I can speak from experience that not many people are driving into work at 3AM. Threre's an few of us, and I am one of the fortunate few that do. It's an easy 25 minute drive. A cracked open window, or moon roof on a smooth highway, music on... to a job that I love doing. Most days it is a time for me to gather my thoughts and get ready for the show with Sue Wilson on WQMX that starts promptly at 5:30.
Then there are other days like today. When Hurricane Sandy has to be dealt with. Like right this minute, I am at my local public library writing this article, because Sandy has killed the power at my house for the time being. I'm tired of Sandy already.
Then there are huge snow days before the bulk of the plows are yet to get out. That's when you know that it's really 3AM. Or Hurricane Sandy days, like today. It can make you a bit nervous with 70 MPH winds and driving rain on the highway. Heck, I lived in Florida for over a decade and never drove in an actual hurricane. So this was the first for me. And I was a bit apprehensive as I walked outside of my powerless house into the elements and jumped behind the wheel my car, and fired it up.
I did what you do then, turned on the defrost, the radio, and for some reason I had to adjust the seat position. This, not being the fancy car, I had to reach under the seat for the black bar to pull forward. And then I felt it. Just behind the adjustment bar. A big, blue covered bible, smack dab under the drivers seat. I picked it up and smiled. And then knew that no matter what Sandy had in store, I was going to be OK. This was a bible given to me by one of my great friends Ray C. from usually hurricane prone Florida. When Ray and I first became friends the better part of 20 years ago, he gave it to me and even signed the inside. You know the "To - Scott From - Ray" part and even put the date on it, 1997.
I remember being very moved by that act, and always valued that kind gesture and the good book given. I remember years ago, I decided to put it under the front seat of my car for safety sake. I put it there on the day I left Florida to move back home to Ohio in 2001. I put it there to protect me on my long 16 hour drive that day, and in subsequent years to protect me on the 3AM drives. I know that may sound a bit silly, buy it gave me comfort I guess. But what I failed to remember until this morning, is that I have owned a bunch of cars since then. And somehow, I have always transferred that bible to the new cars without ever really being aware I did.
As I lay in bed last night having a tough time getting to sleep. I have to admit I had a bit of stress about driving into the teeth of the bully storm, and was hoping all would be fine. I am not a worrier at all and take things pretty easily. But this storm was a bit different and I was concerned the drive might be too. But if I would have remembered the front seat bible, sleep would have come easier.
Of course today's drive was fine. I took my time and drove confidentially in the direction of my radio dreams, and made it in to the station without incident. Then I got to thinking. I've been driving at that time of the day for years now in all kinds of conditions, all safely and on time. So the good book must be doing a fine job. At least it works for me.
I say, "God Bless the Front Seat Bible." And thanks Ray. What a great gift after all these years. Peace of mind, on a day one was surely needed.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Monday, October 29, 2012
MOVIE REVIEW - Fun Size
Here comes the latest teen comedy/Halloween flick, Fun Size new this week.
You understand the logic of making Fun Size. It's Halloween. Kids drive the box office, and there are a few young stars here that will bring in a young audience this October. I understand that was the basic idea. I'm just not sure it was a good idea.
It's the story of Wren (Victoria Justice). She is a high school kid who is trying hard to fit in with the cool crowd and hang out with the cute boys. Her friend April (Jane Levy) is the driving force behind this ambition. Wren and her little brother Albert (Jackson Nicoll) live with their single mom Joy (Chelsea Handler.) Joy is recently widowed and is now sewing her wild oats with her new 26 year- old boyfriend. That means much of the caring for Albert who is 8 years old, falls on Wren.
Wren has to take Albert out for trick or treating, and has to cancel her own plans of going to a "super cool" party. She then promptly loses track of the elusive Albert who has his own plans of causing havoc on Halloween. Albert is dressed up as Spiderman, so he's hard to find. Albert also has chosen not to talk in a year, so he's hard to communicate with. Will they find Albert? And will everything work out in the end? I'm guessing yes. You?
