News
Science and the Paranormal Collide in ‘Our House’
Our House, written by Nathan Parker and directed by Anthony Scott Burns, is a bit hard to define.
Based on 2010’s Ghost in the Machine, the film seems to be made of equal parts science fiction and paranormal horror with a full dose of family drama for good measure. In the capable hands of Park and Burns, however, the whole becomes greater than its parts in a film that is as terrifying as it is heartbreaking.
Ethan (Thomas Mann), a promising student at MIT, has been working to create a machine that will provide wireless electricity with his girlfriend/lab partner Hannah (Nicola Peltz). His world is shaken to its core one night, however, when his parents die in a car accident and he is forced to leave school to take care of his brother Matt (Percy Hynes White) and sister Becca (Kate Moyer).
A genius never stops working, however, and Ethan continues his experiments in his basement. It isn’t long before he realizes that his machine might actually be amplifying paranormal activity in the family’s home, and soon he and his siblings are engaged in a fight to survive.
Mann is quite good in the role of Ethan. His exhaustion is palpable as he struggles with his new role as the head of the family, the guilt over the loss of his parents, and his deep desire to continue his research.
Likewise, Percy Hynes White–who you might recognize from Marvel’s “The Gifted”, gives a beautifully layered performance in the role of Matt. He blames Ethan for their parents’ death but relies on him heavily for emotional support and validation when shadows take on a life of their own inside the home and dark spirits begin to threaten the family.
The two find common ground in protecting their little sister, and Moyer is the picture of open-faced innocence as Becca naively befriends the spirits around her.
Burns and casting director Millie Tom’s brilliant work didn’t stop at the family, however.
The supporting cast is equally talented, and Nicole Peltz especially stands out as Hannah. Not only is the actress stunning, but her every move, expression, and gesture is expertly placed as Hannah attempts to incorporate the reality of what is happening to Ethan and his family into her scientific view of the world.
Mark Korven, who previously scored The Witch as well as 1997’s Cube, provides a pitch perfect score for the film amplifying the tension while also subtly underlying the sadness and vulnerability of the core family.
Every good ghost story needs impressive ghosts, and Burns’ effects team brought their A-game to Our House.
The spirits in the film emerge from billowy, shadowed smoke which gives them leave to morph into whatever they choose to look like and ultimately ratchets up the tension because deep down, the viewer really has no idea who or what the beings conjured by Ethan’s machine actually are.
When all is said and done, Our House ultimately works because of its genre-bending strangeness. Its peculiarity and its subtle nods to films like The Legend of Hell House make it a must see for horror fans who love a good ghost story.
Our House is set for release by IFC films on July 27, 2018. Check out the trailer below!
'Civil War' Review: Is It Worth Watching?
Follow our new YouTube channel "Mysteries and Movies" here.
Movies
Trailer for ‘The Exorcism’ Has Russell Crowe Possessed
The latest exorcism movie is about to drop this summer. It’s aptly titled The Exorcism and it stars Academy Award winner turned B-movie savant Russell Crowe. The trailer dropped today and by the looks of it, we are getting a possession movie that takes place on a movie set.
Just like this year’s recent demon-in-media-space film Late Night With the Devil, The Exorcism happens during a production. Although the former takes place on a live network talk show, the latter is on an active sound stage. Hopefully, it won’t be entirely serious and we’ll get some meta chuckles out of it.
The film will open in theaters on June 7, but since Shudder also acquired it, it probably won’t be long after that until it finds a home on the streaming service.
Crowe plays, “Anthony Miller, a troubled actor who begins to unravel while shooting a supernatural horror film. His estranged daughter, Lee (Ryan Simpkins), wonders if he’s slipping back into his past addictions or if there’s something more sinister at play. The film also stars Sam Worthington, Chloe Bailey, Adam Goldberg and David Hyde Pierce.”
Crowe did see some success in last year’s The Pope’s Exorcist mostly because his character was so over-the-top and infused with such comical hubris it bordered on parody. We will see if that is the route actor-turned-director Joshua John Miller takes with The Exorcism.
'Civil War' Review: Is It Worth Watching?
Follow our new YouTube channel "Mysteries and Movies" here.
