Okay, here we go: season seven finale.
Green screen setup... hair looks good.
All that's left is the pre-show séance.
"A host has gathered, his reviews are true, shitty movies - I call to you."
This is Movie Night!
Hello, and welcome to the season finale of Movie Night - I'm your host, Jonathan Paula.
Since I'm not a huge fan of the genre, normally I don't review too many horror films on the
show - let alone some of the more disposable modern fare like tonight's two movies... but
it is October, and I did have the awesome opportunity (thanks to my friends at Playlist
List) to see tonight's second film over a month early.
So, I felt it important to take advantage of this head start, and actually upload before
my YouTube-reviewer peers for a change.
But, we can't simply talk about the new one without discussing its predecessor, so let's
begin with the franchise's first installment, "Oujia".
Unoriginal and forgettable.
Released a week before Halloween in 2014, this unassuming supernatural horror film from
director Stiles White was a surprise success - grossing almost $100 million more than its
tiny $5 million dollar budget.
Which is especially impressive considering how universally panned it was.
Borrowing heavily from far better films, writers White and Juliet Snowden offer nothing new
or exciting in the PG-13 rated plot; which follows a group of aimless affable teens whose
discovery of a stupid board game inadvertently awakens dark spirits inside an old house.
All the classic horror tropes are here: the dusty attic, spooky reflections in a mirror,
the creepy basement, and plenty of jump-scares.
I will say however, that some scenes - however predictable - definitely work.
To summon a deceased friend, our inquisitive heroes 'active' the titular game by declaring
in unison, "As friends we've gathered, hearts are true, spirits near we call to you."
The cult-like chant certainly elicits an unnerving mood, but its the arrival of these 'spirits'
- a small child with her mouth sewn shut - that's truly frightening.
Earlier, featured protagonist Olivia Cooke struggles to deal with the sudden loss of
her best friend, Shelley Hennig - which provides some nice, and effective moments.
Sadly however, this is a horror-movie, not an after school special on overcoming grief.
Indeed, a solid 75% of the movie's first hour isn't scary whatsoever.
To its credit though, this isn't because "Ouija" is trying things and failing - it simply doesn't
try.
The comfortably paced 89-minute film doesn't turn a corner until very late in the game,
and then... the remaining developments are quite rushed.
Ultimately, the final act boils down to dumb teens flailing around and getting killed by
creepy ghosts, one-by-one... which is structurally more reminiscent of a 'slasher', than a supernatural
story.
And sometimes - the characters aren't even in the haunted house!
An especially frustrating (if semantic) development when the movie makes a point to explain how
the "evil spirits" are governed by geographical boundaries.
With conventional cinematography and suitable score from Anton Sanko - this film plays out
like a more graphic version of Nickelodeon's "Are You Afraid Of The Dark?"
TV show; an interesting concept with relatable characters...
that disappoints with an uninspired execution.
For those with a particularly keen interest in board game mythology, or low expectations,
this film isn't all bad.
It accomplishes exactly what it sets out to do - with a sense of unabashed sincerity.
Low-budget horror movies are a lot like McDonald's McRib sandwich; they only come around once
a year, are far more popular than they have any right to be, but despite the inevitable
disappointment, you can't help but give them a try again and again.
Let's see what you had to say.
Criticizing its inability to truly scare or invent - you scored this a THREE out of ten.
"Ouija" is simple and familiar, but it occasionally spooks.
I thought it was LAME as well.
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Let's get back to the reviews now with my thoughts on "Ouija: Origin Of Evil".
Going backwards helped this franchise move forward.
Scheduled to be released on October 21, 2016 - this supernatural horror film, written and
directed by Mike Flanagan is a prequel spin-off to 2014's surprise hit, "Ouija".
And if this $6-million dollar follow-up is even half as successful, you can expect it
to clear $50 million easily.
A widowed séance-scam artist living in 1967 Los Angeles must confront the demons inside
her home when a haunted gameboard allows evil spirits to possess the body of her youngest
daughter.
