Customer Reviews

Dream House [Blu-ray]

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I hope you haven't read Amazon's editorial review either since they are both spolier-heavy. I unfortunately have seen the trailer. After watching it thought that the movie might be rather interesting but then realized while watching the movie with a friend who had also seen the trailer that the trailer gave away some very important facts about the movie which takes away much of the suspense. If you are one of the lucky few who hasn't seen the trailer and if you haven't read Amazon's review but are interested in the movie for whatever reason but want to know something about it before watching it then let me tell you that this would fall in the suspense/thriller genre...If you haven't seen the trailer and want to know a bit more about the movie without wanting to reveal a bit too much I'll just say that the trailer gives away who Peter Ward(a suspected murderer and potential danger to the protagonist, Daniel Craig, and to his family)is and how to find him. One thing that might put off some people is that they may find a basic fact about the movie hard to believe. While rating this movie I wasn't quite sure how to rate it. It does for sure deserve more than one star because of the cast and the acting and I still found some things about the movie interesting. I just wish I hadn't seen the trailer which kind of it killed the movie for me...

I've seen "Dream House" a couple of times, and thought it was a very good movie, despite all the bad reviews I've read. I agree with only one review so far, from geeksofdoom.com: "a distorting and turning journey of mind-bending proportions, taking elements of...horror fiction and re-energizing them as 21st century psychological thriller...admirable performances [Craig and Weisz]...." "Yes, the plot is disorienting at times - but this is completely by design. While the audience is looking in a hundred distinct places to get a feel for where the movie is going, there are numerous elements hidden in plain sight that don't bubble to the surface until they're needed. The craftsmanship is the highlight and strongest facet of `Dream House', and make for a thrilling first viewing experience." I think there are many subtle hints that a great many viewers probably won't understand until they've seen the movie a second or third time. "...while it is not perfect, it sure is a hell of a lot of fun being along for the ride." The reviewer purposely did not see the trailers because of reports they gave away important plot elements. I did see the trailers, and I'm insulted that they gave away so much. No wonder the actors and director refused to participate in promoting the film. The studio, Morgan Creek films, must think we viewers are really stupid, that we won't pay to see a film unless we're told all the good stuff in the trailers. Also, it makes me wonder what plot elements they removed in their quest to satisfy the US rating people to bring it from R to PG.

The Number one tip I can you watching this movie is not to have any expectations. It's not a horror or a thriller. It's a drama. Watch it. It is one of the best movies I have seen in awhile. MY whole family loved it. How's a man to survive when the lives of his family are at risk? This movie delves into how we can become slaves to our grief and loss. I would love to give more details but the less you know about the better. Give it a chance and make your own conclusion about this movie. You won't regret watching a beautiful movie as this one.

"You've been living here and you don't know about the murders?" Will (Craig) and his family have found the perfect house in the perfect neighborhood to move into. When a local teenager is caught in their house she tells him about a murder that happened in the house 5 years ago. Will starts to investigate what happened and his neighbor Ann (Watts) helps. Will finds out a horrifying secret that may change the life of him and his family forever. This is a very strange movie in a couple ways. First, the acting and idea are great. All the main actors do a great job. The main problem with this movie to me is that nothing seems to happen. The acting keeps you watching and interested enough, but eventually you grow board with the lack of anything. For a horror movie this is very slow and drawn out. This is not a bad movie, and the last maybe 15 minutes is exciting, but as a horror movie it is very weak. Overall, a very slow and drawn out movie with great acting. I have seen worse though. I give it a B- (because of the acting)

The movie is well shot, but plot wise is a terrible mess. It doesn't know what it wants to be and has a poorly realized twist. In fact, if you have seen the trailer, you already know the main plot twist.

The problem with this movie is the advertising which make it seem like a horror which it is surely not. It is a psychological thriller/drama. The other big problem is that one of the major twists/reveals was spoiled in one of the previews I saw before another movie. The second twist is not very good. I like Daniel Craig and he does okay with the role, though I did hear him slip in his native accent on more than one occasion. The movie itself just isn't great. It reminds me of a television movie. This is a rental at best.

No spoilers....

The premise: Daniel Craig and family move into their Dream House. He has plans to publish a book and spend more time with his family, and seems happy - at first. Then odd things begin to happen and looking into the footprints outside and the noises in his home unravels so much more.

Acting in this movie was kind of hit and miss, and it was mostly because the characters were not allowed a lot of depth. The family itself, dynamic wise, did work for me at first. If it had been a different kind of movie, I could have seen them actually evoking some emotion. The problem is, when mixed into what is happening in this movie, you hit a wall. After those four main characters, you run into other people that are thrown in for plot effect, but that are not very convincing. I personally found some of the turns, when trying to tell the story, to be murder when it came to making anything tangible out of the other characters.

The plot, while it could be interesting, has been done. I'm not going to put spoiler in, i HATE those, but I will say the first guesses on what is happening will be right here. That is kind of upsetting when you have only gone 10 minutes into a film. There are two central plot ideas here, and the good thing about one is that it is revealed after about 30 minutes. The issue with that is a second idea comes up, dealing with neighbors, and it is equally easy to figure out.

