Godfatha
10-24-2008, 02:54 AM
I saw the Toronto Premiere of this at the TADFF, and must say its worth talking about.
In terms of plot, its a found footage horror movie (more in the vein of Rec or Blair Witch than Cloverfield), about the Poe family, of whom the parents (especially the father) seemingly love to film thier lives, a lot involving spending time with their young children. Their children behave rather anti-socially; talking only to themselves in a made up language and not having any friends at school, occasionally acting out violently, as kids are sometimes want to do.
Throughout the movie, the childrens anti-social behaviour becomes more and more psychotic and disturbing to both parents, who see very different ways of dealing with the situation. The father, a reverend, believes something evil is in the families new home and eventually his children, and believes religion, and the bible are the best way to deal with the worsing situation (The kids mock this at christmas in rather gruesome fashion). The mother believes its just an illness to be diagnosed and cured with drugs. While I don't have kids I can sympathize with the two leads in this situation. Who would want to believe the obvious here? It has to be some outside force. Now I may have been reading way too far into the plot, but it at times felt like their was a science vs religion/crisis of faith undercurrent to the film, with the parents often after each other for their own belief systems.
Both parents fail to curb the kids evil outbursts, and eventually the situation spirals out of control. While their are always gaps in logic in these films, they make more sense in this plot, because what parent would want to believe thier own flesh and blood is soulless evil? Also, the 'camera' is set down a lot, so you almost forget its suppose to be the character on the other end at times, and for those who get motion sickness, it's light on the flailing around.
The acting in 'found-footage' is really what draws you into the story, makes you believe. And here the acting is top notch. Adrian Pasdar and Cady McClain play the concerned parents extremely well with their slow denial and then grudging and heart breaking acceptance of their predicament. The two child actors are obvious graduates of the Damien (from the Omen) school of acting. They really steal the show with their emotionless, and often dialogueless roles. Just seeing them on screen creeped me out. By the end of the fulm, I was convinced these children were spawns of Satan. You just don't do that to the family cat and NOT be evil. There are only 5 roles in the film since it all takes place over a few months at this families house.
If you're looking for T&A, and copious amounts of gore, look elsewhere. This isn't that kind of horror. This is more psychological in nature. A slow build up of suspense with shots that fuck with your head, like the kids clubhouse. It would rather crawl up your spine than rip it out. No jump scenes either. The editing implies them, but instead uses the quick pacing and jumpy 'edits'/'camera fuckups' in plain sight to get under your skin than have things breaking windows and jumping out of closests
Don't know if this will get a wide release, but if you get the chance, I definitely suggest seeing Home Movie. You'll rethink kids at least once.
In terms of plot, its a found footage horror movie (more in the vein of Rec or Blair Witch than Cloverfield), about the Poe family, of whom the parents (especially the father) seemingly love to film thier lives, a lot involving spending time with their young children. Their children behave rather anti-socially; talking only to themselves in a made up language and not having any friends at school, occasionally acting out violently, as kids are sometimes want to do.
Throughout the movie, the childrens anti-social behaviour becomes more and more psychotic and disturbing to both parents, who see very different ways of dealing with the situation. The father, a reverend, believes something evil is in the families new home and eventually his children, and believes religion, and the bible are the best way to deal with the worsing situation (The kids mock this at christmas in rather gruesome fashion). The mother believes its just an illness to be diagnosed and cured with drugs. While I don't have kids I can sympathize with the two leads in this situation. Who would want to believe the obvious here? It has to be some outside force. Now I may have been reading way too far into the plot, but it at times felt like their was a science vs religion/crisis of faith undercurrent to the film, with the parents often after each other for their own belief systems.
Both parents fail to curb the kids evil outbursts, and eventually the situation spirals out of control. While their are always gaps in logic in these films, they make more sense in this plot, because what parent would want to believe thier own flesh and blood is soulless evil? Also, the 'camera' is set down a lot, so you almost forget its suppose to be the character on the other end at times, and for those who get motion sickness, it's light on the flailing around.
The acting in 'found-footage' is really what draws you into the story, makes you believe. And here the acting is top notch. Adrian Pasdar and Cady McClain play the concerned parents extremely well with their slow denial and then grudging and heart breaking acceptance of their predicament. The two child actors are obvious graduates of the Damien (from the Omen) school of acting. They really steal the show with their emotionless, and often dialogueless roles. Just seeing them on screen creeped me out. By the end of the fulm, I was convinced these children were spawns of Satan. You just don't do that to the family cat and NOT be evil. There are only 5 roles in the film since it all takes place over a few months at this families house.
If you're looking for T&A, and copious amounts of gore, look elsewhere. This isn't that kind of horror. This is more psychological in nature. A slow build up of suspense with shots that fuck with your head, like the kids clubhouse. It would rather crawl up your spine than rip it out. No jump scenes either. The editing implies them, but instead uses the quick pacing and jumpy 'edits'/'camera fuckups' in plain sight to get under your skin than have things breaking windows and jumping out of closests
Don't know if this will get a wide release, but if you get the chance, I definitely suggest seeing Home Movie. You'll rethink kids at least once.