THE WOMAN IN BLACK

THE WOMAN IN BLACK (2012)
UK/CA/SE
Directed by James Watkins

CAST:
Daniel Radcliffe - Arthur Kipps
Ciaran Hinds - Sam Daily
Janet McTeer - Mrs. Daily

PLOT:
     A young lawyer travels to a remote village where he discovers the vengeful ghost of a scorned woman is terrorizing the locals.

REVIEW:
      Even though this isn't the first of the new Hammer Films I've reviewed, The Woman In Black is the fourth film the reborn studio and third to have a wide release unlike last years Wake Wood which only came out in limited release. Now I'm going to go ahead and say going into the movie I had no expectations for the film so where I didn't get overly excited as to be let down by it. Nor did I go into the theatre expecting the worst movie ever made either. I went in pure neutral to the film. The reason more than anything else is because with this movie Hammer has a chance to become a major player in the horror genre again thanks to star Daniel Radcliffe and a heavy promotional campaign. The only true thing going against it this past weekend was it opened up on a heavy genre weekend in theatres and also the weekend of the Superbowl.

     Of course with this I'm going to start with Daniel Radcliffe as Arthur Kipps. With most young actors that become famous due to roles they played in their youth and the same recurring role to boot, in this case for over 10 years,most of them find switching over to more adult roles hard to almost impossible. For one, the audience will always see them as the characters they've known and grew up with. Well Radcliffe has no problem with the transition that most have in the past. Here he is completely believable as a father in financial trouble who has a take a job he doesn't want to. Even when thing start getting weird you are convinced that Radcliffe is Kipps and experiencing those emotions he is displaying on screen and the danger he is feeling.  Radcliffe is almost haunting in this role and shows that Radcliffe can take on other roles that are more mature and adult as well as carry a movie by himself. The supporting cast is excellent as well especially Ciaran Hinds as Samuel Daily who lost his son, yet refuses to place the blame on anyone even when the truth is in his face until it is almost too late.

     The story for The Woman In Black is the main draw for the film to me. The story is a nicely done ghost story that does use a few boo type scares as the beginning of the film which thankfully transitions into all around creepiness and atmosphere as the story unfolds. And what a story it is. Even though it starts out slowly, which I didn't mind one bit in this case, it picks up once Radcliffe's character arrives to his destination. The villagers treat him with disdain and want nothing to do with him and want Kipp to leave right away. Once he reaches Eel's Marsh to sift through paperwork the story get's darker as the titular Woman In Black shows up and children start dying. Kipp's isn't swayed by this as he seems to still be in shock from his wife's death from years before as he still keeps working. As more creepiness ensues though, Kipp seems to come more alive and more worried as his son is due to his is supposed to arrive in the village in a couple of days. The rest of the story I'm not going to go into as it will ruin the ending for those that haven't seen it.

       Director James Watkins knows how to create genuine suspense and creepiness that permeates the entire film. From the fog covered London streets where the film starts to the off color village from the use of color palates helps with the sense of unease. But to me it's Watkins use of filters that really lend the film a air of difference than most other ghost stories that I've seen. It's also Watkins use of camera angles and tracking that also helps with unnerving aspect. A good example of this is when the camera tracks a lit candle by the eyes of wind-up toys. By doing this it, makes the toys look like they are alive and watching Radcliffe's character which creates an air of anxiety that can almost be felt. The sound as well helps with the trepidation throughout the film as little sounds can be heard when the film is shot in the Marsh House. My only really complaint is the ending of the film. Not with what happens to Kipp but what is shown when the screen goes black afterward as it was to me needless. Except for that the film was quite a great film that actually has great scares and thrills The Woman In Black is a great horror movie that relies on atmosphere other than blood and guts yet is still made for more mature audiences rather than the teen audience most wide release horror films are panning to these days.

BEST DEATH:
     Any film that starts with three little girls committing suicide you know you're in for something. 

BEST LINE:
     You don't believe in ghosts, do you?

FUN FACTS:
     The film was originally scheduled to be shot in 3D, but the plan was scrapped later on.

