Genres

Visitors Review

susanw-3 2013-05-25 03:33:24

There's a Better Hoodoo Movie

This was an OK movie, but I kept thinking the story wasn't all thatoriginal. "Angel Heart" with Mickey Rourke is a much creepier, muchbetter hoodoo voodoo movie than "The Skeleton Key". This is OK, justnot the same spine tingling thrill as what I expected. The viewerdoesn't get enough information about this magic or religion to makethem believe, and therefore they are not wrapped up in the goings on,but instead just an outsider looking in. If the director/writers haddrawn the viewer into the dark world more, I think it would become acreepier experience all around. "Angel Heart" does this and thereforeyou feel more desperation for the character as he is drawn into thisdark world too.

towers50 2013-05-24 12:21:54

Not exactly Horror but still a good film

I saw this yesterday and I have to say I was impressed. I didn'tactually read up on it beforehand but I kind of gathered from a trailerI remember seeing on TV that it was about a creepy looking house andspooky ghosts. However when the film began I quickly realised it wasn'tjust another horror film. In fact to be honest it wasn't all that scarybut that doesn't make it a bad film. It's possibly being pushed to hardas a horror film and many fans of films such as Texas ChainsawMassacre, Scream, Halloween will be disappointed for sure as it's aslasher film. Apart from a flash back no one dies. Instead it remindsme very much of films like The Grudge, Ring and Dark Water in that itmoves at a slow pace with a few spooks here and there (Caused mainly bysound bangs). What sets this film apart though is that the storyline isvery clever and the story progressed along nicely leaving you guessingfor a few things. The 'twist' ending that everyone seems to be going onabout never really seemed like a twist ending, merely a revealing ofthe true characters however it wasn't something that was unexpected ortotally absured that it didn't fit. It managed to fit perfectly and notmake the viewer feel cheated as the signs were there all along for youto work. Overall I would recommend this film to people but let themknow well in advance it's not some slasher flick but merely a clevereerie story.

2013-05-21 10:01:46

Good movie

This review is from: The Skeleton Key (Amazon Instant Video) Rented this because I am from the New Orleans area and like to see how hoodoo (voodoo is a more modern term) is treated by film makers. Not a bad movie and I liked the ending.

2013-05-21 07:19:19

Must see!

This review is from: The Skeleton Key (Amazon Instant Video) I didn't expect to much from this movie but when I saw it I was on the edge of my seat.The photography, the acting, the story, the music are well done.I really don't understand why nobody talked about it.An unknown little rare gem!

2013-05-18 08:27:36

Great suspense

This review is from: The Skeleton Key (Widescreen Edition) (DVD) October is really a fun month to watch movies like this one! Enjoy movies like this & it being placed in Louisiana just adds to the charm. Good cast and great surprise ending!!! Another good girls night with wine & a movie!

2013-05-17 12:53:42

Worth the Time to Watch

This review is from: The Skeleton Key (Widescreen Edition) (DVD) Well done, compact thriller. Hired as caretaker to a paralyzed man, our heroine encounters his weird wife and even weirder house. As she gets into the case, she grows more concerned as to the cause of her patients ailments and the state of her patient. She learns that the house has been scene of a lynching of one or, possibly, both of a pair of hoodoo (variant of voodoo) practitioners. Determined to her patient, she seeks help from a New Orleans shop which sells witchcraft related items. When she returns to her patient she finds a crisis point has been reached. The rest must be hidden from those who do not see the film.It is a good film with no extraneous horror or cruelty. Worth seeing by ordinary watchers and those for whom this is a prime category.

prosper761 2013-05-15 09:56:30

An excellently rendered thriller

Creepy, atmospheric and exceptionally well-acted, "The Skeleton Key" isone the year's best thrillers. If you are tired of lame remakes ofJ-horror and long for the days when directors didn't need tons of bloodand millions and dollars worth of CGI effects to create an effectiveand scary movie, then this is the movie for you. Kate Hudson is veryconvincing as a young woman who slowly begins to believe in (and beterrified of) the dark forces that are building around her and theageless Gena Rowlands makes for a more than worthy adversary. JohnHurt, in an almost silent role, conveys pages of subtext with only hiseyes and Peter Saarsgard as the handsome, young lawyer, effortlesslypours on the Southern Charm. Visit http://prosper761.blogcity.com formy full review

