Rating: Summary: Psychological meets the Supernatural? Review: I really really enjoyed the movie! It was suspenseful, creepy, and it definately kept me glued to my seat! I was literally shaking because I wanted to see how it was going to end! I wanted to know the whole story and I knew this puzzle piece would be completed by the end. Well the puzzle piece was completed...most of it. There were still some unanswered questions left at the end that I was asking myself and that is why I only gave it 4 stars instead of 5. I'm not quite sure if Brad Anderson wanted us to think supernatural or if he just wanted to show the comparisons between the insane person in the movie and the recording sessions that happened in the hospital. Is "Simon" really more than we think? I'm either really stupid or I just didn't look close enough. Other than those unanswered questions, the movie was awesome! The acting was superb and the suspense hit you at all the right moments. The way it was filmed made me feel like I was watching a movie made in the 80's, but I think it added to the atmosphere. The music was the creepiest...it will send chills down your spine. If you love different takes on horror/thrillers than you should definately check out this movie!!
Rating: Summary: SIGN ME UP FOR ANOTHER SESSION Review: What can I say? This movie is everything that the Blair Witch Project wanted to be (but wasn't). Session 9 has atmosphere to spare with the Danvers State Mental Hospital being the true star of this film. It's reminiscent of the Overlook Hotel in Kubrick's The Shining in that you know something is going to happen but you're not sure what, when or where. Superimposing the day of the week to an exterior shot of the structure also lends itself to a comparison between these works. I really liked how the cast was virtually unknown to me. Sure, I've seen David Caruso in a couple of other features but I never watched any of his television work and thus didn't have any preconceived expectations for him. The rest of the cast were all supporting players in other movies I've seen but none that I recalled without checking their bios. This works perfectly for this film. You're not distracted by anything and can really sit back and let it unfold. I remember when this was released theatrically. I read the reviews and got pumped up to see it but was disappointed to learn that it wasn't playing anywhere near here (the D.C. Metro area). Major bummer. Imagine my excitement at finding it on the shelf for purchase a couple of days ago. I only had a chance to watch the trailer before heading out to work that night but you better believe I was all over it as soon as I got home early the next morning. I can't say enough good things about it. I can tell you this though, I plan to watch it again tomorrow when my son comes over. If that's not a ringing endorsement, I don't know what is. This is definitely my Memento for this year so far. See you at the next session.
Rating: Summary: Very creepy and moody film - just not great Review: When I was reading about what Session 9 was about on the DVD cover, I thought this would be a bit lame and hopefully a bit creepy. I don't remember this film ever coming through Atlanta on the big screen. I was somewhat impressed by the actors (at least they weren't no-names), so I rented it. I won't say I was disappointed, because I wasn't (I wasn't expecting much and I got much more than I expected). It just wasn't what it could have been. I have since read that the institution in this film is a real one and that it really is abandoned. If that is true, informing the viewer of that fact as a voiceover or text over might have added even a deeper feeling of creepiness rather than having the possibly artificial institute seem to be just a fictional character. I really thought that this movie was slow and attempted to build on characters psyche, but it just didn't deliver enough of that. What's up with Gordon? Why is he going nuts? Is he going nuts? Is Caruso's character historically as devisive as he comes off? What is up with that gazebo? (It's never explained). The tape recordings....are we to believe that when the box containing them were opened they released an evil into the institution? (We do hear a "poof" of something as it's opened) Is it a possessed character that is ultimately responsible for the murders in the place? Or is it that one of the characters is a former resident of this nut house?...I'll say, it is creepy and ominous, but it doesn't deliver on what it starts out providing.
Rating: Summary: exceptionally creepy Review: This is one classy horror flick. Unlike the recent onslaught of...I-know-whose-bad-taste-and-beautiful-breasts-you-exploited-last-summer" wastes of celluloid, this one concentrates primarily on mood, atmosphere and a general sense of dread. As an added bonus, Brad Anderson, the director, underscores the profound tragedy of a decent man gone horribly insane. All of those "Urban Legend" hacks could definitely learn a thing or two from Mr. Anderson. They would, of course, no longer pander to the lowest common denominator and their pockets would experience a significant decline in the green $tuff....hmmm, maybe Mr. Anderson could learn from said hacks the art of selling one's soul...
