Blackwood (2014)

Very disappointing...

everything you have heard about this movie is true.

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

I am only giving this movie a 1 for the great cast, though I can't imagine what any of them were thinking. This movie was horrible

Beautifully filmed in some truly stunning rural locations (you can almost hear the dew dripping from autumnal branches), this tepid haunted house mystery features Ben (Ed Stoppard), his wife Rachel (Sophia Myles) and young son Harry (Isaac Andrews) relocating to a huge and remote country house following some difficult personal times.As the scant ghostly noises in the night threaten to topple Ben into thinking his sanity is crumbling once more, the main thing that strikes me is how unlikable he is. Irritable and unreasonable, he treats his family very offhandedly, and comes across as exactly the kind of shallow, thoughtless bore I would cross the road to avoid.A terrific supporting cast including Paul Kaye and Russell Tovey turn in very earnest performances, but sadly the script fails to come to life and remains pretty uninvolving. The problem is, these sinister characters are actually more likable than Ben, as is sleazy Dominic (Greg Wise) who tries to strike up an affair with Rachel. Up until the last reel you almost wish she would go with him.As a whole, it is the hero who sinks this unfrightening ghost story. Not that Ed Stoppard is a bad actor, but there is not one note of kindness or sympathy about him, and whether his manner is the result of his earlier breakdown, or whether he is actually correct in his intention to 'protect' his family, he severely tests our patience long before the end.

Very clever film with high satisfaction towards the end. Ghost story with an intelligent twist. All film making departments working well together. It takes the classic bump in the night idea and transports it to another level. The supporting cast are great. The end might be a slight stretch for some but I realized this and moved on. I was thoroughly entertained and enthralled, and only after the credits rolled did I perceive any faults or possible improvements that the film could have achieved. The cinematography, editing, sound and music are all perfect in this.If it was low budget it did not show. I recommend this if you like metaphysical themes and wish to have your mind stimulated.

Watched this at last year's London Film Festival and was excited by a write-up that suggested elements of The Shining, The Others, maybe even Don't Look Now. Would have been particularly enjoyable to see a good British horror film and the cast and stills looked promising. Sadly, it's a terrible film. Think of a horror film cliché and you'll find it here. The acting is awful throughout (from the adults anyway, the boy in it was very good) and the dialogue pedestrian. Overall, the script is remarkably bad - no spoilers, but there are one or two moments where characters do things so out of character for a cheap bit of extra "tension" that they're genuinely laughable.Very surprised to see this has got a wider release. Could only recommend seeing it if there are no good comedies out as sadly you won't find a single scare or indeed original moment here.

I expected this film to be good but not THIS good. It is a phenomenal thriller - this film had me on the edge of my seat and I am a hard person to please. Plot twists and unexpected turns are typical of Adam Wimpenny's shorts but this is really stand out for me - J.S. Hill, the writer must be commended on the script. I'd love to say more but it wouldn't be fair if you haven't see this movie yet.In terms of the actors the cast was great, Sophia Myles is very convincing and I was extremely impressed by the quality of the acting by Isaac Andrews, given he is so young. Russell Tovey was also very good in a very different role or him, nice to see the other side to his comedy roles.If this was the first feature film by Hill and Wimpenny, I can't wait to see what they do next!