Oculus (2013) - August 5, 2014

[nekromantik]

I enjoyed it alot!
Well made and acted.
Was a cool concept too.

[shamus]

Originally Posted by Filmmaker

After being crushingly disappointed with all the hype given to the undeserving CABIN IN THE WOODS, INSIDIOUS and THE CONJURING, finally along came OCULUS, a "next big thing in horror" that actually lived up to the hype. I'll be getting it day one.

I was very disappointed with all those movies. Looking forward to this one, but not getting my hopes up...

[CrazyBlu-RayFan]

Originally Posted by Filmmaker

After being crushingly disappointed with all the hype given to the undeserving CABIN IN THE WOODS, INSIDIOUS and THE CONJURING, finally along came OCULUS, a "next big thing in horror" that actually lived up to the hype. I'll be getting it day one.

The Cabin in the Wood: Very funny and well acted, especially love the interactions with the control room guys.

Insidious: Had me right up until Tiptoe Through The Tulips started playing, it just kept getting worse and worse after that to the point that I'm laughing in uncontrollably.

The Conjuring: Just *sigh* I wanted to like this movie, but it was nothing more then a rip-off of The Exorcist and The Amityville Horror, and now after watching this film, I'm ready to call Warren's straight up con artists. This movie sucked



I didn't get the chance to see Oculus in theaters, lets just hope that I like it and it isn't another Conjuring.

[Filmmaker]

Originally Posted by YoungCrazyBlu-RayFan

The Conjuring: Just *sigh* I wanted to like this movie, but it was nothing more then a rip-off of The Exorcist and The Amityville Horror, and now after watching this film, I'm ready to call Warren's straight up con artists. This movie sucked

Where I knew we were screwed without chance of being saved was when Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga walk into the main house and literally, within two seconds of entry, basically say, "Oh, yes, this house is definitely haunted!" Turns out brevity isn't always the essence of wit.

Originally Posted by YoungCrazyBlu-RayFan

I didn't get the chance to see Oculus in theaters, lets just hope...it isn't another Conjuring.

It's not. Like it or not, I can at least promise you that much.

[jlk5844]

Originally Posted by Filmmaker

After being crushingly disappointed with all the hype given to the undeserving CABIN IN THE WOODS, INSIDIOUS and THE CONJURING, finally along came OCULUS, a "next big thing in horror" that actually lived up to the hype. I'll be getting it day one.

I own all 3.

[Randall Flagg]

Originally Posted by Filmmaker

Yes, I am. Now, mind you, I'm quite sure it still made some measure of profit, but being sold and critically lauded as the Second Coming of Great Horror cinema as it was, the box office numbers never reflected that. It wasn't as shocking of a gap between the hype and the final box office tally as, say, SNAKES ON A PLANE (which isn't even the best comparison, since SoaP had hype but no critical notices, like CitW did), but it was still notable.

http://www.altfg.com/blog/movie/box-...-in-the-woods/

The people were saying it was the Second Coming of Horror were just over excited fans of the film. It was never hyped up in the mainstream audience like say Scream. $42 million was just fine IMO.

[Pondosinatra]

Normally I hate all these hip, quick edited, designed to make you jump, BS crop of new horror films....

That said, I just finished watching 80 hours of Doctor Who and fell in love with Karen Gillan. So I might give this a go.

[MikeScott]

If this isn't the best horror film of the year for me it will be one of them. Really, really loved it. So well-done. Great performances. A gem!

[mar3o]

Originally Posted by Pondosinatra

Normally I hate all these hip, quick edited, designed to make you jump, BS crop of new horror films....

That said, I just finished watching 80 hours of Doctor Who and fell in love with Karen Gillan. So I might give this a go.

This movie isn't really any of these things. I wouldn't call this film hip or quick-edited. It's a genuinely creepy film that really sets up a great mood. The editing in this film is really impressive, how it constantly goes back and forth between current time and flashbacks. It's truly a seamless experience.

[shamus]

Originally Posted by MikeScott

If this isn't the best horror film of the year for me it will be one of them. Really, really loved it. So well-done. Great performances. A gem!

you have my attention...

[Filmmaker]

Originally Posted by Pondosinatra

Normally I hate all these hip, quick edited, designed to make you jump, BS crop of new horror films....

Then you may just adore this one because it honestly doesn't follow those tropes at all. There's much more of a Kubrick vibe here than an Eli Roth one.

[klevelend4]

I just recently watched Oculus and thought that it was well done. It took a new aproach to the haunted house trope and I thought it was executed well. Does it have cheap jump scares? You betcha. But does it have a creepy atmosphere, a solid story and decent acting? Yes, it has those in spades.

Off topic, CitW was less than stellar. I would like to consider myself a horror addict and have watched hundreds of horror films. It wasn't bad, but it was nowhere near the second coming as a lot of people proclaim it to be. I am by no means bashing it, but watching it I expected more. Mind you, I saw this once way back when in the theatre and have not revisited it since then, it maybe high time I do so.

[mredman]

Originally Posted by jlk5844

I own all 3.

Me to and i think all 3 are tremendous actually

[Ratfink]

Originally Posted by Filmmaker

Then you may just adore this one because it honestly doesn't follow those tropes at all. There's much more of a Kubrick vibe here than an Eli Roth one.

Each to their own, but Kubrick? It's got about as much in common with Kubrick as The Conjuring does with Tarkovsky. It follows ever one of these lazy, tedious horror clichés to the point. Dreadful film.

Sorry, but to quote the poster you responded to who claimed they hate these 'hip, quick edited, designed to make you jump, BS crop of new horror films....', I'd say this: so do I, and this is another one.

[Filmmaker]

Originally Posted by Ratfink

Each to their own, but Kubrick? It's got about as much in common with Kubrick as The Conjuring does with Tarkovsky. It follows ever one of these lazy, tedious horror clichés to the point. Dreadful film.

Sorry, but to quote the poster you responded to who claimed they hate these 'hip, quick edited, designed to make you jump, BS crop of new horror films....', I'd say this: so do I, and this is another one.

I don't know what OCULUS you saw but it seems to bear no resemblance to the one I saw.

[Tony208]

Karen Gillan is great in this.

[mar3o]

Originally Posted by Filmmaker

I don't know what OCULUS you saw but it seems to bear no resemblance to the one I saw.

It bears no resemblance to the one I saw either. Oculus stands out as a far better than average horror film, and much of that is due to the atmosphere and the excellent performances.

[Tony208]

^Also agree, dunno what movie that guy was watching.

[Ratfink]

Originally Posted by Filmmaker

I don't know what OCULUS you saw but it seems to bear no resemblance to the one I saw.

Bears no resemblance through your eyes, clearly. Luckily I trust my own. And was bored silly.

It's why I take forums comments with as bucket of salt. I'd assume there's a huge difference in our ages too.

After all, people waxed lyrical over The Conjuring too.

Anyway, horses for courses.. We like what we like, and all that is irrelevant. Point is, it's nothing like Kubrick.

[Filmmaker]

Originally Posted by Ratfink

I'd assume there's a huge difference in our ages too.

42 in fifteen days, if it matters.

Originally Posted by Ratfink

Point is, it's nothing like Kubrick.

I meant it on a scale of relativity. Its pace protracted, its camera framings exceedingly formal, its scares seldom cheap, its storytelling icy, intelligent and unnerving. I wouldn't dare imply it's of Kubrick's caliber but it evoked his aesthetic more than any movie I can think of since Nicole Kidman's BIRTH.