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jmovies
Let's Call It A Bromance
Joined: Tue Aug 07, 2007 7:22 pm Posts: 12333
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Oculus
OculusQuote: Oculus is a 2013 American horror film directed by Mike Flanagan. The movie had its world premiere on September 8, 2013, at the Toronto International Film Festival and will have a theatrical release on April 11, 2014. The movie stars Karen Gillan as a young woman that is convinced that an antique mirror is responsible for the death and misfortune her family has suffered.
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Thu Apr 10, 2014 4:27 pm |
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David
Pure Phase
Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2005 7:33 am Posts: 34865 Location: Maryland
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Re: Oculus
A brother and sister, estranged after the former's extended and involuntary stay in a mental hospital, are reunited upon his release on his 21st birthday. They reflect (no pun intended) on the disturbing past which forged them: their parents' violent deaths and the role a centuries-old mirror may or may not have played. She believes it is haunted and possessed their parents, whereas he has come to doubt his memories and senses. Through her position at a prestigious auction house, she has once again found the mirror, and they return with it to the scene of the crime in a desperate search for answers. This sets in motion the core storyline of Oculus, a film in which the past is far more than just prologue as it cuts throughout between the present day and the protagonists' experiences as children a decade prior, resulting in a double-pronged cinematic experience in which editing is often used to blend, disrupt, and otherwise toy with time and space. It is indicative of the overall production's strongest element: the joy with which it upends the quote-unquote truth of what the characters (and by extension the audience members) see. Again and again, images and viewpoints must be reassessed or investigated, and it gives the film a dimension both playful and vertiginous. In other areas, this registers as a solid, if modest bump-in-the-night entertainment which, as so many films do, lifts from The Shining and its portrayal of a patriarch seduced by evil and gone awry. The silver-eyed phantoms who populate the frame are never too frightening, but the riveting and surprising mystery compensates.
B
_________________1. The Lost City of Z - 2. A Cure for Wellness - 3. Phantom Thread - 4. T2 Trainspotting - 5. Detroit - 6. Good Time - 7. The Beguiled - 8. The Florida Project - 9. Logan and 10. Molly's Game
Last edited by David on Mon Apr 21, 2014 1:15 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Sat Apr 12, 2014 2:47 am |
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thompsoncory
Rachel McAdams Fan
Joined: Sat Oct 23, 2004 11:13 am Posts: 14544 Location: LA / NYC
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Re: Oculus
It's not scary at all and actually kind of boring, but the leads are both great and deliver strong performances that led to me enjoying this a bit more than I was expecting. It's definitely not deserving of such strong reviews though - it's nothing new. And the ending is a mess. C+
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Sat Apr 12, 2014 3:28 pm |
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Magic Mike
Wallflower
Joined: Mon Oct 25, 2004 4:53 am Posts: 34878 Location: Minnesota
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Re: Oculus
AMAZING movie. And I definitely preferred it to The Conjuring. I found it more involving.
It was fantastic. So well-made. Great performances, especially by Karen Gillan, Katee Sackoff, and the two young kids. Gillan is fascinating. I'm not familiar with her. Honestly not familiar with any of the actors in the film. It's slower-paced and not scary, but it's quietly unnerving and not boring for a second. I was admiring its craft the whole time. The directing and seamless transitioning from past to present were great.
An easy early contender for best horror film of the year. Those expecting a non-stop scare-fest will be very disappointed. This isn't one of those horror movies with a ton of jump scares. It's a slow burn that quietly gets under your skin. It's not fast-paced but I wasn't bored for a second. Really cared about the main characters and thought the story was really interesting. I thought this was really something special for the genre and refreshingly different.
A
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Mon Apr 14, 2014 12:51 am |
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The Dark Shape
Extraordinary
Joined: Sat Oct 23, 2004 3:56 am Posts: 12119 Location: Adrift in L.A.
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Re: Oculus
I liked the storyline and I generally liked the acting (though Gillan's American accent was weak at times), but it just wasn't ever scary.
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Thu Apr 17, 2014 3:01 am |
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Magic Mike
Wallflower
Joined: Mon Oct 25, 2004 4:53 am Posts: 34878 Location: Minnesota
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Re: Oculus
Not every horror movie has to be scary. This is an awesome, clever, well-executed horror film. I enjoyed every minute of it.
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Thu Apr 17, 2014 3:52 am |
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Bradley Witherberry
Extraordinary
Joined: Sat Oct 30, 2004 1:13 pm Posts: 15197 Location: Planet Xatar
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Re: Oculus
What a rare pleasure - - an intelligent horror movie!
In fact, Oculus is so smart it can barely be categorized with what the horror genre has putrefied into today. It is really more like a really good feature length Twilight Zone episode.
I thoroughly enjoyed the story structure of the overlapping timelines, especially the lead character's attempt to impose a logical experiment framework, only to have it descend inexorably into madness.
The acting was excellent - - I especially look forward to seeing a lot more of Karen Gillan in the future!
Of course, making a smart horror movie has proven to be financial suicide of late, since fans of the genre seem to crave the cheese, so we may never get to see Oculus 2 - - it's a damn shame.
