The Monkey's Paw

Plot synopsis:
The short story involves Mr. and Mrs. White and their adult son, Herbert. Sergeant-Major Morris, a friend who served with the British Army in India, introduces them to a mummified monkey's paw. An old fakir placed a spell on the paw, that it would grant three wishes to three separate men. The wishes are granted but always with hellish consequences, as punishment for tampering with fate. Morris tells the Whites of his comrade, who used his third wish to wish for death. Morris, also having had a horrific experience upon using the paw, throws the monkey's paw into the fire but Mr. White retrieves it. Before leaving, Morris warns Mr. White that if he does use the paw, then it will be on his own head.
At Herbert's suggestion, Mr. White wishes for £200 to be used as the final payment on his house, even though he believes he has everything he wants. The next day his son Herbert leaves for work at a local factory. Later that day, word comes to the White home that Herbert has been killed in a terrible machinery accident. Although the employer denies responsibility for the incident, the firm has decided to make a goodwill payment to the family of the deceased. The payment, of £200, exactly matches the amount Herbert suggested his father should wish for.
Ten days after their son's death and a week after the funeral, Mrs. White, almost mad with grief, asks her husband to use the paw to wish Herbert back to life. Reluctantly, he does so. Shortly afterward there is a knock at the door. As Mrs. White fumbles at the locks in an attempt to open the door, Mr. White, who had to identify his son's mutilated body, and who knows the corpse has been buried for more than a week, realizes that the thing outside is not the son he knew and loved, and makes his third wish.
The knocking suddenly stops. Mrs. White opens the door to find no one is there.

Tags: violence, murder

Review:
This should not be called "The Monkey's Paw." This has nothing to do with the original story.
I highly suggest for viewers who like the original story NOT to view the movie.
The Monkeys Paw is a tale that has been covered cinematically several times over the years including as far back as the early 30's.
It tells the story of a paw that grants wishes but the twist is that it corrupts whatever it provides.The original story always told of a parent who wants a deceased child returned from the dead, this version tweeks that slightly but is still loyal to its source material.Stephen Lang brings life to the rather dull cast and brings forth a performance only rivalled by his in Don't Breathe (2016) Not the best version and a tad slow this is one of those premises where you could do a lot with it but here they fail to do so.Perfectly watchable but perhaps should have been somewhat better.The Good: Stephen Lang The Bad: Oddly boring Things I learnt from this movie: Monkeys Paw would make a great television series!.
W. Jacobs, but if you didn't know that and you read the message board for this film, you'd be tempted to think it was originally a Simpsons or Goosebumps episode.While so many iconic stories like the one Jacobs penned lend themselves to parody or adaptation, the writers of this version actually created something original - which is why, I would guess, the ratings here are so much lower than they should be.Instead of giving us one more pass through of the "be careful what you wish for" scenario, the filmmakers take us in a different direction.
Saying much more would ruin the story, so I'll only point out that it's not only the protagonist who suffers for his choices.All aspects of this film are competent or better.
You may not always agree with my reviews, but you can sure as hell know they are honest and not because I had something to do with any particular film one way or another, good or bad.
Chiller Films' remake of THE MONKEY'S PAW is a very good movie with an original story.
If "Heart-Shaped Box", ever gets made into a movie, I would like it to have a little bit of the feeling I got from "The Monkey's Paw", that without being a great accomplishment, delivers with a little twist; making it as one wanted sequel for the original story of W.
W. Jacobs and this time unleashing the evil we don't get to read on the original story.I kind of venture to say, that some may want to compare it with Stephen king's "Pet cemetery", or "The Serpent and the Rainbow" but, at least on my case I wouldn't dare to.
Even though this is not a for the big screen of a movie theater, the film stands on its own, giving the obvious answer of what it would have happened after the mother opens to his dead son?
Among the advantages of the story is that it doesn't play the main character as a dumb guy, just, naive and ingenuous man that unfortunately under the influence of alcohol and not having a good life, makes the wrong choices.Unlike other horror, slasher movies, the cliché, (like the phone ringing at the most inopportune moment) becomes a necessary element.
Because we feel like it shouldn't have happened to them, meaning that we get to care for the characters, regardless of them being of secondary importance on the story, I would say that at this point is about "family" it gets way more personal.
Also I really liked the use of the street cars, and the location of New Orleans, it gave the little touch for a little "Vodou".The acting is fairly good, the ambiance, music and camera work let you appreciate the effort of the filmmakers,regardless of being a little slow between some of the scenes,and the appearances of the always welcome Charles S.
I am familiar with the myth of the magical powers of the monkey's paw, and that was sufficient enough to make me pick up the movie and give it a go.I was pleasantly surprised to see that Stephen Lang was in this movie, because he usually performs quite well in the stuff that he participates in, and it turned out that the 2013 "The Monkey's Paw" was also one such feat.
But it was alright, because the movie was entertaining enough to sustain the predictability without suffering under it.To quickly summarize the storyline, then it is about Jake Tilton (played by C.J. Thomason) whom is given a monkey's paw and the three wishes that come with it.
