Customer Reviews

The Haunting in Connecticut [Blu-ray]

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(25)
2 star:		(11)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

I was eager to check this movie out because I really liked the docudrama "A Haunting in Connecticut" which was part of a series titled "Haunting" by the Discovery Channel. This movie was supposedly inspired by those true events. In the docudrama, Karen and Ed Parker and their family move into an old home in Connecticut, not realising the house harbors entities that are far from benign.The most affected is the couple's 14-year-old son, Paul, who seems to be most susceptible to the hauntings. In desperation, the family contacts Edward and Lorraine Warren, the same people who investigated another famous haunted house that became known as "The Amityville Horror".

In the movie version, the story remains true to the original to some extent. Virginia Madsen plays Sara Campbell, whose teenage son Matt [Kyle Gallner] is suffering from some form of brain cancer. The treatment requires them to make a long commute and to cut on the travel time, Sara decides to lease a house close by to the hospital. She finds an old house for cheap [the family already has money problems] and finds out it used to serve a darker purpose than a residence. The family moves in anyway, and straight away Matt begins seeing things and hearing noises. He moves into the basement which has a sealed off room. Upon finally opening it, Matt discovers what the house used to be - a mortuary and funeral home. Soon, the rest of the family begins to see and hear strange things and Matt together with Wendy [Amanda Crew] investigate the history of the house, discovering some truly horrific facts about the house's dark past, having to do with death, necrophilia,missing bodies and a horrific tragedy.

The movie is actually well-paced - I did not find the pace plodding nor boring. There is no gore or over-the-top special effects here. In many ways, this movie reminded me of The Amityville Horror II with the son of the house being the focus of the hauntings. Some scenes were scary, especially the flashbacks to the past involving incidents of necrophilia. The acting was ok, not great, but Kyle Gallner was quite credible in his role.

What disappointed me was the omission of two central characters in the movie - they did not include the Warrens in the movie, who played a significant role in the actual case. Instead, the movie shows a priest, Reverend Popescu [Elias Koteas] as the person the family turns to for help. His acting was not very impressive in this movie. Once again, I felt the priest role here was reminiscent of the one portrayed in The Amityville Horror.

Conclusion - for those who love the horror genre, this movie does not really bring anything new to the table. The acting and effects are decent enough, and I did find myself entertained. Recommended as a rental.

This movie is based on a true story, and I've seen the original story on "A Haunting." I was hoping that the movie version would give me a creepier version of the original story, but all I got was bad acting, a lackluster storyline, and terrible effects. It seemed as though the director had an excellent idea in his head, but couldn't quite project it correctly. They tried way too hard to make the story "better." As a result, the story came off as cheesy and over the top. If you want to get a better and more accurate version of the story, check out the "A Haunting" version.

Leave it to Hollywood to take a really good creepy ghost story and mess it up with bad acting and unbelievable events. Add some lame CG and you have this movie. Looking at the stupid looking cover of ectoplasm coming out of the kids mouth has dumb written all over it.

The original documentary with the black eyed demon was really creepy when I watched it late one night, years ago. If they would have just stuck to the original story and got some better Actors and Director...this could have been a really good creepfest. Why on earth would you add what they did and take away what was scary and creepy from the documentary? I don't get it.

Save your time and money and if you want to see the really creepy version of this movie, get the documentary. I almost came close to walking out on this one when the CG came out of the guys mouth but I wanted to see how they would end it. I should have left then and saved myself some time. This movie is such a waste to watch.

I was so excited about this movie when I first heard about it, but all I can say is that it was ok, not good. I would recommend watching "A Haunting in Connecticut" documentary instead because it's a lot better. The movie was gross and you mostly saw the sick son having flashbacks or hallucinations. I was disappointed with the movie, but at least it made me appreciate the documentary a lot more.

I was extremely excited to see this movie based on how great the documentary was. Boy was I let down. They made it a point in the beginning to have you believe that this really happened, while making up the most non-believable storyline. Well, the one thing true about it was that the kid had cancer. Do yourself a favor and see the documentary instead. That was WAAAAAY better and will send chills up your spine.

Don't know how much of it is actually true or exaggerated for the movie but it's a pretty good Haunting film in my opinion,If It would have been me that found out the house was haunted I would have left immediately but then Again Im Cuban and A Cuban would have not stayed in that house,being American they thought hey it's okay it's just a bunch of evil spirits. I could understand a Harmless one but a recurring one or in this case disturbing No Thanks, I don't like homes with history, it's the mom's fault for getting the home and then according to the true story lived there for two years. Pretty Interesting story(If true,and yes I believe there are such things that can happen like this) and well executed movie.

THE HAUNTING IN CONNECTICUT

*** ½ Out of 5

Release Date- March 27th, 2009

Running Time- 102-Minutes

Rating- PG-13

Screenplay- Adam Simon & Tim Metcalfe

Director- Peter Cornwell

Starring- Virginia Madsen, Kyle Gallner, Martin Donovan, Amanda Crew, Erik Berg, John Bluethner and Elias Koteas as Reverend Popescu

The based off a true story gimmick is something that Hollywood loves to do and it normally works. The words based on a true story more often than not bring people in to the cinemas even if it bares any real resemblance to the story it's based off. When you go into The Haunting in Connecticut keep that in mind and if you know the story ignore that and take the movie for what it's worth.