2013-05-15 02:40:10

Too similar to "The Others"

An isolated house with a secret story. A blonde young woman who utters and an old lady who seems mysterious (note Fionulla Flanagan is almost like Gena Rowlands). And of course, a very similar ending.Well, in this one, there is black magic, an ancient man, an attorney and a few different ingredients but the coincidences are too many.Kate Hudson is not bad (I like her better in comedies). The locations are pretty good. The whole thing is interesting, but two things cut two stars:First: I have said it before. If you have seen "The Others" you won't find any surprise all along the movie. Well, the ending is catchy. Really original, but I know it is to dislike many people, because it is somewhat difficult to believe.Second: let me see. Papa Justify lived in the 1920s and he recorded a lot of discs in vinyl. Could anybody tell me how was he able to use such recording technology if he was only a servant? And how about the record player? This disc sounds great 90 years after and a lot of sacrifices after! This thing is completely unbelievable.If you are to spend a frightening time, this can be a movie for you. If you like to go forth, you will discover lots of irregularites (sure that even more than myself).I've said Kate Hudson is not bad in this movie. There are some scenes you can see she is definitively NOT bad.

reeceb-2 2013-05-08 18:14:49

While it has its jumpy moments, it's really more of a suspense movie and mystery than a horror film.

There hasn't been a really good voodoo movie in a while. And that's ashame because I like voodoo movies. "Angel Heart" still scares me. "TheSerpent and the Rainbow" was pretty slick, if not a little goofy inparts. And "The Believers" was a work of art. But voodoo horror filmshaven't really caught on like ghost stories or haunted houses.Because voodoo horror movies have been in short supply, "The SkeletonKey" felt really fresh. From watching the trailers, you might thinkthis is going to be just a run-of-the-mill jump-'em-and-scare-'emfright flick. In fact, I've heard it compared (unfairly, of course) to"The Grudge." But "The Skeleton Key" is a movie all it's own. While ithas its jumpy moments, it's really more of a suspense movie and mysterythan a horror film. In reality, the biggest similarity to "The Grudge"is its set-up. Otherwise, it goes in a totally different direction.Caroline (Kate Hudson) is a Louisiana hospice care worker who isquickly getting tired of the "business is business" mentality of thehospitals. She decides to go freelance and gets a job caring for an oldman in the bayou who has just had a stroke. It's an old, creepy guywith his old, creepy wife. They live in an old, creepy house in theswamp where old and creepy things start to happen.Caroline soon begins to suspect the wife (Gena Rowlands) of planningsomething devious for the old man (John Hurt). She starts to learn moreabout the local traditions and hoodoo (the evil side of the voodooreligion).Remember when Hudson was a rising star? It was right after "AlmostFamous" which made her more than famous with a bit part and a majorspot on the movie's poster. But soon, she started to show up in bombslike "Alex & Emma" and "Raising Helen." After a string ofdisappointments, Kate Hudson returns to a starring vehicle, choosing adifferent path than she did before.This is clearly a vehicle for Kate Hudson. It's not such an obviousdisplay of her acting as the lukewarm "Dark Water" was for JenniferConnelly, but it's still definitely made for her. And she handles thepart well. She's very convincing in the film, and she looks great –especially the scenes where she's sleeping in a tight T-shirt and hotpants. (Sorry. Couldn't resist pointing this out. I'm only human.) Thecast is relatively small, pretty much comprising Hudson, Rowlands andHurt. Peter Sarsgaard comes off well as the old couple's lawyer tryingto settle their estate before they die. Finally, Joy Bryant supportsthe film as Caroline's friend.The story is pretty well crafted by the talented Ehren Kruger, the manwho gave us "Arlington Road" and "The Ring." There's a certain level ofpredictability, but it's all good for a thriller. Even if you canfigure out how things are going to end, it's still enjoyable to watchit all unfold.

Admiral_DongSmoker_III 2013-05-08 02:08:35

Unique, exceptional horror.

