snugamug Reviews

Taking Lives (2004)

Generally a well done film...

[7/10 · 3 September 2004]

Although this movie was really marketed as a slasher film, or that is what I though it was from watching the previews, it was actually more in the drama/thriller category with a few gory bits as well. The mix of out and out suspense and a kind of twisted logic that only a psychopath could create, really made for a great movie. The plot made sense although I would have liked more history, like some flashbacks for example. I really thought that Angelina Jolie did a great job portraying a character that I as the viewer trusted and felt as though I wanted to follow her story. I think overall this movie was really well done and very different from other movies, and believe me it does pack a punch in the scare department, at least once during the movie I jumped :)

Exorcist: The Beginning (2004)

Interesting....just not...Interesting Enough

[5/10 · 3 September 2004]

The Exorcist Beginning really just played off of what I call the "Exorcist Market". Everyone knows that the original is popular so even if the sequels are not that good you all ready have a built in faithful audience. I saw this movie on opening night, I went with one person who had seen the movie and one who had not. And the point to that little story was that the person who had never seen any other Exorcist movies LOVED the movie, thought it was great. While we who have seen the others thought it was not what it could have been... The movie had shock value and also some creepy scenes but nothing as disturbing as the original. The movie did not really connect to the original as much as I expected and wanted. I value a sequel that can stand alone as well as part of a series but when it comes to that type of movie, it has to play off some of the original ideas, to keep faithful viewers.... faithful. So the movie was not horrible, it was not super but there were some interesting ideas that were unique. I would say go for it if you liked the original, but don't expect any new revelations or anything really superb. And hey if you have not seen any of the original go see it, its not that bad.

Dawson's Creek (1998–2003)

"Hang on Dawson it's gonna be a bumpy life"...

[10/10 · 11 August 2004]

"Hang on Dawson it's gonna be a bumpy life"... This quote basically describes the entire series. Through the good times and the bad times the four Capeside buddies, Joey, Dawson, Pacey and Jen stick together with some other characters thrown in for good measure... Although I am a die hard fan of the series I do at times find it tiring, with all the off and on again of the groups varied, hormonally charged relationships. Occasionally I find my self wondering why I spend so much of my time watching and re-watching seasons past on DVD but no matter how hard I try I cannot stop. So overall this series is well... interesting, fluff with a couple of dramatic moments to send the group crashing hard back to the reality of life.... but hey it's always more fun to see someone else's' life crashing than your own so set aside some time and watch away but don*t watch to long or you will get sucked into the whole teen angst ridden story.... :)

Clownhouse (1989)

The most horrifying movie....EVER!!!

[8/10 · 11 August 2004]

Those of us who suffer from fear of clowns will be absolutely and totally frightened by this movie!!! I suffered through IT and thought to myself that this is the reason I am so disturbed by clowns but after seeing this movie I realize now that clowns really are evil...

The movie starts out with just three brothers fighting and the youngest is terrified of clowns but as the movie builds the horror grows... After the lunatics escape from the mental institution and don the clown makeup and clothing... I knew that I would not sleep a wink after witnessing the macabre events that follow! Although the acting is somewhat weak I would still classify this movie up with some of my personal scariest. The constant cat and mouse suspense really keeps the viewer alert and the clowns flickering around in the background all the time... watching the boys... will keep even those few who do not see clowns as a threat really disturbed and creeped out!

Enjoy :)

Rose Red (2002)

The creepy plot together with some really great performances make this creepy thriller one of my favorites.

[8/10 · 17 July 2004]

Rose Red is a nicely put together haunted house movie. As a fan of these types of movies I have seen many movies that would be considered in the same genre and this movie stands out above the rest. It has a unique plot involving some brainpower on the part of the viewer to decipher (but it's worth it). Stephen King is talented at making a really outlandish and highly un-plausible plot interesting and real. The larger than life special effects really are quite fitting to the scale of the movie and so not detract from the quality of the film. The downfall to this movie would have to be the fact that it is very long. I have watched it a few times and find that unless I sit and watch the whole thing straight through I end up feeling like I missed something or like something was missing from the plot. So set aside an afternoon and enter the eerie world of Rose Red where Stephen King brings some of your worst fears to life.

The Changeling (1980)

This movie, forever changed my view on the horror genre!

[29 May 2004]

The Changeling is one of those movies that sort of lives on the back shelf of the movie stores' horror section. I am a huge horror movie fan but I do not usually find a movie that is actually really scary. I have tried for a very long time to find a movie to watch that will put a chill in my bones and give me goosebumps, and although that sounds very cliché it is true. This movie achieved that goal, I was freaked out and it made me think. Usually the only thinking I do when I watch horror movies is to try to figure out why the masked manic has an issue with the campers. I love those movies too, but The Changeling challenged my mind and that made it even more scary. I would suggest this movie to anyone who would like to see a real scary movie....but be warned this is not a movie to watch alone! :)

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