The Stranger's - Review

[hostelmovies]

So I finished my Blu-Ray Horror Movie Trifecta today with The Stranger's.

I saw this in the theater and was unsure what to think. I kinda sat with me after I left of what I just saw. And I think Liv Tyler "seems" to be one of the sweetest things on the planet, so that might have been it. The movie did not concentrate on horror as much as it did pure terror, kinda like Silence of the Lambs or Vacancy, which it gets compared to left and right. I do like Vacancy as it is well done and seems original. So I was kinda eager to watch this and see what I thought the 2nd time around. And it does work on few levels and fails on others. The flat out creepyness of the Stranger's is what makes this work. Scott Speedman and Liv Tyler both impressed me with making it believeable. Tyler really puts on a show in a way that we have never seen her before.

The picture quality is great. Another good transfer. It kinda sits at one level through the whole movie but does enhance the viewing of it. Not much grain, but adds to overall tone of the movie. The DTS-HD audio track is the superstar of this Blu-Ray. A lot of the scares in this movie are audio scares and bass hits. I had knocking and banging coming from all over my theater room and I even jumped a few times with some of the sounds. I really enjoyed the outside ambient noises, like crickets and dogs barking. It adds to the overall enjoyment of the movie. My center channel was clear and bright and I could hear every word. And it did not overpower everything else. A awesome mix. The whole soundtrack did what a horror movie mix is suppose to do, add to the movie. What would the original Halloween be without the soundtrack, this compares, nothing as catchy, but effective.

The Stranger's is another Universal "Blu-Ray" homerun. Some may not like the movie. But the PQ and SQ are excellent, not reference but solid. There are a few things wrong with it, as people will point out below. It is at least worth a rental for you to make up your own mind

I liked the movie. I liked it more after the second viewing. And like the Ladies Man once said, that is my opinion and I can have that.

MOVIE: 3.5
PQ: 4.5
SQ: 5.0 (Seriously, sounded great on my system)
Features 1.5 (Some deleted scenes and 10 min. doc)

Watching Poltergeist right now. Might through a review up later.

[opterasis]

I couldn't stand this movie. I thought Vacancy was superior. I don't know how it doesn't bother people how incredibly dumb the couple seems to be.

[hostelmovies]

Originally Posted by opterasis

I couldn't stand this movie. I thought Vacancy was superior. I don't know how it doesn't bother people how incredibly dumb the couple seems to be.

That was my main issue with it too. But until I was in the situation I am not sure how I would act. Vacancy is great. The Stranger's is great. I think they both stand alone as great films in the future. "Happy now?"

[t0nythebeat]

no pictures ....

the strangers was one of the best horror films of recent times.
it does suffer from cliches but it was solid. i cant wait til my copy arrives on friday.

vacancy is completely different and although it was a bit silly, it was truly terrifying aswell. woo just got this for $17 at circuit city.

the end.

[hostelmovies]

LOL.

Also. Just wanted to add. I am so glad they did not show the faces of the attackers.



This the best pcitures I can get you. I don't have anything to take pictures with. My ex took my camera.

[Moviemaniack1993]

Originally Posted by hostelmovies

I think they both stand alone as great films that bombed at the box office.

Vacancy may have "bombed" but The Strangers did not. In fact it was probably one of the most profitable movies of the summer given its budget. Check your facts next time.

[opterasis]

Originally Posted by hostelmovies

LOL.

Also. Just wanted to add. I am so glad they did not show the faces of the attackers.

I can see why people are saying that, however, I think for me, it may have been better to see they were every day normal looking people that you could pass just walking down the street.

[hostelmovies]

Originally Posted by opterasis

I can see why people are saying that, however, I think for me, it may have been better to see they were every day normal looking people that you could pass just walking down the street.

Although The Stranger's is not on par with Texas Chainsaw Massacre in any way, im not saying that, but it would be like Leatherface taking off his mask in the original. For me anyway.

[CheapChildren]

I really enjoyed the first 40 minutes of this film.. But from there on

[t0nythebeat]

Originally Posted by Moviemaniack1993

Vacancy may have "bombed" but The Strangers did not. In fact it was probably one of the most profitable movies of the summer given its budget. Check your facts next time.

word.
Vacancy pulled in $19 million domestic, but it did great on rentals.
direct-to-video sequel coming in January.

the strangers brought in $52 million that's awesome for a true RATED R horror film.
and it only cost $9 million to make.

[BIGLAD]

I did not enjoy this movie at all.

[Gremlin]

Wow wow, stop. you actually compared it (even slightly) to The silence of the lambs? even if you really liked the strangers there is no room for ANY comparison.

As for the film, its a watch & forget. yes it was shot well, pretty solid on the audio department, but, thats it. Liv Tyler (which I generally like) was not in her best here. the plot didnt make much sense, and it gets repetitive after a while. I mean, 90 minutes of door banging. there was nothing to fuel the story to make me relate of care for them, like maybe if she was pregnant or they had a small child, anything at all.

[Crim122]

Originally Posted by opterasis

I couldn't stand this movie. I thought Vacancy was superior. I don't know how it doesn't bother people how incredibly dumb the couple seems to be.

I thought Vacancy was bad too :/

cool concept but executed horribly.

[Gremlin]

Originally Posted by Crim122

I thought Vacancy was bad too :/

cool concept but executed horribly.

Horribly? that's kind of harsh, I think. I liked the fact that it wasnt taken over the top, and we knew(at some point) why they were chased. plus, they didnt act like they almost wanted to get caught. 'the strangers' tried to go 'Hithchock' by not letting us see the killers faces or motive, but at the end it just didnt pay up.
anyway, its a matter of taste. some like it dark, like this film.

[SquidPuppet]

The ending of this movie was SO BAD it ruined the entire experience. I was actually a little angry when I left the theater. It was SO cliche. Very very frustrating.

[InfectedStranger]

The Strangers was simply amazing. Vacancy was absolutely terrible. The Strangers is one of the scariest movies of the 21st century.

[Blu Titan]

Originally Posted by Moviemaniack1993

Vacancy may have "bombed" but The Strangers did not. In fact it was probably one of the most profitable movies of the summer given its budget. Check your facts next time.

This is very true. The Strangers was VERY profitable!

[opterasis]

Originally Posted by InfectedStranger

The Strangers was simply amazing. Vacancy was absolutely terrible. The Strangers is one of the scariest movies of the 21st century.

I found it to be one of the most boring movies of the last few years that I actually bothered to see in theaters.

[Gremlin]

Originally Posted by InfectedStranger

The Strangers was simply amazing. Vacancy was absolutely terrible. The Strangers is one of the scariest movies of the 21st century.

[hostelmovies]

[QUOTE=Gremlin;1229478]Wow wow, stop. you actually compared it (even slightly) to The silence of the lambs? even if you really liked the strangers there is no room for ANY comparison. QUOTE]

Jesus. I meant a psychological thriller. In no way was it comparing to the caliber of movie as Silence, why does everyone on this board take everything at face value like this. Nothing compares to Silence in the realm of thrillers at all. I was saying it was in the vein as Silence or Seven. It pins you to your chair at some points.