Knowing/ (newly released dvd)

Knowing

"Notable Actors"

1. Nicholas Cage- Gone in Sixty Seconds, Face-off ,  Snake eyes etc.

Genre

• Thriller

Knowing. Knowing certainly proves to be a bigger burden than one would think. What would you do if you and only you knew how many people would die today? What if you knew when the world would end and had no idea how to stop it?

Nicholas Cage plays Ted a widower, MIT science professor and believer in coincidence and chance is the single father to son Caleb. Caleb goes to a school that's been open for 50 years. They celebrate this "mile stone" by pulling out the time capsule that was placed under ground during the first year of opening with what should be a pictures of the future drawn by the first grade class. Cody like the rest of his class gets an envelope but their isn't a picture in it. Its a white sheet of paper with what seems to a random serious of numbers on it. He takes it home to show his dad. Dad takes a look and from that point on goes from being just a lonely man working and smothering his child and being a complete shut in, (ignorant) to having the duty that comes with knowing how many people are going to die and where.

I will admit from the trailer I thought I had this movie figured out . This is one of the few films that I've seen in a long time that surprised me over and over. It can be compared to movies in different genres like Final Destination but that's a given and also Deep Impact , the day after tomorrow and believe it or not the movie Signs as well. I liked the movie because it wasn't really what I expected besides the fact that I knew it would be very heavy which it was. It takes you along for the ride and we are hoping that we all make it out alive.

 The Unfortunate part of the film was Cage didn't manage to save anyone in this film except his young son. And he had nothing to do with his sons salvation by the way. So the question is Why was he chosen to have this knowledge if in the end he and I were disapointed with the realiztion he could do nothing? If thats the case whats the damn point of the movie?

Even so this movie had me thinking. Like the last movie I reviewed this one had me feeling kinda scared afterward and thinking about things I do not wish to think of. Questions pose in my head but not the kind that anyone can answer. Is the future already written? Are we here because each of us has a destiny or prophecy to fulfill? Or is this all really a mistake? Are we humans here by chance , by accident? The even scarier ones, when will we die? How will we die? These questions should be rhetorical because really who could know the truth? But when it comes to life and death and purpose maybe we are better off being ignorant. Watch the movie yourself and tell me what good ever comes of Knowing?

Movie grade

A-

Worth watching?

if you dare

A Haunting in Conneticut/ (newly released dvd)

A Haunting in Conneticut

"Notable Actors"

1. Kyle Gallner- Veronica Mars
2. Virginia Madsen- The Haunting
3. Elias Koteas- Skinwalkers

Genre

• horror
• thriller

A Haunting in Connecticut. Sometimes the movies in the genre's of horror and thrillers become even creepier and disturbing when the you find out the movie is based on true events. I'm relieved to say that A Haunting in Connecticut is not an exception to the rule and this fact alone made the movie worth watching.
This film depicts a middle class American family in 1978 in, of course Connecticut. Sara Campell (played by D-lister Virginia Madsen) is our heroic mom ironically in denial  that makes the decision to move her family of six across town without much thought or her husbands consent. The temporary move places her family conveniently closer to the hospital her son teenage son Matt receives treatment at for cancer. The house is extremely dreary but ideal in size and location with only one catch Sara forgets to mention, the house is a former mortuary. Mom has some "splainin to do" when the family finds out. Matt who's undergoing, a then, controversial and experimental radiation treatment immediately starts seeing things and not acting himself but Sara is convinced that her son in simply reacting to treatment. Matt knows that either something is still living in the house or he's losing his mind and unsure of which is worse.
Matt enlists the help of Wendy , his live in cousin, and Reverend Popescu , fellow patient and believer. The three discover that the house is still reeling from past seance's and murders from the past owner and his helpers that took place en the 1950's. The house is reminiscent of An American Haunting and the Messengers as the grieving spirits that remain try to help uncover even more gorey secrets in their own terrifying way.
The movie is ok at best. There is alot of eery noises and special effects to pump up the gore. As always in horror I get mad at people that react in silly ways in certain situations like leaving your younger brother and sister alone in a house full of pissed off spirits while you shower in the middle of the day!
The most thought provoking part is the ending , because this movie is based on true events.
Matt goes from having his cancer progress so severely that the doctors tell his parents they are simply keeping him comfortable until he passes. He somehow manages to run home and de-demonize his house almost killing himself in another way by burning to death. He is successful with getting rid of the ghosts.
Mom reveals that Matt got better. His once lethal cancer has disappeared from his body. And hasn't been back. I know not all of this can be true, its quite obvious which parts aren't. Even with my curiosity and Internet I could probably google the answers I want. But I wont. Its different with movies like this. When the super natural is involved it brings about fear and doubt but also hope and mystery. What is true? What is false? These questions , usually with out answers are what makes these genres so addicting and so fascinating.
movie grade
B-
worth watching?
yea