"Lights Out" Review by Tim Hellman

'LIGHTS OUT': Four Stars (Out of Five)

Supernatural horror flick; about a violent spirit, which can't survive in the light, that's stalking a young woman and her brother. The film was produced by horror master James Wan, and it was directed by first time feature filmmaker David F. Sandberg. It was written by Eric Heisserer, and it's based on Sandberg's 2013 short film (of the same name). The movie stars Teresa Palmer, Gabriel Bateman, Maria Bello, Alexander DiPersia and Billy Burke. It's surprisingly received (mostly) good reviews from the critics, and it's also performed admirably well at the Box Office (so far). I enjoyed it.

The movie tells the story of a young woman, named Rebecca (Palmer). Rebecca learns that her unstable mother (Bello) is off her medication again. Her brother, Martin (Bateman), is struggling at school because of it; due to the fact that he's getting very little sleep. Rebecca brings Martin home to her house, and she soon learns that he's being haunted by an evil spirit; which can only survive in the dark.

The film is a little clichéd, and routine (in story); but it's also really well made, and filled with great haunting imagery. The concept (of a ghost that can't survive in the light) plays out really well, in frightening imagery. The film is scary, and the performances are all decent (except for maybe the young boy). The fact that the script, and characters, might be a little poorly written, doesn't effect the suspense quality of the movie. If you're looking for good scares, that's probably what you'll get.

Fantasia 2016: Official Stills and Trailer the Upcoming Chiller "Lights Out"

New Line Cinema and Warner Bros recently released stills and the officials for the upcoming chiller "Lights Out". The film is based on the short horror film by David F. Sandberg, who also directs this film and is being executive produced by James Wan (The Conjuring 2, Saw). It stars Teresa Palmer, Gabriel Bateman, Maria Bello and Billy Burke.

The film is a special screening and will take place on July 20th at 7PM at the SGWU Alumni Auditorium (Hall Theatre)in Montreal QC.

For more information on this film, you can goto : http://www.lightsoutmovie.com/

Plot Synopsis:

From producer James Wan (THE CONJURING and INSIDIOUS franchises) comes a tale of an unknown terror that lurks in the dark. When Rebecca (Teresa Palmer) left home, she thought she abandoned her childhood fears. Growing up, she was never really sure of what was and wasn’t real when the lights went out… and now her little brother, Martin (Gabriel Bateman), is experiencing the same unexplained and terrifying events that had once tested her sanity and threatened her safety. A frightening entity with a mysterious attachment to their mother, Sophie (Maria Bello), has reemerged. But this time, as Rebecca gets closer to unlocking the truth, there is no denying that all their lives are in danger… once the lights go out.

"Lights Out": Official Trailer

"The Conjuring 2" Review by Tim Hellman

'THE CONJURING 2': Four and a Half Stars (Out of Five)

Sequel to the 2013 blockbuster supernatural 'fright flick', once again directed by James Wan (who also helmed the original 'SAW', 'INSIDIOUS'1 & 2 and 'FURIOUS 7'). It was written by Carey and Chad Hayes (who also wrote the original film), as well as Wan and David Leslie Johnson. Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson reprise the leading roles, as paranormal investigators Lorraine and Ed Warren. This time they're investigating an aggressive poltergeist, that's haunting a London family (in 1977). The script is once again (said to be) based on a true story. The film also costars Frances O'Connor, Madison Wolfe, Franka Potente and Simon McBurney. It's received good reviews from critics (once again), and it's also another hit at the Box Office (the first movie made over $300 million, on a $20 million budget). I found it to be a more than decent follow-up.

The movie begins with Ed and Lorraine Warren (Wilson and Farmiga) investigating the Amityville murders (in 1974), to see if a demonic presence was really responsible for the horrendous slayings. While experiencing a vision of the crimes, Lorraine foresees Ed's murder (by a tragic impaling). The story then flashes forward 3 years, to London; where a single mother (O'Connor), and her four children, are being terrorized by a supernatural presence. Ed and Lorraine are called to investigate the haunting, but Lorraine is extremely concerned about Ed's safety.

The movie is once again outstandingly crafted, by Wan. It's got great atmosphere, it's disturbingly creepy, and the 'jump scares' are really well done. The story is (once again) intriguing, scary and filled with good character development. It's a little slow-paced, at first, but the film makes up for it in the second half. There's not really much to complain about, but (still) I didn't find it quite as memorable as the original movie.

