Must See Movie...

Admirable film.

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

It's a movie as timely as it is provocative and amazingly, for much of its running time, it is weirdly funny.

This was an engaging throwback to the well-paced, intentionally shot, classic horror films from the '70s. Some of my very favorite horror films came out of the '70s and '80s, and I always enjoy seeing contemporary films created in a similar vein. The setting was superb, the emotional reactions were believable (I mean, it's a horror film with a supernatural-mystical plot, so a suspension of disbelief is necessary, as it always is with films like this), and the pacing was good.This film reminded me of movies like 1989's Pet Sematary, during which the viewer is forced to question what they would do in a similar situation. If you had a loved one die, be it a person or pet, would you try to bring him or her back? Would you use any means necessary to go about doing so, even if you were unsure of the ultimate consequences? What was it that we were taught in school? Each action has an equal and opposition reaction, and each choice has a consequence. Films like this remind viewers of these consequences in graphic, horrifying ways.Oh, and who doesn't love movies with creepy children in them? Creepy, evil children are like an assault on our concept of innocence, and a not-so-subtle reminder that what we see is not always what we get. Beneath still waters... you get my drift.

Even though they will forever remain linked to Peter Cushing, Christoper Lee and a whole variety of immortal Gothic horror movies produced during the sixties and seventies, it's still tremendously great news that Hammer Studios are back in business! The legendary British studios, of which I loved nearly everything they ever accomplished, make an exquisite comeback with the traditionally themed and old-fashioned spooky "Wake Wood". The plot borrows obvious and less obvious elements from a handful of famous genre classics, but it nevertheless stands on its own as a solid and competent horror movie that is occasionally very tense, disturbing and repulsive. Approximately one year after they tragically lost their only daughter in a rabid dog attack, the emotionally wrecked couple Patrick and Louise move to the small farmers' community of Wakewood, where he takes up his profession as a veterinary and she re-opens the local pharmacy. The town's patriarch Arthur informs Patrick and Louise that the entire town of Wakewood participates in a secluded and very secret Pagan ritual. Through the cadaver of a freshly deceased villager, Arthur can bring another dead person back to life for a period of three days, so that his/her family can spend some beautiful last moments together and properly prepare their goodbye. There are a few strict rules, however, including that the resurrected person's passing was less than one year ago and that he or she is forbidden to leave the town's perimeters. Blinded by their desire to be reunited with their daughter, the couple takes the risk of altering a few facts and convinces the town to bring back their beloved Alice. Needless to say horrible events ensue, as Alice doesn't exactly return as the cute and cherubic girl she once was… As said, "Wake Wood" clearly sought inspiration with some genuine classics, like "Pet Sematery" (bringing back a dead child), "The Wicker Man" (the entire town participating in the pagan ritual) and "Don't Look Now" (processing the tragic loss of child). This isn't a negative comment; however, as writer/director David Keating processes the subject matter in a respectable way and adds a modern and personal touch wherever possible. Arguably, the film is somewhat too slow-paced and pretentious in terms of editing (too many collages and brief insignificant flashbacks), but you can't really blame a film crew for trying to be stylish, now can you? The climax is a bit of a letdown, mainly because the events are too hectic, incoherent and also all of a sudden extremely cruel and sadist. There were some violent parts and grisly images throughout the entire film, like the harrowing dog attack at the beginning and the macabre Wakewood ritual, but the last ten minutes are really quite sick. It's a shame to let the movie end in such a negative and illogical way. Terrific acting performances here as well, particularly from the reliable Timothy Spall ("Sweeney Todd" and the "Harry Potter" franchise) as the town patriarch. Very much recommended, can't wait to see what Hammer does next.

This film is very scary!! i watched it with my son and he has seen several horror films, but with this one he didn't want to go to sleep by himself. I too couldn't get certain images out of my head. its a bit slow for about 10 minutes and it looks like a low budget, but then you get a bit of gore right up front and some shocking distributing stuff mixed in with real life stuff, making it even more real and gets you even more invoked and sick to the core! There are several jumps and the story line is kick ass and unique. I love the cocoon idea. the only thing that was a little strange was the idea of the daughter just been brought back to life for three days. good acting, especially the little girl she does make a good, ( well you will find out)

Interesting ideas are not enough to make this a truly fantastic horror. It's too concerned with being a horror, than exploring its themes. Bringing loved ones back from the dead is great, we see many people enjoying a peaceful 3days. Yet this girl has to go mental, just because the film wants to scare. If it's a film about closure and moving on, then why does it jump about so much at the end? Seeing Spall play with an abacus after some fairly pointless questions just made the film seem so shallow in mythology. AT least set out some ground rules. The editing also betrays the budget. With nothing ever really shown, just a shot of a car, a dogs teeth, shocked reactions, dog on floor. Editing can disguise a budget, but the pale photography makes it more home-movie than horror movie. I'd heard great things, that equated this to a modern day Don't Look Now/Wicker-Man. All I really got was a fairly enjoyable movie with some good ideas, but a reluctance to avoid the obvious.