A Horror Movie Marketed As An Art Film

Rating: 1/10 (8 January 2011)

I wrestled with whether to submit a review for this reason: everybody is entitled to their own taste in movies, and the mere fact that this movie is not to my taste doesn't make it "bad." On the other hand, I note that people who obviously like horror movies have given this movie an enthusiastic rating so that, on balance, I see no reason why I shouldn't rate it "awful" based upon my dislike of this genre.
The next question I asked myself was whether there was any point in submitting a review -- what could I add beyond simply dissing horror movies. I answer that question this way: I saw this movie because it was released at year's end with an "Oscar buzz" and it turns out to be simply a horror movie. It has all the gory scenes and demon-like characters popping up suddenly when a door is opened that is de rigueur in such a flick.
The story that underlies this tale profiles the psychiatric torments of a profoundly disturbed individual. As such, this tale could have been told without the gratuitous "sex" and without the special effects. It is sad that the movie industry has come to the point where the fare of mindless summer blockbusters is now being served up as serious drama.
If horror movies are your thing, go for it. Otherwise, I'd take a pass.