Reviews

Let's say it flat out, An American Haunting is the scariest, most intelligent ghost story to hit the screen in two decades. More original than The Others (which was a watered down cocktail of The Innocents and The Sixth Sense), and ten times more effective than the pallid The Exorcism of Emily Rose, An American Haunting wastes no time in setting itself up as a thriller with something more on its mind than just simply rehashing the same old grab bag scare tactics that every 'Exorcist' remake/rehash resorts to. Based on The Bell Witch, an apparently true account of demonic possession that resulted in the first recorded case of a ghost actually killing a human being over a hundred and fifty years ago in Tennessee, the film elevates itself by not wallowing in cheap tricks to scare you, and by always taking the high road. And, by doing so it creates it's very own world, a unnerving mood and an a undercurrent that prevails throughout until, when you least expect it - it strikes out, grabs you by the throat, and doesn't let go until the very last frame. The sheer terror of waiting and watching until the entire story unfolds (in a way you least expect) is so original and surprising, that by the time the finale hits you, it shatters you like no other horror film you've ever seen . The performances by Donald Sutherland and Rachel Hurd-Wood are first rate. It's their story all the way, and the beauty and generosity of the other actors subtle, effective performance (especially Sissy Spacek) is a testament to their respect of the material. But the real star of this film is director/writer Courtney Solomon. After having recovered from the bollocking he took for the impossible task of bringing Dungeons & Dragons: The Movie, to the screen Mr Solomon has rebounded with a story he was born to tell, and the result is an assured, first rate thriller, told with intelligence, force, style and wit. It's a roller coaster ride all the way, so fasten your seat belts. The audience I saw it with at the AFI Film Festival could not have been more responsive. You could actually feel the hair on the back of your neck standing up. The cinematography by master Adrian Biddle and the score by Caine Davidson are first rate, and help propel you into an unforgettable ghost story that will linger in your memory and haunt your dreams/nightmares for months after.

As Dustin Hoffman said last night, "You never see an actress go to the

depths that Charlize Theron accomplishes in the powerful, brilliantly

performed film". An Oscar nod, for sure, to say the least. This is a

performance for the ages. If you respect film acting and the brilliance

it can behold, this is a must see film. Patty Jenkins does magnificently

to not get in her actors way, to let them inhabit their characters

without the use of flashy camera tricks, or showy first time 'I'm Here!'

directorial flashes. Wonderfully written, this is a 'rough tough, take

no prisoners' film, that is not for all sensibilities. However, if

you're an adventurer and you want to have your cinematic world 'rocked',

see Monster. It is utterly unforgettable. Charlize, as Dustin also said,

'I apologize for not seeing this sooner...' but how could anyone know?

This is a great lesson to never pigeon-hole an actor. God Bless Ferne

Cassel for the most staggering job of casting of the decade. If there

were Oscars for that branch, she deserves five for believing and

delivering... and Charlize, you owe her two for staying on your agent so

you got to see this moment of your life, and to the brilliant Patty

Jenkins for delivering such an electrifying film. Wow!.........

Dear IMDb,

The lead review you have on the site -- Straight To TV Land -- is

outdated and misleading; the film has an entirely new ending that is not

relevant to these comments. The film was also significantly re-edited

since the test screening that this review relates to. Just read the

other comments on the site and you will see. Please, let this review sit

at the end where it belongs as it is about a movie that is no longer the

movie this gentleman is writing about.

Dan Ireland, Director, Passionada .......

It's too bad this little seen gem of a film is almost impossible to rent

-- it's a real winner. From it's sexy and provocative style, to its

pulsating score, this is a film made with real commitment and passion.

Chain of Desire is life and love on the steamy streets of New York, told

through couples who lead us to other couples. It's a modern day La

Ronde, but it never feels like a rip off -- it's original, romantic and

downright hot. Linda Fiorntino is, for once in her career, vulnerable

and sympathetic. Director Lopez has drawn beautifully nuanced

performances from all his cast. And what a cast! Some of the freshest

faces, that even 10 years later hold up. Anyone that has ever spent a

hot summer night in New York will love this film. It's a love letter to

the city that never sleeps, but more importantly, it's a testament to

the spirit and permissivness of late 80's and the people who survived

it. A beautiful, sexy and haunting film that I saw at least five times

in a theatre. Everyone I dragged to it loved it as much as I did. A

sensual masterpiece. ....

An exquisite film about the complexities of love and marriage and all

that in brings, Two for the Road also boasts the best film of Audrey

Hepburn's brilliant career -- and certainly the best of Stanley Donen's.

Even by todays standards, the film hold its own and surpasses the

superficial garbage Hollywood cranks out on a daily basis. Maybe Matthew

MacConnaughey, Sandra Bullock, Meg Ryan, Hugh Grant, Julia Roberts,

Ashton Kucher, Brittney Murphy, Nia Vardolos, John Corbett, and all the

directors that try this genre... Adam Shankman, in particular should be

tied to a chair and forced to watch this film. But, maybe, that's a bad

idea because from what they turn out, they wouldn't get it anyway.

They'd probably find it too dated.

This film has more soul in one frame than anything these artists will

churn out in their lifetimes. Hopefully 20th Century Fox will release

this on DVD for the world to see and experience with the wonder of

digital restoration and stereo sound. The score by Henry Mancini is one

of his best. For the true romantics, this film is a must. ......

The Innocents is a film that has haunted me ever since I first saw it. Staggering, brilliant, masterful, The Innocents is the Rolls Royce of ghost stories. From the unforgettable camerawork by Freddie Francis to the incisive, beautiful direction by Jack Clayton to the brilliant performance by Deborah Kerr, The Innocents works on a thousand levels. This is a film for anyone who truly wants to see brilliance in its purest form. Any director who wants to make a suspense/horror piece that counts, see this film now. If you can, don't see the pan and scan version -- it was shot in black and white Cinemascope and should be viewed that way -- Letterboxed. Let's hope 20th Century Fox put it out on DVD. It is available on Laser Disc is a beautiful letterbox transfer. But is you get the opportunity to see it on a screen -- RUN. A film that lingers in the mind for decades to come. What more could you ask from a film?..............................

The Innocents is a film that has haunted me ever since I first saw it. Staggering, brilliant, masterful, The Innocents is the Rolls Royce of ghost stories. From the unforgettable camerawork by Freddie Francis to the incisive, beautiful direction by Jack Clayton to the brilliant performance by Deborah Kerr, The Innocents works on a thousand levels. This is a film for anyone who truly wants to see brilliance in its purest form. Any director who wants to make a suspense/horror piece that counts, see this film now. If you can, don't see the pan and scan version -- it was shot in black and white Cinemascope and should be viewed that way -- Letterboxed. Let's hope 20th Century Fox put it out on DVD. It is available on Laser Disc is a beautiful letterbox transfer. But if you get the opportunity to see it on a screen -- RUN. A film that lingers in the mind for decades to come. What more could you ask from a film?..............................

Wonderful Lubitsch comedy about a distracted husband, a neglected wife and an ardent suitor that has all the magic, humor, romance of the directors previous work. Dazzling camera work by Charles Lang make Deitrich look positively luminous. All the cast are perfect. The audience I saw this with at the LACMA Museum screening were utterly entranced by this neglected masterwork. Kudos to UCLA for restoring this treasure to its original splendor and to LACMA programer Ian Birnie for giving us the opportunity to see this little gem in all its glory. A 10 out of 10.........