Post by Mr.HoRrOr on Dec 17, 2011 19:59:19 GMT -5
Plot:Successful publisher Will Atenton (Craig) quit a high power job in Manhattan to relocate his wife, Libby (Weisz), and two girls to a quaint New England town. But as they settle into their new life, they discover their perfect home was the murder scene of a mother and her children. And the entire city believes it was at the hands of the husband who survived. When Will investigates, he's not sure if he's starting to see ghosts or if the tragic story is just hitting too close to home. His only clues come from Ann Paterson (Watts), a mysterious neighbor who knew those who were shot. And as Will and Ann piece together the haunting puzzle, they must find out who murdered the family in Will's dream house before he returns to kill again.
Cast:
Naomi Watts
Rachel Weisz
Daniel Craig
Marton Csokas
Rachel Fox
Elias Koteas
Jane Alexander
My Thoughts:A BAD DREAM House.
Review:I am not, nor have I ever been. A fan of horror/thrillers tailor-made and designed to freak out soccer moms and 13 year old kids. and "Dream House", is EXACTLY that. The film follows a successful publisher named Will, who leaves the hustle and bustle of the big city. For a nice quite suburban life with his wife Libby (Weisz), and two daughters. Which means that something bad is gonna happen because it always does in horror films that start this way.
As Will spends more time inside his new digs, he begins to discover a sinister past that's connected to the house. And that may or may not be centered around him personally. Even though "Dream House" starts off with a whimper. It doesn't really get boring until the middle of the picture. Honestly, if you're looking for a scary movie? Key word being "scary"...you won't find it with "Dream House".
The movie should be retitled to "Bad Dream House". Because watching it reminds you of a bad dream where you spent actual cash on something so tedious, disappointing, and lackluster. And weren't able to get a refund afterwards! *Gasp!* The scariest part of the film, and I kid you not...is the moment where Will finds some goth suburban white kids telling scary stories inside the cellar of his house. Will chases them out with the usual threats, anger, fist-shaking and such.
But he really should be giving these kids kudos because anytime a group of teens are able to sneak into your house without making a peep? You're either really oblivious. Or they're just really good at "sneaking into" places. At any rate, the encounter with the teens leads Will to discover that his house is the local "murder house". The Peter Ward house. Where a guy named Peter Ward allegedly went on a killing spree against his own family years ago.
Now, Will feels called upon to try and uncover more about, and piece together this mystery. But unfortunately for him, he keeps getting sidetracked by his hot neighbor Ann Paterson (Watts). Who seems to know "something" about the house. But she's got her own "stuff" to deal with (i.e. a teenage daughter and a douchebag ex husband). So the last thing she needs is to be getting involved in any "Scooby Doo" mysteries right now.
While all of this is taking place, the movies mystery and story bare little to no fruits. And as a viewer, you feel like now would be the perfect time to go get a slushee and some popcorn. After all, with a movie this boring and uneventful...it's not like you're gonna miss anything vital or important. And even worse, "Dream House" seems to try and mesh together the double entendre of a story within a story.
And a character who is living one life for the viewer. But is someone entirely different in the context of the story. Something that's been done already with movies like "Ripper 2" and "The Uninvited" (aka A Tale Of Two Sisters Remake). And both of those movies were far better than this crap. "Dream House" is a total and complete mess of a movie. It doesn't seem to know what to do beyond run you around in circles. And grant no significant payoff at the end.
If you're a fanboy (or girl) for Daniel Craig, Rachel Weisz, or Naomi Watts. And their acting and performing in films. You'll probably love this movie no matter what. It's a horror film for the Hamptons or Hollywood Hills crowd really. Not the actual genre enthusiast crowd. "Dream House" is about as truly scary as a ladybug on a summer day. Craig seems to be far above the material. Watts does what she needs to do to draw a check here. And Weisz just goes through the motions.
Not really sure why these three actors signed up for this movie. Especially Watts who did "The Ring" like 10 years ago. To go from that to this is like going from Color TV back to Black&White TV. I assume maybe the script looked good to them on paper. But in reality from a viewer standpoint. "Dream House" is one big snooze. And also doesn't implement enough of its own original ideas to be ultimately effective.
The pic however does manage to eventually "solve" the mystery of Peter Ward and the house. But once everything is revealed, you kind of think to yourself that this whole ordeal could've been solved on an episode of "Judge Judy". And had absolutely no place or business being in a horror film. "Dream House" is horror for the squemish crowd. If you hate scary movies that are bloody, gory, twisted, chilling oh and...actually scary? Then you'll love "Dream House". As for real horror fans who like a strong dose of actual horror with their horror movies. You should skip this one.
Positives:The directing captures the snowy atmosphere and sceneries really nice. And rolls them out on screen very exquisitely.
Negatives:Not a scary movie in the least. Not even a thriller. I wasn't thrilled, or scared, or entertained in the least. Just annoyed and irritated.
Overall:One star out of four.