The movie opens with Ryan (Jesse James) getting locked in a dark, creepy building. Does the dark trigger feelings of fear? Yes. Director K.C. Bascombe is able to create several disturbing and frightening scenes early in the film using little or no special effects. I was impressed.
Ryan senses doom when the power and telephone goes out in a thunderstorm. Bascombe brings out the special effects and it works to a limited extent. Here the viewer is subjected to the shock of the appearance of the "night creatures" rather than terrifying scenes (the "night creatures" do not speak). Although the "night creatures" are shocking, there is no gore or killing. The main characters act like normal teenagers. Ryan's brother Dale (Kevin Zegers) does a good job of playing big brother and getting himself drawn into Ryan's fear of the dark. Dale's girlfriend (Rachel Skarsten) plays a likable character that gives Ryan the strength to face his fear. The plot is simple and there is resolution at the end of the film.
"Fear of the Dark" has been advertised as the "best movie of it's kind since `The Sixth Sense.'" This movie is not at the same level. "The Sixth Sense" dealt with mature issues and this movie does not. It's a teen movie with a few good scares in it. The acting is decent and it is clean when compared to other horror flicks that rely on nudity and gore to sell movie tickets. For the price, this DVD is a good value. Consider giving it as a gift to a teenager who likes horror movies.
Surprised it got no attention
This is a surprisingly good movie. It's a really great thriller for kids old enough to know it's not real. The "night things" are awesome and the music is fantastic. All of the actors, especially young Jesse James (Ryan), are wonderful. This movie hits on a subject that scares nearly every child--things in the closet, under the bed, under the stairs, and pretty much everywhere else it's dark and creepy. No nudity, very little cursing (there's even a couple of 'darn' instances), one obligatory awkward kiss. Like I said, as long as your kid knows these things don't really exist, let them see this. It'll put just enough scare into them to keep them entertained until the end. And if the scare factor doesn't entertain them, the bugs at the end will;) What a hilariously bad job the effects team did with those!
FLAWFUL & SILLY BUT VERY SCARY AT TIMES !
The monsters in this film & a couple of really creepy artistic scenes are what saves this one from being a hollow story horror flop. they also could have done without the silly special efx! Other than that when all is said & done the spooky jolts, tingles & visuals this movie gives you makes it all worth it in the end.
I decided on purchasing this film afer reading the good reviews on here, i thought i would take a chance and maybe find a horror gem ive never seen. This was a slightly entertaining movie but leaves you disapointed. Story is about a boy and his sister who have to go live with thier grandmother and grandfather, strange things start happening and then the ((suprise)) ending. The ending didnt really suprise me. The begining through the middle keeps you watching to see what will happen but at the end you are like is that it? It wasnt scary. I wouldnt recomend you buy this, try renting it. Then decide. More Info about this DVD Director(s): Peter Rader DVD Release Date: Released the 18 February 2003 Usually ships within 24 hours
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Leaving aside the painful and horrific real life incident that taints the movie for a moment, lets just look at the movie as it is. First off, I love horror movies, some of my faveorites even include ones that are considered "Bad" by tons of movie critics, like the first 4 'Friday the 13th' movies. I love most of the Nightmare on Elm Street movies, and the first 2 Halloween movies, and tons others, inlcuding, yes, Victor Salva's own 'Jeepers Creepers', whcih I think is the best horror movie to have come out in the last 5 years.
But Clownhouse is just laughable and annoying and terribly acted. The bickering among the 3 brothers was driving me nuts for one. The characters do so many amazingly stupid things that are cliches in horror movies, and they do them often, more so than in... More Info about this DVD Director(s): Victor Salva DVD Release Date: Released the 31 December 2025 This item is currently not available.
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Picture it: Alabama, 1863. A band of southerners robs a bank and high-tails it for Mexico, with an escape route that calls for a pit stop in an abandoned farmhouse. The six fugitives hole up for the night in the empty home, which turns out to be a critically bad idea. Starring Henry Thomas as William, the gang's ringleader.
Once this movie had been underway for a few minutes, a rather shocking something occurred to both me and my significant other almost simultaneously: these guys sounded southern. And by "southern" I don't mean, "I took twenty hours of voice coach classes per week in order to nail down a y'all that would make anyone south of the Mason-Dixon line shoot French fries through his or her respective nose with laughter, because I'm a Damn Yankee and I'm not... More Info about this DVD Director(s): Alex Turner (II) DVD Release Date: Released the 15 March 2005 Usually ships in 24 hours
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This is a surprisingly emotional and captivating flick. I found this movie to be somewhat cliche at times, but the fact is, I didn't really mind. The simple story and lovable characters drew me in and held me. Gena Rowlands in the title role was, as always, engaging and lovely to watch. The other actors did a fine job as well, but I was particularly intrigued by the rather convincing portrayal of Mrs. Ritchie's mentally challenged son by an unkown actor named Jeremy Raymond. This is a fine movie that can be enjoyed by all, I would strongly encourage everyone to check it out. More Info about this DVD Director(s): Paul Johansson DVD Release Date: Released the 30 March 2004 Usually ships within 24 hours
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Father Vassey (Michael Rooker) has a problem. Using his two 9mm, laser-sighted cannons he's tracked down and killed the holders of a heretic ceremony meant to bring a demon into the world. Not just any demon, this one's raison d'etre is nothing less than uncreating creation. The problem is that Vassey is too late. The demon has manifested, escaped, and is now on the hunt for the soul of a young boy who is believed to be a saint, due to the stigmata he had at birth. The film is directed by Jamie Dixon, heretofore a special effects supervisor, who shows canny restraint where special effects are concerned. The shadowy demon of the title is depicted often by a fluid black cloud, which is functional without losing its eeriness or credibility. The acting is solid, never campy, though... More Info about this DVD Director(s): Jamie Dixon DVD Release Date: Released the 29 February 2000 Usually ships within 24 hours
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