear what you didn't see.  It made you use your imagination and made you scare yourself, the best type of scare. 

Brad Anderson did a great job on this film and it stars David Caruso, who is the only familiar face, hence the -+ rating.  It teased you, tortured you and tantalized you in many ways!  Great work on this film, I really enjoyed it.  Was it sufficiently scary, YES it was.  This movie finds itself on many top horror movie lists and desirably so.

The ending was awesome and had a great twist.  I want to watch this movie again.  Stand out scenes were when the recordings were being played and slowly let you understand the background, the flashback scenes of the sanatorium, the scene where the actor was huddled in the corner rocking, and of course the ending when all hell breaks loose.::::92%

VOICES;  2007:--:HRR:  I had some high expectations for his movie, and it had some interesting sections, but overall it didn't make much sense.  There was plenty of killing and blood, but the killing scenes weren't even that interesting.  Usually, it just involved characters walking up to the main lead, declaring that they want to kill her, and trying to do so in a very obvious and ridiculous way::56%


THE DESCENT: 2005: --: HRR:  This movie is very original and yet simple enough to understand and access right away.  The pacing was excellent and the characters were developed DURING the movie and not for 1 hour before the action starts.  The music was very subtle yet effective and lent to the mood of suspense. 

The characters are not well known, but perhaps they are British since it's a horror movie by Neil Marshall.  Juno (Natalie Mendoza) was one of my favorite characters because you just want to hate her and her cavalier attitude.  Jessica, played by Molly Kayll, was very surprising and put on a hell of a show.  The way that the movie unravels is great and the biggest fear you get are not from the predictable soft parts to loud parts (man I hate those) but later in the movie as it develops.

The way that the movie is completely believable and then, well, becomes something entirely different is fascinating and really inspiring.  I loved the part when Juno kills the first crawler by throwing the pickax and I also loved the part when the whole swarm is coming toward her and Jessica.  Great stuff! 

The special effects were superb and the darkness in the movie wasn't overbearing but added to the whole experience.  I wasn't bored at all during this movie and the brutality of the killings by the crawlers was really excellent.  Now the ending, which is different in the extended, US version.  It is very confusing, but I loved when the spirit scares you!  That was well done!  I guess they were trying to end it in a troubling way..they succeeded.  Notwithstanding a questionable ending, this is a movie that finds itself on many lists of the best of the best, and I know why::91%


HELLRAISER: 1987:  -+:  HRR:  Is pinhead the "man in the box?"  Pretty much, literally.  The fact that this movie was pre-CGI makes it special.  It was already a serious cult classic and watching it again, you know why.  Sure the costumes are dated, as are the hair styles, and the music (not horribly though) but his movie is excellent. 

It is original, extremely gory, and above all else, consistent.  It doesn't hold any punches and has some pretty cool mythology.  The special effects are well, they made the magazine Fangoria have a fan base.  Absolutely revolting and convincing, visceral, yet anatomical.  This movie created the baseline by which every special effect artist made his way in the world.

Stand out scenes are when the killer starts to get his skin back by ordering the wife to kill, when he seduces her, when the girl first opens the box, and when the woman, the wife of the father of the main actress, starts bringing people back.  When they actually kiss, it's a special scene for every goth lover out there. 

The scenes in hell are some of the most original of any movie.  I've seen them all so they kind of blend but I suggest watching them and the first 3 sequels.  These will be dissected further in the horror sequel section coming soon.  A classic..that gave birth to many, many sequels.  91%


CANDYMAN: 1992: --:  HRR:  I'm proud to remember this movie because it was based on a short story written by Clive Barker and the music was by Philip Glass.  Need I say more?  Yes, I will.  The actors were predominately unknown but that adds to this movies' very dark atmosphere.  Do you need to watch this movie, YES!  This is definitively a movie that you should watch and it's not very well known.  Impress your movie buff friends with this one, it's a cult classic without the cult following. 

Well, there are two other sequels, but this is the one with the teeth.  The build up, the mythology, the gore, the music, it all adds up to a truly nerve wracking affair that will leave you asking, should I look in the mirror?

Stand out scenes were when the main actress found the secret hideout, the scenes when she found out about the true nature of Candyman, and overall, the killing scenes.  This movie was seriously creepy.  Don't believe me?  WATCH IT>>>

I saw this awhile ago, and only once, and since then I have been trying to find it again.  Awesome movie with serious dramatic elements:  87%, but if I watched it again, probably 93%

 

 

 THE WARD: 2007: --: HRR: The Ward  gets an impressive mark because it's by Larry Carpenter, period.  AND he shows that he still has it.  A very surprising movie, it deals with a familiar premise, but has enough charm to make it worth while to watch.  You might want to call it the "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" with hot, 20 something year old girls and it wouldn't be a horrible comparison.  At least not until you get the twist, which is pretty good and I'm not going to give it away lol!

Not a well-known flick, it's something that you only watch on a whim, but it's worth it.  It's not on any list or any website, but that's a good thing.  It gives it a "gem" like quality and well deserved.  Challenge your so called film buffs that only rely on top 10 horror movie lists or whatever.  Usually these are just what's on Netflix.  This one you will have to seek to find. 

I don't want to give too much away on this movie, because it's the unraveling that makes it so great.  If I had known what was going to happen, i.e. if someone spoiled it for me, I wouldn't have gotten it and I would have probably been very unhappy.  Watch it:::89%

 

THE SHRINE:  2011: -+:  HRR:  The Shrine is an entertaining movie with an interesting twist at the end and some of the best possession scenes out right now.  A bit of trivia, the lead actress in this, Cindy Sampson, was also in Candyman.  At first this movie seems like a predictable movie with some average story telling but that's the point.  Director Jon Knautz is trying to trick you.

The lead male role, Aaron Ashmore is extremely annoying and I wonder if he grew a beard just to not look pre-pubescent.  I rolled my eyes about 10 times every time he tried to do something heroic.  Anyway, there are definitely some great parts to this and the story telling as discussed is tricky but satisfying at the end. 

I loved the torture scene, as well as the scene with the statue, and of course the last possession scene.  It really had me fooled.  The music was also very strong at parts and lent to the entire movie's creepiness and dramatic conclusion.  Honestly, I would have rated better if it weren't for the lead role.  He was just that inept in my eyes::::84%