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Movie Review: Jessabelle

Published

10 years ago

November 9, 2014

If nothing else what you can say about Jessabelle is that it is beautifully shot in a stunning part of the world. The location is a visual treat, this often works well for many horror films, countryside settings often give a natural reason for the silence that is needed in the odd scene of a horror movie.

What I found interesting about the first act of Jessabelle was the use of colour in the house, in scenes where Jessabelle was looking at things from her’ childhood the unimpeded sunlight penetrates into every corner of the house; this is to illustrate that things were easier for her as a child. The house at night is an entirely different story. Due to the woody surroundings of the house; the green from the trees and the murky waters of the lake, the house has a mysterious green filter over everything. This was not only a clever tactic to submerge the viewer in the world Jessabelle is trying to create but a interesting horror technique, it means there are many places for the spirit to hide. Due to the obscured view of the room the ghost could be hidden anywhere. Like many horror techniques this one is trying to play on a inherent fear in many humans, think about it, how many people say they are afraid of jumping into a body of water when they can’t see the bottom? Many will tell you that it isn’t the water, its what could be in it. There is something in that and I think Kevin Greutert knows it. This is why he aimed to make Jess’ room look like the lake outside the house. Given the importance of the lake to the story, especially its importance to the family that once dwelt in the house it is interesting that the colours of the lake itself appear to creep into the home.

Although I thought the first act had an interesting and focussed atmosphere I found one particular element incredibly frustrating. The main character exploring either a new house or an old house they used to live in is a tried and tested, dare I say overused trope of horror movies. It was disappointing to see a film that up to this point was very unique, using a generic and boring tactic. It was particularly irritating given how long these scenes were, filler moments as long as these in a movie as short as Jessabelle is no good thing.

The sequence that stood out to me was when Jess’ mother gives her a tarot card reading on a VHS tape recorded before she died. The scene went from sweet to tense and creepy in an intelligent way. The other stand out moment of the first act was the spirit rolling towards the bed in the wheelchair and reaching through the curtain that surrounds it. The curtain being positioned in the same place as the night before indicating that something had physically moved it was an interesting take on something that has been done many times before. The scariest moment of the movie was the scene in the bath, it is just a shame that this moment wasn’t all that scary; just mildly tense with one well done jump scare.

Though the soundtrack was effective and well and the scenes around the swamp with the gravestone were the definition of weird everything after this point was boring and failed to muster up any tension or fear. It had an interesting story up to a point after which it became needlessly convoluted. The occasional moments of creepiness are the only saving grace of an overall boring movie. Clocking in at only an hour and a half, Jessabelle feels about four hours long.

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Movies

’47 Meters Down’ Getting Third Movie Called ‘The Wreck’

Published

3 hours ago

May 7, 2024

Timothy Rawles

Deadline is reporting that a new 47 Meters Down installment is heading into production, making the shark series a trilogy.

“Series creator Johannes Roberts, and screenwriter Ernest Riera, who wrote the first two films, have co-written the third installment: 47 Meters Down: The Wreck.” Patrick Lussier (My Bloody Valentine) will direct.

The first two films were a moderate success, released in 2017 and 2019 respectively. The second film is titled 47 Meters Down: Uncaged.

^{47 Meters Down}

The plot for The Wreck is detailed by Deadline. They write that it involves a father and daughter trying to repair their relationship by spending time together scuba diving into a sunken ship, “But soon after their descent, their master diver has an accident leaving them alone and unprotected inside the labyrinth of the wreck. As tensions rise and oxygen dwindles, the pair must use their newfound bond to escape the wreck and the relentless barrage of bloodthirsty great white sharks.”

The filmmakers are hoping to present the pitch to the Cannes market with production starting in the fall.

“47 Meters Down: The Wreck is the perfect continuation of our shark-filled franchise,” said Byron Allen, founder/chairman/CEO of Allen Media Group. “This film will once again have moviegoers terrified and on the edge of their seats.”

