| Author | Message | ||
     Huw (Huw) Username: Huw Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 218.168.179.239 |
Lucius Shepard just posted a long piece reviewing a few new horror films over on his message board, and his description of, and enthusiasm for, one of them, a little film called PARANORMAL ACTIVITY (directed by Oren Peli) made me want to post about it here. Anyone seen it or heard about it? Apparently Neil Marshall's new film DOOMSDAY - his follow-up to the enjoyable DOG SOLDIERS and THE DESCENT - is bad beyond belief. It certainly sounds cringe-worthingly terrible the way Shepard describes it. Here's a link to the article, in case anyone's interested:http://nightshadebooks.com/discus/messages/32/9300.html?1205943122 Night Shade Message Boards: Good movies x-1 | ||
| Tom_alaerts (Tom_alaerts) Username: Tom_alaerts Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 81.244.134.129 |
I will see Doomsday next week sunday at the brussels fantasy film festival. I read rather good things about it, I expect it to be an unpretentious but fun homage to Mad Max 2, with some 28 days later thrown in. And, next friday I will see "The oxford murders", which sounds like an inspector Morse mystery, but this one is filmed for the big screen by wacky spanish director Alex Del Iglesia (he who started off with the fun "el dia del bestia") I will keep you up to date on my opinion of these... | ||
| Lincoln_brown (Lincoln_brown) Username: Lincoln_brown Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 121.219.154.97 |
Watched the preview for 'Doomsday' and couldn't believe how bad it looks. 'Paranormal Activity' and 'Signal' both sound interesting. Here's a trailer for 'Paranormal...', looks very good. http://paranormalactivity-movie.com/patrailer.html | ||
| Zed (Gary_mc) Username: Gary_mc Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 81.96.240.83 |
Maybe it's just me, but I think "Doomsday" sounds bloody great.  | ||
| Jonathan (Jonathan) Username: Jonathan Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 91.143.178.131 |
I can't beleive that Doomsday is made by the same guy who did The Descent. What a hackneyed load of shit it looks. Have you seen the trailer? Good grief! Sorry, but were the three Mad Max films never made? | ||
| Huw (Huw) Username: Huw Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 61.216.33.53 |
I haven't seen it yet, and after seeing the trailer I'm not sure I'll bother - it really does look like the worst kind of unimaginative drivel. | ||
| Richard_gavin (Richard_gavin) Username: Richard_gavin Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 65.92.52.126 |
Paranormal Activity looks like the kind of horror film I will relish, i.e. one that doesn't potray supernatural occurrences as cartoonish CGI-fests. They seem to be going more for "realism" (if such a term can be applied to a haunting), which I find far more frightening than an F/X crew trying to wow me with pyrotechnics. | ||
| Weber_gregston (Weber_gregston) Username: Weber_gregston Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 83.98.9.4 |
Good grief! Sorry, but were the three Mad Max films never made? What's with Pirates of the Carribean? Good grief, did Treasure Island never happen? What's with Halloween? Good grief, did Black Christmas never happen? What's with the House on Nazareth Hill? Good grief, did the Shining never happen? | ||
| Weber_gregston (Weber_gregston) Username: Weber_gregston Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 83.98.9.4 |
That's how to make a point with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer in the nads. | ||
| Huw (Huw) Username: Huw Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 61.216.33.53 |
Yeah, but Weber, all those films/books that you listed above (HALLOWEEN, etc.) were good, and did something to build on the type of thing that could be seen as influences. They had intelligence and imagination. I haven't seen DOOMSDAY yet, so this is on the strength of the trailer and the reviews I've read, but it looks like it is just throwing ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK, 28 DAYS LATER and MAD MAX 2 into a blender and releasing the resulting mess as a film. | ||
| Weber_gregston (Weber_gregston) Username: Weber_gregston Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 83.98.9.4 |
So not only is the criticism bad (This is using an idea I've seen before) it's not even based on your own experience of the film? | ||
| Weber_gregston (Weber_gregston) Username: Weber_gregston Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 83.98.9.4 |
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| Huw (Huw) Username: Huw Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 61.216.38.43 |
"So not only is the criticism bad (This is using an idea I've seen before) it's not even based on your own experience of the film?" Sorry Weber, I'm not entirely sure what you mean. If by 'criticism' you were referring to your post above that matches certain films with earlier films that had a similar theme, then the answer is no, I don't think you're necessarily wrong, in so far as you're correct that these ideas have already been explored before (I'm assuming that's what you were trying to say). However, I do think that, as I mentioned earlier, there is a difference between producing something with intelligence and imagination that builds on a theme that has been used before, and simply ripping off ideas and scenarios wholesale from other films without adding anything that is new or imaginative. That was my point, and what I think separates a creative homage from a dull, hackneyed clone. As I've smade clear several times now, I haven't yet seen DOOMSDAY - my criticism is based on what I've read from sources I trust and from the trailer. If the film turns out to be better (and frankly, it can't really be worse) than the trailer suggests, I'll be happy to revise my opinion. | ||
