Lovesusti The Worst Film Ever

Cortechba Overrated

Stevecorp Don't listen to the negative reviews

Nicole I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

beorhhouse A townland in Ireland. Witches lives there for generations. A new married couple comes to town. Their daughter has died in a tragic accident. Shades of 'The Monkey's Paw.' A rebirth ceremony like you have never seen in a film before, and hopefully never will again. Timothy Spall, of course, could make a film about planting peanuts worth the while spent. Here he makes Lord Summerisle seem cartoonish and inept. Witchcraft is serious rebellion against love and all that is right and true. So if we are going to tell stories of witches, let's do what Brendan McCarthy has done here and make them human, with foibles and needs and reasons for their actions. There is a place for buffooning the witch, as in The Wicker Man (though buffoonery wasn't the intended purpose of the film, hilariously), but we must remember that when we rail against any evil, we rail against ourselves. I've come away from this experience with more love in my heart for the lost--being a former practicing witch myself, you see.

Scott LeBrun This Irish cross between "The Wicker Man" and "Pet Sematary" tells the tale of Patrick (Aidan Gillen) and Louise (Eva Birthistle), a veterinarian and his wife who lose their adorable little girl Alice (Ella Connolly) to one of his patients, a vicious dog. The grieving parents relocate to the small rural community of Wake Wood, where everybody is rather tightly knit together, especially in their practice of pagan rituals. Patrick and Louise learn that their girl can be briefly brought back to life so they can be with her one more time. They agree, although this being a horror film we know things will start to turn South after a while; as it turns out, Patrick won't be completely honest with his new acquaintances...The good thing is that even if people can figure out where this is going, it's still an entertaining enough trip to take. The location filming in rural Ireland is a huge plus, and there is no shortage of atmosphere to be found in "Wake Wood". There's always a true stamp of authenticity when horror films are filmed in very woodsy areas; one can feel a sense of danger and doom all around. It's not surprising to see that this was a Hammer film. It does definitely remind one of the kind of period genre pieces that they always did so well. Gore lovers will be pleased to note the amount of splatter as various human and animal victims get brutalized. Michael Convertino ("The Hidden") supplies the enjoyably spooky music score; David Keating directs from a screenplay he co-wrote with Brendan McCarthy, and proves himself very adept at setting the mood and getting fine performances out of his cast. Gillen and Birthistle are likable and sympathetic as the couple living out what would be a nightmare for any parent; their actions may not always be too sensible, but they are understandable. The excellent veteran Timothy Spall lends his reliable presence to the role of Arthur, while young Connolly is remarkable and mature in the pivotal role, never overplaying things once the shift comes in her character (ex. calmly telling a character that a device won't work when it's brought out). Overall, "Wake Wood" doesn't really offer much that hasn't been done before, but it's more than competently done throughout and is substantially enjoyable. Seven out of 10.

Coventry Even though they will forever remain linked to Peter Cushing, Christoper Lee and a whole variety of immortal Gothic horror movies produced during the sixties and seventies, it's still tremendously great news that Hammer Studios are back in business! The legendary British studios, of which I loved nearly everything they ever accomplished, make an exquisite comeback with the traditionally themed and old-fashioned spooky "Wake Wood". The plot borrows obvious and less obvious elements from a handful of famous genre classics, but it nevertheless stands on its own as a solid and competent horror movie that is occasionally very tense, disturbing and repulsive. Approximately one year after they tragically lost their only daughter in a rabid dog attack, the emotionally wrecked couple Patrick and Louise move to the small farmers' community of Wakewood, where he takes up his profession as a veterinary and she re-opens the local pharmacy. The town's patriarch Arthur informs Patrick and Louise that the entire town of Wakewood participates in a secluded and very secret Pagan ritual. Through the cadaver of a freshly deceased villager, Arthur can bring another dead person back to life for a period of three days, so that his/her family can spend some beautiful last moments together and properly prepare their goodbye. There are a few strict rules, however, including that the resurrected person's passing was less than one year ago and that he or she is forbidden to leave the town's perimeters. Blinded by their desire to be reunited with their daughter, the couple takes the risk of altering a few facts and convinces the town to bring back their beloved Alice. Needless to say horrible events ensue, as Alice doesn't exactly return as the cute and cherubic girl she once was… As said, "Wake Wood" clearly sought inspiration with some genuine classics, like "Pet Sematery" (bringing back a dead child), "The Wicker Man" (the entire town participating in the pagan ritual) and "Don't Look Now" (processing the tragic loss of child). This isn't a negative comment; however, as writer/director David Keating processes the subject matter in a respectable way and adds a modern and personal touch wherever possible. Arguably, the film is somewhat too slow-paced and pretentious in terms of editing (too many collages and brief insignificant flashbacks), but you can't really blame a film crew for trying to be stylish, now can you? The climax is a bit of a letdown, mainly because the events are too hectic, incoherent and also all of a sudden extremely cruel and sadist. There were some violent parts and grisly images throughout the entire film, like the harrowing dog attack at the beginning and the macabre Wakewood ritual, but the last ten minutes are really quite sick. It's a shame to let the movie end in such a negative and illogical way. Terrific acting performances here as well, particularly from the reliable Timothy Spall ("Sweeney Todd" and the "Harry Potter" franchise) as the town patriarch. Very much recommended, can't wait to see what Hammer does next.

nickjohngray This film is very scary!! i watched it with my son and he has seen several horror films, but with this one he didn't want to go to sleep by himself. I too couldn't get certain images out of my head. its a bit slow for about 10 minutes and it looks like a low budget, but then you get a bit of gore right up front and some shocking distributing stuff mixed in with real life stuff, making it even more real and gets you even more invoked and sick to the core! There are several jumps and the story line is kick ass and unique. I love the cocoon idea. the only thing that was a little strange was the idea of the daughter just been brought back to life for three days. good acting, especially the little girl she does make a good, ( well you will find out)