In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.
View MoreEach character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.
View MoreIt is interesting even when nothing much happens, which is for most of its 3-hour running time. Read full review
View MoreThe plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one
View MoreIt was easy to get into this. It wasn't so easy to get out. This started pretty well and it seemed well paced, well acted and nicely scripted. Then, however, it added a sappy romantic angle that leaves lots of questions, but few answers. Then, it just stopped. (Trying not to spoil it...) Overall, this was all anticipation with no payoff. The abrupt ending seemed to be about a 180 degree turn from what was generally happening. It had its moments. It was ultimately unsatisfying.
View MoreIf you're into this genre, I believe you'll find this well worth your time--especially if you're a Mischa Barton fan! I was afraid I might be a bit disappointed after reading some of the reviews I found here, so even though I'd looked forward to seeing this movie, I'd tempered my expectations going into it. But I needn't have worried as I very much enjoyed it! The only criticism I found to be at all true was that perhaps there wasn't much development of the secondary characters—yet I didn't feel that took away from the overall story.I thought it was very well paced and more than sufficiently scary. I love a good scary movie, but I'm much more into the psychological kind of scary than the slasher kind of blood and guts movies. So anybody expecting the latter would be disappointed, but if you like a movie that makes you think a little bit and puts you more than a little on edge, this is it (it didn't help that there are some pretty strong winds outside right now, and at one point while they were on their search in the movie, a broom I keep on my front porch got blown over and clattered against both the door and handrails out there, about 10 feet from where I was watching this movie!).And I don't understand the critics of Mischa Barton. Although I'll admit I am a fan of hers anyway, hence wanting to watch this movie in the first place, I honestly thought she did a very good job in this movie! I also really liked her in Walled In as well as Homecoming—so I'm finding her to be a surprisingly good actress for this genre of movies. But it doesn't hurt that there was a love story here as well since I also think she handles that well too, along with the introspective type of roles that more dramatic romances have as opposed to the rom-com type of stuff. I can't say I knew Ryan Egghold prior to this, but I thought he handled his role fine too, as did the secondary characters despite not having too much to do overall.I won't give any spoilers here, but despite enjoying watching scary movies alone (as I just did this one), I almost wish I'd watched it with someone so I could debate the ending that I felt was left a bit open to interpretation. Or at least, I know how I believe I interpreted it—but I could see it being explained another way too! So as the one reviewer mentioned discussing it with his fellow movie-watcher for two hours afterward, I could easily see having such a conversation. So all that is to say, unless you're expecting a blood and guts movie or want a really fast-paced scarefest, I believe many fans of this genre would find this worth the watch! And although I only rented this for now, I plan on buying it so I'll have it for my permanent collection as I would and will definitely watch it again.
View MoreThis is a tough one to nail down. Basically Micha Barton's Sophia is a girl who has always had an eye for real beauty, but at her father's death bed she is given to suddenly have all of her basic beliefs torn to shreds, and she can no longer tell her own feelings from those that are just the result of a lifetime of being told that things are one way. Now this is a fragile girl who lives alone like most of us chose to, and she is afraid to lose what little she feels she has left as most people are. There is some good acting in here, and a lot of good camera work. The lighting is sort of the key to many scenes, and I have to fail it simply because it was not used enough (there are times when it is used to represent life, and others that it is used to represent the shifting from light to what is in the dark) it just felt like the flashlights could have been better spook tools instead the whole movie ends up not being scary at all. The first shot had me actually in, I saw Mischa Barton walk into the dark and thought things were going to get started, but then the movie stutters, and stalls. For a while things just feel forced, and the characters are pushed on us, then there is some nice warming in the new relationship stuff, but the artsy nature of the direction will leave you wondering if most of these things are or did even happen. There is a point in the "spooky" part of the movie that made me lose it a bit: the entire group agrees that they need to go down stairs, and get out, then they all walk happily away from the elevator. There are a few more moments like this where you have to ask "How long will she just stand there moving the flashlight back, and forth hoping that something is going to change? Walk please walk." There is a movie in there that can be Enjoyed, I just don't think that most people will ever find it, or be willing to dig deep enough. So I don't really recommend this one to anyone, there are some rehashed old plots mixed up, and you are paid off with another rip off at least that's how I saw it.
View MoreI remember Mischa Barton from the OC but had no idea she had this kind of acting in her. I'm not the guy who usually gets too into romantic movies, but this was the perfect blend of paranormal thriller (like 6th Sense) and Romance movie, and I was really into these characters. You can't help but fall in love with Sophia (Mischa Barton) and this movie gets so tense once it really gets going into the scary territory. Sophia falls in love with Adam (Ryan Eggold from Blacklist) after she swore she wouldn't let anyone hurt her again, and once she does, he goes missing. So of course she goes on this search to find him, and is willing to risk her life in the process. I won't spoil this, but the ending was the last thing I ever expected to happen, I think some people might not be on board with it, but I thought it was really smart. Highly recommend
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