It’s rather slow and ponderous, but it definitely builds suspense. And what an exciting, “twist” ending! Nicole Kidman’s performance is pretty compelling, but the two kids really stole the show. Unlike The Haunting, The Others uses almost zero special effects and relies on the audience’s imagination to move things along. The only real strike against the movie is that there’s a sequence with one of the characters that doesn’t really add anything to the plot. Otherwise, it’s a perfectly suspenseful, dreary, entertaining show. I give it an A-.
I totally agree. An excellent, truly scary, movie.
It has a couple of really good “jump” moments, but the best part of the movie is that you’re scared by what you DON’T see–not some cheesy special effects. And I never saw the end coming. The whole time I was trying to figure out what was going on, and all sorts of scenarios ran through my head, but never the one that it actually was.
“The only real strike against the movie is that there’s a sequence with one of the characters that doesn’t really add anything to the plot.”–rastahomie
Just out of curiosity, what sequence are you talking about? I’m having trouble remembering any irrelevant scenes…
The cinematography and the music set the dark and gloomy mood so well. I especially liked how when she’s walking in the fog there’s absolute silence…you feel like you’re there with her, lost in the fog.
Nicole Kidman is on my good side after this and Moulin Rouge. And the kids definitely did steal the show…that little boy was so cute! And the girl was super-creepy.
In short, I can’t wait to see it again! (With someone who hasn’t seen it before…so I can watch their reaction!)
I’m assuming you’re referring to the remake of The Haunting with Liam Neeson, as the original (and superior) B&W version also has no special effects and relies on the audience’s imagination.
The remake was just over-blown eye candy.
Anyway, I haven’t seen it yet, but it’s on my list. I’ll get back with my own little review in a few days.
I haven’t seen it yet, but two nights ago I had a nightmare about it, based off what I’ve seen in the trailer and the commercial. So I’m definetly not going to miss this one. Really scary movies are so rare these days.
Crunchy: There were a few special effects in the original, like the bulging door. Still, as soon as I heard the budget for the remake, I wrote it off as not worth seeing. At some point, Hollywood’s gotta learn that its a lot scarier if you can’t see the monster.
Am glad to hear such a rousing critique … And thanks for the warning: Now I know to rent it after it comes out on video and watch it at high noon :eek:
I just saw it myself, and I’m sorry to be the dissenting opinion on this film. It was predictable. Everyone in my group saw it coming from when the housekeepers showed up. But then, I am hard to please when it comes to films…
Have ya’ll seen the advertisements for Spiderman, though? It looks like a winner.
Well, all I can say is thank goodness for cell phones ringing. They kept it real
It was quite impressive to see an entire sold out theater screaming in fear twice during the movie. I was definitely one of the repeat offenders. (And no, I obviously haven’t been to see a lot of scary movies, because I wouldn’t have been as impressed…)
I had figured about half of it out about half way through, but that did NOT take away from the whole creepy atmosphere.
I was talking about the whole sequence involving the husband/father. He doesn’t really add anything to the plot and all he really does is confuse and sadden the mom and the kids; and the audience as well.
I saw “The Others” on Saturday, and I enjoyed the movie. I believe the lighting in the movie was mostly candlelight or gaslight. The atmosphere was suitably chilling and foreboding. I didn’t suspect anything at first when the staff showed up, only when the nanny made some cryptic comments. About the scene where the husband shows up . . .hmm, I’ll agree that the scene in the fog is quite contrived and offputting. I believe that he was in the scene to show Nicole Kidman was insane. If you’ll notice, when she’s taking her dress off, she moves the mirrored closet door, showing the side of the bed where her husband is talking to her. But there’s no one there. Up till that scene, I merely thought that Nicole Kidman was understandable nervous and emotionally exhausted from being shut away in a remote location, dealing with two children suffering from a mysterious malady, etc. I will agree that the two children did an extraordinary job. I also reacted during that movie. I must admit, that I won’t watch horror movies with brain and blood spattering, but I thoroughly enjoyed this pschological thriller.
Thanks! (if you wanna review any other movies, feel free… ideally I want people to be able to get peer reviews for most/all current movies. There is a link at the top of the main movie list page that lets you add movies to the list)
