LRA writes: Can a gimmick really make a movie better? That was just one of the many questions I was asking myself as I left the auditorium where I had just witnessed what is a technical marvel on a scale that only true cinephiles would notice but ALMOST as much of a failure in its execution. You have to ask yourself whether or not you are the type of person who can appreciate a film for the pure craftsmanship it took to make it. If you can look beyond the trite plot about a woman being pursued by someone who just wants to hurt her real bad then there is a lot to like about Silent House. By fusing together two of my favorite cinematic gimmicks, the extended take and having events unfold in real time, directors Chris Kentis and Laura Lau have made a film that succeeds at being both a unique and conventional entry into the horror/thriller genre which is powered by a tour de force performance by its star Elizabeth Olsen and only let down by some unfortunate stumbles along the way.
An American remake of the Spanish thriller of the same name, Silent House is a brilliant film set in one continuous shot for 80+ minutes, which follows a young girl alone in a lake house as she experiences a certain type of terror nobody can truly escape.
Jeremy of We Got This Covered wrote, "Directors Chris Kentis and Laura Lau (Open Water) return to the horror genre for another unique spin on a rather basic story. Silent House is a one take horror film, which uses lengthy shots and low lighting to capture the fear and suspense of a creepy house. Elizabeth Olsen takes the solo lead role and attempts to grab your attention for a little under an hour and a half, but eventually her screams and panting wears off and Silent House‘s true colors are revealed. It’s just another disappointing horror film with an interesting premise, great actress, but no story and a twist ending that ruins everything before it."
Nicholas of Movies Hate You Too writes:
This week’s Blu-ray release schedule is a little lighter than the past few but it does hold the special distinction of seeing the release of one of the greatest TV shows of all time. Also being released is a new series starring TV nice guy Kelsey Grammer as a nasty politician, another crappy ‘style over substance’ horror mess, a silly George W. Bush related HBO re-issue, a music video pioneer’s live concert, and some other assorted catalog titles.
