Film Filter: Off- Final Destination 5

Final Destination 5 (2011) R


Nicholas D'Agosto, Emma Bell, Arlen Escarpeta


Film Filter: On On a bus trip for a work related conference, Sam envisions a horrific bridge accident, and is able to save the lives of a handful of co-workers.  Realizing that they have escaped death, the group of colleagues must now figure out how to regain their lives back, even if that means taking someone else's.
Things to note: Very exciting 3-D effects, several plot twists, unexpected deaths, (slightly) better acting, story information spoon-fed to audience

Pretty good...if it's viewed in 3-D

You'll like this movie if you enjoy:

Any or all of the Final Destination films.  

It also shares similar concepts to White Noise: 2

Film Filter: Off

Film Filter: Off- The Last Exorcism

The Last Exorcism (2010) PG-13 


Patrick Fabian, Ashley Bell, Iris Bahr


Film Filter: On- When an evangelical minister struggling with his beliefs is sought out for an exorcism, he makes the decision to capture the event on film.  His intent in doing so is to prove that the ritual of exorcisms is unnecessary, and that the possessed individual is only in need of the idea of an exorcism.  Using high tech equipment, hoaxes, and deception, Reverend Cotton Marcus attempts to prove once and for all that exorcisms are irrelevant, although he will ultimately be forced to question many of his beliefs along the way.
Things to note- Filmed in a documentary style, very believable acting, takes a standpoint of mocking exorcisms as opposed to supporting them, most character names are derived from the first name of the actor (most likely to enhance the believable nature of the acting)

You'll like this movie if you enjoy:

Movies filmed from a first person perspective, like

 Cloverfield or The Blair Witch Project

Film Filter: Off

Film Filter: Off- The Last House on the Left

The Last House on the Left (2009) R


Garret Dillahunt, Monica Potter, Tony Goldwyn


Film Filter: On- After two young girls are brutally assaulted, the ones responsible are forced to find refuge with strangers.  Little do either party know that the family who has befriended the murderers are the parents of one of the assaulted girls.  The tension quickly escalates as the audience wonders if either group will find out the truth about each other, and what will be forced to happen if they do.
Things to note: Good cinematography, fairly unpredictable plot, realistically calm and rational characters, unique death scenes, rape scene (unrated version only), good plot connections throughout the film

You'll like this movie if you enjoy:

Realistic stalker films, like The Strangers

Film Filter: Off

Film Filter: Off- The Secret

The Secret (2007) R


David Duchovny, Lili Taylor, Olivia Thirlby


Film Filter: On- When a tragic accident occurs, a woman finds her spirit resting in the body of her 16 year old daughter's body.  Torn between finding where her daughter is, and he inability to be who she once was, Hannah must live the life of her daughter until she can find a way to recapture her daughter's spirit in the proper place.
Things to Note- Intriguing and deep plot, similar character struggles on different levels, very good acting, unpredictable character interactions, unique story line

Excellent film, despite its lack of horror

You'll like this movie if you enjoy:

Deep films with role reversals.  Sort of like Freaky Friday meets 

a daytime soap opera, minus the cheesy humor and bad acting.

Film Filter: Off

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