Watching both films back-to-back, the more observant viewer might notice some inconsistencies,
but by-and-large, the PG-13 rated story sticks closely to the decades-old myth established
in part one.
Elizabeth Reaser has the poise and determination to carry such a challenging role - faced with
the impossible reality of losing her daughter to unbelievable danger.
But first and foremost, "Ouija: Origin Of Evil" works thanks to the excellent performance
from its young lead, Lulu Wilson.
While it remains to be scene if she can parlay this role into a full career - it's evident
the 10 year old actress has tremendous talent.
Handling the somewhat physical and emotionally challenging role like a veteran.
Plus, she... is... creepy.
The perfect balance of childhood innocence married with chilling terror.
It's like those twins from "The Shinning", if they were wearing a nicer dress.
Real talk: the only thing creepier than a clown in a dark forest is a little blond girl
in a puritan outfit quietly making unbroken eye-contact.
Her long, dispassionate monologue about the sensation of strangulation is particularly
creepy - gleefully asking, "Do you know what it feels like to be strangled to death?".
"Origin's" period-authentic setting is unquestionably the best thing this movie has going for itself.
Thanks to the 1960s-era costumes and locations, the 99-minute film looks and feels exactly
like the iconic horror films my generation grew up watching.
The visiting priest, the spooky old Victorian home - all of these elements are decidedly
reminiscent of pictures like "The Exorcist" or "Poltergeist".
And while this movie mayn't live up to their reputation, the comparison is undoubtedly
a favorable one.
The titular board game only has three simple rules; "never play alone", "never play in
a cemetery", and "always say goodbye when you're finished".
Predictably, these extremely simply rules are consistently broken - leading to some
conventional, but no less effective scares.
Every slow pan and every quick edit invites another frightening element - providing a
relentless sense of uneasiness throughout much of this picture.
I was able to sense most of the jump-scares before they happened, but since a number of
these payoffs were so great, I'm willing to overlook their predictability.
The brooding music, great set-design, and period-specific title cards also lend an appropriately
chilling vibe
to the movie.
Inherently, part of what make a horror movie more enjoyable is the viewing experience itself
- and this time around, mine was pretty special.
I was invited to an exclusive early screening at the Playlist Live YouTube convention weeks
before its theatrical release, and saw this movie with its target audience: a crowd of
rowdy and enthusiastic teens.
The result was definitely a lot of fun.
Every scream, every gasp only serves to heighten the movie's underlining tension - but it was
a surprise appearance by Ms. Wilson herself at the conclusion of the screening that was
the highlight of my weekend... walking right through my row with that deadpan stare on
her face.
This evening has no relevancy on my actual review, but I just had to share what a cool
time I had - which included a photo-op with the young actress immediately afterwards.
The movie is a marked improvement over its predecessor - and since you don't *really*
need to see that original installment to enjoy this one, I'd recommend checking it out when
it releases later this month.
"Ouija: Origin Of Evil" provides unsettling performances in a familiar package - and I
thought it was a COOL movie.
Now, some final words as we wrap up another season of "Movie Night".
As we take a look back at the almost 100 films I reviewed, and re-viewed over the past 12
months, some reflection is in order.
As I hinted in last year's finale - this season's schedule was much more relaxed and spread
out - allowing me to focus on making the best content possible, without worrying about strict
schedules and reviewing every new release.
So even though I reviewed fewer films than the previous season for the first time ever,
I'm really proud of the episodes I did produce - which think might be the best work I've
ever done.
I wrote much longer, more insightful reviews with extensive and inventive intro sketches,
with tighter overall editing - and based on the reception, it seems you agree.
Part of this more spread-out schedule means I won't be taking my conventional break between
seasons - so I'll see you right back here in two weeks with a 10-review special on vampire
films - so stay tuned for that.
In the meantime, if you'd like any of my existing 600+ reviews, please click this information
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Once again, my name is Jonathan Paula, thanks for watching and have a good Movie Night!