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Saw the film listed in my local theater listings and was shocked. It has a nice cast, Toni Collete, Ana Faris, David Duchovny and Kathleen Turner, but saw no marketing what so ever for it. It was sent out to die.

The Pros: Some jokes landed for me. David Duchovny was the MVP, having some of the best material with good delivery. Kathleen Turner had some moments. It gave me some laughs, and made me wonder how it would end.

The Cons: The script has some structural issues, including over reliance on happenstance, and just some weird choices and motivations. Some of the dialogue felt off as well. The camera work, annoying. There were so many shots that looked like they were done with hand held and came across as shaky when there was no need for it.

I was hoping for some hidden gem, but got a curiosity to help start my Regal November period.

When I usually think of a 'Dark Castle' film, I think of cool use of sets and effects to create a cool, slightly exaggerated atmosphere, but often feature rather mediocre performances. This film delivered the atmosphere, but what surprised me was the solid acting jobs, granted with this cast to have a crappy film that would mean the director was incompetent.

Halle Berry kept up the terror without seeming to burn out or become tired and the range of emotions displayed by John Carrol Lynch made him quite a treat to watch, he is a very versatile actor. Penelope Cruz was also quite good, showing how quickly she could go from one emotional extreme to the other

But still, it is a 'Dark Castle' film so the real treat was for the eye with their unique style of visual effects, especially a trademark jerky animation that adds to the supernatural quality of their films.

An entertaining evening at home.

At first one is taken by the simple, innocence that permeates the life in the village. There is happiness in the simplicity of things, and the simple pleasures of life seem more then adequate.

Then there are those foreboding woods, forbidden woods, the tension builds, now there is much fear as well as joy that are found in the inhabitants, fear of the woods and of the unknown.

Filled with solid performances, by William Hurt, Joaquin Phoenix, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Brendan Gleason, including a slightly archaic dialog that adds to the atmosphere of the film.

Filled with great cinematography that expertly builds up scenes that can draw in the audience. A good film to spend the evening with.