I have to admit - sometimes I just want to watch a movie that is exactly what it is supposed to be. In the horror genre, this can be hard at times. Sometimes they try to make it into so much more. I have only seen the first SAW movie, and to be honest I don't really remember it. I do know that I enjoyed it but I don't remember many of the details.
During the Halloween season I dvr'd quite a few movies, and some of them I started to watch and actually turned off. So, when I decided to watch Saw: The Final Chapter I wasn't sure what to expect. But, I have to admit, I LOVED this movie. Is there some extremely involved plot? No. But, I don't always want that in a horror movie - sometimes all I'm looking for is suspense and gore, which this movie delivers in spades.
Reminiscent of Seven, Jigsaw seems to mainly target individuals who he feels aren't good citizens, and the main target in this installment is a man claiming to have been a previous victim of Jigsaw - someone who has survived this monsters torment. In fact, he is just someone looking for some attention, and to make money off of the best seller he penned. Needless to say, he has to go through his own puzzle, trying to save those he hold closest to his heart.
I certainly need to watch this entire series, as these movies are right up my alley. What about you, have you watched them? If so, what are your thoughts?
The Shining is a 1980 British-American psychological horror film produced and directed by Stanley Kubrick, co-written with novelist Diane Johnson, and starring Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd, and Scatman Crothers. The film is based on Stephen King's 1977 novel of the same name, though there are significant changes.
In the film, Jack Torrance, a writer and recovering alcoholic, takes a job as an off-season caretaker at the isolated Overlook Hotel. His young son possesses psychic abilities and is able to see things from the past and future, such as the ghosts who inhabit the hotel. Soon after settling in, the family is trapped in the hotel by a snowstorm, and Jack gradually becomes influenced by a supernatural presence, descends into madness, and ultimately attempts to murder his wife and son.
Unlike previous Kubrick films, which developed an audience gradually by building on word-of-mouth, The Shining was released as a mass-market film, opening at first in just two cities on Memorial Day, then nationwide a month later. Although initial response to the film was mixed, later critical assessment was more favorable and it is now listed among the greatest horror movies, while some have viewed it as one of the greatest films of all time. Film director Martin Scorsese, writing in The Daily Beast, ranked it as one of the 11 scariest horror movies of all time. Film critics, film students, and Kubrick's producer Jan Harlan, have remarked on the enormous influence the film has had on popular culture.
The initial European release of The Shining was 25 minutes shorter than the American version, achieved by removing most of the scenes taking place outside the environs of the hotel.
My Review
I can't remember how long it has been since I have read The Shining - now that Doctor Sleep is written it is certainly time for a re-read so I can brush up on the details of the book. I have seen the movie many, many times. Now that my girls are older, they really love watching scary movies. The Shining was on last night so we decided to watch it (I can quote many of the lines, that is how many times I have seen it).
Let me start out by saying that Jack Nicholson is one of my favorite actors, just like Stephen King is one of my favorite (if not my favorite) authors. So, while writing this review I do struggle just a little. I think it is a good thing I haven't read the book in quite some time, that way I can review the movie on its merits, and not on the shortfalls it may have compared to the book (from what I remember, there are many).
Jack Nicholson in the role of Jack Torrence is truly brilliant. You know from the beginning of the movie that something is 'off' with him, and as the movie progresses that is more and more evident. An alcoholic writer, Jack takes the only job available to him at the time, the caretaker/overseer of The Overlook hotel. He will oversee the upkeep over the winter months with his wife and young son, Danny. But, Danny has 'The Shining', a power that allows him to see things in the future and also to communicate without speaking. He sees terrifying images of the hotel and does not want to go. Once the snow falls the family will essentially be trapped in the hotel for the duration of the season, not leaving until April.
When they arrive they become acclimated, and Danny meets Dick Halloran, the chef and someone to also has 'The Shining'. He explains to Danny what it is, and that they are not alone. Danny is afraid of the hotel, but Dick reassures him, telling him that everything will be ok. Jack takes up writing, and Wendy and Danny fall into a routine of their own. But, things start happening...terrible things. And Jack is at the helm.
The descent into craziness that Jack Torrence portrays is absolutely frightening. When he talks with Danny in his room (when Danny goes to get a toy and Jack is supposed to be napping) the look on Jack's face when Danny answers says it all...along with the conversation they have. And, let's be honest, with one of the most recognizable scenes, even those that haven't seen the movie know this scene:
I would highly recommend this movie if you are looking for something to give you the creeps, if not downright scare you. Nicholson's acting is truly the star and he does a fabulous job. Have you seen it? What do you think? Do you think Shelly Duvall did ok, or do you think she didn't portray Wendy like she should have? What about the hotel, do you think it gave off an aura of its own? I'd love to know!
Ok, so, I watched this one...or most of it today. You know what I said about the first one? Well, this one was really pretty awful. We know the premise, every 23 years for 23 days the Creeper gets to feed. When he targets a broken down bus (after snatching a young boy from his farm) the story begins. But, let me tell you. There is not really much plot, and I didn't care for the creeper. He didn't even look real to me half the time. Well, he's not real, but you know what I mean, lol!
Sorry I wasted my time watching this, even though I was working in between. Didn't matter, I didn't miss anything anyway. Time to find a good horror/suspense movie to remind me why I love watching them in the first place. Have you watched Jeepers Creepers/Jeepers Creepers 2? Is so, what are your thoughts? And, do you have a favorite scary movie? If so, please share!
I have been a fan of horror movies for as long as I can remember. But, in the past 5 years or so , it seems like I don't have time to watch much tv at all, and that includes movies. So, I have not had the opportunity to see Jeepers Creepers until today. Hard to believe, isn't it?
So, here are my thoughts. It wasn't good. Not awful, but not good either. I will watch the 2nd one, because I'm a sucker for bad movies, and of course I want to see what happens...like what could it possibly be? Lol!
I didn't hate the Creeper - I actually looked up the person who played him and he is kind of a nice looking guy. But, it would have been better if he was kept in the shadows just a little bit more. The makeup job wasn't terrible, but he was spookier when you didn't really see what he looked like.
Acting? Well, this is a B movie, that's for sure. Not great acting, but I come to expect that in a lot of horror movies. The plot was where I had the issue. When they decide to go back to the tunnel by the church where they see him dump the wrapped body, that's where they started to lose me. And it just continued from there.
So, if you are looking for a movie that isn't terrible, isn't great, but will keep you watching in between doing other things, this is one for you.