| Zed (Gary_mc) Username: Gary_mc Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 81.96.240.83 |
>>it looks like it is just throwing ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK, 28 DAYS LATER and MAD MAX 2 into a blender and releasing the resulting mess as a film.<< And there's something wrong with this? Sounds like popcorn heaven to me... I'm just not on the same wavelength as you lot, am I?  | ||
| Huw (Huw) Username: Huw Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 218.168.184.33 |
Zed, if it's done well I have no problem with that, but it doesn't look to be that way to me, unfortunately. Just making a hodgepodge of scenes from other films isn't going to cut it if there's little intelligence or creative spark on display... | ||
| Zed (Gary_mc) Username: Gary_mc Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 81.96.240.83 |
Yeah, but this is the director of "Dog Soldiers" and "The Descent", two of the best genre films of the last few years. based on his films so far, I can't wait to see "Doomsday", and the minute I start basing my viewing habits on a tralier is the day I hang up my (admitedly shoddy) credentials as a film fan. How many great trailers have we seen for films which are, quite frankly, shite? How many dull trailers have we seen for films that end up being great? Trailers are a seperate art form, and in my experience rarely have anything to do with the film they're attempting to promote. So there.  | ||
| Zed (Gary_mc) Username: Gary_mc Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 81.96.240.83 |
I've just watched the trailer again, and it still excites me. But I'm the man who dreams about directing "Mad Max 4: Bastard Son of Max".  | ||
| Huw (Huw) Username: Huw Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 218.168.197.36 |
Well, we'll have to wait until we've both seen the film, I guess. I bet you a virtual pint of beer of your choice that it's a load of shite, though! You're right about trailers not necessarily being indicative of a film's quality, but I really don't have a good feeling about DOOMSDAY, despite my admiration for Neil Marshall and my liking for his previous two movies (especially DOG SOLDIERS). Are you going to see the remake of DAY OF THE DEAD, Gary? Now that is one heinous looking mess of a film (on the strength of the trailer) and a travesty of the original.  | ||
| Zed (Gary_mc) Username: Gary_mc Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 81.96.240.83 |
"Day of the Dead" is one of my favourite films of all time (in any genre), so I have no desire at all to see an "action" remake. A travesty indeed! | ||
| John_l_probert (John_l_probert) Username: John_l_probert Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 90.203.130.215 |
Well I'm off to see THE ORPHANAGE this weekend. Zed: if you make MAD MAX 4 can I write the music? I love action movie scores & Brian May's no longer with us (the Australian film composer as opposed to that poodle-haired chap) | ||
| Griff (Griff) Username: Griff Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 195.93.21.100 |
THE ORPHANAGE bad form after events in Jersey? | ||
| Zed (Gary_mc) Username: Gary_mc Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 81.96.240.83 |
Mad Max 4: Bastard Son Written and directed by Gary McMahon Music by John Probert and Gary Cole-Wilkin Starring: Eric Bana as "Son of Max", Max Von Sydow as "Velum", Emil Minty as "the Feral man", Judy Davis as "Sister Chaos", Bruce Spence as "Gyro", Crispin Glover as "Buggage", Tracy Walter as "Mr. Blister", and Marilyn Manson as "Gravy". Tagline: When the road to ruin leads to a palace of pain, only one man can follow in your tracks. | ||
| Ramsey Campbell (Ramsey) Username: Ramsey Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 195.93.21.100 |
"THE ORPHANAGE bad form after events in Jersey?" In what way? The film was made before the news. | ||
| Hubert (Hubert) Username: Hubert Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 78.21.189.60 |
I saw THE ORPHANAGE ten days ago and really liked it. My only qualm is that once you've seen the trailer you pretty much know everything you need to know about the film's plot. Definitely recommended. | ||
| Griff (Griff) Username: Griff Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 195.93.21.100 |
You're right, Ramsey. | ||
| Huw (Huw) Username: Huw Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 61.216.33.241 |
