Jason KingThe Strangers ($14-)
August 14th 2008 04:35
The Strangers ($14-)
For his film debut, director Brian Bertino has crafted a creepy horror flick based on the very simple premise of strangers who come knocking late at night. Kristen (Liv Tyler) and James (Scott Speedman) have arrived at a secluded vacation home in the woods after attending a friend's wedding. It's four in the morning, and they're both tearful and emotionally exhausted after a disagreement about their relationship. As they awkwardly try to navigate the long night together, they are distracted by the sound of a heavy knock at the door. They open it to find a dazed young woman hidden in the shadows. Assuming she is lost, James sends her away, but Kristen is disturbed by the late-night visit. When James leaves to go on a drive and pick up some cigarettes, Kristen is left alone, and we watch her move through the huge house in a painfully eerie silence, all the while knowing that she is being watched. By the time James returns, Kristen is in hysterics, and together they must face the terrifying fact that they are indeed in grave danger.
Both Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman give excellent, subtle performances that lend the film a truly frightening edge of realism. This film is pretty much all Liv - Scott has a limited part but supports Liv superbly. The basically made suspense, created with music, loud noises, and mass suspense blew my mind. I haven't seen a film for years that scared the crap out of me but this one gave me chills. This is the kind of film teenagers will lap up, especially when released on DVD's and the parents go away and you have a few friends sleep over and scare that shit out of each other. It is also stylish and mature enough for adults who like a good scare to be able to enjoy.
Liv Tyler suffered from tonsillitis during the shooting of the film and this added to the suspense with her soft talking Elvin vocals. She can play scared and defenseless better than most and her scream is real, you can feel it in your bones. Her and Scott make a beautiful couple and I wished they started dating on the set. It's time Brangelina had some competition.
The movie is inspired by an event from director Bryan Bertino's childhood: a stranger came to his home asking for a person and he would later find out that empty homes in the neighborhood had been burgled. With that memory in mind, Bertino created this screenplay. In an interview, Liv Tyler revealed that in Bertino's original script "You saw a lot more of the strangers" and "It was much more of a Manson-esque experience." Bertino's use of a subtle color palette, hand held cameras and perfectly orchestrated stillness and silence will see his guaranteed career in Hollywood envisioned. Expect to see his name again and soon. Matching the tone and pace of the film is a musical character of a record player and vinyl. Tomandandy's score is some of the most beautiful music and this combined with some musical delights from Joanna Newsom, Gillian Welch, Merle Haggard, Jennifer O'Connor, Billy Bragg and Wilco and Richard Buckner bring the scare level up a notch while we also get scared through the ears.
And why on earth do masks scare people so much - in horror films they are chilling and while I think the male "bad guy"'s mask is maybe borrowed from the set of The Orphanage the female masks had me shaking in my boots. There is only one scene where you get to see the eye of the "bag head" and the eye is truly frightening - I suppose because the first time you see the eye is the first time the characters see the eye staring at them.
It should be noted that the entire plot is fictional even though they have borrowed a marketing idea from Blair Witch and opened with text on screen claiming it really happened, this totally adds to the fear factor because you can think they are still out there somewhere. And maybe they are.......................... ....................Mwooooooo ohahahahahaha.
While not the most original piece of horror it does what it does brilliantly and combines all the film making elements superbly to scare your pants off. Well worth $14-
For his film debut, director Brian Bertino has crafted a creepy horror flick based on the very simple premise of strangers who come knocking late at night. Kristen (Liv Tyler) and James (Scott Speedman) have arrived at a secluded vacation home in the woods after attending a friend's wedding. It's four in the morning, and they're both tearful and emotionally exhausted after a disagreement about their relationship. As they awkwardly try to navigate the long night together, they are distracted by the sound of a heavy knock at the door. They open it to find a dazed young woman hidden in the shadows. Assuming she is lost, James sends her away, but Kristen is disturbed by the late-night visit. When James leaves to go on a drive and pick up some cigarettes, Kristen is left alone, and we watch her move through the huge house in a painfully eerie silence, all the while knowing that she is being watched. By the time James returns, Kristen is in hysterics, and together they must face the terrifying fact that they are indeed in grave danger.
Both Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman give excellent, subtle performances that lend the film a truly frightening edge of realism. This film is pretty much all Liv - Scott has a limited part but supports Liv superbly. The basically made suspense, created with music, loud noises, and mass suspense blew my mind. I haven't seen a film for years that scared the crap out of me but this one gave me chills. This is the kind of film teenagers will lap up, especially when released on DVD's and the parents go away and you have a few friends sleep over and scare that shit out of each other. It is also stylish and mature enough for adults who like a good scare to be able to enjoy.
Liv Tyler suffered from tonsillitis during the shooting of the film and this added to the suspense with her soft talking Elvin vocals. She can play scared and defenseless better than most and her scream is real, you can feel it in your bones. Her and Scott make a beautiful couple and I wished they started dating on the set. It's time Brangelina had some competition.
The movie is inspired by an event from director Bryan Bertino's childhood: a stranger came to his home asking for a person and he would later find out that empty homes in the neighborhood had been burgled. With that memory in mind, Bertino created this screenplay. In an interview, Liv Tyler revealed that in Bertino's original script "You saw a lot more of the strangers" and "It was much more of a Manson-esque experience." Bertino's use of a subtle color palette, hand held cameras and perfectly orchestrated stillness and silence will see his guaranteed career in Hollywood envisioned. Expect to see his name again and soon. Matching the tone and pace of the film is a musical character of a record player and vinyl. Tomandandy's score is some of the most beautiful music and this combined with some musical delights from Joanna Newsom, Gillian Welch, Merle Haggard, Jennifer O'Connor, Billy Bragg and Wilco and Richard Buckner bring the scare level up a notch while we also get scared through the ears.
And why on earth do masks scare people so much - in horror films they are chilling and while I think the male "bad guy"'s mask is maybe borrowed from the set of The Orphanage the female masks had me shaking in my boots. There is only one scene where you get to see the eye of the "bag head" and the eye is truly frightening - I suppose because the first time you see the eye is the first time the characters see the eye staring at them.
It should be noted that the entire plot is fictional even though they have borrowed a marketing idea from Blair Witch and opened with text on screen claiming it really happened, this totally adds to the fear factor because you can think they are still out there somewhere. And maybe they are.......................... ....................Mwooooooo ohahahahahaha.
While not the most original piece of horror it does what it does brilliantly and combines all the film making elements superbly to scare your pants off. Well worth $14-
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JW - I am totally the same as you - let us know what you think.
Morgan - why why why?? I loved it!
Vincent - Thanks and hope you like it!
Thanks for commenting people and remember to lock your doors or some psycho may enter your home and torment the living hell out of you!
Comment by Tracy
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I was wondering what this was like, sounds like it would be a good scary film to see when I'm feeling brave...
Tracy
Comment by Glen Atwell
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The final few scenes will resonate in your mind for days and weeks!
Entirely recommended!
Comment by Jason King
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Glen - glad you liked, yay that!
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Comment by Cheryl J
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Looks like fun, I can't wait.
Comment by Jason King
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Tracy - as a chills and thrills horror I wouldn't say hardcore but its aim is to scare you and I think it does it well. Hope u like it.
Cheryl - LOL - with this weather put some pants on - you might freeze something. WOW - my mum would kill me for taking her to something like this. When I was a young wee teenager I took her to a film when I had my first job and was so excited that I was the big man that paid. Of course I took her to Hellraiser and she has never forgiven me. Hope you and your ma like it.
Comment by Morgan Bell
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i might be being a bit harsh, but once i start raving on i just cant stop!