The American ghost story really hasn't been that strong since probably the 80s and while over the years there has been some good ones there just often seems to be something lacking and by the time 2000 rolled around they were all, but dead except for Asia where they totally reinvented the ghost genre and made it fresh again. But like the slasher films of the 80s the Asian ghost story was ran into the ground where it was nothing more than the same movie with different actors. The Haunting in Connecticut is one of the better American ghost stories to come out in quite some time, which isn't saying much since the movie is really nothing special.

The biggest problem I had with The Haunting in Connecticut is that the movie is always on the verge of being an excellent horror flick, but just as it's about to get there it just falls a step short. In no way though is this a bad movie; it is enjoyable and works well and I didn't dislike the movie, but I just felt there was potential to be a lot more than it was, but by the final act is does run out of steam and does have some moments that are a bit over the top.

The screenplay by Adam Simon & Tim Metcalfe is well written for the most part, but the biggest problem are the characters really lack any depth, which in a splatter flick is fine, but in a movie that relies more on the characters rather than the on screen violence that does create a bit of a problem. The characters are just there sort of there and they never add much to the story, which again is the biggest flaw since The Haunting in Connecticut relies on the characters. Sarah Campbell played by Virginia Madsen and Matt Campbell played by Kyle Gallner are the main characters and while both are likeable they lack the depth to carry the picture; of all the characters they are the most developed, which once again isn't saying much since there isn't a whole lot done with them.

There is some decent attempts with given the story some life with Peter Campbell played by Martin Donovan having a history of being an alcoholic, but nothing is really ever done with that and all it really was is a passing mention and when he falls off the wagon I doubt anyone will really care since such little is done with the character. Donovan is a solid actor at best when playing someone a little shady and here he was given a different character to play than he normally does too bad he was failed with the script.

The rest of the characters are just simply there and really add nothing to the story, they could have easily been written out of the movie since they don't add anything to the plot. Even with those major flaws Simon and Metcalfe do deliver a decent script, but like I said the characters lack depth and in the end that is what leads to the downfall. Elias Koteas plays Reverend Popescu and he's meant to have an impact on the movie, but he could be easily removed and not have much of an effect on the story.

Director Peter Cornwell does a fairly good job in the sense the pacing is pretty good, while it isn't exactly fast paced the movie never really drags with the exception of a few scenes, which feel like nothing more than fillers. From a story standpoint, Peter Cornwell does a good job like I said the pacing is pretty good and the story pretty always moves forward or at least as much as the script allows it, but the scares are too by the books and feel like every other movie that came before with nothing new added at all. The Haunting in Connecticut also lacks the eerie feel needed to really work well. Despite the flaws the original Amityville Horror has that eerie feel in the house and that's where this movie really falls flat. We never get that sense of dread or any legit eerie feel of something evil being in the house.

The suspense level ranges from decent to below average; towards the final act there is a pretty good run of some decent suspense, but soon falls a part as the movie gets a little too over the top. Overall there are a couple of jump scenes, but not enough and there isn't enough suspense to make this anything, but a good if not slightly lack luster horror flick. Peter Cornwell does manage to build some decent suspense here and there, but he's never able to maintain that through out the running time. Like I said earlier The Haunting in Connecticut had the potential to be a little more than it was, but it just never is able to reach that level.

The performances were mostly solid with Madsen and Gallner being the strongest of the cast the rest of the actors are good, but since they aren't developed and never really given much of a point to the story I suppose there is only so much they can do.

Overall The Haunting in Connecticut has it's moments, but it never reaches the potential it had; overall while the movie is sort of forgettable it does serve it's purpose; don't expect anything you haven't seen before and just take for what it is. There is some decent suspense and maybe a decent scare or two, but it was held back by a script that has some good ideas, but never fully executed and too by the books directing; despite the flaws The Haunting in Connecticut is still an enjoyable movie, but could have been so much more.

The Blu-ray release was excellent; these days' companies are getting cheaper and cheaper with the extras, but this disc does deliver. There are some behind the scenes footage plus a 41-minute documentary featuring interviews with the people whose story inspired the movie. As for the transfer it was strong, but not the best I've seen and the audio is solid. Overall the disc delivers the goods with the extras and good, but not great transfer.

I am quite familiar with the Discovery channel documentary that has supposedly inspired this film by Peter Cornwell. The documentary "Haunting in Connecticut" chronicles the experiences of the Snedeker family during their stay in a certain house that was formerly a mortuary. So where is this story? I'll get right to the point, if you are expecting a dramatization or an accurate portrayal about the true events experienced by the Snedeker family; you are in for a huge disappointment. Peter Cornwell's "Haunting in Connecticut" is a film VERY loosely based off the true events and is your usual Hollywood serving of a horror film which offers nothing really compelling. Thank goodness the ensemble cast managed to pull together to carry the film's burden.

