The Watcher in the Woods

2017

USA

Directed by: Melissa Joan Hart
Written by: Scott Abbott (teleplay); Florence Engel Randall (novel)
Cast: Anjelica Huston, Tallulah Evans, Nicholas Galitzine
Rating: TV-PG

Synopsis (from Internet Movie Database):

Mrs. Aylwood (Anjelica Huston) is a distraught mother since her daughter, Karen, vanished in the Welsh countryside 30 years ago. When the Carstairs family move into the Aylwood manor for the summer, strange occurrences begin to unnerve the family and Jan Carstairs (Tallulah Evans) begins to suspect that they are linked to Karen's disappearance. As Jan unravels the dark past hidden by the townspeople, she delves further into the mystery and deeper into danger, but now it might be too late to escape the Watcher in the Woods.

My Thoughts:

Remake of a cult classic from 1980. Lots of problems here (and lots of "borrowings"), although the atmosphere was nice. Reminded me of those PBS After School Specials I used to watch sometimes, back in the '90s. Melissa Joan Hart's first time directing a feature-length film, I believe. Room for improvement, but shows potential. How did she rope Anjelica Huston into this project?

My Rating at the IMDb: 2 stars out of a possible 10

The Whisperer in Darkness

2011

USA

Directed by: Sean Branney
Screenplay by: Sean Branney, Andrew Leman
From the story by: H.P. Lovecraft
Cast: Barry Lynch, Matt Lagan, Matt Foyer
Rating: not rated


Synopsis (from Rotten Tomatoes website): 

[S]creen adaptation of the classic weird tale by legendary horror writer HP Lovecraft. Following a series of floods in rural Vermont, the bodies of grotesque creatures are found floating in several rivers. The creatures match descriptions given in certain local myths and legends. University Folklorist Albert Wilmarth (Matt Foyer) is initially dismissive of the stories, until he starts to receive a series of increasingly disturbing letters from a Vermont farmer, that hint at a horrifying truth. He travels to Vermont to investigate further, and uncovers a conspiracy that extends out into the furthest reaches of space and the darkest pits of hell.

My thoughts:

Some great atmosphere in this one, and I loved the black-and-white photography. But the pace is slow and the plot confusing. In fact, at times it seems even the actors are confused about what they're supposed to be doing. It was sort of hard for me to stick with it -- had to watch it three times to take it all in because I kept falling asleep. I guess that's not a very good recommendation, but I really didn't hate it. There were definitely some moments of genuine creepiness -- just not enough of them.

My IMDb rating: 4 stars out of a possible 10