Despite its Title, ‘The Strangers’ Actually a Familiar Repeat of Horror Film Conventions

HollywoodChicago.com — Fri, 30 May 2008 01:29:19 -0700

CHICAGO – Poor Liv Tyler. She’s stuck in a remote vacation home with nothing but the blank-stare acting of Scott Speedman to “save” her. What’s a rock daughter who becomes an actress to do? First, she shouldn’t sign onto yet another version of the couple-in-terror cliché.

“The Strangers” is a scary movie that has been there and done that with a few style points thrown in to distract from the ripoff.

Read Patrick McDonald’s full review of “The Strangers” in our reviews section.

View our full “The Strangers” image gallery.

Tyler is Kristen McKay: a single gal who’s on the precipice of the big engagement. Speedman is James Hoyt. He’s her potential fiancé: a boorish chap who thinks the big rock is a slam dunk.

After they both attend a wedding, Hoyt sets up his uncle’s remote cabin (cue ominous music) to celebrate what he figured would be his betrothal.

Surprisingly, though, Kristen has rejected his promise. For some reason, they’re still completing their depressing journey to the cabin. The heavy and forced atmosphere is interrupted by a mysterious female stranger who asks if someone else lives in the cabin. After they run her off, the house explodes with sounds of a break in. Scary figures are out to get them.

Bryan Bertino in “The Strangers”.
Photo credit: Rogue Pictures

Liv Tyler in “The Strangers”.
Photo credit: Rogue Pictures

Read Patrick McDonald’s full “The Strangers” review.

With Surreal Madness, Strange Boys Play ‘Funny Games’

HollywoodChicago.com — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 16:57:32 -0700

CHICAGO – Imagine a film with no redeeming or uplifting emotional qualities with evil that tortures the soul, squirm-inducing narrative elements and a relentless anxiety that practically has us – like the characters in the film – screaming for mercy. Imagine also that this film is excellent.

“Funny Games” is a shot-by-shot remake of writer and director Michael Haneke’s 1997 Austrian film of the same name, which now features American actors and their presumed sensibilities.

Naomi Watts from “The Ring” is Ann: the 30-something matriarch of an upper-middle class American family who’s heading for their vacation home. Her husband, George (Tim Roth), and son, Georgie (Devon Gearhart), are accompanying her. As the family approaches the heavily gated development, a murky apprehension is in the air as familiar friends offer tentative greetings.

Click here to read Patrick McDonald’s full review
of “Funny Games” in our reviews section!

Click here for our full “Funny Games” image gallery!

Naomi Watts in “Funny Games”.
Photo credit: IMDb

Naomi Watts, Michael Pitt (middle) and Brady Corbet in “Funny Games”.
Photo credit: IMDb