Directed by Timothy Woodward Jr. Written by Patrick Stibbs. Starring Lin Shaye, Tobin Bell, Chester Rushing, Erin Sanders, Mike C. Manning and Sloane Morgan Siegel.
Plot: in 1987, a group of friends are put through hell after a woman they taunted dies unexpectedly.
This movie was a great surprise to me and DJ. Sure, Lin Shaye and Tobin Bell are usually entertaining, but we still weren’t expecting much since most of the reviews were so bad. Well, we can admit when we’re wrong and we’ll certainly tell you when other people are. So, please, give this little gem a viewing before you make up you’re mind.
The movie follows four teenagers: Chris (Rushing), who just moved to town, Tonya (Sanders), whose little sister disappeared some time ago, Zack (Manning), a dick who’s sort of dating Tonya and Brett (Siegel), Zack’s brother, wuss, and extra fodder. Tonya, Zack and Brett have always believed that neighborhood weirdo and presumed witch, Edith Cranston (Shaye) had something to do with Tonya’s sister disappearing, so they go to her house to throw bricks at her windows – again. This time, Chris, accompanies them because he likes Tonya. Once there though, Edith surprises them by confronting them face-to-face and telling them that she’ll never leave her house. But that night, she hangs herself anyway.
Everything really gets going after that. Edward (Bell), Edith’s husband, calls the four teenagers to tell them to meet him at his house. Not sure why they all show up, but moving on from that, he tells them that they are all in Edith’s will. He explains that there is a phone in a room at the end of the hall connected to a phone placed in Edith’s casket and if one-by-one, they can go and stay on said phone for one minute, they will receive $100,000 a piece. Jumping at the chance to make such money, Zack goes first. Which is when the horror starts.
Turns out Edith can communicate with them through the phone. And even worse, in death, she now knows their deepest fears and secrets and uses that knowledge to play with them. The things you find out about the teenagers aren’t all surprising, but some are. For instance, it turns out Chris isn’t as innocent as you think and Tonya is the worst of anyone. I won’t tell you their individual fears or secrets though because that would ruin it. I’ll just say that’s unsettling as hell and we like the idea behind the whole movie.
It was set in the 80’s and we’re not sure why, but it didn’t take anything away from the movie, so we really didn’t care. Aside from them going to the house when Edward called, the characters were very believable and acted accordingly. It followed the rules it established and the cast, even beyond Shaye and Bell, were well chosen. Give this one a look. We didn’t love it, but we liked it a lot and totally recommend it for this Halloween season.
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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