The Women In Black Review

The women in black review. A traveling man discovers that a ghost is terrifying a small village.

Director James Watkins

Writer Susan Hill

Cast

Daniel Radcliffe, Arthur Kipps
Misha Handley, Joseph Kipps
Jessica Raine, Nanny
Roger Allam, Mr. Bentley
Ciaran Hinds, Daily
Shaun Dooley, Fisher
Mary Stockley, Mrs. Fisher
Alexia Osborne, Victoria Hardy
Indira Ainger, Little Girl on Train
Andy Robb, Doctor
Lucy May Barker, Nursemaid

Alliance Films, Hammer Film Productions - Running time 95 minutes.

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Arthur is a young lawyer who is sent to investigate the legal documents of a house, who's owner Mrs Drablow recently died. During his research he discovered a dark truth about how a past resident and her son died. One night while conducting his work alone in the house, Arthur soon comes to the realization that the house is haunted.

Right from the beginning I enjoyed the feel of this movie, it's very atmospheric and suspenseful and I was immersed from the start. The small village looks good and it provides a good feel of isolation which all helps with the tension building.

Daniel Radcliffe provides a nice believable performance, at times it was hard to look past the Harry Potter character for which we know and love Daniel Radcliffe. It was always going to be difficult for Daniel to take on a new character because of Harry Potter, but despite this disadvantage he does a great job as Arthur Kipps. Daily (Ciaran Hinds) is also one of my favorite characters providing a good performance.

I found The Women in Black a scary experience, providing some well timed shock tactics and uniquely creepy moments, this makes a nice change from all the first person perspective horror films we have had in recent years. The Women in black gives us something new despite it being just a basic haunted house movie at the heart.

Overall I found it an enjoyable scary experience. There are many mixed reviews floating about, however if you enjoyed films such as Paranormal Activity and Insidious I think you'll enjoy this.

7 out of 10

The Shining Review

The Shining Review, a very atmospheric and creepy movie staring Jack Nicholson.

Director Stanley Kubrick

Writer Stephen King

Cast

Jack Nicholson - Jack Torrance
Shelley Duvall - Wendy Torrance
Danny Lloyd - Danny Torrance
Scatman Crothers - Dick Hallorann
Barry Nelson - Stuart Ullman
Philip Stone - Delbert Grady
Joe Turkel - Lloyd the bartender
Anne Jackson - Doctor
Tony Burton - Larry Durkin

Warner Bros Pictures, Running time 142 minutes.

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A father and this family go to a isolated hotel in the heart of winter, the hotel has a dark past and contains dark spirits that start to influence Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson). Jack slowly starts to become insane. While Jack is losing his mind their son develops a psychic ability called the shining that allows him to see spirits, and even be possessed by one.

Right from the start this movie is captivating, it has a unique atmosphere and mood which gets more intense as the film progresses. The very creepy atmosphere is enhanced by the great camera work, which includes the use of long shots which very effectively creates a sense of isolation. The creepy music is also very effective at setting the mood. As the movie progresses it creates a real sense of tension and panic in the last half an hour, plus it has one of the best ever endings to a film.

Jack Nicholson is fantastic in this movie and plays the role perfectly, It's hard to imagine anyone else doing a better job. Jack Nicholson is also very funny in his role which adds to his brilliant performance.


I am sure when this film was released it was terrifying, however I only watched The Shining relatively recently. While I can't say I was terrified watching this, I do find it an incredibly creepy experience and it certainly deserves a high rating.

8 out of 10

The Purge Review

The Purge Review, for 12 months of every year any crime including murder will go unpunished, all emergency services are suspended.

Director James DeMonaco

Writer James DeMonaco

Cast

Ethan Hawke - James Sandin
Lena Headey - Mary Sandin
Edwin Hodge - Bloody Stranger
Rhys Wakefield - Polite Leader
Max Burkholder - Charlie Sandin
Adelaide Kane - Zoey Sandin

Blumhouse Productions - Running time 85 minutes

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In order to deal with the countries increasing crime rate, the US government stop all emergency services and allows any crime to go unchallenged for a single annual 12 hour period known as The Purge. The purge allows people to unleash their built up anger and frustration, releasing their demons. Also this 12 hours periods helps to eradicate the homeless and the weak.

