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RE: Great idea,WASTED

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RE: Great idea,WASTED - 23/4/2012 4:51:52 PM   
Kayotik

 

Posts: 97
Joined: 13/1/2012

quote:

ORIGINAL: matty_b

Enjoyed this a lot. Haven't quite fell in love with like others have, but it's hugely entertaining.

And were they Gremlins and the Scarecrows from Doctor Who we see at one point?



Spoiler: The Scarecrows were just meant to be killer scarecrows, I think they're listed as that on the board. No Gremlins either. However amongst the chaos at the end there was in fact a cameo by a Reaver from Serenity. So you had a person from each Joss Whedon tv show.

I rather enjoyed the film. Some very nice comments on horror films, the makers and the audience. There was in fact a lot of depth to it. The characters were likeable for a change and so I was rooting for them. The only thing I didn't like was the ending. Spoiler again:
I loved the whole underground company and such, however when it was revealed that they were in fact doing it to save the world from ancient gods, suddenly it lost me. I would have far preffered they were in fact working of a sort of God and Devil like entity, the 'Upstairs' and 'Downstairs' as they were putting them at first. And perhaps made the comment on the audience gleefully watching these teens suffer all the more powerful, although that was made quite well with the workers placing bets.

(in reply to matty_b)
Post #: 121
RE: The Cabin In The Woods - 23/4/2012 6:24:50 PM   
spamandham

 

Posts: 481
Joined: 27/11/2008

Pretty bad film. Nothing interesting happens until the last ten minutes, and it's only 90 minutes long to begin with. Throw in pseudo religious idiocy and this is one not to bother with.

(in reply to Empire Admin)
Post #: 122
RE: WORTH SEEING........ - 23/4/2012 6:28:05 PM   
Rebel scum


Posts: 3023
Joined: 2/1/2006

quote:

ORIGINAL: Drooch

quote:


Anyway, I personally loved it, not really because it was brilliantly written or that I got emotionally invested, it's because it was a damn fun ride from start to finish. It's hilarious, it keeps throwing imaginative stuff on the screen right up until easily one of my favourite climaxes in cinema history. The ending alone makes it a classic, but everything beforehand is wonderfully imaginative and while it's hard to get invested in all the characters, the guy playing the stoner was fantastic, and the redhead was sexy as hell so it was good to see them become the focal point. No masterpiece, and I'll be the first to admit it, but it's the sort of B-movie fun that comes along rarely nowadays if at all.


Precisely, and this is why a dismissive 3 stars, which put me off seeing the film until I heard a slew of rave reviews, is misleadingly harsh and unfairly punishes good, inventive filmmaking. It also makes Empire an increasingly unreliable place to find level-headed reviews, which is a shame because I want to still like Empire.



See, I can understand why, from a detached perspective, it can merit 3 stars. I loved it because of its sheer fun factor, but "It was fucking awesome" isn't really a legitimate criticism. I also feel that to say it punishes good, inventive filmmaking is a misnomer, it WAS given double-page, film of the month status in the magazine, and given what else is out at the moment, *** is better than the ratings for Wrath and Battleship, which both got **. Also, just because a film tries something new does not mean it's entitled to a rave review, and in the reviewer's opinion there were good ideas but also some weak points, and they argue it well enough that I don't mind the difference of opinion. If it were a * review, I'd take issue, but *** is still a recommendation.

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Post #: 123
- 23/4/2012 10:13:51 PM   
TheGodfather


Posts: 5099
Joined: 21/10/2005
From: Sin City
 The Cabin in The Woods
When it starts out it looks like a been-there-done-that-slasher-film that checks all the horror boxes. But actually, by just looking at the start you can already see that it isn`t. It`s an exciting and spectacular rollercoasterride that knows how to surprise you over and over again, although Goddard and Whedon seem to go a bit over the top towards the end.
But that isn`t enough to ruin all that came before it. A fresh and fun twist of the horror genre. And watch all those winks to Evil Dead...

8,5/10

(in reply to Empire Admin)
Post #: 124
RE: - 28/4/2012 5:25:10 PM   
Greggieboy

 

Posts: 234
Joined: 28/4/2006
So, the massive labatory with loads of people working for it, plus with unlimited storage space, is under the Cabin in the middle of nowhere???? Do all the workers live there? Thats a bugger of a commute if they dont!

Also when Bradley pulls the levers to fill the stone carvings with blood, its obviously not the blood from the main characters or they would have noticed that the Stoner guy wasnt dead as his carving was filling up. Was it the zombies blood?