     Adrian Rawlins, who played Daniel Radcliffe's father in the Harry Potter movies, played the same character in the 1989 version as Radcliffe plays in this film.

     Ciaran Hinds who plays Sam Daily, was also in the last two Harry Potter films as Aberforth  Dumbledore.

THE INNKEEPERS

THE INNKEEPERS (2011)
US
Directed by Ti West

CAST:
Sarah Paxton - Claire
Pat Healy - Luke
Kelly McGillis - Leanne Rease-Jones

PLOT:
     During the final days at the Yankee Pedlar Inn, two employees determined to reveal the hotel's haunted past begin to experience disturbing events as old guests check in for a stay.

REVIEW:
      This is the way to start out the new year. One of my top 10 movies to see this year within the first week of 2012! I first started hearing about this movie last year when it was on the festival circuit. So after waiting to see if it would actually release last year and nothing came of it, I was quite disappointed. Well thankfully that disappointment has turned to joy. Now let's hope the movie lives up to my expectations!

      I just have to say that Sarah Paxton, who plays Claire,was just fantastic in this film. She was great in the Last House On The Left remake, where she had to play a tough role, yet in this she actually shows what she's capable of and that she's a very believable younger actress. When she shows fear it's not like in most wide release movies where the female is all screaming at the smallest gust of wind, but genuine fear that is palatable.  And then there's Pat Healy as Luke. I actually believe Healy was having fun in this role as he just has to be an asshole through most of his scenes. Though just like Paxton, Healy can show actual fear which helped cement his character in reality. Then there is Kelly McGillis playing Leanne Rease-Jones.  McGillis to me had the hardest role to play as a psychic. The whole film could have crumpled if she tried to overplay her part. Instead she tries to ground her performance in reality as much as possible and in return made her character more relate-able. 

     Now as far as the story goes, I'm going to break it up into three parts, which is the same way the film is set up. In the first act we're introduced to all the characters and how they interact with one another. It's during this time we find out the little quirks of the Paxton's Claire and Healy's Luke. It's not a stretch to say that Luke is a asshole while Claire seems like she's trying to find out what to do with her life. It's was quite nice to see two people on screen in a horror movie acting like true normal people. The second act is when the normalcy of life starts to break away for Claire and her search for ghosts at the Yankee Pedlar Inn. It's also when McGillis's character comes into play. I will say that it is very important to listen to what McGillis's character says. I'm not going to say why as it will take away what happens later on in the film. The third act is when everything falls apart for Claire. The true feelings of Luke comes out during this act, which I'm still trying to decide if Claire really realized what he was saying or just chose to ignore him to help save his feelings. We also find out that Luke wasn't telling the truth throughout the whole film and what he does is almost the ultimate asshole move until he comes back.Yep, I officially hated Luke during most of this act, which just goes to show how invested in the characters you become.

     Now for those that are wondering why I was so vague through most of this review so far is because by giving away to much is to ruin the film for those that haven't seen it yet. One of the biggest complaints I've heard about the movie is that it's slow moving. And to that I just have to say that those people should stop watching the massed produced MTV joke direction in movies that has taken over what is considered horror these days. I love slow burn type of films that take time to explore the characters we see on screen, as we get to know their quirks, their passions, and this is one of the better ones. It actually takes the time to let the audience get to know the key players and creates a sense well being and peace before all hell breaks loose for Claire. The film is shot very clean and depends on atmosphere more than scare after scare to set the tone. This works wonders as when the scares do  happen it's much more scary and unexpected. My one small gripe is that director Ti West gives away one of the scenes at the end by spending to much time on Claire earlier in the movie. Those that know what to look for will see it right away, yet thankfully it doesn't take away anything away from the viewing experience. I can think of no better way to start out the year by watching a great horror film, this was one, and hopefully the rest of the year will follow suit.

BEST DEATH:
     There was no deaths on screen this time, so how about a dead man in a tub from the film instead!

BEST LINE:
     Oh shit.

FUN FACTS:
     The film was filmed exclusively in Torrington, Connecticut.

