Written and directed by Scott Stewart. Starring Keri Russell, Josh Hamilton, Dakota Goyo, Kadan Rockett and J. K. Simmons.
Plot: the Barrett family experiences an escalating series of horrific events until they finally decide that aliens are really after them
Daniel Barrett (Hamilton), his wife Lucy (Russell), and their two sons, Jesse (Goyo) and Sammy (Rockett) reside in a quiet suberb. The boys are the best of friends, talking through walkie-talkie’s constantly when they aren’t in direct contact with one another. But suddenly, everything gets disturbing. Lucy thinks she sees a figure standing over Sammy’s bed. Dozens of birds fly into their house. Sammy walks out of the house with no recollection of ever leaving. And then both boys are found to have strange markings on their bodies.
Now, Daniel and Lucy begin to believe it’s aliens. So they set up alarms and cameras and 3 strange figures are recorded standing over their beds at night. So, they go to a specialist (Simmons) and he tells them that there have been similar cases reported and that these cases usually end with a child abduction.
We hated this movie. It does, in fact, end with a child abduction. The older boy, Jesse, is taken after they thought that the aliens really wanted Sammy. To top it off, at the end of the movie, the parents are suspects in the disappearance and while fixing up their new apartment, Lucy finds the walkies and suddenly hears Jesse’s voice calling out for Sammy. Yeah. WTF!! They really needed that extra bit of torture in their lives?
This was more annoying than horrifying. There was NO Freddy Claws. They never fully cooperated with one another until the end and then it was too late. There were no rules, no motive and again, I’m mad at myself for having picked this one. Usually I can’t see a shitty ending coming, but I saw this. I knew it was about to happen and could do nothing to stop it. It was an utter waste of time and I expected more from the guy that gave us Legion and Priest.
I suppose I could list my favorite movies here, but instead I'll give you a strange glimpse into what makes me TaraRomero.
1. I met George Romero. He was the kindest and sweetest man. He talked to me for longer than he should have with the line getting longer. He also held my hand. And when he noticed the ladybug I have tattooed on my wrist, he said he liked it and asked me it's name. Till then, it had not had a name. Now, I call him George.
2. I love stickers. All stickers. I just adore them. I even ask for stickers for Christmas! As a matter of fact, the birthday that just past, every member of my immediate family gave me sticker packs as gifts. Affordable and extremely appreciated.
3. I have never put much stock in astrology or horoscopes, but I LOVE the magic of the MBTI. Omg. I am an INFP and it actually sounds just like me. Introverted mostly. Creative always. Heart before head and not the most logical. Totally me! For better or worse.
4. It's no surprise I count horror so high up on the list of things that make me, me. However, it's so within my soul that I was part of the Horror Club in college. Interesting bunch. And even took a Horror Lit class as an elective. I got an A.
5. Coffee always makes me happy. Always. I'm particularly fond of caramel macchiatos. But I'll drink black coffee if it's the only thing available.
6. I hate shock for the sake of shock and endings that depress me. I always mention the movies Within (2016) and the Eli Roth produced, written and starred in, Aftershock (2012), as proof of this distate I have. I abhor the idea that just because I like horror, some people think I'd actually praise a movie that lets you think the "Final Girl" just made it through the night, only to slap her in the face with a tsunami.
7. We are big time animal people. I mean, if I could, I'd have an elephant, a bear, a zebra, a penguin, an otter and a meerkat, living with me. Seriously though. We have 2 dogs right now and 2 cats. Both cats we picked up when they each came to our front door hungry. And both dogs we got from 2 different sets of neighbors. Both who, unfortunately, don't know how to care for pets long-term. But they're happy and healthy now!!
8. Revisiting my love of horror, one of the above cats, my cat, is a little black guy named Church. Because Pet Sematary. His middle name is even Pascow. To give credit where credit's due, the name was DJ's idea. But he loves horror too!
9. I'm big into art. Along with movie posters and an Anne Frank quote, I have some actual paintings on my wall. I really think Dali paints beautifully when he wants to. And if I don't get to see Michaelangelo's Pieta in person some day, I will be very disappointed.
10. Lastly, I find Emily Dickinson's poetry intriguing. I took an elective course about her as well. But do you know I injected horror even there? I was given a poem to dissect and I picked one on death, of course. Then, I researched old "Death Photos" and even printed out copies for everyone in the class. They were so interested in looking at them that it stopped them from all looking at me, and I was able to deal quite well with my stage fright. Haha
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