Jinn

I just got back from seeing "Jinn". To be honest, I hadn't even heard of it before. I saw it in the theater listings, looked up the movie, and saw it was filmed in Michigan, where I'm from, so I gave it a shot.

I really enjoyed this movie. The story was engaging and unique, and the acting was solid all around. It was a bit slow to get moving, but the final third of the movie and the ending were amazing. I loved the look and style of the movie. I LOVED the integration of aspects of the different Abrahamic spiritual traditions while still keeping the emphasis on Arabic/Muslim folklore. It's making me want to read up on some of that folklore myself, since I am unfamiliar with it. "Jinn" is only rated PG-13, but it's not a kids movie; it's just smarter and deeper than your average jump-scare torture porn with naked chicks types of "horror" movies.

As far as negatives go, I think the movie was a little schizophrenic in tone at times. It's not what I would call a pure horror movie, more of a horror plus supernatural action plus an unfortunate touch of "Fast and Furious". The overemphasis on the car was a huge distraction, and the connection between the filmmakers and the car is really strange. I guess they designed it specifically for this film and you can buy one? So you can continue the film experience in your real life? It is a cool looking car, but every time I saw it, it pulled me out of the narrative because I felt like I was watching a car commercial. Thankfully, it was only in a few scenes.

I definitely enjoyed "Jinn" and would recommend it to anyone looking for a more intellectual horror movie from a non-western perspective. Just try to ignore the car.

P.S. There is a brief scene at the end of the credits; I don't mean the scene in the church but later at the very end.

Jinn is a film which can't decide whether it's a horror flick, a sci-fi/ fantasy romp, or an origin story launch for an independent noir graphic novel hero (please note, I have no idea if Jinn is based off a comic, but they're obviously trying to force-start a franchise.) Like the film's protagonists who attempt to create a super amalgamation of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, only to have it come across as vaguely anti-Muslim and awkward, (and the 'edgy' sound track choices which just end up being bafflingly bizarre,) this mix doesn't quite work, and the film would have been better served choosing one genre, and doing it well, instead of all and fumbling through it. There are some genuinely creepy moments, which are ruined by the comedy, and the comedy is in turn ruined by the complete, posturing cheesiness of some of characters and dialogs. Several plot devices could have come straight from their TVTropes.com pages, and certain scenes feel almost as if they were lifted from famous, better-made, movies.

The production value is very high, which helps and hinders. There are many actors with recognizable faces doing the very best they can; some extremely expensive camera shots; well-done (and plentiful) effects; fighting and driving stunts; and seriously, what is the point of the sports car? The high production values prevent the film from be a crappy delight, but make the confusing plot bearable to watch. Watching Jinn, you'll wonder who in the world would pour so much money into a movie who's plot and screen play feel more like a made-for-TV film you stumble onto after midnight on the Sifi channel than the big budget blockbuster it longs to be.

If you like films like "Season of the Witch," "Outlander," or random, independent movies from Red Box, you'll probably like Jinn, but otherwise, this is a film to watch with a bunch of drunk friends and make fun of, though there are other, better, choices for that.

The Jinn concept is a little misconstrued in this movie, leaving the Muslim audience a little confused about what we know about their exhistance. The film does offer good, wholesome entertainment, without having to use profanity, nudity , and the selling of sex. After watching the premiere on Youtube, I have had a change of heart as to my original feelings about this movie. I really liked what the director had to say about the making of this film. It seems he worked really hard and deserves a lot of credit. Muslims should support the work of other Muslims and we should encourage our children to be more creative and do what it is they love to do.

This movie proves that poor old Ray Parks should stick to Darth Maul and give up acting as well as the main actor Dominic Rains and his equally poor acting wife in this they have absolutely no persona or acting talent; a bit like cardboard cutouts really, virtually the whole cast were pretty dreadful but contrary to other reviewers I thought the car design was downright devilish and fitted in quite well but it did come across as a bit of a vanity project.

Having said that the Djinn effects were not bad for a tv style movie and reminded me a bit of Frank in Hellraiser so not bad and there were a couple of good jump scares but alas that does not a movie make unfortunately. This is one of those movies you watch on a wet Sunday afternoon when there is not much else on and you are stuck in the house.

PS. I always thought it was Djinn and not Jinn or perhaps it is Gin! You will certainly need a bottle to get through the fight scenes - why oh why did they have to have Ray doing his Darth Maul dancing routine made me laugh so hard I crapped myself!

Having read a lot about the topic of Jinns, I was not completely disappointed by the movie although it could have been made even better.

Story took of well and was entertaining and subject was well researched. Good job showing the 'chillah'. Have read about it in my curious readings so could make a connection.

Not many could show this perspective of Jinns in mainstream cinema. It may be a new thing for all to understand the significance of the Holy Zamzam water or of the incantations.

The camera work and direction was flawless. Although at times the background score was a bit misplaced. Acting was passable too. Hopefully when the Jinn returns with a sequel (if any) it may improve to get a better viewership.

Good try on this movie.