First off, Jackson Nicoll would have a hard time begin any more adorable. He creates this pretty funny character with no words at all. And for a little boy, that's pretty cool. Also Justice is a fresh movie face, and at times Levy gives you a good laugh or two. Plus, there is some funny parody and satire on the under 30 generation that was fairly spot-on and amusing for a while. But the above is not reason enough to make this a full length movie.
What this is, is a made for TV movie that would be a good Nickelodeon flick for their cable network. (They made this movie) This just looks like one of those movies and not one you throw down 10 bucks for. This is a straight to video movie at best.
Fun for those of us from Northeast Ohio, as this was filmed in Cleveland, and much of the city and surrounding area is on good display. It's fun to see how they wove in the city to the movie. This makes two movies at the box office right now made here, with Alex Cross being the other.
Fun Size. You only have to wait 60 days for this to make it to video for a buck or two. You can make it, trust me.
You understand the logic of making Fun Size. It's Halloween. Kids drive the box office, and there are a few young stars here that will bring in a young audience this October. I understand that was the basic idea. I'm just not sure it was a good idea.
It's the story of Wren (Victoria Justice). She is a high school kid who is trying hard to fit in with the cool crowd and hang out with the cute boys. Her friend April (Jane Levy) is the driving force behind this ambition. Wren and her little brother Albert (Jackson Nicoll) live with their single mom Joy (Chelsea Handler.) Joy is recently widowed and is now sewing her wild oats with her new 26 year- old boyfriend. That means much of the caring for Albert who is 8 years old, falls on Wren.
Wren has to take Albert out for trick or treating, and has to cancel her own plans of going to a "super cool" party. She then promptly loses track of the elusive Albert who has his own plans of causing havoc on Halloween. Albert is dressed up as Spiderman, so he's hard to find. Albert also has chosen not to talk in a year, so he's hard to communicate with. Will they find Albert? And will everything work out in the end? I'm guessing yes. You?
First off, Jackson Nicoll would have a hard time begin any more adorable. He creates this pretty funny character with no words at all. And for a little boy, that's pretty cool. Also Justice is a fresh movie face, and at times Levy gives you a good laugh or two. Plus, there is some funny parody and satire on the under 30 generation that was fairly spot-on and amusing for a while. But the above is not reason enough to make this a full length movie.
What this is, is a made for TV movie that would be a good Nickelodeon flick for their cable network. (They made this movie) This just looks like one of those movies and not one you throw down 10 bucks for. This is a straight to video movie at best.
Fun for those of us from Northeast Ohio, as this was filmed in Cleveland, and much of the city and surrounding area is on good display. It's fun to see how they wove in the city to the movie. This makes two movies at the box office right now made here, with Alex Cross being the other.
Fun Size. You only have to wait 60 days for this to make it to video for a buck or two. You can make it, trust me.
MOVIE REVIEW - Cloud Atlas
Did you ever notice that everyone always seems to say, "Are you going to the new Tom Hanks movie?" And the new "Tom Hanks" movie is, Cloud Atlas.
CA is one of the most unusual movies you will ever see, at any time. This movie also stars Susan Sarandon, Halle Berry, Hugh Grant and a real strong supporting cast. Plenty of star power, and plenty of budget to go around. But if you are hoping to go into a movie to see a story that is easy to follow and understand. You may be going to the wrong movie.
I call CA a movie-goers movie. Meaning if you go to the movies once or twice a year, this may not be for you. This is very long, very strange, and not easily followed. This is for fans who like to talk and dissect movies for what could be hours over coffee long after this is over. If in fact it ever does end.
