Dead Souls

2012

USA

Directed by: Colin Theys
Written by: John Doolan (screenplay), Michael Laimo (novel)
Cast: Jesse James, Magda Apanowicz, Bill Moseley, Geraldine Hughes, Noah Fleiss, Jaiden Kaine
Rating: not rated

Lots of creepy atmosphere and texture in this one, but lots of confusion, too.

On his 18th birthday, Johnny Petrie (Jesse James) learns he's adopted and that he's inherited a farm in Maine. Eager to get away from the hideously circumscribed existence he's led with the aunt who raised him, he strikes out for Maine intending to make the farm his new home. When he gets there, though, he finds the place in very bad shape after being uninhabited for nearly twenty years -- since the deaths of his natural family at the hands of his (I think) grandfather, Reverend Benjamin Conroy. He also finds some locals who are less than thrilled to have him around, and a young homeless woman (Magda Apanowicz) who's been staying in the abandoned farm house.

The town's former sheriff (who is now also the town's drunk) eventually shows up to provide a little background about what exactly has been going on. I could have used a lot more help in that area.  I'm still not really sure what the heck it all meant. There was something about Johnny's brother Daniel protecting him when the rest of the family was killed. And something else about conducting a seance to contact Daniel's spirit so he could go on protecting him from evil spirits in the house. At least I think that's how it went. I never really understood why the family was killed, or why the local bully was so pissed off about it all, or why Johnny didn't just say no way am I living in that obviously haunted house. And I'm really not happy about the way they treated that dog.

My IMDb rating: 3 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

The Dark

2005

Directed by: John Fawcett
Written by: Simon Maginn (novel), Stephen Massicotte (screenplay)
Cinematography by: Christian Sebaldt
Cast: Sean Bean, Maria Bello, Sophie Stuckey, Abigail Stone
Rating: R for some violent/disturbing images and language

The Story:

In mourning over the tragic drowning of their daughter Sarah, James and Adèle are visited by Ebrill, a young girl who claims she died 60 years ago ... and bares a startling resemblance to Sarah. (-- IMDb website)

My Thoughts:
Watchable for the most part.  Several very disturbing images -- not for the squeamish.  And some of the plot could have used a bit more development.  Generally well-acted and definitely creepy, but the end disappoints. 

My IMDb rating: Four stars out of a possible Ten

Triangle

2009

UK/Australia

Written and Directed by: Christopher Smith
Cinematography: Robert Humphreys
Cast: Melissa George, Joshua McIvor, Jack Taylor, Michael Dorman, Henry Nixon, Rachael Carpani,  Emma Lung, Liam Hemsworth, Bryan Probets
MPAA Rating: R for violence and language

Story:

During a weekend sailing trip, a freak wave capsizes Greg’s yacht, forcing him, single mother Jess (Melissa George) and a group of his friends to board a passing ocean liner. Onboard the mysteriously empty ship, all the clocks have stopped, the ‘Shining’-like corridors are spookily silent, and Jess has an uncanny feeling that she’s been here before. Then a hooded figure starts hunting them down and killing them one by one. Shotguns are fired, fire axes are wielded and bodies pile up on the decks. Fiendishly constructed, this plays like a dark, disturbing ‘Twilight Zone’ episode. Events repeat themselves but are subtly different each time, so we share, as well as observe, Jess’s spiralling sense of dislocation. [--Nigel Floyd, Timeout.com]

My Thoughts:
This was actually not the waste of time I thought it would be.  There's something oddly karmic in the continual replay of events, with each iteration showing us the story from a just slightly different angle.  I generally don't like movies that repeat the same action over and over (with the glorious exception of Groundhog Day) -- but in this one it works. 

My IMDb Rating: 5 stars out of a possible 10