Tag Archives: Mary Stockley

2012 Films, Gothic, Horror

The Woman in Black-2012

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The Woman in Black-2012

Director James Watkins

Starring Daniel Radcliffe

Scott’s Review #429

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Reviewed June 21, 2016

Grade: C

The Woman in Black (2012) is an example of a recent trend in modern horror films.

The positives include great effects (shadows, lighting, ghosts, some scares), but the story is uncompelling and makes no sense, which is a negative.

The eerie setting of foggy London and a creepy seaside village are perfect.

The cinematography instantly elicits dread, coldness, and a sense of secrets.

From that point, the story sinks into a chaotic mess of unbelievable twists that, instead of being compelling, only confuse the viewer until he or she no longer cares.

That is a shame.

I give Daniel Radcliffe credit for trying to shake his Harry Potter image by going the horror route.

I suspect that is the entire point of the film, since it centers on Radcliffe, but it still felt like I was watching a Harry Potter movie.

Nice effects, but poor story.

The Woman in Black (2012) will be forgotten before long.

2013 Films, Biography, Drama

Diana-2013

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Diana-2013

Director Oliver Hirschbiegel

Starring Naomi Watts

Scott’s Review #63

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Reviewed June 24, 2014

Grade: C+

Assuming all the details of Diana (2013) are accurate, this film offers an interesting account of Princess Diana’s last two years of life and her transition from married royalty to a single woman, all while remaining the most famous woman on earth.

While the film is interesting, I felt something was missing, and it was not as gripping as I had hoped.

I also did not quite buy Naomi Watts as Diana. Her mannerisms were off to me, and the real Diana was taller.

Also, I didn’t quite believe that Diana could throw on a brown wig and walk freely around London unrecognized.

There was no chemistry between Watts and Naveen Andrews (TV’s Lost), who played a successful heart surgeon with whom Diana begins a romance.

These criticisms do not mean the film was a total failure (there was a sincere likability and charisma that Watts brought to the role), but it was not as good as one would have hoped.

2013 Films, Horror

I Spit on Your Grave 2-2013

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I Spit on Your Grave 2-2013

Director Steven R. Monroe

Starring Jemma Dallender

Scott’s Review #30

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Reviewed June 17, 2014

Grade: F

I have seen the original I Spit on Your Grave from 1978 and loved it.

The 2010 remake was pretty good, but this “sequel”, which has nothing to do with either of the others, is awful.

As horrific as the original was to watch, it was raw, the perpetrator’s motivations were clear, and the subsequent revenge made sense.

In this one, the attacker’s torture and abuse is merely for the sake of it, with no rhyme or reason, and some thinly brushed-over “hating Americans” excuse.

Furthermore, the “revenge” pales in comparison to what the victim endures, so there is no winning moment.

Unsurprisingly, there are plot holes galore; for example, the attackers can transport the victim to another country with no passport, customs, etc.

Fail!