I went to see THE ORPHANAGE yesterday, and on the whole I really liked it. I was confused about a couple of things, but that was probably due to me being a bit woozy (I'm fighting off the flu and a throat infection at the moment) and the fact that the film was in Spanish with Chinese subtitiles (I can read them, but the speed with which some of them came and went meant that I may have missed something important). Like THE NAMELESS and DARKNESS before it, this was another well-made, creepy Spanish horror film. It wasn't exactly original, to be sure - there are moments which bring to mind many other horror films, such as POLTERGEIST, THE OTHERS, and THE CHANGELING, to name a few - but it was handled with such intelligence and craftsmanship that it didn't really matter to me in the end how original it was. There was a real sense of brooding horror in many of the scenes which took place in the titular building itself, as well as a couple that took place outside the orphanage. A couple of scenes set inside a cave on the beach near the orphanage were very effective, and another scene that was set on a busy city road provided probably the biggest 'shock'-style scare in the film (even if this kind of scene has become a bit of a cliche by now). One of my favourite scenes involved a live, videotaped seance held in the orphanage. It was nerve-wracking, to say the least. In the end the film was almost as poignant as it was frightening, not an easy combination to pull off well, I think. I won't spoil it by going into details, but THE ORPHANAGE was a good, solid haunted house movie, the best of its type in some years, in my opinion. | ||
| Lincoln_brown (Lincoln_brown) Username: Lincoln_brown Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 124.181.233.186 |
Sounds good, Huw. Is the film 'Darkness' the English language film, with (I think) Anna Paquin? | ||
| Huw (Huw) Username: Huw Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 61.216.33.241 |
That's the one, Lincoln! I thought DARKNESS had its moments, but overall I think THE ORPHANAGE was better. | ||
| Huw (Huw) Username: Huw Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 61.216.33.241 |
Lord P, I'd be interested to hear what you think of THE ORPHANAGE. When I arrived at the theatre yesterday I was spoilt for choice - it ended up as a toss-up between THE ORPHANAGE, THE EYE (remake), MUOI (a Korean horror film) and a couple of Thai horror films (THE BODY and TRAIN OF THE DEAD), but I went with THE ORPHANAGE in the end, partly due to timing and partly because it looked like the best of the group. I'm just hoping I have time now to see the others before they finish (and THE MIST opens here next week!). | ||
| Lincoln_brown (Lincoln_brown) Username: Lincoln_brown Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 124.181.233.186 |
**Slight Spoiler,**Have only seen some of 'Darkness' - my wife was watching it on a night when I had to do a night-job. One scene, in particular, was creepy - when one of the characters looks into an 'empty', dark room. As he/she(?) turns away, we see the outline of a group of children, sitting on the furniture. | ||
| Lincoln_brown (Lincoln_brown) Username: Lincoln_brown Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 124.180.148.167 |
not 'outline', should be silhouette! | ||
| Tony (Tony) Username: Tony Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 213.122.108.107 |
Do people still like The Orphanage? It's not hung about in my memory.  Or Doomsday? Or Paranormal Activity? Of the three the last is the one I'd watch again, just about, even though it's probably technically the weakest. And I'm sure I only saw it last year. Is this really three years ago? | ||
| Zed (Gary_mc) Username: Gary_mc Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 81.96.253.77 |
I still like both The Orphanage and Doomsday very much...I never liked Paranormal Activity. | ||
| Kate (Kathleen) Username: Kathleen Registered: 09-2009 Posted From: 86.137.108.144 |
We just watched The Orphanage again a week ago and I still think it's one of the best films of its kind. An absolutely perfect film (not to mention ghost story in general). | ||
| Hubert (Hubert) Username: Hubert Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 178.118.79.219 |
Paranormal Activity is rubbish imho. | ||
| Craig (Craig) Username: Craig Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 99.126.164.88 |
Oddly, you're right, Tony, THE ORPHANAGE didn't stay in my mind despite how much I indeed liked it. Whereas, THE ORPHAN, did stay, despite my misgivings. Go figure. | ||
| Tony (Tony) Username: Tony Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 213.122.108.107 |
Hubert - it IS rubbish. But I would watch it again. I think Orphan had more 'heart' as they say, and was more effectively directed. Orphanage really got a lot of shots completely wrong. You don't show the POV of the ghost, or monster. The suspense just goes completely. | ||
| Weber (Weber_gregston) Username: Weber_gregston Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 194.176.105.56 |
"You don't show the POV of the ghost, or monster. The suspense just goes completely" I'm sure John Carpenter would disagree with you (Halloween etc) or Spielberg (Jaws etc)and loads more | ||
| Tony (Tony) Username: Tony Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 213.122.108.107 |
Oh, maybe it was just the film. I just remember the woman being walked up to by the ghost and all the suspense being broken. But I was sadly not struck by this film. Had a weird Mechant Ivory feel of politeness I can't explain. | ||
| Protodroid (Protodroid) Username: Protodroid Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 147.252.230.148 |
I agree, that shot was poor. The Orphanage had a lot of Hollywood habits, which did it no good at all. | ||
| John Forth (John) Username: John Registered: 05-2008 Posted From: 82.24.1.217 |
I had the pleasure of seeing THE ORPHANAGE with in an art-house cinema with an audience clearly not used to scary movies. Their groans of terror rather made the film for me. I did enjoy it a lot, though, with the exception of the late-period Spielberg final shot. DOOMSDAY was massive fun - a fantastic love letter to early 80s post-apocalyptic action movies. PARANORMAL ACTIVITY was just okay. A couple of tense moments, but just not enough going on to sustain interest over its running time. |