Scary Stories (from a Dark Allie)

This was weird, dark, and disturbing, and entirely about family, love, and loss, so of course I liked it. I’m continually impressed with Rory Culkin’s performances, especially after tonight. He didn’t just play Jack here – he was the titular character.

I liked this one about as much as I liked the first one. The camerawork and lighting was a bit better. The characters were almost as unlikable as the first group, but I’m a little more forgiving because they’re a bunch of college kids.

While the concept of this film is reasonably interesting (though not terribly original), it never quite falls into place. Everything feels just a little bit off. It’s watchable, but nothing special.

Okay, a lot of things make more sense the second time around now that I’ve actually seen the first film. Not everything, though. This film left me with about as many unanswered questions as the first. Which is okay – I don’t expect every story to be perfect, especially in horror movies. And for the most part the plot makes sense and there aren’t any obvious holes.

Watching this movie tonight, I realized I’d never seen it before. Which wouldn’t be worth noting except that I’d watched its sequel last year because I thought I’d already seen this one. I probably should have realized this when I didn’t recognize any of the characters or context from the original in the sequel, but nope. It took watching this in its entirety to realize I’d never watched it before.

I liked this movie about as much as I liked the original. Which is to say, I liked it okay.

I forgot that this was another Michael Bay remake until the Platinum Dunes opening logo popped up. And in fact I almost forgot again while I was watching the film, which says something. Right up until the sex scene, which had Michael Bay written all over it.

Aside from that, it’s quite tame compared to some of his other remakes. It stays mostly true to the original film (based on the book, based on the questionably true story) except for a few minor details.

(Spoilers ahead) We’re in the last month of the year, so I feel it’s time to admit something: I’m a sucker for a happy ending.

I liked this one a bit better than the first one. While the events from the first film inform this one, they both tell their own stories and either could stand alone. (Spoilers ahead)

The nights are getting longer and it feels like these movies are too.

Okay that’s not really true. I like this movie. It’s got Ethan Hawke. And a very interesting story.

But I can’t say I’ll be sad to see this year end (and maybe cut back to a movie a week instead of a movie day).

I do recommend this one if you’re into scary movies, though.

I don’t have a lot to say about this movie either. The acting is fine, the location creepy, the music only slightly overbearing…

But it lost me a bit with the ending there. It felt like the important parts of the story were all revealed in a rush in the final three minutes.

Which is weird, because it’s a relatively slow-moving film up until then.

Overall I liked it but it wasn’t too scary and it wasn’t too memorable.

I’m kind of hungry and kind of tired, so this will be short.

While the premise was interesting the story itself fell flat. The performances were fine but the characters empty.

It’s not a bad movie but it’s not very original or anything special.

I know I said I was going to watch another “intruder(s)” movie, but when I saw this was available on Amazon I couldn’t resist. I think Zoe Kazan is adorable and I like this director, so I had high hopes for this film.

And Zoe Kazan doesn’t disappoint. Her performance as the mother was compelling and believable, and the tension between mother and daughter as palpable as their fear of the titular monster. And the girl’s performance was also awesome.

Apparently there are several horror/thriller films called Intruders. I reviewed a different one earlier this year. I’m considering watching another one tomorrow night but haven’t settled yet. I suppose it’s a good sign that watching this film makes me want to watch others with the same name.