This one is all about suspense. It's not part of the slasher genre thathas become oh so popular in modern film. Kate Hudson did an excellentjob, and in general, the acting was superior for the genre. The pacevaries as the film progresses, but it's always fitting. The plot isrelatively unique for the genre, though I won't go into the details.Some moments really scare, and even in the calmest moments, the tensiondoesn't let up entirely. It has only a few moments designed to make youjump, but it's always a bit uncomfortable, because you never knowwhat's going to happen next, and by the time the film ends andeverything is explained... well, everyone has a different reaction. Iwent GASP. I was really uncomfortable after seeing this film. Itdefinitely works. I would recommend looking into this. 8/10

robertv 2013-05-03 08:37:21

Great horror/thrilling movie

The Skeleton Key has all the fundamentals to be considered a great "scary" movie. Many people say it's just a joke and a waste of time, but let me ask those people, watch the movie all alone at night and tell me it wasn't scary. I know many people wouldn't watch it alone in the dark, especially by themselves because in fact they just might be afraid of the movie. Wacthing it alone changes the whole perception of the movie. Like The Grudge, that movie too was a well scary movie. It wasn't a terrible movie, it was a well made horror film. Overall, The Skeleton Key, is a superb thrilling movie to watch, and if you somehow find it not "scary," then watch it all by yourself and tell me it wasn't frightening.

rb2400 2013-05-02 23:35:01

The more I thought about the movie after I saw it,the better it got!

I thought the movie was excellent. Definitely a THRILL RIDE!!!!! I justhave one question. Who had the final decision to run Elvis Presley'ssong "If I Can Dream" during the final credits? I found that a veryinteresting to say the least! Thanks I hope someone can give me theanswer. I do not recall little if any music during the movie,accept forsome bar scenes. Kate Hudson was very convincing as a serious actresscontrary to any other role that she has played. Gena Rowlands is such agreat actress. Is she in a position now where she can pick ascript,because lately,well her last two movies have been excellent.Back to the Skeleton Key, I think it is one of the best movies of thesummer. My favorite was Cinderella Man but now I'm not real sure. Iwould definitely recommend this movie to everyone who likes a sit onthe edge of your seat thriller and DO NOT go anywhere during the lastForty-five minutes of this movie!!

2013-05-01 19:30:46

LOVED this movie!

I'll admit that I wasn't expecting much when I watched this movie simply because Kate Hudson is known for her more comedic, girly roles. I was extremely surprised that I really, really liked this movie!So what's this movie about? A woman named Caroline takes a job as an in-home nurse for a woman, Violet, and her husband, Ben, who can't talk after a stroke he had had recently. The couple's lawyer, Luke, acts sort of as the couple's caretaker and sort of develops a little crush on Caroline. After living in the house for a while, Caroline begins to notice strange things happening in the house. Not only is the house strange, but it seems like Ben sees things and Violet knows about it. When Caroline uses her skeleton key to open the attic door, she discovers the real reason behind Ben's stroke and it all has to do with "hoodoo".What's to like about this movie? First, the acting is great. The actors that play Violet and Ben play their roles exceptionally. The big surprise, however, was Kate Hudson. She's certainly gained a few points in my book as an actress in this movie. Second, the storyline is really good. Yes, the whole "there's something in the attic" thing may seem typical but it's completely different in this movie. Third, the ending will have you in shock.And what's not to like? Not much. The whole "hoodoo" thing was a little too much for me. Other than that, this movie deserves 5 stars.Whether you believe in hoodoo or not, you'll thoroughly enjoy this movie (along with Kate Hudson's believeable acting). Watch it!

2013-05-01 13:48:25

Pretty good.

Its an interesting story line and the performances for the most part are great, but the movie drags in the middle and makes the viewer hurt for the end. By the time, the twist ending began I no longer really cared what happened I just wanted it to be over with. Still I watched it through and for the most part wasn't disappointed. This isn't a jump out of your seat horror movie so if that's the kind of movie you're looking for look elsewhere.

