Film Filter:Off - Paranormal Activity

Paranormal Activity (2007) R



Katie Featherston, Micah Sloat, Mark Fredrichs


Film Filter: On- Katie and Micah are a happy couple who have decided to move in together.  Unbeknownst to Micah, Katie is hiding a secret that will alter their lifestyle in their new home: she is being stalked by a demon entity.  In attempts to free Katie of her unwelcome guest, she and Micah devise ways to rid the house and Katie of this dark force, all the while documenting the events that ensue.
Things to note: Filmed in first person perspective, limited to no action throughout the film, good pacing of demonic presence, believable story and acting

You'll like this movie if you enjoy:

Scary movies involving documentation of dark spirits, 

like Insidious or The Blair Witch Project

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Film Filter: Off - Red Riding Hood

Red Riding Hood (2011) PG-13

Amanda Seyfried, Lukas Haas, Gary Oldman

Film Filter: On- Living in a reclusive village on the outskirts of a dangerous forest, young Valerie finds herself betrothed to a man whom she doesn't love, and in love with a man that no one approves of.  In addition to her emotional woes, she also finds herself the target of an age-old werewolf who is intent on terrorizing her community and murdering the townspeople...unless she sacrifices herself to the wolf.
Things to note: Good scenery, realistic setting, healthy elaboration on a well-known plot, intriguing from beginning to end.

You'll like this movie if you enjoy:

Dark-themed stories that take place in older

time periods, like The Village.

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Film Filter: Off- Blitz

Blitz (2011) R



Jason Statham, Paddy Considine, Aidan Gillen


Film Filter: On-  A London police officer investigates a series of police officer related homicides.   As Officer Brant works to unfold the clues to lock up the murderer, he finds he has a short timeline with which to prove their suspect is behind the crimes, as passing days equates to more deaths in the bureau.

Things to note: British film, missing key points in plot, unrealistic scenarios, plot drags occasionally, decent acting                              

     

                                             

You'll like this movie if you enjoy:

Typical Jason Statham movies, like The Mechanic, mixed with serial killer thrillers like Zodiac

Film Filter: Off

Film Filter: Off- The Order

The Order (2003) R

Heath Ledger, Mark Addy, Shannyn Sossamon


Film Filter: On- A young priest from the dying order of the Carolingians is sent to Rome to investigate the death of the head of the order.  With each piece of information Alex finds, he is drawn to look even deeper into his faith to seek the answers he desires.  Throughout his quest for knowledge, he will encounter the last man practicing the age old ritual of Sin Eating, and a young woman from his past who was saved by an exorcism he performed.  Alex's encounters with both will eventually force him to question his beliefs and decide what he values more: faith, or knowledge?
Things to Note- Good cast, very unique story line, fairly realistic feel, good cinematography, depiction of historical events slightly over the top.

You'll like this movie if you enjoy:

A Knight's Tale, first off, as it shares several cast members.  Content-wise, anything of the Theological Thriller variety involving too much knowledge sought, possession, or excommunication; something like The Rite or Stigmata.

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Film Filter: Off - The Ward

The Ward  (2010) R


 Amber Heard, Mamie Gummer, Danielle Panabaker


Film Filter: On- A young woman finds herself trapped in an odd mental institution with no memory of how she got there or what she has done.  With the help of the other patients in the ward, Kristen is intent on finding a way out, even if that means discovering the mysterious history behind the institution and its missing patients.
Things to note- Smooth flowing plot, good music selection and insertion into the film, gives just enough information to keep the plot moving, solid acting job, good shock value, odd choice in CGI animation on the ghost's features.

You'll like this movie if you enjoy:

Supernatural thrillers involving crazy people.  

Anything similar to Shutter Island or Gothika.

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Film Filter: Off - The Exorcism of Emily Rose

The Exorcism of Emily Rose  (2005) Unrated

Laura Linney, Tom Wilkinson, Shohreh Aghdashloo

Film Filter: On- When a young girl dies, the court looks to Father Richard Moore as responsible for her death via a faulty exorcism.  Agnostic defendant Erin Bruner is given the daunting task of representing the priest, and getting to the bottom of the case.  In order to properly defend her client and win the case, Erin is going to have to uncover more than just the truth about the exorcism.  As the case unfolds and Erin encounters the unexplainable, she will find herself uncovering more about her personal beliefs than she would have ever thought possible.

Things to note: Strong symbolism, good cinematography, nice blend of scary concepts versus pop-up scary moments, good acting, excellent execution of an often overused theme.

You'll like this movie if you enjoy:

Realistic horror films with spiritual themes.  

Anything similar to The Exorcist, The Omen, or The Rite.

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Film Filter: Off - Orphan

The Orphan (2009) R


 Vera Farmiga, Peter Sarsgaard, Isabelle Fuhrman


Film Filter: On When a young couple miscarries their third child, they must make a decision whether or not to adopt.  Finding that they connect strongly with an oddly mature young girl, Esther, they opt for opening their home up to her and making her a part of their family.  Slowly but surely, the family finds that Esther has a way of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, which causes them to question the safety of their family while in the presence of this mysterious girl.


Things to note- Good acting, unpredictable ending, slightly unrealistic scenarios, slow paced, sometimes frustrating.

You'll like this movie if you enjoy:

Movies that feature unsettled children with unusual background stories, 
like Case 39

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