Rating: Summary: exceptionally creepy Review: This is one classy horror flick. Unlike the recent onslaught of [bad] "I-know-whose-bad-taste-and-beautiful-breasts-you-exploited-last-summer" wastes of celluloid, this one concentrates primarily on mood, atmosphere and a general sense of dread. As an added bonus, Brad Anderson, the director, underscores the profound tragedy of a decent man gone horribly insane. All of those "Urban Legend" hacks could definitely learn a thing or two from Mr. Anderson. They would, of course, no longer pander to the lowest common denominator and their pockets would experience a significant decline in the green $tuff....hmmm, maybe Mr. Anderson could learn from said hacks the art of selling one's soul; in turn, he could let them in on the seemingly little known secret that an exceptional horror yarn relies just as much on an unsettling musical score, heavy on the dissonance and easy on (better yet, completely devoid of..)the friggin' Creed songs. Hell, no soundtrack at all is better than that cloying, teeny-bopper tripe.....exhibit A - The Blair Witch Project. Are horror movies finally getting good again? Probably not on any kind of level of consistancy. There's too much money to be made. That's alright though....little gems like "Session 9" are all the more better for it. Thanks Mr. Anderson, for caring.
Rating: Summary: Great Film About My Neighbors Review: Let me just start by offering you a little something about Danvers MA for those of you elsewhere in the world, particularly those of you who were drawing the "Blair Witch" parallells. Danvers is a town of 24,000 people that was founded in the late 1700's. Before it was called Danvers it was known as "Salem Village". That's right, as in Witchcraft Hysteria Salem. Now, the Salem that is world famous for the witch trials is still a neighboring city. Thanks to the name, Salem still cashes in on all of the hype and tourism because many of the "witches" were actually tried and hanged in Salem the city. But the majority of the hysteria and incidents actually took place right here in "Salem Village" where most of the executed people resided, including the famous "Rebecca Nurse" whose house still stands on my street. So this town was rich in spooky history long before the Hospital was erected in the 1800's. It was only fitting that a horror movie be filmed here in this town at some point, especially at DSH (or, as many people in town call it: "Danvis-tate"). Brad Anderson and Co. did a great job too, it was pretty much everything I could've hoped for. I have been up to hospital several times over the years and it is every bit as scary as the movie portrays it to be. We've heard voices and all of the rest while we've been up there trying to spend the night, etc...perhaps real voices, perhaps imagined. It's an amazing place really, every horror movie element is built right in. There are several great sites around the Web devoted to DSH so I won't get into the factual history. But if you ever try to visit you'll have more than ghosts to deal with, the state police have maintained a presence up there since long before the hospital actually closed for good in 1992. The local gov't wants people to stay away "for their own safety" because, for one, the main building is collapsing from within... the floors really are falling right on to one another so it is pretty dangerous...ghosts aside. But that's just fuel for the fire of intrigue. It's tough to get by the police and security during the day...but at night...well, let's just say they don't tend to be out walking as much. But either way, if you are ever in the Boston Area this stop (or drive-by on Rt. 95 N) is a must. Some of the buffoons that govern this town are always trying to find a reason to tear the place down, likely for condos and all of that nonsense, so, if you find yourself obsessed with this movie, or place, be sure to get up there soon, i can't imagine it being there too much longer. Well I hope this is as much help as a full on movie review. I figure this is more of a select audience anyway. Heck, we've got 26 screens of movie theatres here in Danvers and i had to go into Boston just to see it...so it's obviously a select audience--even here in town! But, despite limited distribution, this WILL be a cult classic, if it isn't already. Cheers!!
Rating: Summary: Best Psychological Thriller/Suspense Ever Review: The movie Session 9 is in my opinion one of the creepiest films ever. Especially since I worked at the abandoned institute during the filming of the movie. The movie sums up the feeling of the place so perfectly. I could ramble on forever so I'll stop know with this: GO AND SEE THIS MOVIE!
Rating: Summary: Very disappointing Review: I was really looking forward to this movie; I love horror movies, esp. haunted house movies and have worked in state mental hospitals and know how very creepy they can be. I was really, really disappointed. This movie had so much potential with a great setting and a good cast. The characters were quite two dimensional and cliche. The plot was confusing at times, slow and silly. A movie can be very suspenseful without overt violence with a slow, building pace; but that's not the type of slow this movie was. This movie was a major letdown and I would recommend anyone who still has a desire to see it, wait till you get it on cable.
Rating: Summary: NOT FOR THE ... BRAINED!!! Review: i remember wanting to see this in the theater so when it came out today i got it. not to much action in the begining but it keeps you wondering whats gonna happen and holds your interest till the end and thinking after the end. i suggest u see this with people who can think and not those who just want to see action and gore so u can really pay attention and get into it. NOT TO BE MISSED!
Rating: Summary: What can I say... Review: This simply put was one of the msot intense movies I have ever seen in my life. I never want to see it again. But I will...like a child who wants to be scared...and so will you.
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