During the purge a man is being chased and hunted by a murderous gang looking to fore fill their need to purge. The young son of a wealthy family allow the man to seek safety in their house. However the gang are very determined to satisfy their need to purge and they give the family a choice. Give the man back to them or become victims of the purge themselves.

While the whole idea is farfetched, it's a good one and I like it, it has much potential. It's definitely a nice refreshing change to have a relatively original idea like this. Unfortunately the movie is partly ruined by the stupidity of the characters.

It has been awhile since I was so badly irritated by a movie, for example the young boy knows the access code to the house security system causing the whole problem in the first place, and then he lets in a complete stranger during the purge. After that moment of insanity we have a whole lot more stupid behavior and things that just make no sense what so ever. It just ruined what could have been a great movie. I felt like the writing was just rushed and sloppy, with a bit more effort this could of been really good.

There were moments that were enjoyable, the concept itself for example. I like the idea of having house defenses and the survival element. Also the concept of having no emergency services or laws is both scary and exciting. I felt it started and ended well, just everything in between was a bit of a mess.

It's still entertaining, it's just a shame it could of been so much better.

6.5 out of 10

The Lost Boys Review

The Lost Boys Review, classic 80s vampire movie starring Kiefer Sutherland.

Director Joel Schumacher

Writer Janice Fischer

Cast

Jason Patric - Michael Emerson
Corey Haim - Sam Emerson
Kiefer Sutherland - David
Corey Feldman - Edgar Frog
Jamison Newlander - Alan Frog
Dianne Wiest - Lucy Emerson
Brooke McCarter - Paul
Jami Gertz - Star
Edward Herrmann - Max
Barnard Hughes - Grandpa

Warner Bros, Running time 97 minutes.

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A mother (Dianne Wiest) and her two sons move to Santa Clara, the older bother Michael (Jason Patric) becomes fascinated with a girl that hangs out with some mysterious bikers. The younger brother Sam (Corey Haim) meets some strange boys that claim to be Vampire hunters.

This film may be getting on in years now but it's still very entertaining, it has a unique style and charm, and there are some very good comical and memorable moments. This movie is behind and has influenced and set the standard for many recent vampire films.

The Lost Boys visuals are great, perfectly capturing the 80s feel and offering nostalgic value, it captures the best elements of the decade very well, glamorizing the 80s. Most of the characters are likable with solid acting and dialog, Kiefer Sutherland is brilliant and dominates all the scenes he is in with his charismatic performance. The story is very simple and easy to follow, because of the charm and feel of the movie it keeps you very immersed and entertained.

The Lost Boys takes on a more comic approach rather than horror and gore, some moments do create tension and uncertainty helped by the unique and slightly creepy atmosphere, which makes this very enjoyable and it's certainly worth a repeat watch or two.

7.5 out of 10

The Conjuring Review

The Conjuring Review, after a family move into a farm house they soon discover that the house is haunted and they seek help from paranomal investigators.

Director James Wan

Writer Chad Hayes - Carey Hayes

Cast

Vera Farmiga - Lorraine Warren
Patrick Wilson - Ed Warren
Lili Taylor - Carolyn Perron
Ron Livingston - Roger Perron
Joey King - Christine
Mackenzie Foy - Cindy
Kyla Deaver - April
Shanley Caswell - Andrea
Hayley McFarland - Nancy

New Line Cinema - Running time 112 minutes

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Shortly after a family move into a new farm house they begin to experience strange and unexplained phenomena, scared and not knowing what to do, they turn to Ed and Lorraine Warren husband and wife paranormal investigators for help. When Ed and Lorraine visit the family at the farm house, it doesn't take them long to realise that this is a genuine case. Ed and Lorraine must gain proof of the haunting before the Vatican will approve an Exorcism to rid the house of the evil forces that haunt the family.

The story may sound familiar, it sounds like something that we have seen before, and as over used as this story is I still love it and I still haven't got bored of it yet. Plus I had been hearing some good things about The Conjuring so it was always going to be on my watch list.

Even though the story is not exactly original, The Conjuring tells the story very well with good pacing and timing, there is enough differences during this movie to give it a fairly unique feel. James Wan has brought his own style to The Conjuring especially noticeable in the cinematography making this feel fresh, or relatively fresh anyway.