But when one wish turns his friend Tony Cobb (played by Stephen Lang) into a soulless husk of his former self, things turn foul and bad things start to happen.The atmosphere that director Brett Simmons managed to set up during the course of the movie was quite good, because it was quite becoming for the storyline and the movie as a whole.This isn't a horror movie that relies heavily on special effects, so don't get all worked up and hope for a grand CGI and practical effects show, because it just ain't there.
Sure, there were special effects in the movie, and the effects that were there were to the point and functioning very well."The Monkey's Paw" is the type of horror movie that is driven by a good and entertaining storyline and have some well-rounded characters in the character gallery to help bring the story to life on the screen.
In New Orleans, Jake Tilton (C.J. Thomason) works in transportation business as assistant of the supervisor Gillespie (Daniel Hugh Kelly) with his friends Anthony "Tony" Cobb (Stephen Lang) and Catfish (Corbin Bleu).
When the manager Kevin (Andy Favreau), who got married to Jake's former girlfriend Olivia Corbin (Michelle Pierce), fires Gillespie, Jake and Cobb meet him drinking in a bar and Gillespie gives a magical monkey's paw to Jake telling that it grants three wishes to the owner.
Jake does not believe in his words but he wishes a nice car that is parked at the bar.
Cobb decides to kill everyone connected to Jake to force him to use the monkey's paw to grant his wish.
W. Jacob published the supernatural short story "The Monkey Paw" where the owner of a monkey's paw is granted with three wishes with tragic consequences.
"The Monkey's Paw" is a horror movie with a good version also based on this short story with the idea that you shall be careful with what you wish for.
The creepy and gore story takes place in the mystical New Orleans and does not disappoint fans of horror.
I didn't know what to expect going into The Monkey's Paw, but I was not disappointed!
The film basically takes the classic tale, turns it on it's head and expands it into a twisted, often surprising story.
A man receives a Monkey's Paw from a fellow co-worker and is granted three wishes.
C.J. Thomason left me scratching my head as the lead character, but he was just good enough to not ruin the story.
I definitely went into this without any expectations and though the story is not new, and the characters did do some dumb things with stilted dialogue at times, I think the very interesting setting and the performance by Lang makes it worth watching..
The acting is good, especially from Stephen Lang, who made the film happen (my opinion), the death scenes are more than OK I'd say, and it has a nice pace.
I was out with friends looking to see a movie and have a good time for the night.
Also the monkey's paw granting a wish was a strange concept to see considering it is usually a rabbit's foot which is considered lucky.
It was nice to hear their opinions about the movie and was crazy to hear about how short of a time they had to film it.If you are looking for a great thriller movie, then this one will definitely be for you..
Also, you actually care for the characters which really bumps this movie up from your average horror.
So, that night at the bar, he entices Jake (Thomason) over and proceeds to tell him the story of the monkey's paw, which is sitting on the table.
When Jake and Cobb (Lang) leave at the end of the night the car is in the parking lot...
All of this anchors the viewer in the here and now and gives them enough drama to keep them interested.Add to this the element of horror, the supernatural, and murder and you have a good film.
However, I did like the fact that Simmons cut away from some of the goriest parts of the film, letting the viewers imagination fill in the messy bits.The acting is above average, though there are times when things get a little messy.
It's a shame that Dutton, who plays detective Margolis, isn't around a little more either.I'd recommend this to horror lovers who like their macabre curses and evil manipulated wishes gone awry.
A monkey's paw talisman has the power to grant three wishes but they come with a heavy price.
I watched this on the Horror Channel and it is very typical of many of the movies that they screen - it's not good, but then it's not bad either.
Apparently this film is based upon an old story which I confess to being unfamiliar with and it has given me good cause to seek out the 1948 version..
"The Monkey's Paw" will provide some entertainment for horror hounds.
As many of you may know, "The Monkey's Paw" is an updated version of W.W. Jacobs' supernatural short story from 1902.
Unfortunately, the wishes come with a terrible price.Director Brett Simmons and Writer Macon Blair did a great job of establishing a group of engaging personalities through quick character development.
The solid camera-work for this independent genre piece also came as a surprise."The Monkey's Paw" boasts an ensemble cast of stars to help draw in their individual fans.
He might be in the movie for a sum total of ten minutes at the most.Corbin Bleu continues to shake his Disney stigma by taking on a more mature role for "The Monkey's Paw." He plays a blue-collar factory worker named Catfish.
This isn't Bleu's first genre film, as he was also in "Nurse 3D" and "Scary or Die.""The Monkey's Paw" is unrated, although I would consider it PG-13.
The one thing we don't get surprisingly is any nudity.If you like supernatural thrillers, "The Monkey's Paw" will provide some entertainment for horror hounds looking for an old-fashioned tale in a new package.
The biggest issue here is easily the fact that there's just no way to take the plot seriously or even find a great deal of creepiness from it as the majority of the time here is spent on doing nothing but the two arguing over whether or not the resurrected friend should have the paw in question, resorting to bullying and tormenting tactics to get it but never showing anything that deserves why he should have it.
