Day 18: A new dimension in evil; There is a hell – This is worse. The Void.
The Void is not perfect though it does deserve at least one viewing. The acting is just okay across the board with a relational subplot that’s been done plenty of times before. Where it shines is the practical effects. Almost every creature and set piece look handmade and I couldn’t help but feel nostalgic to horror movies of yesteryear when that was all they had. Each layer down the shift in atmosphere is noticeably darker, increasing the tension with each new room. Also, I’m a sucker for Lovecraft inspiration and there are several points here.
-Christopher Patterson
The plot and some of the scenes reminded me of Hellraiser, but not as well done. The plot of the movie has a definite creepy feel to it but I do wish the acting was better. The plot is very dark and without ruining the movie I do think the trauma suffered by one of the main characters could really affect a person like in this movie. I don’t think that I wasted my time watching this movie but there wasn’t a lot of really scary scenes. Too many of the scenes were shot in really dark lighting and hard to make out the monsters. The ending, like a lot of movies today, it leaves it open for you to decide what happens or they were trying to leave it open for a second movie, but I think a sequel will be hard to keep with the storyline.
-Charlie-
This one wades for me at both ends: the timid shallows, the further deeps. This is a film that isn’t quite comfortable on that spectrum, one that sort of just darts to and fro as it pleases. Some parts literally astounded me with its terrors, its concepts, its acting, its cinematography. But then an equaled chunk of the film tossed all that to the wayside. I loved the ideas, and I love what it could’ve been when it was that for tidbits here and there, but the overall execution of it didn’t really come together. I think that with more compelling actors, an entirely shifted main character (this one’s not a prized stallion, by any means), and a little more attention to the detailing of suspense, this would be one of my all-time favorites. It’s definitely got the nods from me for its Lovecraftian delving – the ending, in particular, I thought of as wonderfully frightening – but it still doesn’t do justice to the original image they perhaps had in mind. Glad I watched it, but probably not a second time.
– David Burchell
Culty, Lovecraftian Monster Movie? I’m always in! I can’t say that there is anything new about this movie, but I’m not sure it was supposed to be. The whole movie seemed intentional about paying homage to older movies holding that classic status. The whole movie had a super dark vibe to it but it was a little more action-packed than I prefer my horror, almost pushing that video game horror feel. I’m also not sure if I was just in the wrong mood for this movie, but I can say that I finished it without feeling an emotional attachment to any of the characters… That said, I would still recommend this movie to anybody looking for a bloody good time.
-Josh T. Romero