Before we get into this blog post I need you all to raise your right hand to the square and make an oath to never, no matter how excited you are about this movie, spoil it for anyone. You can tell them it is a great ghost story and that they should see it. You can tell them it is set in the '40s in England, that it has fantastic acting, that it was directed by a thoughtful Spanish filmmaker, that it has crazy awesome set design, great period costumes, amazing cinematography, and that it is scary and brilliantly crafted. But, you must never spoil the movie for them, is that understood? Now, everyone, raise that hand, make the oath...
Good job, thank you. Good filmmakers, and good film-watchers, never spoil a movie. This is the unspoken creed between us. If you wish to be a part of our elite group, you too must adopt this creed. So much power comes in a good story with the moments being saved for the viewer.
This movie, in my opinion, is a masterpiece. But, what is your opinion? What are your thoughts? Did you like this movie? Why or why not? Would you watch it again knowing now what you know about the story? Be thoughtful in your answers.
And, always remember your oath...
Two words: goddamn awesome.
ReplyDeleteIn the beginning I was skeptical. Very skeptical.
It might just be because of Nicole Kidman, and how sometimes she doesn't act so well... But once I was past the exposition, I was 100% into this film.
It so cleverly took advantage of your suspicions of the strange circumstances; because you didn't really know what was going on, you questioned everything. It took some drawn out shots (like of the mother sitting at the bedside of her children, and they are so pale and motionless you think, "they can't be dead, can they?") and some empathy (like towards the children, you root for them, but you also root for the mother, you want her to figure everything out) and the mistrust of the whole situation. ie: light allergic children.
It took these things, things the director and writer counted on you thinking (things as simple as the assumption that they are haunted, not haunting) and turned them on their head.
Sometimes when a writer does that, you as an audience member feels cheated. Not so with this, instead of it feeling like a cop out (I'm looking at you M.Night) it feels like a cleverly written and almost plain delightful twist. It breaks all the preconceived notions in a very believable way.
You don't feel tricked, you feel like you discovered something amazing.
Isn't it great story telling! It isn't a gimmick movie like some of those "cop out" movies are. Instead, we have some seriously thoughtful storytelling that makes you, well, think. Which is dang nice. It's great when a filmmaker lets us use our brains.
DeleteThanks, Syndie. Nicely written response, yet again!
Sydnie.. you described it perfectly. I couldn't agree more.
DeleteThey really do take advantage of your superstitions, so well! haha
it's amazing how well they did that in a way where you weren't just left pissed off in the end.
I love this movie 100 percent and will buy it one day. I agree with Sydnie. Nicole Kidman isn't always the greatest actress but she was very good in this movie. I had some doubts about how great this movie was after we watched When a Stranger Calls but this time I was blown away. I wasn't scared so much as engaged. I do love the twist at the end. The entire time I was thinking of so many possible endings but I never once thought of that ending. I loved it.
ReplyDeleteHa ha! You don't trust me after that first movie, do you?
DeleteI'm glad you liked it Carlos. When a Stranger Calls ain't no masterpiece. It is a straightforward Genre pic. This film is a masterpiece. It is carefully written, acted, executed. So well put together. Bueno, in fact. Thanks Alejandro Amenábar!
I don't care what you and Sydnie say Carlos, I love Nicole Kidman! I think she's an amazing actress. One of my favorites definitely.
DeleteThroughout the movie you expect something of the Maid services of being fishy with something but the ending was a total "WoW" moment. There are parts that the movie felt bare and empty but that was the purpose of it. And definitely dragged on but overall was a pretty good movie. The guy who made it, for being his first big project he can look back and say Well Done.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting, and I think refreshing, to experience films with a different pacing than what I am used to seeing here in the U.S.A. Although they were speaking english, this was indeed a foreign film. It was written and directed by a Spaniard, set in England, and our lead actress, good ol' Nicole, is the daughter of Australian parents.
