CrystalsBonusAndReviews

Riveting! This film will have you on the edge of your seat. The fact that it is based on a true story that happened in the late 40′s makes it all the more fascinating! It is also the American version of the film directed by Gustavo Hernandez ”La Casa Muda”, which was released in 2010 in Argentina, but with slight differences. In the American version the names have changed as well as the reasons for the characters being in the house, but the synopsis remains the same. Elizabeth Olsen plays Sarah a girl who is working on a renovation project along with her father John played by Adam Trese and her Uncle Peter played by Eric Sheffer Stevens. All seems to be going well until she hears a loud sound. After that the terror begins.

The title suggests this is a ghost story about a haunted house and in a sense it is, but not the traditional haunted house. However it is a house full of dark secrets. Directors Kris Kentis and Laura Lau take you on a journey of pure fear and suspense. You never know what will happen next. Although the cinematography is not that great. There are some scenes in the film that are blurry where you can’t make out the images, especially those standing in the distance. Also the camera is a bit shaky in some scenes such as the opening scene where Sarah and her Father enter the house. It is definitely not the smooth cinematography found in most films, but this fact doesn’t necessarily destroy the film either.

It is very well acted. Elizabeth Olsen delivers a good performance. You can see and feel her fear. She draws you in to her trapped world. This is one film that every one should see to believe. The ending will blow your mind! It gets 3 out of 5 popcorn bags.

Danny Devito is the Lorax and nobody does it better! This film is a modern version of the beloved Dr. Seuss Book “The Lorax”. It’s a film with a very powerful message that transcends the screen and applies to situations and conditions of today. The message is very clear, which is that trees are important and they encourage us to plant more trees.  The songs are catchy and will keep your toes tapping. Betty White does a great job as the voice of Ted’s Grammy Norma. Zac Efron is te voice of Ted a boy who has a crush on Audrey voiced by Taylor Swift. A girl who wants to see a real tree. So urged by Grammy Norma Ted sets out to find the Onceler voiced by Ed Helms to find out what happened to all of the trees.

The 3D effects are very well done. The scene where the bed is in te river really gives you the feeling of shooting the rapids. The animals in the story are adorable especially the little bear cubs. The scene where the Onceler gives them marshmellows is really cute because the animals really love them. Even the Lorax likes them. The Lorax floats down to save the trees and the forest. This film is also very funny because the Lorax and the Onceler are at odds with each other.

The message in the fim is one that should be shared, which is why every one should see this movie. It is fun for all ages. It addresses the issues of the environment, which like in the film is in jeopardy unless something is done. It deserves 5 out of 5 popcorn bags.

This is a fantastic film because it gives you a glimpse of  what our military face during times of war. The other cool factor is that they used real Navy Seals to act in the movie as themselves. The Seals go on a dangerous mission to once again keep America safe. This film is a nonstop emotional thrill ride because you  get to know the Seals and their families. Before they go on the mission they all meet together for a beach barbeque with their families. You get to see what their lives are like and the loved ones they leave behind waiting for them to return. The story is very unique in the film being told in flash backs by the team members, but in a letter to one of the Navy Seal’s baby son explaining what type of guy his father is. It is very touching.

 The cinematography is beautiful as well. The scene where the Seals jump from the plane and are soaring throgh the air is amazing! It gives you the feeling of falling and flying with them.  The aerial shots are intense and full of adrenaline. It also really captures the Costa Rican country both beauty and poverty. The special affects are jaring! The scene where the suicide bomber kills the school children by using the disguise of an ice cream truck really captures the pure evil behind terrorism. This fact will also anger you as you watch the film. The blatant disregard for human life any human life is scary.

 This film also shows us an aspect of what our military goes through. The sacrifice they make putting their lives on the line so that we can be safe. Even though the mission in the film is fictional it does represent the type of missions we aren’t aware of and all the hidden dangers lurking to do harm to our country. Everyone should see this film! It gets 4 out of 5 popcorn bags.

This film is definitely an adventure that tries to keep true to the Jules Verne Novel Treasure Island. Dwayne Johnson plays Hank a guy trying to connect with his new stepson Sean played by Josh Hutcherson. So they embark on an adventure as something they could do together. Michael Caine plays Sean’s eccentric Grandfather Alexander who doesn’t really like Hank at first, but as the adventure progresses they grow on each other. Louis Guzman plays Gabato the helicopter pilot who flies them to the island along with his daughter Kailani played by Vanessa Hudgens.

The special effects remind you of Honey I Shrunk the Kids. The creatures in this fim tower over the characters. The bees and especially the ants definitely remind you of that film. Ther are some aspects of the film where the 3D effect is very effective such as the scene where they are in the helicopter and it is being ripped apart by the storm. The 3D effect gives you the feeling of spiraling through he eye of the storm and crashing  on the island. It feels abit like being on a roller coaster. Unfortunately that was the only scene that needed 3D. So the 3D really does nothing for the fim.

Michael Caine is a delight to watch and the wit that is exchanged between he and Dwayne’s characters gives the film something that will appeal to people of all ages. Which then gives this film something for everyone. While it probably won’t win any awards this film is fun and entertaining. It gets 3 out of 5 popcorn bags.

This is one film where the trailer is scarier than the actual film. Based on the novel by Susan Hill it is a creepy film but not scary with no Harry Potter comparisons. Daniel Radcliffe known for Harry Potter fame plays an Attorney Arthur Kipps who is sent to a village to settle the affairs of a deceased client. The opening scene shows Arthur getting ready to leave his young son Joseph played by Misha Handley to travel to the village. Artur is a man full of sorrow because he lost his wife during child birth leaving him to raise Joseph on his own. This is also evidenced by the scene where Joseph gives him a calendar he drew for him counting down the days until they would be reunited. He drew his father with a frown and told him that’s how he always looks. This film moves very slow, but once it gets going it does hold your attention.

It is a slow thriller without a lot if any thrilling moments. There were some pretty good cinematography especially the scene where the tide comes in and the shots of the murky water raging in is just exciting because you see the force of nature and how powerful it can be.  And as quickly as the tide rolls in by morning it has receded and the road is visible and accessible again.

The film is very dark and morbid, but it is also very well acted. Daniel Radcliffe delivers a good performance along with Janet McTeer who plays Mrs. Daily a woman haunted by the ghost of her son. She delivers a fabulous performance as a tortured soul. You really can see the pain and anguish of her character. Because of the good acting this film gets 3 out of 5 popcorn bags.