Film Filter: Off- My Soul to Take

My Soul to Take (2010) R 

Max Thieriot, John Magaro, Denzel Whitaker

 

Film Filter: On- On the same night that a schizophrenic serial killer takes the life of his wife, seven children in the town of Riverton are born.  Sixteen years later, the Riverton Seven start to become murdered one by one on their collective birthday, leading them to believe the spirit of The Ripper is among them.  They begin to look at each other as suspects while they wonder how many of them will be forced to die before the killer's identity is revealed.

Things to note: Many plot twists, interesting lead character, several suspects as murderer, cheesy deaths, not many scary moments.

You'll like this movie if you enjoy:

Slasher films involving numerous victims and suspects.  

Something like Scream, but with a tighter wound plot.

 

Film Filter: Off

Film Filter: Off- The Rite

The Rite (2011) PG-13 

Colin O'Donoghue, Anthony Hopkins, Ciarán Hinds

Film Filter: On- Upon realizing his wishes to abandon his life choice as a priest, Michael is suddenly thrown into a whirlwind of faith-testing when he is sent to Italy to study with an exorcist.  Even after seeing the types of supernatural encounters his mentor priest, Lucas, endures on a daily basis, Michael is reluctant to believe.  It is not until circumstances take a drastic change and Michael is forced to take action that he realizes he cannot beat the devil if he does not believe in him.
Things to note: Good cinematography, good acting, minimal action, lots of symbolism, slight inconsistencies in the plot, interesting story

 You'll like this movie if you enjoy:

Thrillers involving possession and exorcism.  Similar to The Exorcist, or 

The Exorcism of Emily Rose, but MUCH less scary and with less action.

Film Filter: Off

Film Filter: Off-The Haunting in Connecticut

The Haunting in Connecticut (2009) R

Virginia Madsen, Martin Donovan, Elias Koteas

Film Filter: On- When a family is forced to move due to the eldest son's battle with cancer, they begin to realize that the home they are inhabiting is not normal.  Upon realizing the house used to be a mortuary with a sordid past, the family must now struggle to sick together while battling not only the family's health problems, but also the problems of living in a house haunted by the dead.
Things to note- Realistic family affairs, based on a true story, slow moving plot, way too much hide and seek played by the kids

 

You'll like this movie if you enjoy:

Haunted house stories with a depressing tone, like The Haunting.

Film Filter: Off

Film Filter: Off- The Crazies

The Crazies (2010) R

Radha Mitchell, Timothy Olyphant, Danielle Panabaker

Film Filter: On- A small town in Iowa seems like a quaint, quiet neighborhood until some of the locals begin acting strangely.  Determined to get to the bottom of it, the local sheriff discovers that a plane crash may have caused an unkown hazard to infiltrate the water system.  The side effect from consuming the water results in death, or homicidal tendencies, leaving a small group of survivors to find a way out of the town before the government wipes it out.

Things to note- Unique plot, good cast, cinematography too dark at times, occasional plot dragging

Good cast, unique story, but just...eh.



You'll like this movie if you enjoy:

Mass infection/zombie films, but more believable.  

Similar to 28 Days Later

Film Filter: Off

Film Filter: Off- A Perfect Getaway

A Perfect Getaway (2009) R

Steve Zahn, Mila Jovovich, Timothy Olyphant

Film Filter: On- A honeymooning couple takes a romantic trip to Hawaii, only to discover that there is a deranged couple on the island murdering tourists.  After being introduced to two different sets of couples, and befriending one of them, the newlyweds must figure out who they can trust, before they become the next victims.

Things to note- Good acting by leads, interesting twist towards the end, great scenery, slow moving plot, long flashback sequence that dragged a bit.

Good, but nothing to write home about.

You'll like this movie if you enjoy:

Tropical themed stalking-of-prey films.  Like The Beach meets

 I Know What You Did Last Summer.

Film Filter: Off

Film Filter: Off - The Final Destination

The Final Destination (2009) R

Nick Zano, Krista Allen, Andrew Fiscella

Film Filter: On- A group of friends attend a racing event only to find out that one of them can foresee a crash that will result in numerous deaths.  Able to flee the scene before disaster strikes, their lives are spared from death's grasp.  They must now find a way to prevent themselves from being taken by death a second time, for they have begun to realize that saving lives has its consequences.
Things to note: Initially filmed in 3-D, obscure and gimmicky deaths, interesting camera shots taken using an x-ray theme, illogical most of the time, extremely unexpected manners of dying.

 You'll like this movie if you enjoy:

Never ending stories that seem to get worse with each sequel.  

Nightmare on Elm Street, Halloween, Friday the 13th, etc.

Film Filter: Off

Film Filter: Off - Priest

Priest (2011) PG-13

Paul Bettany, Cam Gigandet, Maggie Q

 

Film Filter: On  As war erupts between man and vampire, the realization comes forth that man's greatest weapon are the Priests- a group of warriors trained to combat the vampires with the power of God.  After the war is won by the humans, the Priests are disbanded and forced to live normal lives.  Believing the threat of a vampire attack is near, one of the Priests warns the church, only to have his idea rejected.  Once his family becomes involved, the Priest must make a difficult decision between his duty to God, or to his loved ones.

Things to note: Great scenic designs, good soundtrack, fast moving plot, unique interpretation of vampires

You;ll like this movie if you enjoy:

Riveting graphic novel interpretations with a lot of action.  

Sort of like 300, but in a different era and with vampires.

Film Filter: Off