I was kind of enjoying it untill they showed the Japanese school kids and the evil ghost. At that point my brain went "Oh fuck this, this is stupid", and I couldnt wait for the film to end. Perhaps they showed the lab technicians way too early and should have reveled them when the teenagers where actually in the cabin.

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Post #: 125
all hail Whedon - 30/4/2012 9:13:03 PM   
xxsteveo71xx

 

Posts: 9
Joined: 28/5/2011
just go see it..... nuff said

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Post #: 126
RE: all hail Whedon - 1/5/2012 8:11:33 AM   
jrewing1000


Posts: 469
Joined: 23/11/2005
I really enjoyed this, even though it is easily one of the silliest films I've ever seen.

The big set piece towards the end is worth the admission ticket alone, it's absolutely amazing and you could almost imagine the filmmakers thinking of that first and working everything else around it, just to make a set piece like it!

I can't bring myself to complain about the ending too much, considering the fantasy elements that are in the film, but I do get frustrated at films that go crazy/unconventional with their explanations and ideas. I believe there is a point you cannot cross with storytelling, that if the audience are too aware they are suspending disbelief, they will be too aware of the illusion, and the magic is blown. In other words, if it gets too silly, the film becomes unbelievable and the audience give up their willingness to go along with the story.

Film / good storytelling is about maintaining that suspension of disbelief, and I did feel that Cabin In The Woods ignored this at its peril.

< Message edited by jrewing1000 -- 1/5/2012 8:19:47 AM >

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Post #: 127
RE: all hail Whedon - 13/5/2012 12:53:58 PM   
donethinking


Posts: 430
Joined: 24/4/2012
From: Haggisland
 It is ridiculous no doubt about that.... i gave up trying to take it seriously when the basement trap door flew open and they all carried on playing truth or dare as if it was nothing at all.

enjoy the ride tho, plenty of unexpected frights, plenty of comedy moments

if only the jock that went for the jump on the motorbike had crashed into the wall on the otherside and not the invisible barrier thing...that would have been alot funnier....if he'd just plain failed after the big build up.

Some of it is a bit sick tho like the 'slut' getting done in and the virgin getting the shit beaten out of her on the jetty while the technicians all laugh and joke..

On the whole tho i have to confess i quite enjoyed it.

I'd give it 3 and 3/4 stars out of 5 !

< Message edited by donethinking -- 14/5/2012 10:52:11 PM >

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Post #: 128
- 19/5/2012 1:29:39 PM   
jackcarlin18

 

Posts: 84
Joined: 21/1/2012
One of the Best horrors of the decade!

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Post #: 129
RE: - 12/6/2012 6:01:37 PM   
R W

 

Posts: 268
Joined: 23/6/2006
Back in 1996, horror legend Wes Craven redefined the genre with his postmodern slasher Scream, which at that time was a current statement about what’s both good and bad about the genre and in particular the teen slashers of the 1980s. Nowadays, a lot of today’s horror flicks consist of remakes (Let Me In), torture porn (Saw) and found-footage (Paranormal Activity), with the extra ingredient of 3D. So as a response to this current trend, despite being made in 2009 and now finally released, Cloverfield writer Drew Goddard makes his directorial debut which is instantly a front contender for “horror of the year”.

To you readers, I shall try my best not to reveal any spoilers due to the numerous twists throughout the film, of which the less you know about it, the better; although the trailer and TV spots do reveal some of the surprises. In typical horror fashion, five friends go for a break at a remote cabin in the woods, where they get more than they bargained for and together, they must discover the truth behind the cabin.

On the basis of the above synopsis, you will notice the influence behind the film which is Sam Raimi’s debut classic The Evil Dead, which followed the same premise of five friends staying in a cabin in the woods, where lies the Book of the Dead and then gore and hilarity ensues. While one will see this as a postmodern discussion on horror, The Cabin in the Woods is unlike the aforementioned Scream as if you are familiar with co-writer Joss Whedon’s back catalogue such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, he played around with the different forms of the genre as the eponymous Buffy Summers fought a variety of enemies, and yet successfully blended humour.

In the case of Goddard’s film, it shares some of Buffy’s ideas but manages to establish its own direction, as the director clearly knows the genre on an international level, such as humourlessly referencing the J-horrors of Ringu and Ju-On: The Grudge. Although it’s not particularly scary as there is a level of generic horror, the five clichéd protagonists (including the blonde bombshell, Thor’s Chris Hemsworth as the hunky athlete, Dollhouse’s Fran Kranz as the pot-smoking fool, etc.) are so likable that whatever terror attacks them, you are engaged in their conflict while laughing at the chaos, of which goes completely bonkers in the film’s last twenty minutes.