Johannes Roberts adds, “We can’t wait for audiences to be trapped underwater with us again. 47 Meters Down: The Wreck is going to be the biggest, most-intense film of this franchise.”

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‘Wednesday’ Season Two Drops New Teaser Video That Reveals Full Cast

Published

6 hours ago

May 7, 2024

Cameron McFarland

Netflix announced this morning that Wednesday season 2 is finally entering production. Fans have been waiting a long time for more of the creepy icon. Season one of Wednesday premiered in November of 2022.

In our new world of streaming entertainment, it isn’t uncommon for shows to take years to release a new season. If they release another one at all. Even though we will likely have to wait quite a while to see the show, any news is good news.

The new season of Wednesday looks to have an amazing cast. Jenna Ortega (Scream) will be reprising her iconic role as Wednesday. She will be joined by Billie Piper (Scoop), Steve Buscemi (Boardwalk Empire), Evie Templeton (Return to Silent Hill), Owen Painter (The Handmaid’s Tale), and Noah Taylor (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory).

We will also get to see some of the amazing cast from season one making a return. Wednesday season 2 will feature Catherine-Zeta Jones (Side Effects), Luis Guzman (Genie), Issac Ordonez (A Wrinkle in Time), and Luyanda Unati Lewis-Nyawo (Devs).

If all of that star power wasn’t enough, the legendary Tim Burton (The Nightmare Before Christmas) will be directing the series. As a cheeky nod from Netflix, this season of Wednesday will be titled Here We Woe Again.

Jenna Ortega Wednesday — Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams

We don’t know much about much about what Wednesday season two will entail. However, Ortega has stated that this season will be more horror focused. “We’re definitely leaning into a little bit more horror. It’s really, really exciting because, all throughout the show, while Wednesday does need a little bit of an arc, she never really changes and that’s the wonderful thing about her.”

That’s all the information that we have. Make sure to check back here for more news and updates.

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Movies

A24 Reportedly “Pulls Plug” On Peacock’s ‘Crystal Lake’ Series

Published

7 hours ago

May 7, 2024

Timothy Rawles

Film studio A24 might not be going forward with its planned Peacock Friday the 13th spinoff called Crystal Lake according to Fridaythe13thfranchise.com. The website quotes entertainment blogger Jeff Sneider who made a statement on his webpage through a subscription paywall.

“I’m hearing that A24 has pulled the plug on Crystal Lake, its planned Peacock series based on the Friday the 13th franchise featuring masked killer Jason Voorhees. Bryan Fuller was due to executive produce the horror series.

It’s unclear whether this is a permanent decision or a temporary one, as A24 had no comment. Perhaps Peacock will help the trades shed more light on this project, which was announced back in 2022.”

Back in January 2023, we reported that some big names were behind this streaming project including Bryan Fuller, Kevin Williamson, and Friday the 13th Part 2 final girl Adrienne King.

“‘Crystal Lake info from Bryan Fuller! They officially start writing in 2 weeks (writers are here in the audience).” tweeted social media writer Eric Goldman who tweeted the info while attending a Friday the 13th 3D screening event in January 2023. “It will have two scores to choose from – a modern one and a classic Harry Manfredini one. Kevin Williamson is writing an episode. Adrienne King will have a recurring role. Yay! Fuller has pitched four seasons for Crystal Lake. Only one officially ordered so far though he notes Peacock would have to pay a pretty hefty penalty if they didn’t order a Season 2. Asked if he can confirm Pamela’s role in the Crystal Lake series, Fuller replied ‘We’re honestly going to be covering it all. The series is covering the life and times of these two characters’ (presumably he’s referring to Pamela and Jason there!)'”

Whether or not Peacock is moving forward with the project is unclear and since this news is secondhand information, it still has to be verified which will require Peacock and/or A24 to make an official statement which they have yet to do.

But keep checking back to iHorror for the latest updates to this developing story.

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