Another thing you run into is the fact that this movie does not know what it wants to be. It certainly isn't horror and settles in as more suspense, but then turns and tries to be a supernatural thriller after a few. all that indecision really doesn't help at all.

I was not sure what to expect, but this wasn't what I wanted. It was mild, at best, and might fit someone's idea of a thriller IF you do not watch many films. I'm not saying it isn't watchable or horrible, just not really rewarding because of a number of issues. A weak 3 stars at best

I really spent some time looking over the reviews of this one, every single one, to even see if it was one for me to view. I am so glad that I did as they are all valid for their reasons given. First off I'll pass off the best piece of information I acquired. DO NOT WATCH THE TRAILER!!! It appears evident to me that this is marketed as a horror picture with a PG-13 rating, Ok? I just don't see it this way nor is it!

This movie appears to me as more a relationship story, suspenseful and thrilling. There are only a few added in horror classic 'tid-bits', nothing offputting for someone like myself who doesn't care for those. It does carry along an undercurrent of the supernatural and you do start to question what is real and what is not. I thoroughly enjoyed this film and owe a lot to the reviewers for their time in writing. If I wouldn't have read up on this film from their points of view (all of their points), I would have never watched this. It is marketed wrongly--big mistake, it may go totally unnoticed while it is a valid piece of entertainment.

We start off with novel writer Will (Daniel Craig) leaving work and going home to his lovely family. Will's beautiful wife Libby (Rachel Weisz) greats him warmly along with his two adorable daughters. The house itself is being repaired always by Libby and is something for you to be watching at all times. During one night Will discovers teenagers who have broken into his basement and chases them off his property. Things are getting more and more confusing and dangerous for his well loved family. It is around this time that he meets his neighbor across the street, Ann (Naomi Watts). He seems to feel as if he might know her more than what's apparently seen. There is also an interesting little cameo with Jane Alexander, that comes into view at the genesis of this.

I wouldn't want to write anymore then the character set-up, as I wouldn't want to spoil this for anyone. If you already haven't had this movie ruined for you with spoilers and watching the 'trailer'. One must really view this for themselves. I immediately watched it again and found that I had missed so many tip offs right in front of me! Wow, that was interesting, to say the least. I will watch a third time because I am intrigued to see all of what I missed.

"Dream House" does boast a very good cast. Craig and Weisz have a great chemistry, along with some great acting and add Watts to that. I viewed this on a rental here, I will be getting the disc myself. There is just as much warmth to this as there is suspense. These actors keep you present in the movie at all times. By the way, I loved the ending.

Like others, I was unfortunate enough to see the previews. However, even when I believed I knew what the movie was about, I thoroughly enjoyed the chilling suspense and beautiful cinematography. It was an engaging, haunting thriller that is a combination of THE SHINING, THE OTHERS and THE SIXTH SENSE. I don't do reviews, but felt that the more people who get the message out that this movie IS worthwhile, the better.

"DREAM HOUSE" is a sophisticated psychological study into what is perceived to be real, what is actually real and what is not real!

Daniel Craig is Will Atenton, who appears to have left his high powered corporate position in the city to spend more time with his family and concentrate on writing the next great novel. Rachel Weisz is Will's devoted wife, Libby, and their two perfectly adorable daughters, Trish and Dee Dee are played by real life sisters Taylor and Claire Geare. Naomi Watts is the quiet mysterious looming and brooding neighbor Ann Patterson who seems to know "something". All the while Ann is involved in a subplot of her own with her out-of-control angry jealous ex-husband. And the icing on the cake for me is a couple of brief cameos by Ms. Jane Alexander who plays Dr. Greely.

DREAM HOUSE is directed by Jim Sheridan (MY LEFT FOOT and IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER).

I will gleefully admit that everything about this film was a visual feast for the eye! From the first moment we are lulled into a sense of warmth and security as quaint as a Norman Rockwell painting, we are introduced to the Athenton family.

Our story is set in Connecticut as Will steps off the commuter train and arrives home to his charming New England Colonial, nestled in among tall pine trees gently covered in sparkly new falling snow. Will is greeted at the door with a warm kiss from Libby and the sounds of playful laughter from the children inside.

Yet there is a subtle underlying unspoken uneasiness about this seemingly perfect family; for instance, why does everything seem a little off center, perhaps something dark and foreboding or secrets? Or unanswered questions about a stranger lurking outside of the kitchen window on a dark night. What's going on with the more than strange behavior of neighbor Ann???

Discovery, revelation, supernatural, heartbreak, it's all here!!!

This film is so well written and crafted with it's mysterious plot lines of twists and turns, ups and downs, ins and outs, what's real and what's not real; that even this viewer couldn't put all the puzzle pieced together right up until and including the bittersweet ending!

Enjoy!

~BITTER* sips a flute of champagne...............