This is far too complicated to be explained effectively here, but in short here goes. This is a move that attempts to make a case that over the years, everything, and everyone is connected in some way. And that no matter time period, the same human struggles ensue, basically good versus evil, and to love and choosing not to love. Part of this story take place as far back as 1839, and as far forward as hundreds, if not thousands of years in the future. All of our stars and some supporting cast play multiple characters that are loosely based on each other. All of them play at least one character from many different periods. Hanks plays the most, and he is terrific in them all. Very challenging and very well done.
This is the kind of movie that Hollywood loves to make, and moreover loves to pat itself on the back over. The hair, make-up and costuming in this movie is fantastic. They really make all of our stars really look different in all of the parts they play. Sets on this move are also incredible, as you are transported successfully through time. This also an action movie at times, with great effects mostly computer generated, but still stunning to see. No doubt this was amazingly challenging movie making and a huge undertaking. I have no idea where they would begin.
But with all of that said, the fact that this is three hours long and is tough to follow makes it difficult for modern movie goers. When this is over, you do have the sense you've just seen something big and incredible, you just not be sure what it was. Word to the wise too, if you have to step out for the theater for 5 minutes for a bathroom break or something, just keep going. There is no way you can catch up on what you've missed and you'll be lost. Not even asking your friend that you left behind will help.
Also, the budget has to be astounding to make this movie. A financially bleak opening weekend has virtually guaranteed this will be one of the biggest flops of this year or any year.
Cloud Atlas. This just might be a bit too much of a story to tell. I'm not sure that there will be that many that will invest the time, or the payoff.
CA is one of the most unusual movies you will ever see, at any time. This movie also stars Susan Sarandon, Halle Berry, Hugh Grant and a real strong supporting cast. Plenty of star power, and plenty of budget to go around. But if you are hoping to go into a movie to see a story that is easy to follow and understand. You may be going to the wrong movie.
I call CA a movie-goers movie. Meaning if you go to the movies once or twice a year, this may not be for you. This is very long, very strange, and not easily followed. This is for fans who like to talk and dissect movies for what could be hours over coffee long after this is over. If in fact it ever does end.
This is far too complicated to be explained effectively here, but in short here goes. This is a move that attempts to make a case that over the years, everything, and everyone is connected in some way. And that no matter time period, the same human struggles ensue, basically good versus evil, and to love and choosing not to love. Part of this story take place as far back as 1839, and as far forward as hundreds, if not thousands of years in the future. All of our stars and some supporting cast play multiple characters that are loosely based on each other. All of them play at least one character from many different periods. Hanks plays the most, and he is terrific in them all. Very challenging and very well done.
This is the kind of movie that Hollywood loves to make, and moreover loves to pat itself on the back over. The hair, make-up and costuming in this movie is fantastic. They really make all of our stars really look different in all of the parts they play. Sets on this move are also incredible, as you are transported successfully through time. This also an action movie at times, with great effects mostly computer generated, but still stunning to see. No doubt this was amazingly challenging movie making and a huge undertaking. I have no idea where they would begin.
But with all of that said, the fact that this is three hours long and is tough to follow makes it difficult for modern movie goers. When this is over, you do have the sense you've just seen something big and incredible, you just not be sure what it was. Word to the wise too, if you have to step out for the theater for 5 minutes for a bathroom break or something, just keep going. There is no way you can catch up on what you've missed and you'll be lost. Not even asking your friend that you left behind will help.
Also, the budget has to be astounding to make this movie. A financially bleak opening weekend has virtually guaranteed this will be one of the biggest flops of this year or any year.
Cloud Atlas. This just might be a bit too much of a story to tell. I'm not sure that there will be that many that will invest the time, or the payoff.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Schools, Stadiums,Theaters, And Theme Parks
Things change every day. But that doesn't mean at times it isn't difficult for all of us.
At the end of the school year, my high school Berea High, will merge with Midpark High and become Berea-Midpark High School. It will be in the current Berea building I understand, and the team will be renamed from the Braves to the Titans.