cultfilmfan 2013-04-28 14:19:02

The Skeleton Key

The Skeleton Key, is set in New Orleans, and is about Caroline Ellis,who is a health care worker and one day sees an advertisement in thenewspaper asking for a live-in nurse. Caroline, goes to the home in anisolated area of New Orleans, and meets the wife named VioletDevereaux, and her husband she has to take care of named Ben Devereaux,who can hardly move and not speak because of a stroke he had. Caroline,finds the house fascinating and things go bump in the night and thereare things that just don't seem right in the house. Soon she discoversa room in the attic with after a little bit of investigating willuncover the truth about the mysterious couple and their home. TheSkeleton Key, has good direction, a good script, good performances fromeverybody involved, good original music, good cinematography, good filmediting, good production design and good art direction. I was actuallyvery surprised with this film. I went in thinking that I would not likeit but I ended up liking it quite a bit. The film is well made and hasa very original and interesting story and I couldn't really tell whatdirection it was going in. The film is also entertaining and it looksand feels like an old fashioned horror film that relies on style andstory to entertain and keep you in suspense. While, I didn'tparticularly find the movie suspenseful and it did have a couple flawsand like most of today's horror movies it sometimes relies on loudnoises and things jumping in front of us to startle or scare us but itwas still interesting, original and entertaining. One of the biggestsurprises of the year and one of the better horror films these days.

Prolox 2013-04-27 15:48:20

A nice try at a supernatural thriller!

CAROLINE is a nurse who moves into a large house to care for an veryill elderly man who's only other companion is his wife, one dayCaroline spots a door in the attic, using the skeleton key she wasgiven, she finds that it can open all doors except for this one, whenshe finally does get in, she is soon plagued by danger & the only onethat has the answers is the elderly man's wife who's explanation leadsdeep into the past that is steeped in murder & voodoo, but the elderlyman to seems to know a bit more & tries so desperately to try & tellher something, but he can't speak, can Caroline figure out the mysteryor will she die trying & why is the old couple petrified of mirrors?THE SKELETON KEY wasn't to bad for a supernatural thriller, it hadseveral neat plot twists here & there sprinkled throughout the moviethat were very interesting, the film knows how to hold you're attention& the actors are good in their roles, the director knew his stuff aswell when it came to directing this & the films climax is differentthan the norm & kind of creepy. There's also a few moments of suspense(Particularily towards the climax) that should get you on the edge ofyou're seat. Worth a look for the non to demanding genre fan.*** stars

2013-04-12 14:12:57

Nice Surprise

Ihave to admit that I had not heard of this film before I saw it. So, I wasn't expecting much. Also, let me add that I amnot huge into film. I am just a casual movie watcher so my standards have more to do with my enjoyment of the film than the cinematography or orignality of a film.With all that said I really enjoyed this film. It wasn't scary...and to be honest I prefer that. But, it was suspenseful. The ending wasn't a total surprise but it was enough of a twist to leave that queezy feeling in the back of my gut. It held my attention, provided enjoyment and keptmy mind working which is all I really look for in a movie.

2013-04-12 09:26:02

Very, Very Good!

And yet, it could have even been better! First the plus points: Gena Rowlands is absolutely fantastic in her role. In many ways, she made this movie. The filming is great projecting an eerie ambience over the whole film. The special effects are not over the top and add greatly to the film. The downside has to do with the story. It left me wanting so much more! The movie really revolved around two characters from the 1920's, "Papa Justify", and "Mama Ceile." Yet not too much attention was paid to them. Their story could have been fleshed out more and would have been even more eerily fascinating.The premise of the movie is that Kate Hudson's character goes to work for an eccentric older lady (Gena Rowlands) to care for her ailing husband (John Hurt). From there we begin to learn secrets about their relationship and the plantation-style house in southern Louisiana-particularly a room in the attic of the house.This movie doesn't drag and moves along with many twists and turns and the ending is an absolute classic that you didn't see coming. Remember when you see this movie that things are definitely NOT what they appear to be. That's the main thing that gives this movie its allure. You'll be guessing all the way to the end.

Richard 2013-04-11 02:16:48

Not at all a horror movie but still a good bit of suspense.

If it had not been for the ending of this movie I would have left withthat "same ole same ole" feeling. Throw in the good looks of KateHudson and this different but still exciting ending and I came awaywith a good feeling. Gena Rowlands was perfect for her character. Seeif you don't think see reminds you of someone you know.As I said though this is not at all a Horror film, it relies on magicand maybe a dream to try and scare you instead of gory or gruesomesights. I would recommend this movie to everyone. Its not going to be aclassic or even highly remembered by many but It will entertain you andleave you wondering about the swamps of Louisiana, and the people whopractice magic in that area of our country. Lets just hope they stay inLouisiana. Kate Hudson does a fine job playing a Hospice worker tryingto find a job that makes her feel better about the way people care forthe elderly. When she takes a job around the swamps and moves in to theold house, she gets more than she bargained for. (Enough said)Give thismovie a chance, I think you will come away with the same feeling I did.

