Rating: 6/10
Another demon possession film...this time based on a young girl who becomes possessed...sound familiar? Yes this storyline has been exhausted so why use your hard earned money to take a trip to the cinema to watch this latest edition of possession films?
Well firstly, the plot regarding the yard sale and the Jewish demon box that hoards evil spirits is quite interesting, the way it tries to find innocent minds to lure them into a friendship, manipulate them and eventually become them is a slight twist on the other humdrum films. I like that element and the acting of young Natasha Calis is worth a watch regardless as she is menacing and creepy while maintaining a likeable and innocent aura.
Secondly there are some genuinely creepy moments that will keep you on the edge of your seat, mainly watching Em’s violent outbursts and discovering what is actually inside her but in general the film does have a very similar outline to that of The Exorcist and The Exorcism of Emily Rose and I would say the second of those films is slightly more scary than this film. The only other downfall to this film is the slightly silly ending. I always find if you see too much, the mystery is over. That can be said for any paranormal/horror films. They always take it too far and spoil the initial suspense and fear. I would say watch this film if this is your kind of genre as having the cinema atmosphere does make it a little scarier but it does have a familiar format with a few new twists.
Rating: 9.5/10
Well what can I say - Shia Lebeouf and Tom Hardy in one film....thumbs up just from the casting! I did really enjoy this film purely for the thrill factor of manly violence! The film focuses on the three Bondurant brothers who have a reputation for being invincible and it is all about their perils in the illegal alcohol business during the Depression-era.
A crooked police officer (Charlie Rakes) is after their shares and will go to any extreme to either put them out of business or take it for himself. Pearce plays this slimy character with great conviction and he leaves you with a bitter taste of disgust from his very mannerisms to the low-life violent acts he commits.
What I love about this film is the brothers’ loyalty and tough nature. The two eldest brothers show Jack tough love to help make him a man as at first he really cannot handle himself and is not really worthy of the invincible tagline the brothers seem to have developed as a reputation.
Hardy is the real star here showing a side to a lawless villain that most don’t see. At first you would assume his lifestyle is unsavoury (which it is) but you would associate a negative persona with this but he is in fact a caring and protective sort who has just chosen a different path to go down during hard times.
To be fair many seem to have chosen the same path in this lucrative business but with less profit and fear factor. He is violent but only when necessary and knows how to look after himself. He is a fair character who doesn’t want his brother (Jack) to be in the business at first, other than as the ignorant driver but eventually has to ease him in after he discovers his business and his brother’s well being is at stake. He is a survivor and seems to find himself escaping death on more than one occasion.
Charlie underestimates the brothers as well as their influence on the locals. He feels he is above the law as he has them wrapped round his little finger but it is in fact the Bondurant Brothers who eventually stand up to him and take back the towns dignity. There really is a sense of mutual relief and victory when they all take a stand against Charlie which is what everyone wants in a film - someone to hate and see purged ensuring justice is served!
Overall this film has everything you could want - action, a touch of comedy and a hint of romance. Excellent acting and some very poignant scenes that really reflect the calibre of acting for this new generation of Class A actors! A must see in my view and it definitely deserves the 18 rating!
