All Dark Places (2011)

Memorable, crazy movie

I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

Disapointment

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

I saw the paltry 2.4/10 rating this movie has received and felt compelled to write a quick bit on it. I found this movie to be enjoyable on a mental level. The box art and the inclusion of a clown would make one stereotype this movie as a clown slasher flick which it most definitely is not. In fact, and heed this well, if you are solely looking for a splatter-fest including clowns, look elsewhere. You will be sorely disappointed. For anyone looking for a surreal portrayal of a man's madness and its impact on his family, I'd say you could do a lot worse.There is a clown mixed into the proceedings and he is featured in a couple creepy scenes. The actor playing the clown oozes menace and does a good job portraying, well, a creepy, mean clown. The actors do an okay job, especially the little fellow. The wife's character is a little wanton with her accusations of lousiness towards her husband when she herself is no trophy wife (looks aside.) This is pretty mature subject matter for children (and nightmare inducing creepy clowns) so kudos to little man.As for the ending, I find it intriguing and thought-provoking. One of those 'take it as you will' types of endings left open to interpretation.

The viewing of a film is different to each and every eye. One thing is for certain: there are going to be many people out there who like this film for the same reasons I do.I've been a fan of film for a long time. I don't care what the budget is, just give me a cinematic experience that keeps me seriously involved and I'm good. Dramas, thrillers, horror and more specifically psychological horror are all within my realm and All Dark Places touches all these genres and more. At times it is even a comedy.The acting is very good across the board. It's a quality independent production from top to bottom. It says it was shot for 200K but it looks like a million bucks. No shaky-cam grainy video here. Nothing against Paranormal Activity, or Paranormal Activity 2,3 or 8 but this is a well-crafted film. Ladies and gentlemen this is cinema.The plot seems simple but is really multi-dimensional. This is a thought provoking film and when it was over I wanted to write this review right away so that true fans of good movies will know a little more about it and seek it out.The lighting is surreal at times and the soundtrack is weird and rockin in just the right way. This is, after all, a different world than most of us live in. It's the world of this specific film and it has its very own colors, shades and music.May not be for every viewer because its VERY dark in perspective but those who like it will probably REALLY like All Dark Places.

All Dark Places is a psychological thriller that keeps the audience on the edge of their seat without the requisite blood and gore of typical horror movies. The Clown played by Siede is exquisitely creepy as he rants and his way through the film. One never knows who he is, REALLY. The movie is edgy with off beat music that perfectly fits the bizarre characters in the eerie, suburban enclave. The directing with its close ups also adds an eerie and surreal play-like ambiance. Kudos to Reiner for his thriller debut!We hope there is more to follow.

Sure, you see a clown on the cover and think "killer clown". Well, the clown IS a killer but don't judge a book (or in this case a film) by its cover: All Dark Places has much more to offer than ordinary slasher fare.This is a sharply executed tale of a father, mother and son trying to keep the family together. Whether the clown exists at all is the big question here. Is he a creation of the young child's imagination? Is he there to make sure dad does the right thing? Or maybe he represents the struggle and turmoil of a marriage on the brink.The acting is top flight as is the cinematography, scoring and direction. With so many shaky-cam horror/thrillers out there with god-awful acting it is so refreshing to see a film in this genre where all the elements add up to a cohesive whole by the time the credits roll.Some of the early ratings here seem impossible. This film is deserving of praise for it's originality. I suppose some viewers wanted a splatter-fest and were disappointed.Look to the critics reviews for more balanced and intelligent insights.All Dark Places stands on it's own as a thought provoking and chilling look at the modern family unit.