2013-04-10 20:49:59

A mysterious tale of Southern Gothic lore ensues.

Wait just a minute here! Do you mean to tell me that we're finallygetting a horror movie this year that isn't a remake, a sequel, orbased on a Japanese movie? Stop the presses! Somebody's tryingsomething original in Hollywood! OK, so maybe this isn't *so* originalthat it's bustin' down the horror genre door and makin' up new rules asit goes along, but I have to give them credit for trying something new.It's true that this follows a familiar trail - put a lead character ina position that most people wouldn't find attractive and have her dothings that most of us probably would avoid doing. First off, you maywonder what exactly Kate finds appealing about becoming a full-time,live-in caretaker at a creepy IL' house in Terrebonne Parish. Well, the$1000 a week paycheck doesn't hurt. But she also has some lingeringguilt over not being there for her father when he passed away due to asickness she didn't even know he had. She sees this as some sort ofredemption I suppose. So she takes the job.Personally, I think having to bathe an invalid, naked old man would behorror enough, but the story gets darker from there. There are morethan 30 rooms in the house, and each one has a separate key. However,there are two skeleton keys that will open all the rooms. Kate's luckyenough to get one of those keys. How many of you want to place betsthat there'll be at least one door that she probably shouldn't open? Go ahead and collect your winnings because there's something strangeabout the attic (it had to be either that or the basement, right?)! Sowhat's special about the attic? Ben (the old dude) had a stroke inthere and supposedly became paralyzed on both sides, but things startto happen that cause Kate to question if something more sinister is atwork. Did Ben see something that caused him to have the stroke? What'sthe history behind the house? Why is the attic door blocked? Will Iever not confuse the names of Peter Sarsgaard and Stellan Skarsgård? This is an enjoyable film if, like me, you're willing to let yourselfget sucked in by Kate Hudson and the creepy atmosphere. There's alwayssomething disturbing to be found amongst the bayous of Louisiana wherepeople practice witchcraft and magic and rituals of conjure andsacrifice. Don't believe me? Then just head on down to New Orleanssometime and observe the freakshow. I guarantee you'll double check thelock on your hotel door at night. I can understand how some people willfind this a bit slow-paced, but I liked how the movie lays out themystery at the start and then deliberately follows it to its simple,yet cleverly logical ending.Yep, that's right; the twist at the end of the movie is fairly cleverand works within the context of the entire film. It's not as break-neckas Saw's ending or as surprising as The Sixth Sense's, but it works anddoesn't feel tacked on just for the sake of having a twist ending ashas been the norm in H-wood these days (see Secret Window, Hide andSeek, and High Tension for examples of recent disappointing twistendings).Keep in mind, this is a movie that you'll enjoy less the more you tryto nitpick its implausibilities. For example, what is it about peoplein movies who knock on a person's door once and then decide they have aright to walk on in and look around? Since when is "the door wasunlocked" ever an appropriate defense to those actions? Who does thatin real life? And would Kate really decide to investigate why a creepyold door in the attic is somehow being jostled? Is it really the wisestdecision in the world to look into it by yourself? Of course not. But Isuppose you'd only have a 15-minute movie without such contrivances sojust deal with it and move on. Life's too short to really fret oversomething so trivial.If you're looking for a seat-grabber moreso than a blood and gutshorror film, then this just might satisfy. I have a joke that I coulduse about if Kate is looking for a seat-grabber then she can reach mevia email, but everybody knows I'm too mature to make such comments,right? But Ms. Hudson does know how to wear some jeans. And I sure hopemy mom's not reading.THE GIST If you're looking for a slasher movie with blood and kills then you'lllikely be disappointed. The Skeleton Key isn't as scary or tense as Iideally would've preferred, but hey, it held my interest and did manageto creep me out a couple of times, so I won't complain too much. I wasmainly concerned with the ending. I've heard so much hype about it thatI was just waiting for it to let me down. But like I said, the twist issubtle and effective, if not mind-blowing. Definitely worth a matinéeor a rental if you're a die-hard fan of Kate Hudson or thepsychological horror genre.