Rating: Summary: Come on! Review: This has to be the stupidist movie I have ever seen. The acting is horrible besides Catherine Zeta Jones( she is excellent). But I mean the other girl in there was so dull, 1 word comes to mind when I think about this movie LIFELESS. Cant these producers waste 10 million on a movie that will be eerie or scary, because in my opinion this was just horrible.
Rating: Summary: Don't waste your time, money, energy on this stinker! Review: I didn't realize this movie was a comedy when I went to see it, but I did end up laughing through most of it because it was such a piece of garbage!
Rating: Summary: sounds like a good horror/thirller movie. Review: I've heard about this movie and it seems creepy. To me is sounds like a good popcorn/friday night movie, not too scary not too dull, just right for the desperate viewer.
Rating: Summary: The Audience Laughed the Whole Way Through... Review: It was funny, bad acting, stupid scripts and over the top special effects! There was nothing else to do but to laugh at how stupid it was. This movie good be 1 hour shorter if it wasn't for all the repeated scences of just looking at the house from the outside. And no, Catherine Zeta Jones didn't save the movie.
Rating: Summary: IT'S BETTER THAN THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT! Review: I think that this and the Blair Witch Project were released at the same time(I could be wrong). If I had to pick which one I'd watch over again it would withoout any doubt be this one. And here's why. First of all at least this has "real"actors(I must admit I don't mind seeing Catherine Zeta-Jones through out the movie) The story is sorta fun. I must admit during the end you might think WHAT IS THIS! But it is entertaining. The setting was very good that house that they used fit the mood quite well. As for the effects some were OVER DONE if you know what I mean. It just looked so fake. But then again don't expect GREATNESS from this movie. THEY DON'T MAKE MOVIES LIKE THEY USE TO!
Rating: Summary: Entertaining and Effective Review: I understand that this was based on the classic book by Shirley Jackson's " The Haunting of Hill House" which is an excellent book. May I suggest that those who love ghost stories read Shirley's Book. The original Movie titled "The Haunting" that was released in the early '60's, stared Julie Harris and Claire Bloom. It was done in black and white and was very effective for it's time in moving it's audience. I highly recommend seeing this version also. Now, this new updated version has hit the screen with great effects, great scenery and vivid color for the modern era. Yes, it to stands alone and is very effective for it's time. I don't feel any of the three medias should be compared. They all stand alone on their own and all should be enjoyed. So I highly recommend that if one enjoys chills up one's spine, they should go out and rent or buy all three versions and enjoy one wonderful experience after another.
Rating: Summary: Great shrills and breath taking excitment! Review: I loved the Haunting because it was just the kind of movie that gave me goosebumps before it got to any scary parts. You can just TELL when there is a pop out action part, or a very sad thing is going to happen and surprise you!It is just the kind of movie that freaks you out and puts you into tears at the same time!I love it and you will to!
Rating: Summary: Unbelievably Putrid Review: Stay away from this putrid piece of decaying mouse droppings! This is just another fine example of taking a large budget film and creating various computer generated images which look "COOL" and write some dialogue and a very weak story line around it. When will people stop being oohed and awed by special effects and appreciate writing content of a movie? The old Julie Harris movie is so superior, see it! You will see what a good movie is! Why remake some a classic with some screenwriter first credit for a movie. I feel the writer rented 20 horror movies, sat and watched them and took notes. "Hey I like that and that." If this film comes anywhere near you, use a crucifix or holy water, anything to save 2 hours of your life!
Rating: Summary: HOLLYWOODIZED VERSION OF SHIRLEY JACKSON'S CLASSIC Review: THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE is a classic piece of the "ghost story" genre and a favorite among horror afficionados (Stephen King always praised the book and was inspired by Jackson's work). I realize many young people are awed by the special effects and the humongous set,and the sound and visual qualities which they see on the DVD, but this film is not faithful to the original, excellent story and it could have been MUCH better. For the most part, the script was ludicrous and the newly added elements such as Eleanor being related to Hugh Crain's wife were totally ridiculous and hardly neccesary. The original Hugh Crain was simply an eccentric, sadly embittered man, NOT a MONSTER! Catherine Zeta-Jones is a statuesque beauty and she served Theo well, but she and Eleanor didn't interact nearly enough. Lilli's personality was right for Eleanor for the most part, but it was that PUTRID script which prevented her from making Eleanor Jackson's Eleanor. Liam was all wrong as his version of Dr. Montague and Owen Wilson's interpretation of Luke was a joke (literally). Ornate and expensive though the set may have been, it did NOT capture the intended creepy atmosphere so important to the story (it was TOO much! ). I thought the idea of the guests being invited to do a survey on insomnia was clever and original however; it's what happens afterwards which misfired! If you TRULY liked this movie and you would like to see the version which was in keeping with the book, rent the 1963 version of THE HAUNTING with Julie Harris (SHE was Eleanor!)Although not a perfect movie by any means, it basically captured Jackson's subtle intentions and it lingers in the memory MUCH longer than a string of lousy special effects! Last, but not least, go to a used bookstore and buy a copy of "The Haunting of Hill House" by Shirley Jackson and decide for yourself!
Rating: Summary: Beautiful Hauted House Story Review: Everyone I know knocked this film, and that surprises me. I guess it's not appropriate for an adult to admit being frightened or even entertained by a haunted house flick, but in my opinion this is the most beautiful and stylized piece of filmmaking since Dario Argento's "Suspiria". The characters are fun and the performances solid. Catherine Zeta-Jones is stunning, Lili Taylor is sweet as honey and Owen Wilson is fabulous as always. But it's obvious that there is one character in this show that is more important than the others. A character that literally, both physically and mentally, overshadows the rest of the cast. That character is Hill House - the most elaborate scary place ever filmed, a gigantic haunted house with one hell of a personality. There is a dreamlike atmosphere in this film unlike all others, and I must say that I like it. Similarities to "Poltergeist" abound, and there are some clumsy script passages here and there, but on the whole it delivers the promised goodies. "The Haunting" keeps well within the boundaries of its PG-13 Rating. Absolutely no nudity, swearing or graphic violence is seen or heard anywhere, but it doesn't diminish the film in any way. This is striking stuff even without it, and the film strictly follows the rules of the genre, with thunder and lightning, squeaking doors, paintings that come alive and spooky caretakers. The picture quality is high with only some grain and digital artifacts. Most impressing on the technical side is the sound, with awesome bass and bottom to it, destined to wreck more than a few loudspeakers in the DVD-community. The Bonus Material section of this disc contains a Behind-the-Scenes Feature, two theatrical trailers, Production Notes and Biographies. I recommend this DVD for all you esthetics out there. Those of you who are looking for a strong and believable story, on the other hand, may want to pass here. I'm sure glad I didn't...
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