Now renamed the "Campbells" in this film, Sarah (Virginia Madsen) and Peter (Martin Donovan) are struggling to make ends meet as they try to keep their son Matt (Kyle Gallner) as close to his designated cancer clinic as much as possible. Sarah makes the step to rent a rundown house that was once a funeral home, a house with a past is something they could afford while paying their other existing mortgage so they can make the best of a difficult situation. The entire family moves in to try to adjust to Matt's ailment. But now Matt begins to experience hallucinations as he sees shadowy figures that haunt him almost relentlessly. Matt seeks assistance from a fellow cancer patient, Rev. Popescu (Elias Koteas) who tries to makes sense of the house's macabre signs and horrific past...

As a film based off true events, "Haunting in Connecticut" feels rather insubstantial. The film borrows elements from "Amityville Horror", "Momento Mori" and even "Poltergeist" all the while using the experiences of the Snedeker's experiences as a mere backdrop. The film's references to the original documentary are very light, and merely utilize them only as some sort of a theme. The film uses the usual cheap scares and "jump" gimmicks to generate some thrills, which makes for a very clichéd film. The film does somewhat exude an eerie atmosphere and the set designs are rather nice. It is all well and acceptable but not entirely impressive--it does have a stylish approach to its proceedings visually speaking.

I guess the problems with "Haunting in Connecticut" begin when it pitches clichéd elements to try to explain what went on in the house's past so that Cornwell could attempt to create a compelling horror film. The film should've done better if it focused more on the family; their money problems, a strong-willed woman who has to contend with a sober husband who had fallen off the wagon, and the actual effects of the haunting itself on the family. I wasn't given enough time to become attached to the characters, and instead the screenplay tries to indulge the viewer with cheap scares and the usual shadowy ghosts to keep things interesting. I also found some aspects of the haunting seem like a throw-away details and when the direction tries to make sense of its narrative, this is when it falters.

Not that the film had a weak storyline and its does set the needed groundwork, but when it does reveal the actual mystery at its core, it all felt too routine and not at all gripping. Gone are the investigations by renown paranormal scientists, the scene where the family stayed together in the living room and advised not to move out, the church's involvement and the exorcism scene that were essential parts of the documentary. Instead we get ectoplasmic vomit, sliced eyelids, pictures of the dead and a dark back story. So again, where are the hardships of the family in dealing with the supernatural? I highly doubt that any of these plot elements were actually based on truth and the film feels really based off guesswork as the actual interviews of the real family (in the dvd's special features) even somewhat confirm that the film's narrative is mostly fictional.

Thankfully the cast does manage to pull off some good performances. The mother played by Virginia Madsen has that sort of gutsy quality that was rather refreshing; it is always good to see a strong woman determined to save her son that for me, it generated some sympathy. Kyle Gallner is actually decent as Matt Campbell, you can see the sadness, grief, fear, confusion in his eyes. Elias Koteas' character feels rather stereotypical but I enjoyed the way he portrayed his character. The rest of the cast is pretty ok, and the little girl is just so charming.

"Haunting in Connecticut" may mildly raise heart rates, and may even offer a few freaky images but they are all something we've seen before. There's just hardly any feeling of nail-biting suspense, which is no fault of its cast but it was just the way the film was bombastically laid out. I thought I wasn't allowed much time to settle in and without proper development of the events, the film lost dramatic significance. One thing, I have to say, if the movie wasn't improperly marketed as based off well-known events (as documented by the Discovery channel), I may have liked it a little more for a PG-13 horror movie. The film is stylish, and at least it isn't another remake.

Rent it [2 ½ Stars=Fair]

The unrated cut has quick snippets of graphic autopsy footage and the eyelid scenes; it is still pretty much a PG-13 horror film.

Haunting in Connecticut is a decent horror flick, and given that horror films are mostly abject tripe, that is saying a lot. The plot is well paced, without the rubbishey `its just the cat moments' or prolonged character development that doesn't help us like the characters at all and the special effects and settings are creepy as they should be.


Speaking of character development, Haunting in Connecticut is a step above most. Our main character Matt is a teenage cancer sufferer, which puts an interesting twist on the supernatural activity as hallucinations are potential side effects of his experimental treatment or cancer spreading to his brain. Matt's father is a recovering alcoholic which also adds tension to the story (although to be honest is only tokeniscally explored)


Of course, this movie isn't perfect. While well executed the plot is entirely derivative - almost arbitrary. A (somewhat) nuclear family moves into a house which is extra cheap because of its `history'. Strange events start to ensue, and once the family accepts that something supernatural is going on, research is conducted at the local library where-upon it is discovered that a creepy old guy used to conduct necromonic experiments in their basement and a priest is called upon to help.


While the scares are well timed, they get a little repetitive - essentially all being bogeyman suddenly appearing coupled with atonal violin screeches. And as mentioned before the plot doesn't build beyond the well-known old man experimenter theme (although they play a bit of `just whose ghost is haunting us?')


Overall Haunting in Connecticut is probably just a good typical horror for a couple of hours of non-thinking time, don't expect the wheel to get reinvented.

They took a good story and made it boring, filled with bad fake scares and a ridiculous plot. The "A Haunting" tv program was much more effective at 1/20th the budget. I struggled to finish it.