Rating : 7/10
Release Date : 2nd August, 2013
Time : 96 minutes
Director : James Wan; Writers : Chad & Carey Hayes; Music : Joseph Bishara
Starring : Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Lili Taylor, Ron Livingston, Shanley Caswell, Hayley McFarland, Joey King, Mackenzie Foy, Kyla Deaver, Shannon Kook, John Brotheron, Sterling Jerins
Infestation. Oppression. Possession.
Horror. Ghosts. Demonic Spirits.
Evil. Malevolent. Satanic.
In 1971, a family comprising Ron, Lili and their five daughters (Shanley, Hayley, Joey, Mackenzie and Kyla) move into their new home. And then things take a nasty turn. A couple, the clairvoyant Vera and the biblical Patrick, specialize in uncovering the truth behind such occurrences. Though this time their daughter, Shannon, may get unfortunately drawn in as well.
The film is tight, so tense that the intermission is huge distraction. Its a tale simply told, without much melodrama, little fuss. There isn’t much time spent building the characters but enough to make us care for them. And the presence of the six children makes sure we are on a knife edge (sorry, couldn’t resist) throughout the movie.
Horror, as a genre, isn’t really my choice of poison. This one doesn't get into slasher mode and works because of its inherent simplicity. It doesn’t try too hard to convince you of what is, why etc, just narrates a story. Its upto us whether to believe or not…Fear, as they say, is a choice we make…
Nice review Apurv. The horror genre's not my favorite of them all, but I can have fun with it when it's done right. Perfect example right here.
ReplyDeleteEven before d official release of d film, u gotto see it !! Technology truly has changed d lifestyle of people..
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind words, Dan
ReplyDeleteThere were paid previews across the country, Anonymous, so luckily got to see it....nothing to do with technology...
ReplyDeleteRoger that, Champ.. BTW liked d review...make a nice precis of a horror film....
ReplyDeleteU can add Mephistophelian to that list too...
ReplyDelete& Stygian too...if am not wrong.
ReplyDeleteCinephile, I discovered another one to b added to yr list of words...diabolic...
ReplyDeleteThe Omen ... ... bad omen too can b added.
ReplyDeleteHow about ... exorcism.... exorcist... exorcize...
ReplyDeleteFrankenstein monster....too could b added..
ReplyDeleteLife would never be the same again ... Makes me clench my teeth & fists - cruelty of fate. Familiar feeling of failure washes over me. It's always when my son leaves..this time for a long long time. Festivals are wonderful when he's around. Why didn't I give birth to a dozen kids...
ReplyDeleteThere's something deep inside me that's aching to come out. Sometimes I think I won't make it another day. Maybe one of these days I'll let it. I've stopped fighting all my wars alone. Am beyond pain simply hanging on to survival..my worst fears had proven true..
ReplyDeleteHe was the hunted who enjoyed the chase... But then that is the nature of a chase. A chase is good only till the pursued evades being caught. What is the fun of chasing a willing conquest.
ReplyDeleteEverything blurrs with tears. But it is only by keeping on despite pain that a woman could toughen her body and her spirit.. My pain is my destiny and I cannot avoid it. What sins am I punished for in such a manner as this. I plead to Him for an answer.... The pain dissolves into a quiet haze of waiting..can feel the insides clenching..
ReplyDeleteWere you ever rejected by anyone ? It leaves one shattered, demoralized, angry, hurt, dejected all at once. When the person you want is simply not interested in you. You end up feeling worthless. It is crippling, that feeling is etched in my mind.. Don't expect Him to be my fuck-buddy. Am not a nympho !! .. Not even worthy of a lunch date ?... Just wanted to be in his loop..(maybe I repel the man I want the most, I watched with mixed emotions, over the months, while his attitude towards me warmed from affection to toleration to irritation.., do I still continue to freak him out ? Why does a man leave a woman simply hanging ? Fondness is put to test when betrayed... It's the brutal suddenness with which the end came that had left me in such a daze.. ( Remember the dialogue from the 1988 movie Cocktail -- Bonnie : Please, I don't want to end it this way... Brian : Jesus, everything ends badly, otherwise it wouldn't end... ) (My Brian didn't even say anything..).... ... .. . But, its said, "If something is too good to be true, it usually is" .. Wish i could turn the clock back.. You only stop learning when you quit and I shall never quit..
ReplyDeleteEven the peanuts that I earn, am not given credit for and constantly compared to didi... 'Your sis earns a crore a year'.... Beauty with Brains and just the right assets that any man dreams in a woman.. Am lucky to have her as an elder sister, but somehow don't look upto her and there is no green eyed jealousy.. ... V successful v ambitioius. Lives life to the fullest.. Late nights, parties, pubbing... A social bird.. She has half my years of experience, is in the corporate world and has successfully climbed the ladder. It is simply a question of being at the right place at the right time or is it fate ? or by the way mentioned in Kitty Party ( am such a Bitch to think this way about my own flesh and blood) ... Why was I not that ambitious ?? I guess it's my negatively speaking.... Zindagi kaise hai paheli...
ReplyDeleteMain bahut buri aurat hoon..shayad isee liye mujhe male attention nahi milee kabhi...zyaada waqt ke liye
ReplyDeleteThe fault lies in my stars...no wonder was abandonded by my parents too... 3 offsprings in 5 years and I was the chosen one.. Didi was always the prodigal daughter... Still remains..showering gifts... Mera koi wajood nahi..
ReplyDeleteHow could Vera know what happened in that house ? It's like peeping through a curtain into another person's life... Saw this movie day before yesterday night and got up at exactly 3:07 a.m. Strange, isn't it !!
ReplyDeleteConsider all this as a part of a plot for one of the story.... Must have seen America's Sweetheats featuring Julia Roberts and Catherine Zeta Jones : bachchpan mein She used to make me do all sorts of her odd jobs, paid me Rs. 2 for cleaning her almirah. !! ( Shall give you more of such inputs..)
ReplyDelete