Despite its delayed release, The Cabin in the Woods is an exhilarating thrill-ride that has something to say about the horror genre and honours it. Strange and humorous in its twists and turns, Drew Goddard’s near-masterful debut is on a par with Evil Dead II.

(in reply to jackcarlin18)
Post #: 130
The most fun and entertaining film for years - 5/7/2012 1:37:37 PM   
jackstarr

 

Posts: 6
Joined: 27/6/2012
Seriously, I've seen nothing like it. Especially towards the end, it twists and turns, never slowing down. It's hilarious, too - simply pure entertainment.

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Post #: 131
RE: The most fun and entertaining film for years - 22/8/2012 11:37:30 PM   
Rgirvan44


Posts: 18886
Joined: 10/3/2006
From: Punishment Park
 This remains my favourite genre experience of the year so far - a month to go before I own this on Blu Ray and really dig into the background details.

I want to write so much about it - but will wait until I get another viewing under my belt.

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Post #: 132
RE: The most fun and entertaining film for years - 23/8/2012 10:48:40 PM   
paulyboy


Posts: 2122
Joined: 30/9/2005
Only just got round to seeing this, loved it!

Most fun I've had with a horror film in a long, long time. The last 20 minutes are just beyond bonkers. Fantastic stuff!

4/5

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Post #: 133
RE: The most fun and entertaining film for years - 24/8/2012 8:42:32 PM   
Keyser Sozzled


Posts: 5933
Joined: 1/10/2006
From: Dublin
 I honestly don't know what I made of this.

It feels at times quite disjointed. A little too outre for its own good, but was also laugh out loud funny at times and had fairly well rounded characters for a supposed genre offering. I enjoyed the subversion of the standard archetypes and though Jenkins and Whitford were fan-fucking-tastic. I would literally watch them in anything together again,

I love Whedon's dialogue so for me that was the highpoint but I just can't help thinking that in an effort to go balls to the wall for the last 15 minutes they lost something.

3/5

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Post #: 134
RE: The Cabin In The Woods - 30/8/2012 11:15:50 AM   
Dannybohy


Posts: 944
Joined: 7/1/2009
I enjoyed it , but prefer Scream

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Post #: 135
RE: The most fun and entertaining film for years - 30/8/2012 11:20:59 AM   
elab49


Posts: 51582
Joined: 1/10/2005
quote:

ORIGINAL: Keyser Sozzled

I enjoyed the subversion of the standard archetypes and though Jenkins and Whitford were fan-fucking-tastic. I would literally watch them in anything together again,



So this - simply brilliant casting.

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Post #: 136
RE: The most fun and entertaining film for years - 2/9/2012 9:55:39 AM   
Vidal

 

Posts: 8
Joined: 23/7/2012
Great idea, poor execution. It was heading in the right direction until the cabin met the bunker then it just got silly. And the end was crap. The director really missed a trick with Cabin in the Woods, it had the potential to be a cult classic. I had it at about 7/10 half way through and by the end it dropped down to 4/10. Pretty disappointing.

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Post #: 137
Good fun - 2/9/2012 6:28:53 PM   
danielthompson99


Posts: 138
Joined: 6/5/2006
Not scary, more silly with a touch or two of gore. Badly acted, well scripted silly and fun romp. Makes a nice change from the conventional slasher horrors.

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Post #: 138
Good but not great! - 18/9/2012 1:17:54 PM   
guysalisbury

 

Posts: 168
Joined: 3/11/2005
I was really looking forward to this as I'd heard great things and most people on here raved about it. It was pretty original but for me that doesn't necessarily make it good. It was really funny in places and some of the horror was pretty decent but for me this was only ok. Chris Helmsworth was decent but the other cast members were pretty annoying. The ending was pretty cool but this was a bit too short for me at and hour and a half. I'm so pleased someone else on this thread has mentioned My Little Eye because it was so much better that TCITW. There are obviously aspects that are incomparable but I would recommend MLE if you haven't seen it. I am yet to see anything that has had Josh W attached that I have really liked. As I said in the header.........good but not great.

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Post #: 139
The Cabin In The Woods - 22/9/2012 3:32:08 AM   
norgizfox

 

Posts: 117
Joined: 30/4/2012
Its not as a funny, scary, or as smart as it thinks it is, but the premise is fun, the characters are like able, and the blood is plentiful. At least enough to carry this sometimes ludicrous mind-bender of a film.