This is on the heels of my old elementary school Parknoll closing after 50 years and being torn down. Sad, as I don't know if I ever felt as safe in my life as I did going to that school as a kid. Seems many of us might feel that way about our primary schools. New schools had to be built, but it doesn't make it any less sad.
I have always felt there are 4 things that are hard to watch close. Schools, Stadiums, Theaters and Theme Parks. You know, places that were built specifically for people to gather and make life better and more fun. I guess we understand that on the day they open, there will be a day they will close. But, they are beyond special places. They represent more that just a place we go...but a place we grow in one way or another.
Look at old Municipal Stadium in Cleveland. Yeah I get it, it had tons of problems. But I know this, the Browns won a ton a championships there, and have never been the same since they left the old dinosaur behind. And did you know that every player who's number the Indians have retired played there, and only there? And there is not a person you'll meet that will say that they didn't have better times at the Coliseum in Richfield.
How about the neighborhood theater? No one denies that the new places are fantastic. But the old ones with the balcony and the one or maybe two screens? The place that was right up the street with the neon marquis? And don't get me started at the fun we all had at drive-ins!
Theme parks always die hard and Chippewa Lake comes to mind. It was open for over 100 years. Generations gathered there to have family fun. It deserved better than a chained gate and 40 years of overgrowth.
Look, I'm not saying that the new places aren't amazing, beautiful and needed. Or that the old places were better or more comfortable. But I might argue that they were more fun, and that they were more special to us.
For me that is certainly the case of my school. I was sad to see Parknoll torn down. I'm going to miss driving up there on occasion to see the brick that said SW + CP that I wrote with chalk in the sixth grade when I had a crush on Connie Price. It was there since I left. Or the gym I played Saturday morning basketball in with Bobby G., and Scott M. Or the fields I rode up to on my bike 15 minutes after school was over to play some kind of ball on depending on the season. And summer camp with Valerie W., and Dave G., and others.
As for my high school? I'm sure I'm not the first person to have their high school close or change. But it's where I did the morning announements with John R., and Kathy M. Plus, this week is the final Berea-Midpark rivalry football game after 50 years. After this it will be one school, Berea-Midpark.
But don't look for the hyphen on my diploma. I graduated from THE Berea High School. Go Braves!
At the end of the school year, my high school Berea High, will merge with Midpark High and become Berea-Midpark High School. It will be in the current Berea building I understand, and the team will be renamed from the Braves to the Titans.
This is on the heels of my old elementary school Parknoll closing after 50 years and being torn down. Sad, as I don't know if I ever felt as safe in my life as I did going to that school as a kid. Seems many of us might feel that way about our primary schools. New schools had to be built, but it doesn't make it any less sad.
I have always felt there are 4 things that are hard to watch close. Schools, Stadiums, Theaters and Theme Parks. You know, places that were built specifically for people to gather and make life better and more fun. I guess we understand that on the day they open, there will be a day they will close. But, they are beyond special places. They represent more that just a place we go...but a place we grow in one way or another.
Look at old Municipal Stadium in Cleveland. Yeah I get it, it had tons of problems. But I know this, the Browns won a ton a championships there, and have never been the same since they left the old dinosaur behind. And did you know that every player who's number the Indians have retired played there, and only there? And there is not a person you'll meet that will say that they didn't have better times at the Coliseum in Richfield.
How about the neighborhood theater? No one denies that the new places are fantastic. But the old ones with the balcony and the one or maybe two screens? The place that was right up the street with the neon marquis? And don't get me started at the fun we all had at drive-ins!
Theme parks always die hard and Chippewa Lake comes to mind. It was open for over 100 years. Generations gathered there to have family fun. It deserved better than a chained gate and 40 years of overgrowth.
Look, I'm not saying that the new places aren't amazing, beautiful and needed. Or that the old places were better or more comfortable. But I might argue that they were more fun, and that they were more special to us.
