I had to borrow this from the library, a full screen DVD, since it's not available anywhere.
I like the beginning and ending, so I guess I like all the parts in the daylight when I can see what's happening. The eye gouge will haunt me for the rest of my days.
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4,613 reviews
I never knew the origin of the Timothy Chamalet hype, and now I get it.
Armie Hammer, even if I disregard the Armie Hammer of it, is a miscast for me. I don't find him charismatic or charming or even likeable in the slightest, and he looks like he's in his mid-40s. I couldn't stop mentally comparing him to Jude Law in Talented Mr. Ripley.
One of, if not THE most dynamic and creative films to come out if 1931.
Incredible characters, and brilliant dialog.
Seek out the Criterion restored version. Some great stuff is missing due to some self-censorship compared to the international cut that is widely in the public domain, but overall a much better viewing experience.
It has been years since I've seen <I>The Haunting</i>, but there's plenty to say about it.
For starters, the cast is incredible. Liam Neeson, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Owen WIlson, and Lili Taylor really pull it together during their time on-screen, forging a strong bond while the house comes to life, showing its true intentions.
Jan de Bont’s directing and eye for late-1990s special effects shine as the interior (of the large house) is beautiful and maze-like, taking viewers along on strolls or chase scenes through corridors long forgotten or never traveled. <A HREF="http://www.dreadcentral.com">Dread Central</A>'s <A HREF="https://letterboxd.com/chadiscollins/">Chad Collins</A> wrote a <A HREF="https://www.dreadcentral.com/editorials/458639/digital-ghosts-and-stunning-architecture-in-the-haunting/">fantastic article about the architecture</A>, stating that "the house is unequivocally the star". He's absolutely correct. Every piece of detail shown is nailed to perfection, including the statues and paintings, as is the cinematography that showcases it all.
I first saw the film in theaters (most likely due to a crush on Zeta-Jones, or possibly from Taylor's performance in <I>Ransom</I>), enjoyed it, and have not seen it since (until this review). The reveal, which I will not spoil, came very late into the film, and allowed us to see how and why Taylor's character was so important, although, and this being my only complaint, I believe she could've been more present instead of, in my view, mostly aloof and unconvincing.
Overall, beautiful structures, special effects, and one of the most beautiful sets I've seen on film (for a 90s film that didn't rely on cheap CGI) saved <I>The Haunting</i> from falling into my one-star review hell, so I suggest giving it a watch and allowing your eyes to experience de Bont’s adventure.
25th anniversary screening!
I love that Man-Thing's name is Ted.
This color version is more eye-catching if you're an uncultured swine like me, but the original black & white version is much more impactful for the ambience. It also makes it feel special, and since it is a TV special, that is appropriate.
One of the better Italian horror/thrillers I’ve seen.
Like most Italian films of the era that I’ve seen, the woman is only there to be abused and threatened by just about everyone. A little different in this one is that she is often the smartest one in the room!
Lead actress is really good. Watching and listening to her tear the men a new one when they give her their “Ah, poor upset little girl” gaslighting BS, is worth the watch all by itself!
Like most films, the film's description drew me in as it sounded somewhat like a better <I>One Missed Call</i>, which is very possible. Unfortunately, this film wasn't.
I was expecting a story to continuously unfold throughout the film, but all that was delivered were a few annoying characters, a horrible script, dialog that felt out of place, and an unsatisfying ending. Plus, it wasn't scary. Womp womp.
I want to say it's one of the most rewatchable comedies of the last decade, but I see now that it is twelve years old.
Favorite (Not Necessarily Best) Four From Every Year Since Birth
For a 30-plus year old horror film, <I>Killer Klowns from Outer Space</I>, to this day, still holds up. It's silly and has ridiculous dialog, but it's a ton of fun and the special effects (balloon animals, cotton candy cocoons, finger puppetry) are not to be missed, especially as our main characters venture through a spaceship carnival, trying to avoid capture.
(<A HREF="https://boxd.it/4ZoENr">Originally published on LG OLED's Letterboxd, but edited for a personal review</A>)
Did anyone else wonder if Woody Harrelson was actually a ghost?
Suncoast follows Doris, a senior in 2005. I was a senior in 2003, so I appreciate the soundtrack and the vibes. Nico Parker gives a understated but effective performance as Doris. Her portrayal is realistic during the social scenes, but the emotional scenes with Laura Linney were imbalanced. Laura has such a strong presence that it swallowed up Nico's subtler delivery.
Woody Harrelson's scenes felt incredibly out of place. Without those scenes and incorporating the Terri Schiavo case (even though the Terri part was real, since this is semi-autobiographical), they could have built Doris's relationship with her brother, even if it was via flashbacks. Without developing that connection, the emotional impact of the ending didn't fully land.
I don't know if the reviews had just given me rock bottom expectations, but Pepsi Presents: Madame Web wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. It's not good, but it's not as bad as Morbius.
The Good: I've liked Dakota Johnson since she said "I love limes", I've loved her since she said it was a lie. Her press junket interviews have been amazing. She is getting a lot of flack, but this is her acting in everything, so it was exactly what I expected. Sony should have known this was the vibe. It worked perfectly in the baby shower scene. That's it for good, just that I like Dakota and also they played "Toxic" twice.
The Bad: Every scene with Cassie's mom, every time the villain speaks, the product placement, Emma's Roberts character wasn't necessary, not enough Adam Scott or Zosia Mamet, mathematically the villain should be at least ten years older.
The Ugly: The girls get "abducted" in the afternoon, and three hours later it's on the cover of a newspaper at a diner. I didn't think newspapers were printed and distributed midday. Cassie drives an ambulance through a billboard and lands on a taxi intentionally. I think a Pepsi billboard might have actually defeated the villain.