Horrorpalooza 2014: "Saw" Review - Written by Anthony T

It’s Halloween and it’s our final post for our Horrorpalooza 2014 coverage. “Saw” first hit theaters on October 29th, 2004. During that time with the exception of “Shaun of the Dead”, it was not a good time to be a horror fan. The genre was riddled with bad sequels and really bad Japanese remakes. At the time, it was great that “Saw” came out as it brought a new wave of horror in the form of torture porn. This subgenre would last for a couple of years before an ultra-low budget film called “Paranormal Activity” would change the direction of the genre yet again.

The film follows two strangers (Cary Elwes, Leigh Whannell), who find themselves trapped to the room and chained. They don’t know how they got there and realize that they’re in a secret lair of a serial killer who is only known as Jigsaw. The two are forced to play Jigsaw’s sadistic and twisted game which has rules that must be followed. In order to escape, they must either play Jigsaw’s game or try to outsmart him and escape. The film also costars Danny Glover, Monica Potter and Michael Emerson.

“Saw” is still one of the best horror films to have come out during 2000 to 2010 period. This film still has the same suspenseful and intense impact today that it had ten years ago when it was first released.

One of the things that I liked about this film to this day is James Wan’s direction. He does a very good job making sure everything has a creepy feel to it in the way that he directs the scenes. Every scene in the film had a very dark and frightening tone to them. It helped with the look of the film and how it keeps you edge throughout. The other thing that I liked about Wan’s direction was the way that he manages to get the performances to fit this film’s dark and twisted tone. This helped made some of this film’s more horrific and intense scenes work. When that happens especially with the film’s dialogue scenes, it keeps you on edge. It’s something that isn’t seen in many horror films today.

The other thing that makes this very good was its screenplay written by co-star Leigh Whannell. What makes his screenplay very good was the fact he’s able to develop each of the scenes. Every scene is methodically intense. From the jump scares to the film’s most intense scenes, it keeps you engage with the film’s story. The other thing made this good was the way that Whannell develops his characters. I liked how he takes his time to develop its characters. By giving the major characters backstories, it helped me be interested in the characters. This made me curious to what was happening in the film. The other thing that I like to talk about is its ending without giving too much away. At the time when it was first released, the ending to “Saw” felt original. It provided a great twist that works on all levels and requires you to re-watch the film. It’s very rare for an ending to make a film great, but this film did that. It’s truly one of the best endings to a horror film.

This film is worth checking on in theaters this week for fans of the film or newer horror fan who haven’t seen it yet. “Saw” still has the same shocking and intense action that it had back in 2004.

Review Rating: Five Stars

Horrorpalooza 2014: Final Poster for the 10th Anniversary Re-Release of "Saw"

Lionsgate recently released the final poster for the 10th anniversary re-release of "Saw". The film released in 2004 introduced us to director James Wan, who has gone to direct "Insidious", "The Conjuring" and the upcoming "Fast and Furious 7" and "The Conjuring 2: The Enfield Poltergeist". It stars Cary Elwes, Danny Glover, Monica Potter, Michael Emerson, Ken Leung, Tobin Bell and Leigh Whannell. "Saw" is currently in theaters for one week only.

For more information on this film, you can visit the film's official website at: http://sawmovie.com

Plot Synopsis:

With a dead body lying between them, two men wake up in the secure lair of a serial killer who's been nicknamed "Jigsaw". The men must follow various rules and objectives if they wish to survive and win the deadly game set for them.

Horrorplaooza 2014: Fourth Official Poster for 10th Anniversary Re-Release of "Saw"

Lionsgate recently released the third of five poster for the 10th anniversary re-release of "Saw". The film released in 2004 introduced us to director James Wan, who has gone to direct "Insidious", "The Conjuring" and the upcoming "Fast and Furious 7" and "The Conjuring 2: The Enfield Poltergeist". It stars Cary Elwes, Danny Glover, Monica Potter, Michael Emerson, Ken Leung, Tobin Bell and Leigh Whannell. "Saw will return to theaters for one week only on October 31st.

