The Purge is a popcorn flick, nothing more.

RATED- R
RUN TIME- 85 MINS
WRITER(S)- JAMES DeMONACO
STARRING- ETHAN HAWKE, LENA HEADEY AND MAX BURKHOLDER
DIRECTOR- JAMES DeMONACO



Synopsis taken from IMDb
A family is held hostage for harboring the target of a murderous syndicate during the Purge, a 12-hour period in which any and all crime is legalized. 




I saw the "Evil Dead" remake back when it was released, and that was the first time I saw a trailer for this film. From the go I noticed two things that made me want to see it: Ethan Hawke is the star, I'm a big fan of his acting. And the other thing being that the concept of this film is original and a really cool idea.

Now the film has been out for a good few weeks, and due to being over worked, I just got around to seeing it Sunday night. I was the only one in the theater, so I was kicked back and ready to enjoy myself. Popcorn and soda in hand. I've heard some negative reviews about this film, but I always tend to have my own opinion and not let others think for me. Part of me couldn't understand what could have gone wrong for it to get such bad reviews, because it looked so good!

From the start, the movie had me locked in. I barely took my eyes off of the screen even to eat my popcorn, I was spilling it everywhere. Good thing no one else was around to see what a pig I was being (laugh). But seriously, the movie kept me watching the whole entire film, so I gotta take my hat off to that. I was thoroughly entertained from beginning to end.

After viewing it, my take on it seems to be that of many others. Only not as harsh. I think the acting was very well done. Everyone did a pretty good job performing. Where the film slacked is that it felt rushed, and thus a lot of details are missing. If the film had been an extra half our or even fifteen minutes longer, I think it would have been better. It's a fantastic, original idea, but it suffers from a bit of bad writing. 

Some of the things that happen don't come off as genuine, so that disconnects you from the characters a bit. Some of the choices they make cause the film to fall under cliches, and that's what takes away from it. With this film, they had the chance to do new things and go new places. And instead, they use a great concept and mix it in with things already done before, and even  a bit predictable.

When the murderers come to the Sandin's house and demand their Purge victim back, they're not being malevolent, they're being patient and understanding. Yet it still comes off creepy as hell. I liked that the Purger's weren't totally cold hearted, and that they were logical instead of radical. Rhys Wakefield plays the leader of the group hunting down their victim. He's evil, but awesome. Although he acts cool and collected, you can see the beast awaiting just under the surface. 

As the film progressed, there were some crazy things that happen that I wasn't expecting. I got a few surprises out of it and a jump or two. And I really liked Ethan Hawke's character. For once there isn't someone who's a complete imbecile as the lead. James Sandin, (Hawke) does what he has to to protect his family. He's a family man first and foremost. It was a relief to watch someone on screen taking the proper action, and not just leaving a knife beside the body of someone you "think" is dead. 

"The Purge" isn't a perfect film. And it doesn't quite meet its potential. But it's a very thrilling and entertaining ride. I'd watch it several more times and maybe grow to even like it more. This isn't a movie that sucks so bad that you'll never want to see it again. I think the main reason it's received bad reviews is because people had their hopes high. I'm a fan of this film, but it's not all it could have been. 

And for all of the haters out there, be ready, because due to this films success, a sequel is already in the works.

THIS FILM GETS 3 REAPER SKULLS OUT OF 5

Sinister (2012)

RATED- R
RUN TIME- 110 MINS
WRITERS- SCOTT DERRICKSON
STARRING- ETHAN HAWKE, JULIET RYLANCE AND C. ROBERT CARGILL
DIRECTOR- SCOTT DERRICKSON



Synopsis taken from IMDb
Found footage helps a true-crime novelist realize how and why a family was murdered in his new home, though his discoveries put his entire family in the path of a supernatural entity.



It's Sinister's opening weekend and it comes in at number 3, following Taken and Argo. Sinister grossed $18,250,000 in it's opening weekend. I was glad I was able to see it fresh and right on opening weekend, Sinister was my most anticipated horror film this month and possibly of all 2012.

Ethan Hawk (Daybreakers) plays Ellison Oswalt, family man and author going broke. He hit a huge success with a book many years ago and since then he's limped along ever since. He decides he's going to give his writing gig one more chance by solving a series of mysterious murders. And what better way to do that than move into a house where one of the family's were killed, right?

Juliet Rylance (Animal) plays Tracy, Ellison's wife, and she does a great job. The emotion between these two really make if feel real, being in a real situation and acting genuine.

The movie starts off with a very disturbing shot. The realness and the hopelessness of this scene is chilling and it lets you know that this film has balls, and that it was going to scare the hell out of you. When Ellison goes into the attic to store moving boxes and finds the box with projector and Super 8 films, I knew it was going to pick up from viewing the trailer.

The film brought the suspense and chills just about instantly and kept you on an uncomfortable edge the whole ride. Never knowing what's coming or what to expect or when to expect it. It got alot of reactions from me and the people who I were with, as well as several other viewers in the theater.

When Ellison is watching the films is downright chilling. The grainy picture of the Super 8 films adds to how real the videos looked and felt, like you were watching a home movie of a murder happening. And that's exactly what he's doing. They were gritty and disturbing.

There's one murder that he watches that I thought was shot perfectly, the camera pulls away before you see the grisly murder happen but you can see the after effects in the reflection of Ellison's glasses. I love when people know how to utilize what you don't see and make it scary.

I love gore and seeing everything as much as the next guy, but I always appreciate a movie that doesn't rely on showing you everything to scare you.

The first scene where Ellison sees Bughuul is tense and terrifying. All the zoom-ins that Ellison does only adds more mystery to Bughuul, and it makes you scared because this isn't something you've seen before. Ellison realizes there's a weird symbol at all of the houses where the previous murders have happened and goes digging to find answers. He doing so, only makes things worse as he starts to feel he's being watched and hears weird noises at night.

As the movie progresses it gets more terrifying and the jumps are almost as constant as the nail biting. Proving that it is a real horror film, meant to scare and disturb you. As well as being very original and creative and not a remake. The more Ellison learns about Bughuul the more he realizes that he may have made a grave mistake by digging into these murders.

My overall reaction of the film is very positive. Sinister did it's job. Plain and simple. It delivered a haunting, terrifying tale and it brought the scares. Sinister had a little bit of humor in it, but by no means is it a funny movie. Or a movie that gives alot of humor to lighten the mood. It's a straight forward horror film.

I thought the acting was spot on. I thought the scares were well placed and effective and I think the story was very well done. The effects were done with class and Bughuul looked enormously creepy. His presence causes chills.

The way it all plays out worked wonderfully and fitting. This movie isn't cute and it isn't pretty. It's dark and scary and you'll remember it when you leave that theater. The ending sits with you and it's perfect for this film. It isn't a perfect film, it has its flaws but it's a damn good horror film and stands big and tall against other modern horror films. I see Sinister being a classic like The Descent (2005) and being remembered and favored by alot of horror fans for many, many years to come.

THIS FILM GETS 3 1/2 REAPER SKULLS OUT OF 5