Directed by Scott Derrickson. Written by Derrickson and Paul Harris Boardman. Based on a book entitled Beware the Night by Ralph Sarchie and Lisa Collier Cool. Starring Eric Bana, Olivia Munn, Joel McHale, Edgar Ramirez and Sean Harris.
Plot: an NYPD sergeant experiences some demonic activity within the city, within his family and even within himself.
I’m gonna have to start by saying that the message this movie tried to slam into you just went in one ear and out the other for me and DJ. And sufficed it to say there are a lot of spoilers ahead. So here’s my warning.
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This movie isn’t even really a horror movie. It’s a religious movie that just so happens to be creepy. It’s such heavy handed garbage that basically suggests that if you sin and don’t accept the Lord as your savior, you’re gonna come face to face with your worst nightmare. I mean, his (Bana’s) particular sin was that he killed a child molester. So, I guess a lot of people are going to hell since there’s such a thing as the death penalty. And I’m not even an atheist by any stretch, but the religious aspect of this movie just didn’t sit well with me. There are a lot of good people that aren’t religious and to suggest otherwise is kinda bullshit in my eyes.
The message was that people can’t – CANNOT – be good without god. It followed some nutbag religious rules we hated. The only things good about it were the production value, the acting, the effects and the bits of humor. Oh, and the fact that the lion and dog were not shot.
Also, I feel it important to include that we read up on Sarchie, who helped write the book this is based on, and it turns out it’s only sort of based on things he experienced as a “demon hunter”. He doesn’t really take too much stock in science either, only god and the devil. We knocked it down points for that crap. We do not recommend this at all and will never watch it again ourselves.
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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