News
Win a Stay at The Lizzie Borden House From Spirit Halloween
Spirit Halloween has declared that this week marks the start of spooky season and to celebrate they are offering fans a chance to stay at the Lizzie Borden House with so many perks Lizzie herself would approve.
The Lizzie Borden House in Fall River, MA is claimed to be one of the most haunted houses in America. Of course one lucky winner and up to 12 of their friends will find out if the rumors are true if they win the grand prize: A private stay in the notorious house.
“We are delighted to work with Spirit Halloween to roll out the red carpet and offer the public a chance to win a one-of-a-kind experience at the infamous Lizzie Borden House, which also includes additional haunted experiences and merchandise,” said Lance Zaal, President & Founder of US Ghost Adventures.
Fans can enter to win by following Spirit Halloween‘s Instagram and leaving a comment on the contest post from now through April 28.
The prize also includes:
An exclusive guided house tour, including insider insight around the murder, the trial, and commonly reported hauntings
A late-night ghost tour, complete with professional ghost-hunting gear
A private breakfast in the Borden family dining room
A ghost hunting starter kit with two pieces of Ghost Daddy Ghost Hunting Gear and a lesson for two at US Ghost Adventures Ghost Hunting Course
The ultimate Lizzie Borden gift package, featuring an official hatchet, the Lizzie Borden board game, Lily the Haunted Doll, and America’s Most Haunted Volume II
Winner’s choice of a Ghost Tour experience in Salem or a True Crime experience in Boston for two
“Our Halfway to Halloween celebration provides fans an exhilarating taste of what’s to come this fall and empowers them to start planning for their favorite season as early as they please,” said Steven Silverstein, CEO of Spirit Halloween. “We have cultivated an incredible following of enthusiasts who embody the Halloween lifestyle, and we’re thrilled to bring the fun back to life.”
Spirit Halloween is also preparing for their retail haunted houses. On Thursday, August 1 their flagship store in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. will officially open to start off the season. That event usually draws in hordes of people eager to see what new merch, animatronics, and exclusive IP goods will be trending this year.
'Civil War' Review: Is It Worth Watching?
Follow our new YouTube channel "Mysteries and Movies" here.
Movies
’28 Years Later’ Trilogy Taking Shape With Serious Star Power
Danny Boyle is revisiting his 28 Days Later universe with three new films. He will direct the first, 28 Years Later, with two more to follow. Deadline is reporting that sources say Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes have been cast for the first entry, a sequel to the original. Details are being kept under wraps so we don’t know how or if the first original sequel 28 Weeks Later fits into the project.
Boyle will direct the first movie but it’s unclear which role he will take on in the subsequent films. What is known is Candyman (2021) director Nia DaCosta is scheduled to direct the second film in this trilogy and that the third will be filmed immediately afterward. Whether DaCosta will direct both is still unclear.
Alex Garland is writing the scripts. Garland is having a successful time at the box office right now. He wrote and directed the current action/thriller Civil War which was just knocked out of the theatrical top spot by Radio Silence’s Abigail.
There is no word yet on when, or where, 28 Years Later will start production.
The original film followed Jim (Cillian Murphy) who wakes from a coma to find that London is currently dealing with a zombie outbreak.
'Civil War' Review: Is It Worth Watching?
Follow our new YouTube channel "Mysteries and Movies" here.
-
News7 days ago
Brad Dourif Says He’s Retiring Except For One Important Role
-
Strange and Unusual7 days ago
Man Arrested for Allegedly Taking a Severed Leg From Crash Site And Eating It
-
News5 days ago
Original Blair Witch Cast Ask Lionsgate for Retroactive Residuals in Light of New Film
-
Editorial7 days ago
7 Great ‘Scream’ Fan Films & Shorts Worth a Watch
-
Movies6 days ago
Spider-Man With a Cronenberg Twist in This Fan-Made Short
-
Movies7 days ago
Cannabis-Themed Horror Movie ‘Trim Season’ Official Trailer
-
News3 days ago
Perhaps the Scariest, Most Disturbing Series of The Year
-
Movies4 days ago
New F-Bomb Laden ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Trailer: Bloody Buddy Movie
You must be logged in to post a comment Login