Oculus Review
RYAN: This is a new horror film and I love scary movies… when they’re scary. I avoided all TV commercials and trailers for this one to really give myself the best shot at freaking out in this one and I was relatively into it but for the ending. It’s about as disappointing as an ending can be.
KIM: I saw the trailer once and was aware it’s about a haunted mirror, which seemed great but I’m torn between liking it and not. It was suspenseful and I was on the edge of my seat but I didn’t love it.
RYAN: Exactly. And it’s super clear about what worked and didn’t work for this movie. In order to love a horror film, it must be scary and this one didn’t scare me. It’s creepy and eerie and there are certainly some gory moments that make you cringe in your seat. I actually turned to you once and said, “I think I’m gonna vomit” because one moment was so gross to watch. I might have broken one of my own etiquette rules by speaking during the movie. But I couldn’t help it.
KIM: Yeah there were some hard to watch moments.
RYAN: And you know I’m always preaching about being scarred but this wasn’t scary enough.
KIM: Well like you said, it was creepy and there were some gross things. We both jumped a couple times and I wanted to turn away from some things but it was also clever editing and music. I’m not a fan of this genre but this didn’t really scare me, either, which is probably a good thing.
RYAN: Then what I did like about it is there’s a really very good script. It teeters back and forth in time and transitions brilliantly between eleven years ago and today. It’s creative both visually and in the story. And then the whole story kicks into a higher gear with that story device which was cool to watch. It’s confusing but intentionally and delightfully so because that aspect is so smart.
KIM: Yeah they did a really good job with that. And even though there were times where you don’t know what to believe, you’re still invested in the story.
RYAN: The cast is great. Karen Gillan is awesome! I’m obsessed with her in this movie. She’s from TV’s Doctor Who, which I haven’t seen. And she’s Scottish but does a phenomenal Ameriaccent! She’s pretty, she’s convincing and so good. She commands the whole theater.
KIM: She was brilliant. I’m not familiar with her either but she’s very good. It almost makes me wanna watch Doctor Who just to see her. And the young kids were great too.
RYAN: Amazing.But I am really disappointed that the whole mythology that this haunting is based upon is never explained. That’s so frustrating.
KIM: Yeah that doesn’t make sense. I did like seeing Katee Sackhoff in this. Loved her on Battlestar Galactica. And Rory Cochrane from Empire Records.
RYAN: So while it’s clever and interesting and creepy with a great cast – it has these weaknesses with the mythology and lack of major scare. Plus a rotten ending. It’s enjoyable but not a must see… better than the average one you’d see at home. It’s a nice rental.
