After.Life (2009)

The film "After.Life" is a bit of a head scratcher; it's meant to be a psychological thriller but the only one that seems to be psychologically thrilled is Christina Ricci's character. The film had an interesting concept but the production and the script fail to full take advantage of it. The story is murky and full of moments that make you feel stupid for the the actors on the screen. As I continued watching, I kept hoping for some clear explanation as to why Christina's character was so challenged and what motive Liam Neeson's character had, but alas, the answers were vague at best. I'm confused as to why Neeson took this role and I've even more confused as to why Christina's acting chops have gone down the hill over the past 15 years??

Anna is a middle school teacher who is having an rough patch in her relationship with her boyfriend Paul. It's clear that they don't listen to each other and it feels like they really should break up. One day, Anna goes to the funeral of her old piano teacher, where she meets the owner of the funeral home, Mr. Eliot Deacon. Later that night she meets Paul at a fancy restaurant where things quickly go to hell when he says that he's moving to another city; she assumes he's breaking up with her and leaves when his real intention was to ask her to marry him. As she drives away full of rage during a heavy rain storm, she ends up in an accident on the freeway. When she wakes up, she finds herself in the prep room of the funeral parlor, unable to move. She sees Eliot standing above her, preparing her for her funeral which is to be held in a few days. He tells her that she's dead and continues to do so when she tries to insist that she is very much alive. The truth (?) is that he's sedating her (often) and is making it seem that she is dead. She's too weak and her mind it too boggled to escape, and every time she tries, she fails horribly. Justin tries to find out the truth but his efforts are just as wasted as Anna's. It's only when it's too late that Anna realizes that she is indeed still alive....

The Haunting (1999)

Like many movies, there are some which seem like a good idea while in production but once they are completed and seen, the entire project looks and feels horrible any way you try top spin it, and the 1999 remake of "The Haunting" is a perfect example of this. This is one terrible movie! The script is horendous and boring, and the over use of CGI for every little effect numbs and belittles any possiblity of this film being an effective ghost story. The casting choices were poorly made as well; Lilly Taylor is clearly not strong enough of a performer to carry the burden as the main character, both Catherine Zeta Jones and Owen Wilson belong in either comedic or dramatic roles, and Liam Neeson does the best he can with what the script gives him. And you know something is wrong when there are so many repeated shots in between scenes showing the outside of the mansion where the story takes place in; this was done purely as a filler and to lengthen the film. Please see the original or read the book that this story is inspired by if you are moved to.


Eleanor is a meek woman who has spent the last eleven years caring for her unhealthy mother. After her mother passes away, she develops a serve case of insomnia and answers an ad in a paper for a study to find a cure. In reality, Dr. David Marrow has selected three test subjects to study the psychological effects of fear. The three test subjects and the Dr. are locked inside an old manor called Hill House. Eleanor believes that she is seeing ghosts and is learning the true nature and history of the house while the others come to believe that she's going crazy. Only when the house begins to turn on them do they realize that Eleanor is right and that she is a direct descendant of the original owners....

They're all so young!