This is a Hitchcock-type thriller starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Harrison Ford (Claire and Norman Spencer) who are the picture perfect couple who have a dream house, and the dream life. Problem is that
Claire suspects that her new neighbor, murdered his wife and during her "investigation" she discovers something about herself and her husband. She also feels that her house is haunted and that she is
possessed, literally and figuratively by the spirit of missing woman somehow connected to her and a terrible car accident she had a year earlier. The movie went at a pretty good pace and kept you
interested for the first half, but midway through it got stupid. There were a few moments that were a bit chilling and I liked the tub constantly filling with water, but other than that, there wasn't much
scariness. The climax of the movie was also a little overdone, but the movie is not bad for a rental on a rainy afternoon. (Grade: C+)
Scary Movie
There is no solid plot or character development to this movie and it doesn't matter because this is a satirical shot at horror and teen slasher movies (the "Scream" and "I Know What You Did Last Summer" series) á là the Wayans Brothers. Actually, the plot is a hybrid of the two films." In this movie we have a small-town that is dealing with a killer who wears the mask like the "Scream" villain and most of the dialogue is lifted from the target films. There is the typical Wayans, "In Living Color" type humor including jokes on homophobia, drugs, and blackplotation. It helps to have seen the movies that were parodied in this movie but not necessary, as the genre is really being poked fun at. It gets a little bizarre at times, but you get some good laughs. (Grade: B)
This supernatural thriller had so much potential but it fell flat. The story is about demonic possession, exorcism, and the Antichrist. Winona Ryder is a schoolteacher who was once possessed and is now involved in an exorcism of a serial killer who reveals that the Antichrist will appear incarnate within a few days. Through his cryptic writings she discovers that a best-selling author (Ben Chaplin) will be the next embodiment of Satan and that she must warn him and stop the transformation. The movie falls short mainly because of conflicts of character, especially Ryder's who is supposed to be the heroine of the movie and savior of all mankind, but who seems like she needs saving herself, and not just spiritual. Definitely not a movie made in Heaven, but you won't be praying for it to end. (Grade: C)
Billz Movie Worthiness Scale Values:
A = movie tickets and popcorn for 2 (about $40)
B = buy the DVD when it comes out ($25)
C = rent it
D = wait for it to be on cable/pay TV
E = wait for it to be on regular TV
