"Dead Still," the 2014 horror flick, opens the macabre door to a captivating concept - killing people and snapping their death portraits to entrap them in the mysterious "Negative Realm." But hold onto your skulls because it's a dark ride with its fair share of ups and downs.
The premise is an intriguing blend of morbid creativity and old-world superstition. The innovative idea that a historic photograph can imprison one's soul adds an exciting layer to the horror genre. Regrettably, it's like they shoved this ingenious idea in a blender set to 'chaos' and hit 'frappe.' The storyline often feels like it was conjured on the fly, invariably leaving you wondering if the script was written with an Ouija board.
The acting is a mixed bag of treats and tricks. You've got your underwhelming performances, cringe-worthy moments, campy charm, and a sprinkling of average acting. In an unexpected twist, the seasoned professional Ray Wise, usually an eminent actor, strangely appears to have taken a detour into the realm of fromage. It's like he mistook the set for a dairy farm and milked his lines for all they're worth.
The direction of the film leaves something to be desired. It's a potholed road, with a few smoother patches here and there. The greatest pothole on this haunted highway is the laughably dated CGI green screen effects. It's as if they raided the basement of a VHS rental store from the '90s.
In conclusion, "Dead Still" is worth one viewing, if only for the tantalizing promise of what the movie could've and should've been. It's like finding a costume trunk filled with fabulous outfits, but you invariably end up in a potato sack. You shouldn't rush to watch the film either because there are plenty of better choices on offer. But if you find yourself on a drizzly Wednesday with 'nowt else to watch,' it'll do the trick to pass an hour or two.
The premise is an intriguing blend of morbid creativity and old-world superstition. The innovative idea that a historic photograph can imprison one's soul adds an exciting layer to the horror genre. Regrettably, it's like they shoved this ingenious idea in a blender set to 'chaos' and hit 'frappe.' The storyline often feels like it was conjured on the fly, invariably leaving you wondering if the script was written with an Ouija board.
The acting is a mixed bag of treats and tricks. You've got your underwhelming performances, cringe-worthy moments, campy charm, and a sprinkling of average acting. In an unexpected twist, the seasoned professional Ray Wise, usually an eminent actor, strangely appears to have taken a detour into the realm of fromage. It's like he mistook the set for a dairy farm and milked his lines for all they're worth.
The direction of the film leaves something to be desired. It's a potholed road, with a few smoother patches here and there. The greatest pothole on this haunted highway is the laughably dated CGI green screen effects. It's as if they raided the basement of a VHS rental store from the '90s.
In conclusion, "Dead Still" is worth one viewing, if only for the tantalizing promise of what the movie could've and should've been. It's like finding a costume trunk filled with fabulous outfits, but you invariably end up in a potato sack. You shouldn't rush to watch the film either because there are plenty of better choices on offer. But if you find yourself on a drizzly Wednesday with 'nowt else to watch,' it'll do the trick to pass an hour or two.