Solstice (2008)

Boring

This is a tender, generous movie that likes its characters and presents them as real people, full of flaws and strengths.

Very interesting film. Was caught on the premise when seeing the trailer but unsure as to what the outcome would be for the showing. As it turns out, it was a very good film.

The biggest problem with this movie is it’s a little better than you think it might be, which somehow makes it worse. As in, it takes itself a bit too seriously, which makes most of the movie feel kind of dull.

OK this is no classic but it's not suppose to be one. The storyline is a group of kids go to a cabin after one of the kid's twin sister commits suicide under mysterious circumstances. As soon as they arrive, they get haunted by a creepy ghost. It is also a remake but I haven't seen the original so I cannot compare this film to it.I think all the actors do a decent job though R. Lee Ermey definitely steals the show as a creepy resident in the woods. I think what I like about his character is the mystery that he carries with him which is what keeps me interested in finding out what his deal is. With the exception of his character, everyone else seems rather dull mostly because they have been done before with many other horror movies. You have the good girl who is the main character, the love interest who maybe holding a deadly secret and there is the joker who is a bit of a jerk. It's all too traditional to be but the performances of all the actors does make them very believable that you can see past those traditional clichés of the characters.The film doesn't deliver a great deal of scares but when it does, they really work and that is best thing about this film. The ghost is very creepy looking and the story does keep you hooked as the characters try to find out the mystery of what it is that is haunting them and why the ghost is doing it. As in most nowadays ghosts films, it is all about what has happened to them that has caused them to be dead which I have no problem with just so long as the twist is something new which I found the revelation of the main villain who caused the ghost's death to be rather obvious but the identity of the ghost was a surprise. This was because the film would tease you to believe that the ghost was the main character's twin sister but it turns out to be someone different.Overall, the film isn't very original but it does have some qualities such as believable performances, a surprising twist and some eerie scenes that should keep most ghost story fans hooked but don't expect anything new.

Six months after the suicide death of her twin sister Sophie, the troubled Megan (a fine and sympathetic performance by Elisabeth Harnois) travels with her friends to her family's house in Nowell Lake, Louisiana. While staying in said abode Megan uncovers a disturbing secret about her sister's untimely death. Director Daniel Myrick, who also co-wrote the compelling script with Martin Musatov and Ethal Erwin, relates the engrossing story at a steady pace, adroitly creates and sustains a spooky atmosphere, delivers a vivid and pungent evocation of the swampy rural setting, offers a few genuinely creepy visuals, and pulls out the stirring stops for the surprising and suspenseful conclusion. Moreover, Myrick deserves extra kudos for putting a welcome and refreshing emphasis on mood, plot, and characters over gore and cheap scares. The sturdy acting by the able cast rates as another major asset: Shawn Ashmore as Megan's nice guy boyfriend Christian, Amanda Seyfried as Megan's sweet and supportive best gal pal Zoe, Hilarie Burton as the brassy Alicia, Matt O'Leary as sarcastic jerk Mark, and Tyler Hoechlin as friendly and helpful local Nick. Veteran character actor R. Lee Ermey makes a strong impression in a small, but pivotal part as crusty farmer Leonard. Jane Antonio Cornish's shivery score does the ominous trick. M. David Mullen's striking cinematography comes through with a wealth of stunning images and gives the picture a pleasing glossy look. A worthwhile little chiller.

All ye fans of the Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, rejoice! They made another movie for you. Yay! You fans can add this to your quota of 8+ ratings. Solstice is pretty much passable fare, and no wonder it hit the video circuit directly. Has all the elements but the story line has been cracked open so many times that you wonder why they are repeating it again. Teens in the woods and all that yarn. But then teens can be guiled easily, right? But then I was tricked too...tricked into watching it that is. The title Solstice is sooooo misleading, it makes you want to pick up the video up..so kudos to the maketing team, my hat's off to you guys....unfortunately for you guys, it isn't a McGonagall hat. 5/10.

I first watched this movie when i bought it a couple of months back and i was excited to see that is rated PG-13, which told me that its not going to be a gore flick with a lot of horror violence, but a creepy teenage thriller. It is spooky and harrowing. Im a huge horror buff, but I occasionally like some non violent and supernatural flicks. Solstice featured a spooky story line and a great teenage cast, including Elisabeth Harnois(90210 and One Tree Hill), Shawn Ashmore(The Ruins), Hilarie Burton(One Tree Hill and The Secret Life of Bees), Amanda Seyfried(Alpha Dog, Mean Girls and the Upcoming 2009 Teenage Horror Flick Jennifer's Body), Matt O'Leary(Death Sentence and 2009's Sorority Row) and Tyler Hoechlin(Grizzly Rage and 7th Heaven). This flick has all of the horror elements, like a group of friends celebrating at a house in the wilderness and then being terrorized by a masked killer, only this one has a supernatural twist to it. A group of close friends decide to spend the weekend at a friends family's home deep in the wilderness to celebrate their graduation, only to be caught up in a series of supernatural occurrences and an ancient voodoo ceremony, that places the friends in mortal danger. They must discover the dark secret that binds them together and the recent death of their friend. This movie terrified me and I definitely recommend it!!