As Above So Below - Found Footage

Rating: 8/10

Summary: Scarlett (Perdita Weeks) an archeologist, Benji (Edwin Hodge) a documentary filmmaker, and Ben (Ben Feldman) their translator, go on one of the greatest digs in history: a dig for the philosophers stone. They venture down into the Paris catacombs with a group of regulars, and get into a little more than they bargained for.

Usually, found footage films are a bigger source of hilarity than real quality entertainment, and more often than not they are hard to invest yourself in. As Above So Below completely knocked that stereo type out of water. This is one of the most fascinating and engaging found footage, and horror, films I SPOILER not everyone dies).

have ever seen, and that is not at all an understatement. It may just be fascination with ancient civilizations, mysteries and the catacombs in general, but this movie was honestly amazing (even if it did lack in the scare department). The film was also completely original and nothing I have ever heard of, it wasn't the typical scary-ghosty-paranormal-activity-type movie and it didn't even have the ending I was expecting (which is that everyone dies in the end

Now, if you have read and seen the Harry Potter books/movies you know exactly what the philosopher's stone is and what it does. If you haven't it basically has the power to bring eternal life to whoever uses it, and it also has healing abilities, it was created by an alchemist by the name of

Nicholas Flemmel (sound familiar yet? Sorcerers Stone anyone?). Scarlett basically decides she is going to find this stone, not for fame or glory, but because she wants to, or maybe because she has something to prove to herself.

At the very beginning of the film it is made clear that Scarlett knows no bounds, she does what she wants when she wants to, and she will die before anything gets in her way of discovery. Immediately she becomes the most infuriating and intriguing character, she is so head-strong and persistent that you can't help but root for her the entire time. Her relationship with Ben also adds to the suspense, from the start it's easy to tell that they have had history together and the entire film is just waiting for the moment for them to rekindle it. As for the other characters, they remained secondary characters but they were still rounded and complex, each had their own background story that was somehow presented in the film, providing the audience a better understanding of their lives.

The only downfall to providing background to secondary characters is the fact that nothing was really made clear enough. The audience is aware that something haunts each character, and we get a slight

glimpse of it, but no more than that. In order to provide a better understanding of the characters, their personalities, their way of life, etc, it would have been nicer to get more history. If each of their demons had been described or explained in more depth like Scarlett and Ben's, the film would have been much more appealing and probably would have been a 10/10 film.

Overall, As Above So Below is one of the best found footage/horror/thriller/supernatural films I have ever seen, if not the best. It is definitely something I recommend watching. The scare factor isn't very high, but the entire premise of the film is so fascinating and eye catching it doesn't even need to be scary to be a good film. Though, if you are easily scared, this film does have some jump scenes, and pretty gruesome faces and accidents. I highly recommend this for horror fanatics, or anyone who wants to watch something with an interesting story, complex characters,and pretty good jump scenes.

In Fear (2013) - Thriller

Rating: 5/10

Summary: Lucy (Alice Englert) and her new boyfriend Tom (Iain De Caestecker) are on their way to a music festival when they decide to take a detour and they find themselves being harassed by unknown persons.

Usually the problem with horror films is that they don't have enough of a scare factor, almost as if the actors are bored. In this case I think the actors were over enthusiastic making the film seem overdone in a way. The plot itself was not bad, in fact it had quite a bit of potential--even though it wasn't really that

original. It was the basic young-couple-gets-followed-and-harassed-they-make-dumb-decisions-and-it-turns-out-to-be-that-one-guy-that-was-doing-it-the-entire-time type of movie. Total scare factor was a zero because, basically, I could see everything coming; they leave the car alone--something happens to it, they decide to keep going instead of turning back--obviously someone is going to die, they pick up the only other person on the road--obviously he is the bad guy. It lacked suspense and mystery because it was totally predictable.

The acting wasn't that impressive either. Alice Englert seemed like she had the right idea it just wasn't precise enough. Instead of boring me to death she over did it to the point to where it was annoying, at times in the film she would get frustrated and start yelling or overreact to the tiniest things. Iain De

Caestecker was obnoxious throughout the entire film and there were some aspects of his character that I isn't understand. For example, why he didn't want to tell Lucy what happened at the bar before they left? Was it really so hard for him to explain to her that there had been a confrontation and he had to buy some guys a few beers? It honestly seemed like an irrational overreaction that was hard to really wrap my head around.

The only character I truly found interesting was Max, he was perfectly psychotic and it was so entertaining to watch him completely manipulate Lucy and Tom. In a matter of minutes he managed to turn them against each other, and for what reason; because he could. That is what made him the perfect

little villain, he simply took joy out of causing them pain, and confusion. He also somehow managed to remain in control the entire time. While the ending of the film may suggest otherwise; he got what he wanted. He had successfully finished what he said out to do without anyone really thinking about it or realizing it.

Overall the film was pretty bad, but not the worst. I suggest you watch it when you're bored or want to have a laugh with some friends (it's actually kind of funny the way everyone freaks out in the movie), bad acting and predictability is always pretty funny.