For me that is certainly the case of my school. I was sad to see Parknoll torn down. I'm going to miss driving up there on occasion to see the brick that said SW + CP that I wrote with chalk in the sixth grade when I had a crush on Connie Price. It was there since I left. Or the gym I played Saturday morning basketball in with Bobby G., and Scott M. Or the fields I rode up to on my bike 15 minutes after school was over to play some kind of ball on depending on the season. And summer camp with Valerie W., and Dave G., and others.
As for my high school? I'm sure I'm not the first person to have their high school close or change. But it's where I did the morning announements with John R., and Kathy M. Plus, this week is the final Berea-Midpark rivalry football game after 50 years. After this it will be one school, Berea-Midpark.
But don't look for the hyphen on my diploma. I graduated from THE Berea High School. Go Braves!
MOVIE REVIEW - Paranormal Activity 4
Here we go again! More Paranormal Activity and this time it's the fourth installment of this really landmark film series.
Let's look at the history here. Paranormal Activity was a very good movie and was one of the really feel good cinematic achievements ever. An unknown, young filmmaker makes this little movie basically in his condo. He hires two actors, and does it for about $12,000. And of course goes on to bring in a couple hundred million bucks. Amazing, for this little hand held camera flick that gave us all a jolt and made us wonder what is really going on in our houses in the middle of the night.
Even PA2 was livable. More of the same, and a bit more intense. Brought in more dough, and seemed like a good idea at the time. Of course, it had to give way to PA3 which began the watering down of this original good idea. Now it's PA4, and PA1 seems like a long, long time ago.
OK, enough of the hand held, herky-jerky point of view camera shots in the middle of the night. PA4 has the story moving on to a new family that gets to go through the bumps in the night, and the unexplained stuff at 3AM. And you know what? I'm bored. Period. I'm bored to tears. Yet another flick where web cams are set up all night with the time stamp in the corner watching basically nothing happen night after night after night. Good gravy, can't we think of anything else to do? But it seems this series has one idea and it's going to ride it like a thoroughbred till we stop going.
This time they use web cams, smart phones, and laptops as cameras in our story, and it is virtually all filmed in the middle of the night again. Yes, there are a few jolts and a few heart pounding moments, but they have lost their allure, and I fear for good. It's just too much of a good idea. It has worn out it's welcome. And again for the third time in a row, it's 90 minutes of waiting for a payoff that never comes. But there's a bunch of money to be made and that's a big temptation. This troupe can do good work and has with other movies and that's where we should go.
Paranormal Activity 4. Let's move on. Please.
Let's look at the history here. Paranormal Activity was a very good movie and was one of the really feel good cinematic achievements ever. An unknown, young filmmaker makes this little movie basically in his condo. He hires two actors, and does it for about $12,000. And of course goes on to bring in a couple hundred million bucks. Amazing, for this little hand held camera flick that gave us all a jolt and made us wonder what is really going on in our houses in the middle of the night.
Even PA2 was livable. More of the same, and a bit more intense. Brought in more dough, and seemed like a good idea at the time. Of course, it had to give way to PA3 which began the watering down of this original good idea. Now it's PA4, and PA1 seems like a long, long time ago.
OK, enough of the hand held, herky-jerky point of view camera shots in the middle of the night. PA4 has the story moving on to a new family that gets to go through the bumps in the night, and the unexplained stuff at 3AM. And you know what? I'm bored. Period. I'm bored to tears. Yet another flick where web cams are set up all night with the time stamp in the corner watching basically nothing happen night after night after night. Good gravy, can't we think of anything else to do? But it seems this series has one idea and it's going to ride it like a thoroughbred till we stop going.
This time they use web cams, smart phones, and laptops as cameras in our story, and it is virtually all filmed in the middle of the night again. Yes, there are a few jolts and a few heart pounding moments, but they have lost their allure, and I fear for good. It's just too much of a good idea. It has worn out it's welcome. And again for the third time in a row, it's 90 minutes of waiting for a payoff that never comes. But there's a bunch of money to be made and that's a big temptation. This troupe can do good work and has with other movies and that's where we should go.