J. Thomason) is given a monkey's paw that grants three wishes.
After the first two wishes leave his friend Cobb (Stephen Lang) undead, Cobb pushes Jake to make a final wish.There have been many films based on the short story of the same name by author W.
"The Monkey's Paw" is a short story published by the English novelist William Wymark Jacobs in 1902.
In the original, a man is given a monkey's paw and told it will grant the owner three wishes.
You see where this is leading?If you were thinking this is the origin of the phrase "Be careful what you wish for", that predates not only W.W. but the Great J.C. You are however on the right lines.This 21st Century adaptation brings the story right up to date transferring it to the Deep South.
Apart from the paw and the three wishes, there is little in common with the original, but this is a truly superior psychological/mystical effort of which the long dead Jacobs would surely approve..
Now don't get me wrong, not a bad movie by far, however the trailers and hype brought this movies potential to be one of the best horror films in years.
You may choose mildly interesting place like New Orleans if you prefer to make the story somewhat exotic.Get rid of original characters of the story and replace them with good looking young folks.
This will also explain why the folks use powerful magical devices with an incredible level of stupidity: They just do not believe it actually works.And now for the real "American twist of the original story": The story is usually about the device itself and the ways how the main character plans to use it without the backfire as it was advertised by its seller.
The more people are killed the better - you need a lot of blood in the horror stories these days.
That makes him different from the young lovable characters.In the end please do not forget to show the plot device for about 5 seconds so the viewers can know that if they pay a lot for a tickets and DVDs they may have a whole series made in this very manner.
What's even worse I do love original American horror stories.
The story: The film centers on Jake Tilton, who acquires a mystical "monkey's paw" talisman that grants its possessor three wishes.
Jake finds his world turned upside down after his first two wishes result in co-worker Tony Cobb being resurrected from the dead.
First off granting wishes, voodoo story is a little overused, there have been oodles of films about this topic and if that's all they were about they didn't really stand out of the crowd.
The whole story and atmosphere would work great in say a Tales from the Crypt episode, but not in a feature film.
Animal was a kind of pointless, but watchable once, mediocre horror and so was Monkey's Paw. I think the whole thing took a left turn at Albuquerque when they picked out the basic story.
Three wishes on a monkey's paw lead to terror and tragedy for a young man, his family, and his zombie friend.
Three wishes to make your dreams come true, what could go wrong?Guy looses his friends and family to father figure turned zombie killer, blonde takes stab wound to chest (her best feature), drunk and bitter gets drunk and dead and young and innocent spawn of drunk and bitter gets the next rack of wishes from the monkey's paw.If this sounds like a bad horror movie to you, you are not imagining it.
This is the familiar old story of be careful of what you wish for.
A guy working at a factory is given a monkey's paw and told that it will grant him three wishes.
Bad things happen to the wish master, all due to the monkey's paw.
This is a good old-fashioned "horror" movie.
This would've been a better movie if Cobb killed Jake's annoying brother(which he eventually did) instead of his mother.
Jake uses the paw in W.W. Jacobs fashion and disrupts the lives of everyone he knows.The film is fairly straight forward.
For those who are not familiar with the story, the movie might seem a little better than three stars.Parental Guide: No f-bombs that I recall.
THE MONKEY'S PAW is less an adaptation of the famous ghost story by British writer W.W. Jacobs and more a typical supernatural slasher flick with a generic Hollywood feel.
Gill received a monkey's paw as a kid after his father died, and he decides as revenge to give it to Jake, knowing that if wished upon bad things were most certain to happen.
And they do.As the old story goes, Jake wishes for a nice ride, and a wreck caused by a gator in the road throws his bar/work buddy, Tony Cobb (Stephen Lang), through the windshield, killing him when he hit the ground.
Unwisely making a second wish on the paw to resurrect Tony, what happens is he's brought back, but the soul is "poisoned" and he becomes a remorseless killer.
What Tony wants is to have his son and sees the monkey's paw as the means to do so.
You see how the paw really takes Jake down a dark road: no good really comes of it.
This will perhaps be judged by Lang's mission of terror, because the paw story is old hat..
I found what I wanted in watching this movie, and so I would recommend it to anyone who likes a bit of fantasy mixed in with your psycho killer, slasher thriller..
Though it is flawed by the general clichés, I think there is actually a clever mini-plot behind it.Even though Voodoo is a religion that celebrates life and death and has very little to do with black magic and considering that you can't revive a dead guy even if you had a mountain of monkeys with 4 paws, the movie leaves an open alternative.
"The Monkey's Paw" is a movie for in between and looks like a movie version of one of Stephen King's short stories.
The story is based on the well-known 3 wishes which are granted to someone.
In this movie the paw of a dead monkey can achieve this.
The wishes are carried out but you have to pay an extremely heavy price because you are tampering with fate.The basis of the original story is mostly retained in this film.
It actually sounds a bit corny and feels like an old-fashioned ghost story to read to children at Halloween.Despite the fact that I didn't expect much of it, the movie was still reasonable.
A typical horror story and an enjoyable entertaining movie.