Watch In Fear Here

Mr. Jones (2013) - Horror/Thriller/Found-Footage

Rating: 5/10

Summary: A filmmaker Scott (Jon Foster) and his photographer girlfriend Penny (Sarah Jones) move into a secluded town to work on their relationship. But, things change when they realize their neighbor is the famous "artist" Mr. Jones (Mark Steger). They then decide to change their focus and make a film about him, until things start getting strange.

I am a huge horror fan, unfortunately scary movies aren't so scary to, therefore I am extremely critical when it comes to horror films. Mr. Jones, like most others, wasn't too memorable to me. The only thing that made it exceptionally interesting was the plot and turn of events that took place at the end; where the antagonist wasn't at all that. Unfortunately, he ending was not made clear enough and became too hard to follow. Even after looking through various synopsis I still found it hard to understand the

ending. This is where the film lost me, have there been various Mr. Jones' and that is what Scott had become? And what was the significance of the sculptures affecting people in the way that they did? It was clear that they forced people to have terrifying nightmares, but other than that why had Mr. Jones sent them out into the world? This may just be me missing some points of the film, regardless it made the film difficult hard to follow as much as I did actually want to understand.

As for the acting; I was not impressed. As far as horror movies go, it didn't have the worst acting but the actors were not amazing performance wise. The problem, I think, lies with the story. The main characters Scott and Penny were hard to relate to and sympathize with because of their actions throughout the film, ex: Breaking into Mr. Jones' home, Scott stealing the baby sculpture that, and I'm

just taking a wild guess here, seemed like it was put there for a reason and really it seemed absurd for him to even think about taking it. Also the fact that Penny was not at all fazed by Mr. Jones when they were up close and personal. It seems hard to believe that someone would not be terrified of someone who has created such macabre pieces of "art," which to me often times looked like human remains. She did not even question the strange, quiet, and extremely creepy man who, also, took their car keys? For some reason that didn't seem at all suspicious to her.

Overall, I was not impressed with the film but it was fairly entertaining to watch. There are better horror films out their definitely, so I would only recommend this one if you have nothing to do and nothing else to watch. Maybe watch it late at night in the dark to make a little scarier, or if you're easily scared don't do that. I don't know I'm not your mother. As far as found-footage films go, the idea is original, interesting, and far more entertaining than paranormal activity.

Watch Mr. Jones Here

Stoker (2013) - Drama/Mystery/Thriller

Rating: 9/10

Summary: After India Stoker's (Mia Wasikowska) father dies in a mysterious car crash, her Uncle Charlie (Matthew Goode) comes to live with her and her mother (Nicole Kidman). India begin's to fall for him and eventually his motives become clear.

I thought this film was incredible. The plot was outstandingly interesting although it was quite slow and confusing in the beginning. Throughout the entirety of the film I found my self almost jumping out of my sheets (instead of at the edge of my seat seeing as I was in bed wrapped in a blanket rather than sitting in a chair or couch), or with my jaw dropping because some scenes came as such a surprise to me. This film truly is a thriller and mystery.

Foremost, I am only familiar with Mia Wasikowska because of her appearance in Alice in Wonderland,

other than that I have not seen her in any other films. For me, she rose to the challenge of playing such a dark and almost mature role. Ultimately, she was brilliant throughout the entire film and did not disappoint what-so-ever. She added and interesting bit of personality to the character of India that made it seem like India was hiding something deep down inside her, and by the end of the film she embraced it and let it out. I can honestly say I don't think anyone could've portrayed India better than Mia did.

As for Nicole Kidman, I was not very fond of her character Evie though, as usual, she did an excellent job at playing the disturbed, and emotionally distraught mother. The role was not at all outside her realm or different from the roles she normally takes so I was not disappointed. She played a perfectly

unlikeable character, and made her, well, unlikeable. From the beginning she possessed a certain hatred towards India, she might have even resented her, which puts her on the side of the antagonist especially towards the end of the film. Overall she did a good job, and again I don't think anyone can play a role like that better than Nicole Kidman.

Matthew Goode did just as well as everyone else, though I am not familiar with him or any films he has previously been in. But like all the other mains in the film, he did not disappoint. He played a

perfectly charming psychopath throughout the film, and made Charlie seem attractive despite everything else that he did or said. I found myself hoping that he would achieve what he wanted and came to like him even.

As for cinematography, it was beautiful. I loved how certain details were taken into consideration and were made focus points throughout the whole film. For example India's shoes (SPOILER), which from the beginning of the film were a mystery until it is made clear that Charlie is the one who was the one sending them to her. Before it is even made clear to the audience, her shoes are a main focus and remain so the entire time. This film is endlessly fascinating and I'm sure if I were to watch it again I would pick up on certain small details that I didn't notice beforehand.

Overall Stoker is an excellent film. I would recommend it to anyone who has seen and likes Shutter Island or We Need to Talk About Kevin. It's ultimately deserving of a high rating 9/10 recommend to certain people A-.

Watch Stoker Here