Paranormal Activity 4. Let's move on. Please.
Friday, October 19, 2012
MOVIE REVIEW - Alex Cross
James Patterson's complicated crime fighting character Alex Cross is back in another installment of his book series, this time it is... Alex Cross.
This is a total relaunch of the Cross character to a new generation of fans, as this is squarely targeted at a younger audience with the casting of Tyler Perry as Cross. Plus, there is a far younger feel to this as opposed to the previous two flicks, Along Came A Spider, and Kiss The Girls. Everything has been updated within the story itself, and in the movie making. This will "young up" Cross and make it far more palatable to younger moviegoers that drive box office receipts.
Cross is chasing through the streets of Detroit a real monster of an assassin who is barbaric in his killing methods. He has been hired by someone to start killing off the huge businessmen within
Detroit for reasons not quite clear at the movies inception. And when the killer turns his sights on Cross himself and his family, Cross goes off the reservation and pursues a path of vigilante justice with his small team.
It's also fun for local movie goers to see that much of this was filmed in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio, as well as on location in Detroit. This is a straight action flick with a ton of chases, and fight scenes. But in a real savvy move, and understanding that Patterson's books and the Cross character is very popular with women, this keeps a PG-13 rating, and the violence is kept in check. This would have been very easy to be very graphic and far more violent, but they put a cap on it. It has a feel of the Law and Order SVU TV show. Good move. This also has a real slick and up to date soundtrack and gives this a real nice forward momentum. There is a bunch of good here.
But some of this is a bit too convenient. Things just kind of "happen" in this movie that were more than likely explained far better in the books. Some of the dialogue is average at best, and there are a few draggy moments here. This kind of stumbles out of the gate, but does get better as it goes on. And it does not get old, Cross knows when to fold up his tent and go home.
Perry is solid with the script that he was given as Cross, and a fair supporting cast with Ed Burns and others. Trouble is, they are not allowed to develop as well as Cross. But in the end, this is not a deal breaker.
Alex Cross. It does have some troubles, but in the end is decent movie making.
This is a total relaunch of the Cross character to a new generation of fans, as this is squarely targeted at a younger audience with the casting of Tyler Perry as Cross. Plus, there is a far younger feel to this as opposed to the previous two flicks, Along Came A Spider, and Kiss The Girls. Everything has been updated within the story itself, and in the movie making. This will "young up" Cross and make it far more palatable to younger moviegoers that drive box office receipts.
Cross is chasing through the streets of Detroit a real monster of an assassin who is barbaric in his killing methods. He has been hired by someone to start killing off the huge businessmen within
Detroit for reasons not quite clear at the movies inception. And when the killer turns his sights on Cross himself and his family, Cross goes off the reservation and pursues a path of vigilante justice with his small team.
It's also fun for local movie goers to see that much of this was filmed in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio, as well as on location in Detroit. This is a straight action flick with a ton of chases, and fight scenes. But in a real savvy move, and understanding that Patterson's books and the Cross character is very popular with women, this keeps a PG-13 rating, and the violence is kept in check. This would have been very easy to be very graphic and far more violent, but they put a cap on it. It has a feel of the Law and Order SVU TV show. Good move. This also has a real slick and up to date soundtrack and gives this a real nice forward momentum. There is a bunch of good here.
But some of this is a bit too convenient. Things just kind of "happen" in this movie that were more than likely explained far better in the books. Some of the dialogue is average at best, and there are a few draggy moments here. This kind of stumbles out of the gate, but does get better as it goes on. And it does not get old, Cross knows when to fold up his tent and go home.
Perry is solid with the script that he was given as Cross, and a fair supporting cast with Ed Burns and others. Trouble is, they are not allowed to develop as well as Cross. But in the end, this is not a deal breaker.
