First of all, in attempt to be as objective as possible, i wouldn't dare to give an overall mark for the movie, on the scale of 1-10. I took my time to think about it, in segments,and some of them were really good, some of them not so much, but the summary in general is rather good. IMO, considering that this is the first big film by Ray Wilkes, the directing and the script writing, and that it was made on very low budget, it's actually quite a success. I didn't find it all that horrifying, but the creepy scenes went really well .Regarding the act, some actors were more convincing then the others, but i guess that's something we face in many other movies as-well.
6 Reviews
Dire in every way.
bodley-538-24311721 April 2014
Warning: Spoilers
I was really excited to go and see a movie made in my hometown. I was prepared for it being low budget, but I was not prepared at how diabolically bad it was, it wasn't even 'funny' bad.
There were a huge amount of characters, many unnecessary and confusing, some brought in and forgotten about - for example the girl who was being abused by her step-dad that befriended the little girl - she disappeared out of the script with no given reason and no closure. A tramp was found murdered in cellar of the pub, no reason or motive given, then it was forgotten about.
Maybe it was the theatre I was at, but the sound was appalling and completely dropped out a few times.
The acting was total crap, but I pitied the actors, given the shoddy script. You know those games where a person writes a line, then another adds a line until a convoluted story emerges where the end bears no relevance to the beginning? That is the script of Molly Crows. And it was long and so boring, I wanted to leave long before it ended but was self-conscious about doing so in a small theatre.
I'd hoped that they'd use the legend of the Burslem witch, but apart from acknowledging her, there was little mention of her life and the things that happened to her. There was a little bit where she was dug up, then put back in her grave, but no explanation as to why.
On the plus side, it was cool to see parts of the town I live in used in a film and they served some really nice platters at the Stoke premier. The effects were good for a low budget.
There were a huge amount of characters, many unnecessary and confusing, some brought in and forgotten about - for example the girl who was being abused by her step-dad that befriended the little girl - she disappeared out of the script with no given reason and no closure. A tramp was found murdered in cellar of the pub, no reason or motive given, then it was forgotten about.
Maybe it was the theatre I was at, but the sound was appalling and completely dropped out a few times.
The acting was total crap, but I pitied the actors, given the shoddy script. You know those games where a person writes a line, then another adds a line until a convoluted story emerges where the end bears no relevance to the beginning? That is the script of Molly Crows. And it was long and so boring, I wanted to leave long before it ended but was self-conscious about doing so in a small theatre.
I'd hoped that they'd use the legend of the Burslem witch, but apart from acknowledging her, there was little mention of her life and the things that happened to her. There was a little bit where she was dug up, then put back in her grave, but no explanation as to why.
On the plus side, it was cool to see parts of the town I live in used in a film and they served some really nice platters at the Stoke premier. The effects were good for a low budget.
Quite possibly the worst film I've ever seen
gwmp6622 April 2014
I was so looking forward to this. A film made about a local legend and purported witch, Molly Leigh by local film-makers in my home town; what could go wrong? The answer is, everything. I appreciate the hard work that went into this, the months of labour to get this finished product with no budget; but I could honestly make a better film on my phone.
There should have been a point where they said, look, we're not very good at this and showing it to anyone will be embarrassing, and sadly, it is. The blurring in and out of focus is awful and looks amateurish. If they say it was intentional, well, that's up to them but it looks like the camera-person really didn't know what they were doing. The result is spending the whole film cringing and grimacing at the appalling effect.
And if you can't get the image right, well, yes you guessed it, the sound is awful too. It drops in and out, doesn't match in reverse shots and sounds like it was recorded on an old cassette player.
The writing looks like it was done in an 'add-a-line' way with no-one reading what has gone before. Surely this is the only explanation for loose ends and bits of plots that are forgotten? How can the film makers not have noticed this?? Are they too embarrassed to actually watch it? Was there really an editor?
The acting is dreadful too I'm afraid and this detracts from the film again as you can't take anyone seriously. The tough guys are about as scary as a cat wearing a tutu and they're about the most convincing characters in the whole thing! Next....how many establishing shots do you need for one location? And when it's exactly the same shot?!?! Terrible film-making.
This is nowhere near Sharknado in a 'so bad it's good' way. It's just bad, very, very bad. There are no redeeming features.
Molly Leigh must be turning in her grave.
There should have been a point where they said, look, we're not very good at this and showing it to anyone will be embarrassing, and sadly, it is. The blurring in and out of focus is awful and looks amateurish. If they say it was intentional, well, that's up to them but it looks like the camera-person really didn't know what they were doing. The result is spending the whole film cringing and grimacing at the appalling effect.
And if you can't get the image right, well, yes you guessed it, the sound is awful too. It drops in and out, doesn't match in reverse shots and sounds like it was recorded on an old cassette player.
