Don't Blink

Once again I am surprised by the low rating of this movie, it seems like something standard, giving few points to horror movies. This one is very different, it's a good tense horrish mystery thriller. All in all, the story begins somewhat slowly and is the typical story of a group of young adults looking for tranquility in a house in the countryside. It's still interesting, especially if the acting and the dialogue are good, and here they are.

There is a question that resonates the most in my head during the movie, what responsibility do we have towards our friends? If you will disappear in the next hour or two? Especially when the entire group is so different personality-wise, some want one thing and others another. As the film evolves you will realize that the dialogues are impetuous and are quite realistic. The increasing tension between the characters and a fear of the unknown.

You definitely shouldn't miss it, and I was surprised not to have seen it until now, as a fan of the genre.

After looking at the review overall score I was somewhat doubting whether to watch this film but I decided to give it a shot and make my own mind up..... not disappointed.

It's not a film that will give you all the answers you want but it's certainly a film that will make you guess what's coming next. It's not a gore fest or typical horror, more like a twilight-zone-esque type film....

I'm not going to say much as the beauty in the film is not knowing..... just give it a try and maybe, like me, you won't be disappointed... whatever you do though, don't blink.

After a mildly intriguing start, this clunker pops and fizzles through every cliché imaginable. Nobody on screen learns a blessed thing about the mysterious goings on at an abandoned lodge and neither do you, dear viewer. While a few intriguing clues are sprinkled through the film, they lead nowhere. It's a good thing somebody produces a gun halfway through this disappointment, because it gives the sad sacks stuck at the lodge a chance to fire bullets into each other, instead of merely swearing and beating each other up. If your idea of fun is watching a succession of unlikable people go off-screen and disappear like Barbara Eden in I Dream of Jeannie, then this one's for you.

I profess myself a horror movie junkie. Especially for atmospheric, stereotyped, low budget movies. This meets all requirements. Rather than relying on blood and gore to frighten, this is all about atmosphere and watching closely (in fact, I had to rewind and watch one scene all over to see what I missed the first time). Typically, I don't balk at horror movie stereotypes (after all, the simplicity of the genre is part of its charm), but here they were...off. The director gave characters who were clearly mid to late 30s the typical stereotypes of young twenty-somethings. That took a bit of getting used to, but if you can ignore it, then the atmosphere and mystery and tension are all well done. The main reason for the 7 is the huge omission of why we watch movies. There is a reason there's a nice plot triangle (introduction, rising action, climax, falling action, conclusion). I was thoroughly involved throughout the falling action...and then credits. What? It seems laziness and, in a way, a waste of my 90 minutes when a full part of the plot structure is omitted.

But do bare in mind the fact that it is more scifi than horror, so don't start playing it expecting a roller coaster of spooks, not even your typical jumps, it does provide some nice tension, raises a few questions, but leaves with no real explanation and does kinda make you feel empty.

Why would I recommend it to anyone? Well, it's a nice change of pace, you get to put an eye on something a tad bit different, and exploit new or let's just call them, rarely used subjects. The approach is boldly, the actors are not your typical never seen on screen before faces, the acting tho could have been better, either the budget was not big enough to assure a proper execution, or at one point, sadly the writers felt tired and decided to stop. The potential in this one is better than I have seen in a lot of productions, but like so many before it, it drowns right at shore.

So it is up to you in the end, you can take a chance and see what the little fuss is all about, or decide to pass it, but you might find out someday, maybe not even that far in the future, that others are talking about it and you missed your chance to participate in their discussion. Have it your way!

Cheers!