Spring Break
True horror genre returns in 'The Haunting in Connecticut'
Libby Segal
Issue date: 4/8/09 Section: Entertainment
04/08/09 - The horror genre is not easy to pull off. People will criticize scary moments that make a person laugh instead of cringe, shrieks that come off as dull instead of chilling and villains who look like party clowns instead of deranged killers.
The horror genre has most notably been praised in movies like "Friday the 13th," "Scream," the original "Amnityville Horror," "The Shining" and "The Exorcist." But lately it has not lived up to its potential, with films like "The Grudge," "The Messengers" and "When a Stranger Calls." This past summer, something happened. Someone figured out how to make a 21st century scary movie - also purportedly based on a true story - "The Haunting in Connecticut," directed by Peter Conwell.
The good news about "The Haunting in Connecticut" is that it isn't simply a film made to treat audiences with gory images like in the ranks of the "Saw" series and other horror films. The film can be even be referred to as a dramatic horror.
The main character, Matt Campbell (Kyle Gallner) has been diagnosed with cancer. He must get all his treatments in a remote hospital in Connecticut, far from his family's home. Being driven in combination with the treatment causes Matt to get sick repeatedly, making the long trip from the hospital to home very unpleasant.
The family then purchases a house that used to be a funeral home, right near the hospital. What is more frightening for a person than having cancer? Having cancer and being put in a haunted house.
The movie raises serious questions for viewers, as one ponders if what Matt is seeing is due to his treatment, or if there really is something haunting the house. Matt sees things not only in the house but also while he is at the hospital. Matt is being threatened by death in two ways, and that in itself is horrifying.
The movie is also full of shock and alarm, mysterious happenings and stellar acting by a cast that is most notable for appearances on TV shows like "Law and Order" and "CSI."
The movie refrains from using gore or "scary music." Close-ups in addition to sepia lighting set the tone for the entire movie.
The story comes full circle by the end, tying all knots, leaving no room for a sequel-but that's OK because after the movie's over, people are not going to want to see it again-because that's just how scary it is.
The horror genre has most notably been praised in movies like "Friday the 13th," "Scream," the original "Amnityville Horror," "The Shining" and "The Exorcist." But lately it has not lived up to its potential, with films like "The Grudge," "The Messengers" and "When a Stranger Calls." This past summer, something happened. Someone figured out how to make a 21st century scary movie - also purportedly based on a true story - "The Haunting in Connecticut," directed by Peter Conwell.
The good news about "The Haunting in Connecticut" is that it isn't simply a film made to treat audiences with gory images like in the ranks of the "Saw" series and other horror films. The film can be even be referred to as a dramatic horror.
The main character, Matt Campbell (Kyle Gallner) has been diagnosed with cancer. He must get all his treatments in a remote hospital in Connecticut, far from his family's home. Being driven in combination with the treatment causes Matt to get sick repeatedly, making the long trip from the hospital to home very unpleasant.
The family then purchases a house that used to be a funeral home, right near the hospital. What is more frightening for a person than having cancer? Having cancer and being put in a haunted house.
The movie raises serious questions for viewers, as one ponders if what Matt is seeing is due to his treatment, or if there really is something haunting the house. Matt sees things not only in the house but also while he is at the hospital. Matt is being threatened by death in two ways, and that in itself is horrifying.
The movie is also full of shock and alarm, mysterious happenings and stellar acting by a cast that is most notable for appearances on TV shows like "Law and Order" and "CSI."
The movie refrains from using gore or "scary music." Close-ups in addition to sepia lighting set the tone for the entire movie.
The story comes full circle by the end, tying all knots, leaving no room for a sequel-but that's OK because after the movie's over, people are not going to want to see it again-because that's just how scary it is.
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