Monster House

[DotTheEyes]

TRAILER: http://www.apple.com/trailers/sony_p.../monster_house

Monster House seems very interesting. It's executive produced by Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis, two of the most talented directors of our time. Also, it seems to offer quite a few potent scares, for a family movie, and the computer-generated animation seems beautiful. I'm seeing it in 3D tomorrow in Annapolis, after Lady In The Water, and I am hoping it's a fun ride!

[mAlice (Premo)]

Dot, you sure do watch a lot of movies.

[DotTheEyes]

There's nothing else to do during the summer. I get sick of my friends during the Monday-to-Friday period, so I usually just relax in movies or at home reading during the weekend. Besides, I am something of a movie nerd.

[mAlice (Premo)]

Originally Posted by DotTheEyes

I am something of a movie nerd.

Why yes, yes you are.

[kwillia]

Originally Posted by DotTheEyes

There's nothing else to do during the summer. I get sick of my friends during the Monday-to-Friday period, so I usually just relax in movies or at home reading during the weekend. Besides, I am something of a movie nerd.

Do you ever dress "in character" for any of the openings... like did you dress up like Kaylee for the Serenity showing...

[DotTheEyes]

I wore an Incredible Hulk t-shirt to HULK in 2003. Does that count?

And there actually were a lot of "Firefly" fans dressed up in Serenity. I wasn't really all that familiar with the show, so I wouldn't know what to wear. ;-)

[kwillia]

Originally Posted by DotTheEyes

I wore an Incredible Hulk t-shirt to HULK in 2003. Does that count?

And there actually were a lot of "Firefly" fans dressed up in Serenity. I wasn't really all that familiar with the show, so I wouldn't know what to wear. ;-)

My sis is a fan of firefly and anything to do with Joss Whedon... I went with her to the opening night of the movie... she loved the movie, but was very upset they killed off one of her favorite charaters. After the movie we were walking out and she was babbling a mile a minute. Then just as we turned the corner back into the lobby she stomped and cried out, "I CAN'T BELIEVE THEY KILLED OFF WASH!" Then she looked up and spotted the group of 7 waiting to head into the theatre... each dressed up as a different character... looking at her as if she had just stabbed their puppy... she was mortified realizing she had just ruined the ending for them.

[CandyRain]

Originally Posted by kwillia

Do you ever dress "in character" ...

Isn't that what Elaine does?

[DotTheEyes]

Monster House was a disappointment. Not a disaster, but definitely a disappointment. The film, which tells of three tween suburbanites who believe the house across the street is haunted, opens well. The first half hour has a few moments of genuine suspense and the Halloweenish atmosphere is effective.

Once the actual story begins to unfold, however, it becomes a crushing bore. The last hour is action sequence-after-action sequence and all the noise and fury eventually becomes tiring. The brief attempts at comedy fall flat, especially the scenes involving two daffy cops. Also, the explanation of why the house is evil had me rolling my eyes. It's so cheesy and heavy-handed.

What's missing most is heart. The film has no reason to exist other than because they get to show off new animation technology. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial was a success because the storyline was warm-hearted and genuine magic was present. This is by-the-numbers and dry. I would say wait for DVD, if you feel the need to see it at all. Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis, I am disappointed in you two for putting your names on this crushing bit of mediocrity!

P.S.: I saw this film in 3D at an Annapolis theatre. I honestly might've fallen asleep had it not been in 3D (it's only being presented 2D in So. MD). The three-dimensional coolness helped dust off a bit of the film's overall dullness.