The Gallows (2015) #436

"The Gallows" was a highly advertised 2015 POV horror film distributed by Blumhouse Productions. It's a decent film with an clever premise that fails to deliver the scares that the commercials promised. I appreciate the setting (a high school at night), how the film avoids using CGI, and the minimal cast, but I feel that the film would have been more successful as a regular movie than being filmed in a POV format. For some reason, I feel that the advertising campaign was similar to that of "My Bloody Valentine 3D", and if it had been presented in the same style, this film would have worked. Having four teens with video cameras running around a locked up high school from a mysterious killer with only one method of killing loses it's appeal and believability rather quickly; if only they had a valid reason to keep recording while running for their lives like the characters in "The Blair Witch Project"!

While I like the direction that the story takes, the characters themselves are cliched and underdeveloped. The other detail I noticed while watching the credits was the fact that most of the cast share the same first names as their character; Reese Mishler as Reese Houser, Pfeifer Brown as Pfeifer Ross, Ryan Shoos who played Ryan Shoos (???), and Price T Morgan as Price. This was either extremely lazy script writing or a clever way to include the actors as they helped create the story. A few of the actors do feel like they are giving their all in their performances regardless of the strength of the dialogue in the script.

The pacing of the movie is solid, giving the viewer ample time to see the set up of the plot, be introduced to the characters and learn about their basic motives, and move on to the point of the movie. The ending has a twist that I was not expecting but one that works. Overall, my review of "The Gallows" is a mixed; it was fun to watch but it could have been so much more.

10 Cloverfield Lane (2016) #435

"10 Cloverfield Lane" is a taunt thriller that may or may not take place in the same realm as "Cloverfield". It's a detail that's not too important because this film could have had been given any title, but if the two films are related, then the mysteries about the two films continue to grow and adding great potential for future stories in the franchise. The main difference between the two films in how they were filmed; "Cloverfield" was shot in the first perspective, POV, style while "10 Cloverfield Lane" is filmed in the traditional style, making this fim easier to watch for those who don't like the shakey-cam technique.

The movie, at the surface, is about three individuals who are locked in an underground bomb shelter after some questionable events happen in the nearby area. The story is carried by the talents of the minimal cast, showcasing John Goodman ("C.H.U.D") in a wonderfully creepy role as Howard, Mary Elizabeth Winstead ("Final Destination 3") as Michelle, and John Gallagher Jr ("Hush") as Emmett. The chemistry between these three actors is intense and perfect, striking a chord when Howard's paranoia gets worked up or when Michelle tries to escape.

The movie pacing could be considered a slow burn, at times moving along at a pace that makes you want to scream at the screen to hurry up and get to the point. When the point is made, the tension leading up to it makes perfect sense. There are enough twists and suspenseful moments in the film to make up for the lack of direct action that takes place in its predesessor. 

Like many others, "10 Cloverfield Lane" wasn't what I expecting but I really enjoyed it and I'm excited to see what comes next in this creative franchise.

Honeymoon (2014) #434

"Honeymoon" is the kind of horror film that grabs your attention and never lets go. This is one of the best horror films I've seen in a while. What makes this movie so great is the way that it introduces you to the two main characters in the beginning, giving you just enough information to feel like you know what kind of people they are without going overboard and boring you with useless details. Then the location changes to where the bulk of the movie takes place, introduces the other characters, and rolls ahead at a perfect pace to the moment when the perfect honeymoon takes a jarring and abrupt turn to the unknown. The chemistry between Rose Leslie and Harry Treadaway is perfect as they come across completely believable as a young newly wed couple, and when things start taking a turn for the worse, you feel so much horror and concern for them. Even though you can see where the story is going and how it might possibly end, the journey there is still one hell of a ride.

"Honeymoon" is the story about Bea and Paul, two newlyweds who embark on their honeymoon at a nice rural cottage on a lake, right before the summer begins. Everything is perfect for the two love birds until they run into and old friend of Bea's at the local restaurant, where they met Annie and Will, both who are acting a little odd. Thinking nothing of it, Bea and Paul return to their cottage to continue their vacation. That night, Paul wakes to find Bea missing; he finds her wandering around in the forest confused and disoriented. He brings her home where she promises him that she's fine, but Paul soon discovers that Bea is far from being fine....