DeleteDifferent countries seem to be comfortable taking films at a slower pace, letting the audience member savor every visual, ponder about the story and characters, and truly let things soak in. I, for one, really appreciate that. Just as I appreciate a uniquely made fast paced film, such as Edgar Wright's works. I'm glad you noticed that was the purpose of the film, the parts that felt bare and empty. I feel like every thing that happens, and when it happens, is exactly how the filmmaker had hoped.
A lot of classic ghost stories has slower build ups, this helps me spend more time with the characters, and really get to know them and care about them, in spite of all their flaws.
Thanks for your thoughts, Tyson.
What a twist!
ReplyDeleteThis movie portrays an absolutely beautiful interpretation of ghosts "haunting" a house. I wasn't too into it at first, but the film quickly raised many questions for me to be intrigued enough to stick through it, and boy am I glad I did.
The whole movie I was confused as to who I should hate, who I should sympathize for, and who I should fear. It was a fantastic experience.
As a huge fan of horror/paranormal stories this story in particular is going in as one of my favorites.
"The whole movie I was confused as to who I should hate, who I should sympathize for, and who I should fear. It was a fantastic experience." I love how you said that, TIPmeister! Complex characters, ones with depth and reality, humanity and weakness, they make for a more interesting ride. I'm so glad you stuck it through with this film, and that you appreciated the experience in the end! You, my good sir, are the bomb.
DeleteI love how well crafted this is. It had to be executed in such a way so that in the end it would all make sense. The story was well thought out and the characters were dynamic. Not to mention all the actors did an amazing job (especially Nicole Kidman. I love her.)
ReplyDeleteOverall I love this film and it is definitely a work of art. A perfected horror flick without needing gore.
Super fantastic. Words cannot express how much i love this movie. Not only did it do its job to make me jump and feel uneasy but it also gave me so much more! All the characters were 3 dimensional and made me really feel for them. It is the perfect example of a horror movie done right.
ReplyDeleteThis movie my goodness. It is so brilliant. At first I wasn't too sure about it, I was getting very frustrated with it. How the three house keepers were clearly up to something, and then the husband showed up and I was kind of pissed at that point, it made no sense how he just happened to after all this time show up and slump there. and when you figure out finally that the 3 house keepers were ghosts I thought it was pretty cheesy, it didn't seem that clever, but then in the end. That very last ending sold the entire movie, it made all of my doubt and frustration for this movie just melt to ease. It was so clever and then things that happened throughout the story suddenly made sense more, like the dad showing up. Greatest ending to a horror movie so far, I was very pleased. The writer knew where your mind would be going, once the 3 house keepers revealed they were ghosts you thought you had it all figured out! But NO! It is some seriously brilliant writing. One of my favorite movies now.
ReplyDeleteMy mind got blown into a million pieces after this. Most scary movies are predictable but this just I don't even know how to express it. The beginning part I had a hard time getting into though I am not sure why though but then something just snapped and I figured this is incredible
ReplyDeleteI liked this movie because of the twist at the end, it was kinda hard to follow at the beginning but the foreshadowing made up for it in the end. also i felt that it was a little drawn out in the conclusion but as i said the foreshadowing more than made up for it.
ReplyDeletethis movie is great. i own this movie and never figured to watch it. i am stupid.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this movie. it had such a great twist at the end where i didnt even feel like i was lied to. just like i didn't look at it right. or like the light was finally showed on a situation. it was really an amazing movie
ReplyDeletethis movie was amassing by far the best horror movie i have ever seen. not only did it have a good way of doing scares but it also had an amassing story with the best plot twist i have ever seen. i think what i liked the best about the way the movie used scares was that they weren't over the top in that they didn't require the use of excessive gore or the use of any jump scares for the most part.
ReplyDeleteI love this movie!!! I love great ghost stories and this is one. when I first saw it I thought was gonna hate it but it surprised me. If you want a good thriller at a Halloween party this is got to be one :). Its great all around. all I can say with out giving anything away in my happiness is that its just damn good!!!! (dea)
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