Visions

Occasionally you come across a thriller that has a run-of-the-mill sounding story line, accompanied by some surprisingly big actors in the lead roles. To me this is usually a sign that the movie is going to have a bit of an X-factor about it, often in the form of a twist. The three actors that caught my eye in this one were Isla Fisher, Jim Parsons and Eva Longoria. Nothing huge there, but for an almost unheard of horror/thriller they're still surprising to see. The first 90% of the film their presence wasn't making a lot of sense, then the final 10% began and I realised what had enticed them along. It's nothing mind-blowing or game changing, but it's more than enough to save the film from being a complete disaster.

I did have to wonder though whether this is what Longoria's career has come to. She was a big star not that long ago, yet it appears since 'Deperate Housewives' came to an end her stocks have dropped and she's reduced to having nothing roles in little-known films. I kept expecting her character to get more screen time or at least have some important reason for being in the story, but sadly it never came. The reveal and the twist are what make this film, there is no doubt about that. My advice would be don't give up on this film too early, it gets better.

As I watch more and more movies, I have started to judge them based on their promise and delivery. The trailer is the promise and the movie is the delivery. The Departed marketed itself as a realistic crime drama and delivered. It was also a great movie. So it gets very high scores. American Pie promised to be a raunchy high school comedy and delivered. But it's not exactly Oscar worthy, so it gets a high score. Adventureland promised to be like superbad in its trailers, and even though I thought it was a solid indie drama, I was upset watching it because I felt like I was misled. So it gets a mixed score. It is through this scope that I write my reviews.

I read user reviews over critics reviews because they tend to be more honest and trustworthy. And I want anyone who stumbles across any of mine to feel like after reading it they know exactly what they are in for. Nothing is more annoying than reading a review, watching that movie, and feeling like you were just hoodwinked into wasting your time and money.

Visions is not a great movie that will stay with you. But it delivers on exactly what it purports to be - a B movie with some cheap thrills and scares. It also had a satisfactory ending, which is a nice bonus for these types of movies. There is a creepy storyline, the acting is not so bad or unenthusiastic that it distracts from the story and does not have too many slow moments where your interest could wander. Movies like this always have plot holes where the character would have certainly done something more logical in real life and sometimes these holes are so large they cannot be overlooked and ruin the movie - but this one did not have any major holes. Of course, the character could have been a little safer but nothing too outrageous.

I would have preferred a little more creepiness in the shots and sometimes the stakes did not feel high enough, but going in you are not really expecting a horror movie on par with the Shining so I cannot really complain too much.

My advice is this - if you want to kill a couple of hours before bed with a low budget horror movie, whose scares are more psychological than gore, Visions is a watch.

Wow, am I disappointed by these larger productions lately or what. I mean every time they get a few good actors together in a horror, they pretty much mess up. Visions is no exception.

Isla Fisher is one beautiful actress, always lovely to see her on screen, but her acting in this particular movie, was quite weak. All those reactions to the jump scares to come, were simply B acting right there. Her facial expressions need a lot more work, and I dunno why, because she always did her best on screen, and her best is all it takes. Here tho, it's like she didn't really try. Gillian Jacobs is another fine actress, she did better, but the ending came too fast and her role was spoiled in my opinion.

Overall, this movie has a lot of jump scares that mostly rely on a big sound difference, your speaks will just go crazy every time one will occur, you are told seconds before whenever such a thing is gonna happen, some acts have no logic, overall, I graded it a 5 cause of the actors mostly I guess. Nothing original, I've seen this plot in other movies, can't really mention them in order not to ruin it for you guys.

Visions is another production that will soon be forgotten. Once you view it, you'll understand why. Which leads me to the question: Would I recommend it? Only and only to horror fanatics. It is a slightly better add-on to one's list, but it will sink soon enough to the bottom of it.

Cheers!

After watching a few disappointing horror films the past couple of weeks this came as a pleasant surprise. The horror element is there but really this is more of a psychological thriller. Special mention goes to the orchestral music score which works well to set the mood throughout.

Quite a short movie at around 75 minutes yet probably to the films advantage. Red herrings are thrown in here and there, the plot twists and turns and keeps you guessing. Some of you may figure out what is going on but the reveal is not entirely obvious.

I was never bored, not once. Is the house haunted? Is she going mad? Are the neighbours stalking her? Could the husband be up to something? As the intrigue builds you feel very included searching for the answer. The ending satisfied. No gore required. No silly ridiculous twists that make no sense, just a satisfying conclusion to a very enjoyable film.

As a cinematic release this may not do very well. As a film to watch cuddled up on the sofa at home it is a first class thriller that dare I say Hitchcock would approved of.

I'm really wondering what kind of people make the reviews at IMDb? Movie scholars? The Gods of Movie Reviews? Can't anyone enjoy a movie anymore?...Visions is not an Oscar contender for sure, but it is a solid entertaining movie. My girlfriend and I enjoy it from start to end, I was not looking for some deep existential film that makes me change the way I see the world, I was just looking a movie to have a good time, and I got it.

Visions has a well-developed story, decent visual effects, good acting (Isla Fisher won't be nominated to the Oscars), and some pretty good scary scenes that makes you jump out of your seat...everything you need from a low budget horror flick. Give this movie a chance you won't be disappointed.