The acting is good throughout, especially Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga) and Ed Warren (Patrick Wilson) which are likable characters and they did a great job of capturing and drawing me into the movie and keeping my interest.

So how scary is it? of course this is just my personal opinion, it's definitely scary however I personally didn't find it as terrifying as I was expecting. Perhaps I was expecting too much, there are a few chilling moments and scares but it's not the scariest movie that I have seen in the last few years. I think that crown goes to Insidious.

Overall The Conjuring is a well made horror movie, if you're a fan of the haunted house style movie then this should be on your watch list.

7 out of 10

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2003 Review

Review of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2003 version. Great remake of the 1974 classic?

Director Marcus Nispel

Writer Kim Henkel - Tobe Hooper

Cast

Jessica Biel - Erin Hardesty
Jonathan Tucker - Morgan
Erica Leerhsen - Pepper Harrington
Mike Vogel - Andy
Eric Balfour - Kemper
R. Lee Ermey - Sheriff Charlie Hoyt
Andrew Bryniarski - Thomas Hewitt / Leatherface
David Dorfman - Jedidiah Hewitt
Lauren German - Hitchhiker

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A group of travelling friends get stalked and murdered by a deformed killer. The story starts off with 5 youths passing through Texas, during their journey they come across and pick up a traumatized girl, while in the back seat she pulls out a gun and shoots herself.

Lets start with the cinematography which is very effective creating an effective atmospheric feel, which builds tension nicely during the movie. The killing scenes themselves are very brutal and gory, they're some of the most graphic murder scenes I have witnessed in a movie. So many times I have been disappointed by horror movies, many turn out to be not very gory or even scary, so it's refreshing to watch a movie like this that doesn't hold anything back.

The actors give good believable performances especially Sheriff Charlie (R. Lee Ermey Hoyt) who is brilliant, offering some funny but disturbing comedy. He manages to be charismatic and terrifying at the same time.

Even if you have seen the original, this version tells the same story but in a very different way. This film is well made, it's graphic, gory and creepy. It's one of the best recent horror films and a great remake, some may argue it's better than the original, it's certainly a scarier film. I can highly recommended The Texas Chainsaw Massacre to anyone that enjoys a good gory horror film.

7 out of 10

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning Review

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning Review, set before for the first film, very gory slasher movie.

Director Jonathan Liebesman

Writer Sheldon Turner

Cast

Jordana Brewster - Chrissie
Taylor Handley - Dean A. Hill
Diora Baird - Bailey
Matt Bomer - Eric Hill
R. Lee Ermey - Charlie Hewitt
Marietta Marich - Luda Mae Hewitt
Allison Marich - Young Luda Mae
Leslie Calkins - Sloane
Andrew Bryniarski - Thomas Brown
Lee Tergesen - Holden
Kathy Lamkin - Tea Lady

New Line Cinema, Running time 91 minutes

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On August 7, 1939, after a mother dies giving birth to a deformed child and the baby is disposed of into a dumpster. A homeless woman discovers the baby and takes her to shelter. This deformed child becomes Leatherface.

In 1969 two brothers are going to enlist to fight in Vietnam, traveling through Texas with girlfriends they end up being cased by a biker with a shotgun. during the chase they crash into a cow and lose control of their car, this is when they come across the Sheriff (R. Lee Ermey). Things soon get a whole lot worse for the travelers.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre The Beginning has a very similar feel to the 2003 remake, so if you liked that you'll like this. I think it's fair to say that this film is even more brutal and gory than the first film, they have taken things a step further with this movie making some of the scenes difficult to watch. I found myself turning away from some of the most brutal scenes.

R. Lee Ermey - Charlie Hewitt has a bigger part in this film which is definitely a good thing as he was one of the best things about the 2003 remake. He manages to be even more charismatic and even creepier then he was in the first film which is a great achievement. The rest of cast also provide good performances.

The cinematography is again brilliant, really adding to the atmosphere and tension. Combined with an effective score which really sets the mood and creates a great feel.

Overall this is a well put together movie that will scare and disturb you, if that sounds like your kind of thing then you'll definitely enjoy this.

7 out of 10