Distributor: Rogue Picture
Running time: about 87 mins.
Director: David S. Goyer
Producers: Michael Bay, Andrew Form, Brad Muller
Writers: David S. Goyer
Casts: Odette Yustman, Gary Oldman, Cam Cigandet, Megan Good
Plot: Casey Bell hated her mother for leaving her as a child. However, when inexplicable things start to happen, Casey begins to understand why she left. Plagued by merciless dreams and a tortured ghost that haunts her waking hours, she must turn to the only spiritual advisor, Sendak. With his help, Casey uncovers the source of a family curse dating back to Nazi Germany - a creature with the ability to inhabit anyone or anything, which is getting stronger with each possession. With the curse unleashed, her only chance at survival is to shut a doorway from beyond our world that has been pried open by someone who was never born.
THE VERDICT:
Green Tea says:
WARNING SPOILER! The movie is basically a remake adaptation from a similar atmosphere and theme from 2003's same-name Thai horror. Hollywood still spent millions of dollar to remake Asian horror but so far none really find success in stateside besides The Grudge (Ju-On). Counting unstellar credibility, this one will not make much different like the others.
Casey is palgued by nightmares and visions of a strange looking dog and a blue-eyed child. She starts to experiencing Tetragametic chimerism and Heterochromia. After questioning her father she learns she had a twin brother who died in the womb. Casey begins to suspect that the spirit haunting her is the soul of her dead twin, being possessed by a dybbuk, wanting to be born so it can transfer to the world of the living. Now, Casey need to find a way to get it out forever.
The story is predictable and not that strong to follow through. There is so many loopholes around and one can easily points out the lack in the characterization in this movie. The plot is simple and deals merely on the spookiness to attract you but failed to utilize a stronger essence of story telling. Therefore, there is not much point to talk about in the movie but rather more psychological game installed. One also can easily discussed on how limited certain characters can be - especially Rabbi Sendak and Casey's father.
However, the use of a different mythology from the conventional Asian (Thai, Chinese, etc) or some Western cultures are somehow interesting. You have seen a Malay, Chinese and Catholic before but have you ever a Jewish exorcism. Well, here you go.
It was very unfortunate to see how Odette Yustman failed to shine like what she had did last year in Cloverfield. She tried so hard to make it real for this movie but it did not drive the movie further. Gary Oldman as Rabbi Sendak had a limited scenes and his character was supposed to be a very important one as well. The exorcism only lasted for 5-10 minutes. It was not what I hope for.
Another cheap low cost horror movie, how far it can go without any propaganda and exciting trailer. In fact the trailer looks more scarier than the real movie in edit. It is not so recommended but you have to understand, there are some of us there who loves horror still.
THE RATINGS.....
CAST - 2.0 stars
STORY - 2.0 stars
CINEMATOGRAPHY - 3.0 stars
EFFECTS - 3.0 stars
an overall>> 2.5 stars
GreenTea-O-Meter: 9.2
I share the same opinion really... remakes are such lame versions...
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