Rating: 
Summary: The Films Realism is it's only Real Downfall.
Review: "Lost Souls" seems to think it is on the Same Level as "The Exorcist", "Rosemary's Baby" and "The Omen", but it Really isn't. It shares their Dark Moody Direction, their Lack of Laughs and their feel of Impending Doom, but it isn't Nearly as Scary or Well Directed (though it seems to think it is). Like the Films mentioned above, it takes itself Very, Very Seriously, which is a Welcome Change of Pace compared to more Recent Horror Entries."Hollow Man" and "End of Days" were Clever not to take themselves to seriously, "Bless the Child" and "Stigmata" were Not so Clever, neither was "Lost Souls", which turns out to be the Most Serious of the Lot, Their wasn't One laugh to Lighten the Load, The end result is Very Dour. It is very well Acted though. Ben Chaplin plays a Faithless Novelist who believes he is soon to become the Devil Himself. He is a Commanding Lead and Proves himself to be an Up-and-Comer. Winona Ryder plays an Exorcists Assistant who helps him to Realise his Fate. She gives a Strong, Seen-it-All Performance (as do Hurt and Koteas) and she looks Appropriately Depressed through the Grim Proceedings. They are Extremely Well Supported by John Hurt (as the Exorcist), Elias Koteas (as a Priest) and Phillip Baker Hall (as Bens Uncle). The Directing is Flashy and Fitting, It looks Music Video-ish at times, but it Never Hinders the film. "Lost Souls" is more Reality Based than the other films mentioned in this Review, and that is the reason it Entertains less. We get no Great Action Set pieces, or Biblical Showdowns. What we get is the Odd Shiver, a lot of False Scares, some Cool Camera Work, Great Acting, Solid Direction and a Realistic Horror film. I would Strongly Recommend the film to people who were Not fans of the Aforementioned Modern Horror films. Fans of "The Ninth Gate" should get the Most out of it.
Rating: 
Summary: Beautiful and Creepy
Review: The official amazon review is just about on target with this filmic first for cinematographer Kaminski. (The DVD commentary is also obviously a first for Kaminski, whose comments about the film are as interesting as a wet mop). Every shot is meticulously planned and at times breathtaking. Although the typical emblems of evil (a rather limited repertoire anyway) are found throughout the film (e.g., the "pentacle" below the future antichrist's bed), *Lost Souls* is innovative in the slow pace of its deployment. As other reviews have noted, rather than making the spectator witness exorcisms, she is made to hear them and imagine the horror -- a device that works very well. Ryder--an actress whose work is spotty at best--does an ok job playing a wanna-be priest, and Hurt is great at being comatose for the bulk of the film. What is particularly notable about the film is its startling (and disturbing) ending, one which leaves the spectator with a burning question that she has to resolve herself. The ending alone justifies placing this film along side the former Satanic greats, *The Exorcist*, *Rosemary's Baby*, and *The Omen.* Unlike the latter--films that validate the existence of evil, *Lost Souls* leaves the door open.
Rating: 
Summary: What a disappointment. :(
Review: I had looked so foward to seeing this film. Though I am not one to jump up and shout a cheer at any movie that challenges God and Satan... The Build up was slow, but good, it geared you up for whatever may be waiting for you at the end, which is my biggest gripe. If it did not end the way it did, maybe I could have enjoyed it better. The movie in its contents chilled my bones, and when we question the end, actually there's no question to it. You sit and question how you can stop the Anti-Christ from taking over an innocent man, there's but only one way to do that, and they did. They're mistake however, was having you get to know this future Anti-Christ... Know him enough to want to look for a way from letting this happen to him... Enough to make you even care about him... I ended up rooting for this man... caring for his character, believing there could be a way he could live w/o this terrible fate he had bestowed upon him. To look at him and his fear... to fear for him, to be on his side... then having it end the way it did was just completely unacceptable and doesn't deserve more that one star.
Rating:
Summary: Anti-climactic
Review: This movie was indeed a disappointment, mostly because it had a pretty decent build up, but when it ended, I had to see the credits rolling before I realized it was over. I expected more, and although the ending was unexpected, it was abrupt and left me asking..."yeah, so?" For a better movie of this genre, see "Rosemary's Baby."