For more information on this film, you can visit the film's official website at: http://sawmovie.com  

Plot Synopsis:

With a dead body lying between them, two men wake up in the secure lair of a serial killer who's been nicknamed "Jigsaw". The men must follow various rules and objectives if they wish to survive and win the deadly game set for them.

Horrorpalooza 2014: Third Official Poster for the Upcoming 10th Anniversary Re-Release of "Saw"

Lionsgate recently released the third of five poster for the 10th anniversary re-release of "Saw". The film released in 2004 introduced us to director James Wan. It stars Cary Elwes, Danny Glover, Monica Potter, Michael Emerson, Ken Leung, Tobin Bell and Leigh Whannell. "Saw will return to theaters for one week only on October 31st.

For more information on this film, you can visit the film's official website at: http://sawmovie.com  

Plot Synopsis:

With a dead body lying between them, two men wake up in the secure lair of a serial killer who's been nicknamed "Jigsaw". The men must follow various rules and objectives if they wish to survive and win the deadly game set for them.

Horrorpalooza 2014: Second Official Poster for the Upcoming 10 Anniversary Re-Release of "Saw"

Lionsgate recently released the second of five poster for the 10th anniversary re-release of "Saw". The film released in 2004 introduced us to director James Wan. It stars Cary Elwes, Danny Glover, Monica Potter, Michael Emerson, Ken Leung, Tobin Bell and Leigh Whannell. "Saw will return to theaters for one week only on October 31st.

For more information on this film, you can visit the film's official website at: http://sawmovie.com  

Plot Synopsis:

With a dead body lying between them, two men wake up in the secure lair of a serial killer who's been nicknamed "Jigsaw". The men must follow various rules and objectives if they wish to survive and win the deadly game set for them.

Horrorpalooza 2014: Official Trailer and Poster for Upcoming 10th Anniversary Re-Release of "Saw"

Lionsgate recently released the official trailer and the first of five poster for the 10th anniversary re-release of "Saw". The film released in 2004 introduced us to director James Wan. It stars Cary Elwes, Danny Glover, Monica Potter, Michael Emerson, Ken Leung, Tobin Bell and Leigh Whannell. "Saw will return to theaters for one week only on October 31st.

For more information on this film, you can visit the film's official website at: http://sawmovie.com

Plot Synopsis:

With a dead body lying between them, two men wake up in the secure lair of a serial killer who's been nicknamed "Jigsaw". The men must follow various rules and objectives if they wish to survive and win the deadly game set for them.

"Saw 10th Anniversary Trailer": Official Trailer 

"Saw" Returns to Theaters This Halloween for its 10th Anniversary

This Halloween, Lionsgate will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the theatrical release of SAW, the film that kicked off the most successful horror franchise in history, by bringing it back to theaters nationwide for one week only. The film will open on Friday, October 31st, with select screenings beginning Thursday night, October 30th. The seven SAW films grossed $874 million at the box office worldwide and were hailed by the Guinness Book of World Records as the “Most Successful Horror Franchise” of all time.

“The launch of SAW was a signature event in Lionsgate’s history, establishing our first franchise and paving the way for our growth into a global studio,” said Lionsgate President of Acquisitions & Co-Productions Jason Constantine. “We are excited for our fans to revisit the twisted magic that first blew their minds on Halloween 2004.”

“As part of SAW’s 10th anniversary, we’re thrilled to give new fans and audiences the opportunity to experience this film on the big screen for the very first time,” added SAW’s producers Oren Koules and Mark Burg.

SAW was the first collaboration for co-creators James Wan, who directed the film, and Leigh Whannell, who wrote the screenplay. Together, they also created the successful INSIDIOUS franchise, and Wan has gone on to direct such high-profile films as THE CONJURING and the upcoming FAST & FURIOUS 7.

Directed by Wan from a script penned by Whannell, SAW is a psychological thriller focusing on two men who wake up in a secure lair of a serial killer, with a dead body lying between them. The killer, nicknamed “Jigsaw,” leaves them tape recorded messages with details of how to make it out alive. The only way for one man to make it out alive is to do the unthinkable. The two men desperately try to find a way out, while also trying to figure out who's behind their kidnapping. The film, which was released over Halloween weekend on October 29, 2004, was produced by Gregg Hoffman, Oren Koules, and Mark Burg.