     The actual first showing of the film was at the Get Lit Winter Party 2010 in Hollywood, California.

BLOOD FARE PRESS RELEASE

  
Well I got back from watching Cirque De Soileil 's Dralion in Tallahassee last night (really good by the way) and I found a press release for this movie coming out shortly called Blood Fare waiting for me in my inbox. So I watched the trailer for it and it seems like it would be a fun cheesy type of movie. So here's the press release for it.

     Warner Bros. Motion Picture Imaging Completes Digital Coloring Of Female Action Filmmaker J.A. Steel’s “Blood Fare”
     SALT LAKE CITY, UT. – On September 27, 2011, J.A. Steel, the award winning female writer and director, announces the completion of the digital coloring of her fourth feature film “Blood Fare.” The up-and-coming colorist, Jeff Pantaleo, completed the digital coloring on the newly developed Scratch workflow at Warner Bros. Motion Picture Imaging (MPI).

     “Blood Fare” is a Civil War ghost story with a modern twist, by J.A. Steel and Co-Producer Christian K. Koch. It is the tale of Corporal Henry Trout (S. Edward Meek - “Wild Stallion”), who in 1861 fought valiantly in a forgotten skirmish after the first battle of Bull Run. 150 years later, he will come face to face with his descendants as the battle for blood continues on a haunted battlefield. Tyler (Brandi Lynn Anderson from the upcoming Syfy original series “ZEROS”) and her brother Chad (Adrian West), Henry's fifth generation grandchildren, will challenge the very legend of Charon the Ferryman, as the lines between the living and the dead become blurred.

     Gil Gerard, internationally recognized for his lead role as Captain William ‘Buck’ Rogers in the science fiction movie and television series “Buck Rogers in the 25th Century”, plays the character of Professor Meade, mentor to the protagonist Tyler, in “Blood Fare”. Gerard was recently seen in the Syfy original movie “Ghost Town”. International action star, Kim Sonderholm, most recently seen in the newly released “Little Big Boy,” appears alongside Gerard as Professor Malick.

     In addition to Gerard and Sonderholm, several other amazingly talented actresses and actors have joined the “Blood Fare” cast, including Michelle Wolff (“NCIS”, “Chicago Hope”, “ER”, and “Providence”), Savannah Ostler (“Vengeance”), Bridget McManus (“Wanted”), Scott Beringer (“Ocean’s Eleven” and “21”), Brenden Whitney, Alison Trouse, Thomas J. Post, Antonio Lexerot and April Knight. Marcus Intheam, Salt Lake City star radio DJ of “Marcus in the Morning” on Z-ROCK 94.9 and “The Real L Word Live Lounge” host Natalie M. Garcia add live broadcast talent.

     Chris Hanson, one of the most recognized special makeup effects artists of Hollywood, joined the crew of “Blood Fare” as Special Makeup Effects Supervisor. Hedemonstrated his unique creativity in “Hellboy”, “Underworld”, “Men in Black”, “Men in Black 2”, “The Green Mile”, “The X-Files”, “The Faculty”, “Spawn” and many other productions.

     Steel rounds out her crew with Director of Photography Michael B. Call (“127 Hours”), Co-Producer Christian M. Koch, who has worked with Steel on her first 3 films, and Executive Producer Jessica M. Bair.
“Blood Fare” is a green, sustainable film production, and Eco/Sustainable Production Executive Micheline Birkhead was on set to ensure the project meets green certification requirements.

     Steel is a director, producer, actor, videographer, editor, fight choreographer and stunt person, in addition to writer and composer ... and even a distributor ... a unique woman in Hollywood. “Blood Fare” is Steel's fourth feature film. Her action horror shocker “Denizen”, her action supernatural thriller “Salvation”, and her action feature “The Third Society” reflect in many ways Steel's real life hobbies of Muay Thai kickboxing, cave diving, motorcycle riding, firearms and edged weapons. All three movies are available on Amazon.com.
Steel lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, preferring the peace of the mountains for her screen writing.