Ravenswood

I am a fan of Australian films but this one left me annoyed and quite irritable.

Firstly, there really wasn't anything new within the story-line and basically, we all knew what was to come.

Secondly, the acting didn't seem genuine. At some point, it looked as though the actors were tired and had to force themselves into character. One of the American kids was just a total ass! I doubt anyone would act that way but, it is only a film so I will bypass my hatred for that character. Also, why have American actors in the movie? I hope this was not made for an international release? Or were the actors Australian putting on an American accent?

I honestly have seen better films from Ozzie writers and producers. This film was on the verge of boredom.

The important thing that one must be able to do to actually enjoy movies such as this is suspension of disbelief. Without that, good luck being able to enjoy any movie I can think of. It is a ghost story in an abandoned mental hospital (always creepy) If you can just take that in its behalf and run with it you will enjoy it. If you can't do that.. how do you enjoy anything. Persnickety people suck.

To start with the cast and everyone associated with this movie have obviously done their very best to get the ratings up high on here. Unfortunately the movie does not reflect this I would definitely give this movie a minus rating if it was at all possible. It was terrible from start to finish with extremely poor acting and an awful storyline throughout. The put on American accents were shocking, It looks like it was all written and filmed and edited in one night. The amount of times that this movie made me cringe unfortunately for the wrong reasons. It's worth just watching to see how bad it is and decide for yourselves.

Plot

When 4 American tourists - Sofia, Carl, Belle and Michael - go on a ghost tour, they get much more than they bargained for, when the ghosts of an evil Doctor and his last patient victim trap them in the old abandoned psychiatric ward.

Cast

Made by Jon Cohen who brought us the even worse 7th Hunt (2009) and starring an unknown cast who range from awful to tolerable. Madeline Marie Dona was the only standout performer here.

Verdict

Now first of all let me say this is not a found footage movie, this surprised me somewhat as they usually are. The plot, you've seen it COUNTLESS times before. A group of 20 somethings go to an asylum and fall foul of the spirits within.

First of all let me be clear that this is on a shoe string budget, if you're expect anything even remotely a "Special" effect or impressive kill you'll be sorely disappointed. Instead it tries to play it in a more subtle fashion however after some very weird hokey montages at the beginning you swiftly realize this film doesn't have much to deliver.

The finale isn't awful however by that point you're bored, burned out and simply do not care in the slightest.

Ravenswood isn't the worst I've seen lately but considering just how much I watch that's not saying much. This Australian film is one exclusively for the indie ghost movie diehards.

Rants

Why do they always make the sceptic an ahole? He was essentially a bad guy here because he attitude was that dire and that always tends to be the case. I'm a sceptic of such things, or as I like to call myself an adult with a fully functioning brain but I wouldn't be rude to the guide of a ghost tour! I simply wouldn't go in the first place on account of having the foresight to know with overwhelming confidence that no supernatural entities would be joining us.

The Good

Madeline Marie Dona Passable finale You can tell what they were trying to do

The Bad

Rather boring Totally recycled Some underwhelming cast/characters Those montage scenes!

There's not a lot of story and an awful lot of awful acting in this one. Nothing really breaks out as great in this one. You might want to save yourself the time.