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Post #: 140
Close to a classic- in my opinion - 27/9/2012 11:22:53 AM   
nimelles


Posts: 1
Joined: 27/9/2012
It has abit of everything (film genre) which is definitely my kind of film. Although, the acting are abit rusty at times (the script is to blame) but it's all forgivable since the crazy and twisted plot written by goddard and whedon pretty much covers that up. Not to be a spoiler but the ending is awesome, it leaves you wanting more. I'm going to write my second letter to Joss Whedon and ask for a sequel.

< Message edited by nimelles -- 27/9/2012 11:28:34 AM >

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Post #: 141
RE: Close to a classic- in my opinion - 2/10/2012 11:52:03 PM   
OPEN YOUR EYES


Posts: 3465
Joined: 5/2/2012
From: Living on Lynch's quiff
 Finally got round to seeing this and I must say its easily one of my favourite Horror films,especially of the last 10 years.

The script is great,the acting is solid and the set-pieces are brilliantly introduced.
But the less you know about the film the better.
5/5

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Post #: 142
RE: The Cabin In The Woods - 3/10/2012 12:14:12 AM   
MonsterCat


Posts: 6208
Joined: 24/3/2011
From: St. Albans, Hertfordshire
 Clicking on this thread and then remembering Drooch's "punishing good film-making" lunacy made me laugh. We need him back on here.

Anyways, good film with a playful attitude towards the horror genre. Ending gets a little bit silly, but its immensely entertaining and clever without ever tipping into smugness. It's been a decent year for Whedon flicks.

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Post #: 143
Naff ending. - 15/11/2012 9:28:43 AM   
JohnChard

 

Posts: 176
Joined: 22/10/2009
From: Birmingham
 I honestly felt the ending was just naff, yet amazingly it just didn't take away from how much fun I had with the movie.

Go figure :-) 

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Post #: 144
RE: Naff ending. - 21/12/2012 10:40:49 PM   
UTB


Posts: 8970
Joined: 30/9/2005
Literally just finished watching this. It was superb. Have managed to avoid trailers/reviews and although I knew it was a riff on the horror genre, knew nothing more than that, and this was all the better for it.


The Empire review says this isn't quite a "Scream", however it pisses on Screams 2 to 4 from a very great height.

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Post #: 145
RE: Great idea,WASTED - 22/12/2012 12:23:34 PM   
Super Hans


Posts: 2291
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: Watford
 MILD SPOILERS


Watched this for the first time last night - great fun!  Genuinely had me guessing right through - the actual purpose behind it all definitely hadn't clicked until the end, and the wife and I had been working through all the options!  Consistently funny and intriguing.  The two fellas in the operations room were great fun - interesting how you don't really feel you should like them but can't help it!

When I first saw the trailer I remember thinking that it was a bit odd that they appeared to have given away the game - old style cabin turns out to be high tech house of horrors.  It's testament to the strength of the whole idea I think that that was really only scratching the surface (and was revealed right at the start of the film anyway).  For many horror films that in itself would probably sufficed as 'the big twist'!

I'd first heard about the film back in 2009 I think, hadn't realised the reason why it's been delayed so much.  It was worth the wait.

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Post #: 146
Torture Porn, REMIX! - 15/2/2013 10:29:39 AM   
blaud


Posts: 722
Joined: 13/12/2007
How do you take a sub strata of horror films (it does help if this particular sub strata is overused and deader than a mouse in a pirahna tank), and convert it into a punchy, witty, and genuinely enjoyable film that transcends genres with every scene. I'm still not 100% on the formula, but I'd say it's been done. Serving up the style of gratuitous violence and horror movie 'rules' (as laid out by movies such as 'Scream'), subsequently flipping them on their heads, and incorporating fresh, understandable, yet still mysterious twists, and what you're left with is an exercise in genre acceptibility. The characters are your usual idiotic crew of friends, but are genuinely people worth investing emotion in, as the viewer is encouraged to care what happens to them, but in a reasonable way, not the typical horror way of, 'they didn't do anything, what the fuck?' Above all else, The Cabin In The Woods understands what it's doing. It's a loveletter to a genre that's all but dead and buried, and it's a hell of a kickstarter. Despite this, it never forgets the irony of the film, and plays this out with tongue firmly in cheek. In short, it's an original, striking vision that's every bit as beserk a fantasy-horror as you could expect. But in a good way, like.

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Post #: 147
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