88 out of 5.
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Thu Apr 17, 2014 6:10 am |
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The Dark Shape
Extraordinary
Joined: Sat Oct 23, 2004 3:56 am Posts: 12119 Location: Adrift in L.A.
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Re: Oculus
Magic Mike wrote: Not every horror movie has to be scary. This is an awesome, clever, well-executed horror film. I enjoyed every minute of it. "Not every comedy has to be funny." If it's not scary, disturbing, or atmospheric, how is it a successful horror movie?
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Thu Apr 17, 2014 1:08 pm |
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Magic Mike
Wallflower
Joined: Mon Oct 25, 2004 4:53 am Posts: 34878 Location: Minnesota
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Re: Oculus
The Dark Shape wrote: Magic Mike wrote: Not every horror movie has to be scary. This is an awesome, clever, well-executed horror film. I enjoyed every minute of it. "Not every comedy has to be funny." If it's not scary, disturbing, or atmospheric, how is it a successful horror movie? But it is atmospheric. Disturbing too. Just not scary. If I recall you enjoyed Curse of Chucky. Did you find that scary? I kinda doubt it. Doesn't mean it didn't succeed at what it was trying to do. As long as it entertains that's the main thing.
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Thu Apr 17, 2014 1:30 pm |
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David
Pure Phase
Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2005 7:33 am Posts: 34865 Location: Maryland
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Re: Oculus
How do we define "scary" anyway? If it is a film which truly creeps the viewer out and haunts them afterward in a profound way (the way many people respond to, for example, The Shining), then scary horror films are rare. If it only requires populating a film with easy jolts (quiet hallway, LOUD VIOLIN NOTE), then scary horror films are fairly easy.
The word I might use to best describe Oculus is tense. The blending of past and present. The disorientation. The awful situation the children are in as their parents lose their grip on sanity. It is an anxious, involving film.
_________________1. The Lost City of Z - 2. A Cure for Wellness - 3. Phantom Thread - 4. T2 Trainspotting - 5. Detroit - 6. Good Time - 7. The Beguiled - 8. The Florida Project - 9. Logan and 10. Molly's Game
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Thu Apr 17, 2014 1:38 pm |
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The Dark Shape
Extraordinary
Joined: Sat Oct 23, 2004 3:56 am Posts: 12119 Location: Adrift in L.A.
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Re: Oculus
That's an interesting point, Mike, to which I'd say -- CURSE OF CHUCKY was viscerally exciting. OCULUS was not. This is a film that wants to really unnerve you, and it simply doesn't (or didn't with me). I liked the cross-cutting between timelines, but I saw this film two days ago and haven't given it a thought since. THE PURGE: ANARCHY left more of an impression in my mind, for Heaven's sake. I also think it's interesting that people who've never seen Gillan before really dig her here, whereas I've known her for years and found her okay at best. Maybe it's an accent thing. David wrote: How do we define "scary" anyway? Is it impossible for you to stop thinking about the film after you've left? Do you lay in bed at night creeped out because of images in your head? Hell, did it make you jump? OCULUS did none of these things for me.
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Thu Apr 17, 2014 1:41 pm |
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David
Pure Phase
Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2005 7:33 am Posts: 34865 Location: Maryland
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Re: Oculus
I do believe I jumped once.
Anyway, I am not arguing the film is enormously scary. If pushed, I would classify it more as a supernatural mystery than a balls-to-the-wall horror film.
_________________1. The Lost City of Z - 2. A Cure for Wellness - 3. Phantom Thread - 4. T2 Trainspotting - 5. Detroit - 6. Good Time - 7. The Beguiled - 8. The Florida Project - 9. Logan and 10. Molly's Game
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Thu Apr 17, 2014 1:48 pm |
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Chippy
KJ's Leading Pundit
Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2004 4:45 pm Posts: 63026 Location: Tonight... YOU!
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Re: Oculus
I would probably be scared by this.
Thus, it's a "horror" film.
_________________trixster wrote: shut the fuck up zwackerm, you're out of your fucking element trixster wrote: chippy is correct
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Thu Apr 17, 2014 1:50 pm |
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Magic Mike
Wallflower
Joined: Mon Oct 25, 2004 4:53 am Posts: 34878 Location: Minnesota
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Re: Oculus
The Dark Shape wrote: David wrote: How do we define "scary" anyway? Is it impossible for you to stop thinking about the film after you've left? Do you lay in bed at night creeped out because of images in your head? Hell, did it make you jump? OCULUS did none of these things for me. If you expect that you have lofty expectations. Unless you're a major p*ssy and scare so easily that it wouldn't be difficult for a film to accomplish those . This could go for a lot of easy scares but it doesn't. Jump scares can be fun but they aren't real scares. At least not IMO. There do seem to be many who found this scary though. You'll see several comments on Rotten Tomatoes from reviews saying it's really scary. I didn't think it was that type of horror movie myself.
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Thu Apr 17, 2014 11:38 pm |
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The Dark Shape
Extraordinary
Joined: Sat Oct 23, 2004 3:56 am Posts: 12119 Location: Adrift in L.A.