Rating: 
Summary: 662
Review: I'm going to keep this short. This movie, at least comparing it to other Exorcist ripoffs, had a great premise. The main character is the antichrist, pre-Satan. That is, he knows he's going to become Beezlebub, Devourer of Worlds, and he's trying to prevent it. I imagined a terror filled ride into the abyss as our friend slowly becomes the devil, a haunted house filled with an entity of pure unadulterated anarchistic evil. It sure sounded fun to me. The movie ruins itself, however. The writing is contrived; "creepy" things happen for the sake of being creepy; the characters are flat; and, once again, I was left uncaring about the whole mess. Then there are the endlessly tiring holes in the plot. How did the guy get out of the mental institution, what's he doing in the middle of nowhere, and what the hell is happening to his body? And for a movie promising the penultimate exorcism for a finale, it is surprising to find that not a single such ritual takes place (penultimate or not). The film then attempts its hand at The Keyser Soze effect, failing miserable. This little twist is reminiscent of another film about the antichrist. No, it's not the Omen, but rather Rosemary's Baby. Finally, I can't figure out if the ending (the end of the end) is really good or just an easy cop out for the writer. Well, all I have to say is: steer clear of this stylish mound of compost. That's all it is. Well, I couldn't keep it short, but I had to say all of that to convey the amateur nature of this film. Again, avoid it. Notes on the DVD: The DVD of this film supports the worst menu graphics I have ever seen. These menus should either be fun (ie Edward Scissorhands) or simple and pragmatic (ie Fight Club). Instead, they are annoying, too loud, and poorly done. Also, the fading in and out at the beginning of the commentary is frightfully distracting.
Rating: 
Summary: good acting good ending good movie
Review: if its a rainy day rent this. its a good movie for the genre of this movie. the only horror movie better than this in the past five years is the cell.
Rating:
Summary: It Just Ended
Review: Without spoiling any of the details I'll just say that this movie didn't make any sense. I don't know about anybody else, but I can enjoy an open ended movie that has some sort of point. I can enjoy movies that leave the ending to some interpretation and subject to argument between friends about what really happened and what its meaning was. But Lost Souls just ended with me dumbfounded. Now I don't claim to be some sort of genius, but I like to think that I'm pretty smart. I am currently a college student who has a high GPA. I honestly couldn't tell you what the point of this movie was. There is no explanation at the end about what actually happened and how it related to the rest of the movie. So if you dare to rent this movie be prepared to be dumbfounded as I was. I guess this movie was supposed to be a horror movie, but it actually didn't have any moments that were genuinely terrifying. It's about ninety minutes of lukewarm performances resulting in boredom, and then the credits roll. That about sums it up. Saying that Lost Souls is a disappointment would be an understatement.
Rating:
Summary: Pretty Bad Movie
Review: At first sight, this looks like a good film that is worth watching. With this film, first impressions are definitely wrong. The plot is decent, and some of the individual actors/esses aren't bad, but the film barely hangs together. I love the films of this genre, but this one was a definite stinker and a no buy. Save your money and time...don't bother with this film.
Rating:
Summary: BAD BAD BAD
Review: I couldn't wait to see this movie,I kept seeing previews for it and it looked good.Then I rented it and was very disapointed.First off I was REALLY confused during the whole movie.The acting was not good at all and I love Winona,but not in this movie.Finally,WHO WROTE THIS MOVIE????It is absolutly the worst movie I have ever seen.AVOID AT ALL COST!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Save your money and your time!
Review: "Lost Plot" would be a better title to this stinker of a movie. The first half of the film is so slow you'll find yourself looking and your watch, and wondering what I might be missing on television tonite. Besides a few "look I made you jump" moments, the rest of the film will leave you scratching your head in confusion. And the ending is so pitiful you'll feel sorry for all the fools that actually paid money to see this thing in theaters. I like Winona Ryder, but she should really read the script before she agrees to appear in a film. If you still think you want to buy this dvd, don't say I didn't warn you!
|
