Vacancy (2007)

Vacancy

For a major Hollywood film, this movie was pretty short. The hour and twenty minutes watching this film felt more like two hours. It had a good idea-couple gets side tracked and need a place to stay for the night. They find a hotel; They enter it and a woman is screaming her lungs out. Yet, they stay anyways. The manager is a pyscho ala Norman Bates, who with a few other guys, kills the guests and makes snuff films of it to sell to some people. It does sound like a heck of a film, if it was made by someone else. Probably better as a straight to dvd horror film. This one felt too restrained and by the books. They didnt go out of the way to do anything speical, but I did like what happened towards the end. Overall, if you like straight up Hollywood horror film check this out.

Hollywood Horror-Pictures made for release in theaters to the public. Semi big names, mostly teen actors who are hot at the moment, and alot of them lately are PG-13 movies. They will come out as unrated with scary stuff or so they claim. November 13, 2008

"That Room On The Tape Looks Awfully Familiar...Even Though We JUST Got Here..."

Caught this one off cable recently and honestly I wasn't all that impressed. Wilson and Beckinsale do an adequate job as the broken-hearted couple who's marriage is crumbling after the death of their child, but what got me most about this film is the various degrees of illogical plot points running throughout it. Sure, as a Hitchcockian thriller it does a good job of emulating that eras feel, but in placing that type of film in present-day make sure you have your characters act accordingly. For example, if you were an inn-keeper who secretly killed various guests in a violent invasion style solely for the puropse of filming it to sell snuff films, why in the world would you leave some of the tapes in that room for the future victims to be warned? And if you saw a bunch of cameras in your room's airvents after those tapes, wouldn't you rip them off the walls in shock and anger? Though logic aside, this is a decent middle-of-the-road thriller with a couple of interesting scenes, but with a somewhat let-down "see, I'm okay after all" ending. Yes Frank Whaley does come off in this flix as Norman Bates-like, but could probably have pushed the limits a little more, and I'm still surprised that each new viewer of those tapes can recognize that they're in the same motel room just in seconds, even though they just got there. Rent it/Cable.
(RedSabbath Rating:7.0/10) November 10, 2008

Not As Good As Expected

I don't feel like talk about this movie so I agree with what Steven Hedge "Movie Fan" said:

For those that say "this kept me on the edge of my seat" I have to say that I agree. I was on the edge of my seat to leave within 10 minutes of this film beginning. I've seen more intelligent writing on the back of a milk carton. Check into this motel and leave your brains elsewhere.

I want to like these kinds of movies, as they are a unique genre and a throwback to a bygone era. Aside from the gore and porn elements, which I never find all that appealing, the basics of this film pay homage to that class of films about run-down motels and stalker killers. We've seen all this before and done remarkably better. This film is a disappointment from the get go.

The actors are good "A" list people, but, unfortunately, it is their very presence that helps throw this film off as we expect a better film than what we get because of their association with the film. This kind of reminds me of the 70's era when top stars would make "guest" appearances in "B" films for a few extra bucks and keep their names in the limelight, but rarely would they actually "star" in the film.

My next issue is the totally illiterate script that has enough holes to drive a semi through. Hey, I can willingly suspend my disbelief as much as the next guy in order to enjoy a thriller, but I just can't totally shut off my intelligence. From beginning to end one is always thinking, "Why don't they just do this?" or "How come they didn't think of that?" The film's inconsistencies and poor resolution to the story make this film just too silly to be taken in any kind of serious manner. And, yeah, I know it's only a movie.

There are some cleverly directed sequences and photographic angles that genuinely create suspense and even a few chills, but other than that, this is a strictly "paint by the numbers" thriller that offers little if anything at all to the genre. This film is a huge disappointment and attempts to make money over the popularity of its stars, who should be embarrassed to be in this flop, and the recent rash of slasher, gore and porn thrillers masquerading as horror films in our theaters today. For a more memorable night of thrills and chills I highly recommend 1408 and Dead Silence.

He is absolutely right about this movie. Do not get this movie. October 8, 2008

Sick, Sophomoric and Stupid

Title says it all. It's really sad that Kate Beckinsale would degrade herself by appearing in this voyeuristic tripe. And if the film is not enough, the DVD includes extended snuff scenes for your viewing pleasure. Entirely predictable, no twists that couldn't be seen a mile away, a complete rip off of far, far better films.

The highway wasn't the only thing they left to find themselves at this motel: any acting, plot or character development, directing or photography must still be on that highway.

Kate says it best in the film, "This has to be some kind of joke, right?" October 2, 2008

Suspenseful, Yet Campy Combination Detract from the Horror

Set in a rundown motel in the middle of nowhere, a couple finds themselves trapped at night while being stalked by deranged killers. The cinematic effects and music add to the suspense of this thriller.

However, one unrealistic character takes away from this movie being a 5 star movie.

Overall, it's a dark movie that will keep you jumping in your seats. Makes you think twice about staying in a desolate 1 star Motel. You get what you pay for. September 3, 2008

More reviews at Amazon.com ...