It’s no theatrical tricks but it certainly set the mood for the entire film. It’s seldom at first scene that I have an idea how to start a review, much less right at the very beginning of the show. Granted, I’ve read a couple of reviews here and there on this movie but I have managed to steer clear of knowing exactly what the movie entails. I know I don’t feel comfortable starting this movie, even though it has tempted me since I got hold of the dvd copy. I managed to steer clear of it for a few days, amidst a whole load of other more “comfortable” and (hopefully) enjoyable movies to watch.
Hunted & Haunted are the very first few words that came to mind on Act. 1. It brought back a nightmare (somewhere in time and lingers in my subconscious; not knowing but nonetheless down underneath the day light) of being hunted… it’s déjà vu. It is with such déjà vu that I began my evening; one of the coldest night of the year. I’m writing this as I’m watching the first 15 mins of the movie. There is something about this movie… which I don’t like! It is dark… and stark… my first impression. Like some horror movie, despite the title. There are hints of terror in the background… the moods are not “right”. It could be the lights… I hate dark places!
At this point, I’m actually tempted to go online check out the plot. You know, to lighten the “tension” of watching. That’s why I’m such a bad candidate for horror movies! My heart won’t be able to take that kind of adrenalin pumping throughout a 2 hour ordeal! If I’m an animal out there, I’d rather be hunted than be running for my survival, LOL!
I did check out the plot and that took the fun out of watching this movie. (I know, shame on me...) Not because I know what it entails, rather, it is not the kind of movie I’d have enjoyed. My intuition has served me well, I thought. In some ways, I was pre-warned too. So, that’s probably why I was apprehensive.
Hallucinations, like suspicions, are the most dangerous & destructive part of one’s mind. It’s the seed of evil and thereby something I do not believe in exposing myself to. I know some of you here enjoy horror movies a great deal and despite my personal feelings about it, it’s all a personal choice as to what one chooses to come into contact with. This is not said to judge anything or anyone. Rather, it is my personal belief that sometimes, as it is clearly demonstrated here, that we shouldn’t try to challenge or seduce our own reality. You fool around with it often enough (as with nightmares which we have no control of) you’d end up tricking your very own reality into believing things which you would not normally have believed. It is the same with suspicion, it kills relationships and it destroys one’s life.
Hence, it is only fitting how this movie ends. One cannot be white and black at the same time. It’s probably the same with regard to evil and god. If one fools around with both, one ends up destroying oneself! I can see why this movie is so popular and highly regarded by many reviewers here. In retrospect, the movie explores and exhibits areas which we normally wouldn’t have. Seduction in more ways than one is the inherent theme. However, destruction is what the message is, imho. Entertainment wise, it’s not the kind I’d search for. Personally, I don’t think it’s a healthy movie. I wouldn’t want my teenage nieces to go watch it, period.
If self mutilation is what turns the audiences on, then this is the kind of movie you’d like. I personally feel very uncomfortable watching such acts. So, on that note, I wouldn’t have recommend it to anyone I know. Entertainment comes in many forms. For me, this is not one of them.