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Re: Oculus
I can find people who thought THE PURGE and PARANORMAL ACTIVITY: THE MARKED ONES were scary. A certain sector of audience is going to find every single horror film that hits theaters scary.
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Fri Apr 18, 2014 12:21 pm |
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matatonio
Teh Mexican
Joined: Fri Oct 15, 2004 11:56 pm Posts: 26066 Location: In good ol' Mexico
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Re: Oculus
Chippy wrote: I would probably be scared by this.
Thus, it's a "horror" film. Its actually never scary. Creepy maybe, but those silver eyes made those dead characters look too cartoonish.
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Fri Apr 18, 2014 4:04 pm |
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Chippy
KJ's Leading Pundit
Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2004 4:45 pm Posts: 63026 Location: Tonight... YOU!
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Re: Oculus
I would be scared.
_________________trixster wrote: shut the fuck up zwackerm, you're out of your fucking element trixster wrote: chippy is correct
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Fri Apr 18, 2014 4:39 pm |
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Chippy
KJ's Leading Pundit
Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2004 4:45 pm Posts: 63026 Location: Tonight... YOU!
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Re: Oculus
Next you're going to tell me Child's Play isn't scary because it's a doll.
_________________trixster wrote: shut the fuck up zwackerm, you're out of your fucking element trixster wrote: chippy is correct
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Fri Apr 18, 2014 4:40 pm |
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Bradley Witherberry
Extraordinary
Joined: Sat Oct 30, 2004 1:13 pm Posts: 15197 Location: Planet Xatar
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Re: Oculus
I particularly enjoyed the score in Oculus - - really added to the mood.
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Fri Apr 18, 2014 4:52 pm |
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matatonio
Teh Mexican
Joined: Fri Oct 15, 2004 11:56 pm Posts: 26066 Location: In good ol' Mexico
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Re: Oculus
Chippy wrote: Next you're going to tell me Child's Play isn't scary because it's a doll. Maybe when i was 8-9 years but now its a very stupid stupid movie.
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Mon Apr 21, 2014 1:09 am |
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jmovies
Let's Call It A Bromance
Joined: Tue Aug 07, 2007 7:22 pm Posts: 12333
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Re: Oculus
A very riveting, intense horror flick. While there aren't necessarily instant scares, the sense of dread, fear, and careful curiosity to what's ahead make for a film that could surprise at any moment. The mixing of past and present really adds to the film leading to an ending which is quite chilling compared to most horror efforts as of recent. While the adult cast shines, the children in the respective younger roles also hold up the film quite well in their own way.
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Tue Sep 16, 2014 3:50 pm |
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Magic Mike
Wallflower
Joined: Mon Oct 25, 2004 4:53 am Posts: 34878 Location: Minnesota
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Re: Oculus
jmovies wrote: A very riveting, intense horror flick. While there aren't necessarily instant scares, the sense of dread, fear, and careful curiosity to what's ahead make for a film that could surprise at any moment. The mixing of past and present really adds to the film leading to an ending which is quite chilling compared to most horror efforts as of recent. While the adult cast shines, the children in the respective younger roles also hold up the film quite well in their own way. Glad you liked it. Still the best horror film I've seen this year.
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Wed Sep 17, 2014 12:12 am |
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movies35
Forum General
Joined: Thu Nov 11, 2004 1:53 pm Posts: 8626 Location: Syracuse, NY
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Re: Oculus
The Den is my favorite horror movie of the year but yeah, this one was really good.
_________________ Top 10 Films of 2016
1. La La Land 2. Other People 3. Nocturnal Animals 4. Swiss Army Man 5. Manchester by the Sea 6. The Edge of Seventeen 7. Sing Street 8. Indignation 9. The Lobster 10. Hell or High Water
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Wed Sep 17, 2014 12:18 am |
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Flava'd vs The World
The Kramer
Joined: Sat Oct 23, 2004 11:36 am Posts: 23921 Location: Classified
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Re: Oculus
This was quite thrilling and interesting up until the final moments. The narrative intersects between two periods of time, but it's never overdone, and the way it merges at the climax is fantastic. Unfortunately, giving the mirror two clear, decisive victories makes the entire story pointless, does it not? And it's an easy fix too. Just lift the killswitch back up and let it destroy the mirror, while simultaneously casting doubt on her death, like they did with whats-his-face-fiance-dude. It turned a mind bending thriller into psychological torture porn.
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Sat Sep 20, 2014 1:39 am |
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Flava'd vs The World
The Kramer
Joined: Sat Oct 23, 2004 11:36 am Posts: 23921 Location: Classified
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Re: Oculus
This is still bothering me. How do you not give your protagonists at least a temporary moment of triumph? They spend all this time building up these characters, only to reveal the twist - they were completely irrelevant and could have been any one of the mirror's victims. I really think they could have had an Insidious-like sleeper hit on their hands if they just respected their characters enough to not shove them aside at the very end. Insidious had a downer-twisty ending, but at least they accomplished their original goal before it happened.
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Sun Sep 21, 2014 12:15 pm |
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