Gifts I'm preparin'
For some Christmas sharin'
But I pause because
Hangin' my stockin'
I can hear a knockin'
'Zat you, Santa Claus
Sure is dark out
Not the slighest spark out
Pardon my clackin' jaws
Uh, who there
Who is it
Uh, stoppin' for a visit
'Zat you, Santa Claus
Are you bringin' a present for me
Something pleasantly pleasant for me
That's what I've been waitin' for
Would you mind slippin' it under the door
Four winds are howlin'
Or maybe that be growlin'
My legs feel like straws
Oh my, my, me, my
Kindly would you reply
'Zat you, Santa Claus
Yeah
Oh hangin' my stockin'
I can hear a knockin'
'Zat you, Santa Claus
Yeah, say now
Hey there, who is it
Stoppin' for a visit
'Zat you, Santa Claus
Whoa there Santa you gave me a scare
Now stop teasin' 'cause I know you're there
We don't believe in no goblins today
But I can't explain why I'm shakin' this way
Well I see old Santa in the keyhole
I'll give to the cause
One peek and I'll try there
Uh-oh there's an eye there
'Zat you, Santa Claus
Please, please
I pity my knees
Say that's you Santa Claus
That's him alright
Uh....I'm really confused here. I think the director is actually taking this movie seriously. It's...odd. Of course, I've never been interviewed on anything, so....
He said he hired people from the Academy of Art to do the 3D. Resounding bonus advert for the Academy, I'm sure.
BIRDEMIC: SHOCK AND TERROR is...unique.
Wild.
Interview with the director James Nguyen on THIS WEEK IN HORROR. He's amazing.
I love this.
Joss Whedon gives us more, unique goodness with CABIN IN THE WOODS.
The tag is "You think you know the story, but you're wrong." or something to that effect and it seems like that is so true it hurts. Whedon seems to be taking a plunge into the meta - calling out typical horror movie stereotypes and turning them on angle like the creators of TUCKER AND DALE V. EVIL did.
Most of the time I try to ignore these more mainstream, teen horror movies. However, while the film is somewhat predictable and seems like it's freely borrowing from Asian cinema, FORGET ME NOT has a plot that I really liked, so I forgave much of it.
I don't want to say too much about the plot for fear of giving something away. Suffice it to say that it's a supernatural horror of the teen variety. A band of "teens" (they all look like they are in their late 20s, of course) are graduating. We have all varieties represented - again, standard fair. The jock, the slut, the bitch, the brain, etc. However, the group seems like it may have actually been a real group. While they vary, they seem like they might actually hang out in the same space. There are no "people of color" here, which, as a person of color myself, I found interesting. Usually a casting director will insist on tossing in an Asian or black character just to keep things "well blended".
We have a "Set 'em Up and Knock 'em Down" plot, but the plot is actually interesting enough to have held my interest for the 90 plus minute run time. And, as the plot drives along, I actually found myself being more and more interested in just how the story would play out - not just starring at the time waiting for it to resolve so I could be done with it and move on.
The execution is...well...fine. It's obvious that Asian horror is being copied. Scary things happen by scary creatures that jerk around and open computer-augmented mouths too wide as they roar. Ok...it's kinda creepy...sure. If I go through the process of "Whoa...what would I do if I was there and saw that?", then it's even more effective. Right when I started to get a bit bored with things, the plot ramped into play yet again and I was back into the film.
Tyler Oliver wrote and directed the film. This can go either way as well. Sometimes this is a fantastic combo and sometimes the precious baby of the writer really needs a trimming and molding by a new person. The writer/director combo works well here, however.
All in all, FORGET ME NOT was worth the time investment. If you're a fan of the FINAL DESTINATION franchise or like the shocks films like JU-ON or RINGU provide, give this film a whirl. And, if you like plot lines found in TALES FROM THE CRYPT, THE NIGHT GALLERY or TWILIGHT ZONE, check this out as well. It's also perfect for the "work and watch" set - people who like to watch a movie as they work or clean. You have it on and look up when the screaming starts.
THE INTRUDERS is being held up as a better INSIDIOUS and those are high marks to hit. Insidious took the country be surprise and scooped up a lot of cash as this sort of sleeper hit - a mainstream ghost story with some creepy scenes, good writing and a few good shocks.
In The Intruders, we see some of the same plot lines come through. Kids being stalked by Boogie Man like entity. Scary bumps in the night. Parents trying to sort it out. On paper, it's the same damn movie. So, what will it offer it's audience as differentiators? There needs to be something more than just having TWO kids in TWO different places. And, what's this secret they need to sort out.
A female ghost hunter (interesting twist) goes in search of ghost to debunk them, but a boys school might have her believing in ghosts by the time she's through.
The film stars Rebecca Hall (Vicky Cristina Barcelona), Dominic West (The Wire) and Imelda Staunton (Harry Potter), so there should be some fine acting to carry the story forward, but I hear that there might be a "standard course" set in the storytelling, so ghost movie fans might be able to see the end coming. The gothic gloom has me wanting to see it at once.
And so we have THE INCIDENT (notably called "PARANORMAL INCIDENT" in the trailer below) about a group of folks who spend the night in an insane asylum. You may think you've seen this movie or plot before. Don't worry, it's only because you have. About 1389 times. :)
But, of course, I'll still seek it out and see it even if it's only on Netflix streaming. It looks amusing.
New nugget from Ti West, the
Director of the amazing HOUSE OF THE DEVIL.
THE INNKEEPERS looks like it's going to be a fun little ghost tale. I hope he can keep up the energy and suspense that House of the Devil had. Unlike HOUSE, however, this looks like it's rather F/X heavy. Has Hollywood tossed too much money at Mr. West? That tends to happen when you make your first mega hit.
"Here! Here's MORE MONEY! You can make an even BETTER movie with MORE MONEY, right?"
Not always the case. As a matter of fact, I think many more interesting films are made with LESS money because it forces the movie makers - good ones, at least - to focus on story, pace and execution instead of just swirling some computer madness around for 90 minutes.
Fingers crossed Ti keeps hits wits about him...
Due to be released February 3rd, 2012 - just in time for my birthday! Or, for those who can't wait, the film will be available ON DEMAND on December 30th, 2011.
About The Film
After over one hundred years of service, The Yankee Pedlar Inn is shutting its doors for good. The last remaining employees -Claire (Sara Paxton) and Luke (Pat Healy) - are determined to uncover proof of what many believe to be one of New England's most haunted hotels. As the Inn’s final days draw near, odd guests check in as the pair of minimum wage “ghost hunters” begin to experience strange and alarming events that may ultimately cause them to be mere footnotes in the hotel’s long unexplained history.