The writing looks like it was done in an 'add-a-line' way with no-one reading what has gone before. Surely this is the only explanation for loose ends and bits of plots that are forgotten? How can the film makers not have noticed this?? Are they too embarrassed to actually watch it? Was there really an editor?
The acting is dreadful too I'm afraid and this detracts from the film again as you can't take anyone seriously. The tough guys are about as scary as a cat wearing a tutu and they're about the most convincing characters in the whole thing! Next....how many establishing shots do you need for one location? And when it's exactly the same shot?!?! Terrible film-making.
This is nowhere near Sharknado in a 'so bad it's good' way. It's just bad, very, very bad. There are no redeeming features.
Molly Leigh must be turning in her grave.
Great film
Pastlifeliz17 April 2014
I saw this film at the horror festival at Southend on Sea and I thought it was ace. It was very real and had me in suspense. Something about the story line gave me a feeling I ought to know what was coming next but could not work out what, like really elegant "foreshadowing". Also, like a good thriller, I left feeling really satisfied with the ending. I'd recommend it, great acting, good story. It wasn't massively gory if that's your thing, but it was spooky. The young actress who plays jess was absolutely brilliant. She was a natural in every sense. Most of the characters seemed fully formed, although I think the story could have been expanded more- I would love to see it made into a full budget mini series so that all the characters could be expanded on more
Horror, Drama, Suspense and Sequel?
RosiCastro18 April 2014
Warning: Spoilers
I have sat hit here and pondered how I wanted to word this review, because I have waited over a year in the USA with much anticipation to watch this film. I will be honest, I wondered if I would be highly let down. But true to the saying, "good things come to those who wait." Ray Wilkes 'Molly Crows' has certainly been good, no; it's been more than good, its genius!
The layers of drama in the storyline are very arousing; each can easily continue to develop further should there be a sequel. The various characters brought these depths of drama to fruition, and although little Mercy Gaiger certainly held her character well, I do believe Samira Mohammed Ali did a great job keeping an underlying story going on in that household. In addition, Samira is certainly attractive and I appreciated how it was not necessary to use her sex appeal to move her character along.
Miles Rodziewicz, brought a quiet carrying intelligence about him which was commanding. Dare I say he has an air of a Mr. Darcy? But in my opinion, that is a very good thing! Did I mention how very handsome he is? Well he is, and if there is a sequel perhaps he and his hot partner Layla Randle-Conde will have a more romantic role develop?
Speaking of sequels, the ending allowed for a plausible one. I see a full witch vengeance coming on!
'Molly Crows,' here is what I appreciated the most, the suspense and drama. I love horror films, but I am not sold on these over the top story lines, and gore. Once in a while I enjoy a high budget film; with the unrealistic special effects. But what I want in a great horror movie is something like this, and Ray Wilkes nailed it here. Also, there was this song that fit perfectly into one of the scenes, the title of the song is 'Blackheart' and it really does pull you in.
The layers of drama in the storyline are very arousing; each can easily continue to develop further should there be a sequel. The various characters brought these depths of drama to fruition, and although little Mercy Gaiger certainly held her character well, I do believe Samira Mohammed Ali did a great job keeping an underlying story going on in that household. In addition, Samira is certainly attractive and I appreciated how it was not necessary to use her sex appeal to move her character along.
Miles Rodziewicz, brought a quiet carrying intelligence about him which was commanding. Dare I say he has an air of a Mr. Darcy? But in my opinion, that is a very good thing! Did I mention how very handsome he is? Well he is, and if there is a sequel perhaps he and his hot partner Layla Randle-Conde will have a more romantic role develop?
Speaking of sequels, the ending allowed for a plausible one. I see a full witch vengeance coming on!
'Molly Crows,' here is what I appreciated the most, the suspense and drama. I love horror films, but I am not sold on these over the top story lines, and gore. Once in a while I enjoy a high budget film; with the unrealistic special effects. But what I want in a great horror movie is something like this, and Ray Wilkes nailed it here. Also, there was this song that fit perfectly into one of the scenes, the title of the song is 'Blackheart' and it really does pull you in.
...keeps you on the edge.
ann_c_nana24 April 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Molly Crows is interesting, entertaining and keeps you on the edge. The movie is about a local legend of a witch Molly Leigh, which was persecuted centuries ago. The action of the movie is placed in present times and in the area of Stoke-on -Trent. It is filmed in a real place and the location was well chosen. Molly Crows shows the return of the witch and how she is getting revenge by killing the descendants of the villagers that persecuted her. The movie follows different stories, like the story of a stepfather is abusing the stepdaughter, the story of a seven year old girl bullied by other children that has an alcoholic mother, the story of the policeman investigating the murders, etc. The script is inventive, unpredictable and the characters' words seem credible to me. Regarding the editing it flows smoothly from scene to scene. The special effects of the movie are exceptional, considering that it is a low budget movie. The acting is really good, you can obviously see that the actors are talented and they worked hard, giving quality acting.
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