Alex Cross. It does have some troubles, but in the end is decent movie making.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
MOVIE REVIEW - Sinister
Halloween is here again and time for the scary movies, and this week it's Sinister. Which actually is rather intense.
To start with, Sinister starts out with a real advantage by casting Ethan Hawke, a real good veteran actor in the lead. Generally these flicks live with no-names, or has been's. This is a script that is far better than most Halloween time movies and remembers what in real life really scares you. So right off the bat, this has a leg or two up.
Sinister is a relatively simple story of a struggling young writer (Hawke) and his family who move into a new house in a new town so the writer can get close to the story he is working on. He writes real life murder stories and does much research. This new house is the center of an entire family's murder years ago. He wants to learn as much about the case as possible. Turns out that this house is a bit haunted, or something. In any case something is just not right, and it seems he and his family could be in danger.
He runs across this old box of home Super 8 movies that show numerous gruesome murders of entire families from all over the country. He becomes obsessed with the films and they start to play with his head. Then things start to go bump in the night, and he tries to get to the bottom of the whole thing. Is he cracking up? Or is there real terror around them? Is there something supernatural under foot?
Sinister is a pretty intense, and at times a scary movie. What this movie does very well, is that this is not a slasher movie. But there are some rather disturbing images for sure. And they are so real, they could be very disturbing to people too young to see this. So keep that in mind. But there is virtually no blood, or extreme violence and that makes this movie far scarier than a bunch of fake blood. What is intense here is the suspense, and the situations our characters find themselves in. A lot of this movie is Hawke doing simply silent acting, and he is very good.
This is not a special effects fest at all. It is a good script, and preys on what would frighten you. Yes, there is some silliness to it at times. Like why he never turns a light on at 3 AM when the terror sets in. But this is not the first movie to do that. One thing about this movie is that there is minimal predictability to it. And that is its strength. It does not make everything crystal clear, but that's not a deal breaker. It does keep you guessing. And the door is open for Sinister to roll on next year if they choose.
Sinister. For what it is, well done.
To start with, Sinister starts out with a real advantage by casting Ethan Hawke, a real good veteran actor in the lead. Generally these flicks live with no-names, or has been's. This is a script that is far better than most Halloween time movies and remembers what in real life really scares you. So right off the bat, this has a leg or two up.
Sinister is a relatively simple story of a struggling young writer (Hawke) and his family who move into a new house in a new town so the writer can get close to the story he is working on. He writes real life murder stories and does much research. This new house is the center of an entire family's murder years ago. He wants to learn as much about the case as possible. Turns out that this house is a bit haunted, or something. In any case something is just not right, and it seems he and his family could be in danger.
He runs across this old box of home Super 8 movies that show numerous gruesome murders of entire families from all over the country. He becomes obsessed with the films and they start to play with his head. Then things start to go bump in the night, and he tries to get to the bottom of the whole thing. Is he cracking up? Or is there real terror around them? Is there something supernatural under foot?
Sinister is a pretty intense, and at times a scary movie. What this movie does very well, is that this is not a slasher movie. But there are some rather disturbing images for sure. And they are so real, they could be very disturbing to people too young to see this. So keep that in mind. But there is virtually no blood, or extreme violence and that makes this movie far scarier than a bunch of fake blood. What is intense here is the suspense, and the situations our characters find themselves in. A lot of this movie is Hawke doing simply silent acting, and he is very good.
This is not a special effects fest at all. It is a good script, and preys on what would frighten you. Yes, there is some silliness to it at times. Like why he never turns a light on at 3 AM when the terror sets in. But this is not the first movie to do that. One thing about this movie is that there is minimal predictability to it. And that is its strength. It does not make everything crystal clear, but that's not a deal breaker. It does keep you guessing. And the door is open for Sinister to roll on next year if they choose.
Sinister. For what it is, well done.
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