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Sound Off: Troy Nixey's 'Don't Be Afraid of the Dark' - Your Thoughts?
by Alex Billington
August 26, 2011
Now that you've seen it, what did you think? It's back from 1973, the TV horror movie Don't Be Afraid of the Dark is here to haunt you again. In this new remake, producer Guillermo del Toro guides first-time feature filmmaker Troy Nixey as he brings yet another haunted house to life. The cast includes Katie Holmes, Guy Pearce and Bailee Madison as the young girl tormented by nasty little creatures who come from a chamber in the basement. So how is this remake? As creepy as the original or even scarier? If you've seen it, leave a comment below and tell us your thoughts on the new Don't Be Afraid of the Dark.
To fuel the fire, I wasn't really the biggest fan of this remake. I thought the little creatures were ingenious, properly freaky at times, especially with sharp objects, but also a bit too playful, like Gremlins that I now want a maquette of on my desk. I was never really as afraid or worried as I should've been, and felt like it played almost to a PG-13 level when it should've been R (even though it apparently is rated R). It has a solid story and there's some great technical work, but it was missing some kind of magic to make it stand out as something memorable. I hate to say it, but not enough people died, I pretty much expected the ending and wasn't ever shocked by anything that happened - and I really wanted this movie to thrill the crap out of me.
What did you think of Don't Be Afraid of the Dark? Impressive horror remake or let down? We will remove any comments that indicate you have not seen the movie, as this area is meant to discuss the film only once you have seen it and can talk about your thoughts. Please keep the comments civilized!
21 Comments
1
It was pretty good. Seemed a little silly at times, especially parts with the "Homunculi" or whatever they were called. I thought the monsters were cool looking but really were not that imaginative since they were a derivative of the "tooth fairies" of Hellboy 2. It get get me at the edge of my seat a couple of times, but most of movie was spent waiting for the jump scares. I liked it, but definitely did not love it. Overall, I would give this movie a 7 out of 10. P.S. Bailee Madison definitely stole the show, quite the young actress she was.
DAVIDPD on Aug 26, 2011
2
Haven't seen the remake..still tramatized by the original from '73.....(shudder)
Mickey487 on Aug 26, 2011
3
agree on the original! i was very young at the time - i remember after i watched it - i was afraid to go upstairs to bed. this remake is pretty good - it didn't seem to have the same fear inducing creepiness of the 1st one - it also seems to be more a movie for teens. i liked the little creatures - they were very macabre. i LOVED the house - it really looked like a house that could have some dark secrets. i agree with davidPD.....i'd give this a 7 out of 10. it's a fun watch but won't leave you shaking in your seat.
Anonymous on Aug 26, 2011
4
Anyone else seeing the strong resemblance between this little girl and the girl from Poltergeist?
Godstrike on Aug 27, 2011
5
YES!!! Saw the movie last night and I kept stating the fact how Sally had a strong resemblance to the girl from Poltergeist. The movie on the otherhand was ok and slightly dissappointing was expecting more.
LBIZZLE on Aug 28, 2011
6
Great movie though I struggle to figure out why it was given an R rating.
Eni0 on Aug 27, 2011
8
I liked it, and it was creepy at times, but overall not that scary of a film. I loved the look and feel of the film though! Haven't seen the original yet.
Anonymous on Aug 27, 2011
9
They need to change the name of the movie to "Don't Be Afraid of the Plotholes" or "Don't Be Afraid of Wasting Your Money". This movie was CRRRRRRRAAAAAAAPPPPP. Typical hollywood BS. I was so hyped to see this movie and I was falling alseep in the first few minutes. The beginning started well but everything after the credits was sleep inducing. I wasn't scared at all, the movie let the biggest scares out in the trailers, and I tried to stay away from most of them. Big letdown The girl put in a solid performance. Even Katie did well. The supporting characters weren't too bad either. But Pierce ruined it for me, that might be the characters fault moreso than the actors though. Which brings me to the characters. *SPOILERS* Was EVERYONE lobotomized in the movie. No one believes or sees the monster who are sometimes in plain view before they excape? The kid doesn't even attempt to turn on the light switch which she stands next to at least once while being backed into the corner? (Ya blew it, Bathroom scene! Capice?) The groundskeeper at no time wants to spill the beans? If they were watching him, it would've been nice to see them in the background somewhere to give his fears some reason. The book study scene? They completely fastfoward past the aftermath and give the girl some pills. None of the pictures develop with the monsters obviously in full shot? NO ONE SEES THE SEVERED HAND OF THE MONSTERS? THE GIRL IS SO HYSTERICAL SHE CAN'T EVEN TELL THEM TO PULL BACK THE BOOKCASE AND SEE THE CRUSH MONSTER!!! (I wish these all caps sizes could get bigger) No one even cleans up the study and sees the pictures or the corpse? Everyone keeps any information to themselves, what happened to the copies of Blackwood's pictures Katie wanted to have made? All this and I haven't even laid into Pierce "father figure" for being a cardboard cutout. Guillermo, you disappointed... no, ENRAGED me with this one. I will blindly walk into any film that has your blessing but now I might be a little hesitant. This movie was so bad, it ruined the next movie I saw right after. I couldn't really get over how bad this pile of garbage was. I'm still mad. WORST MOVIE I've personally seen all year. /rant!
That 1 Guy.... on Aug 27, 2011
10
You nailed it! Stated everything I was thinking. I was even more dissappointed with the ending.
LBIZZLE on Aug 28, 2011
11
+1 absolutely agree with That 1 Guy. This movie is not Pann's labyrinth
That 2nd guy on Aug 29, 2011
12
Everything said here - 100 percent right on. The bookcase scene was the last straw for me. Horror movies often insult our intelligence. This film followed me home after work and pinned a "kick dummy" sign on my back.
Christian Toto on Sep 1, 2011
13
I was going to comment on how disappointed I was about the most recent Del Torro movie, however That 1 Guy said it all. It was crap, the only exciting part was Katie Holmes being kinda bad-ass at the end. Also, she pulled off a killer "horror movie" scream, sadly that was the highlight of the movie.
Msygruters on Aug 27, 2011
14
Worst. Movie. Ever.
Kelly on Aug 30, 2011
15
Thanks guys. I'm glad I wasn't the only one who felt that way. I thought there'd be more people who'd have felt like this too. Was almost scared for the future of moviegoers with all the "positive" reviews that came before mine.
That 1 Guy.... on Aug 31, 2011
16
It was so stupid. I would have rather watched Cowboys and Aliens.
Vampire Lilith on Sep 4, 2011
17
I sat through 20 minutes I think? It was pretty awful. Guillermo del Toro I love your work but what happened????!
az89 on Sep 4, 2011
18
He was only a sub advisor on it. This movie sat on a shelf for over a year...because they did not have a good name to market it. So they got Guillermo del Toro to allow them to make use of his name. To the point - the producers even knew it was crap.
FilmPro on Jan 11, 2012
19
I didn't really understand the ending.
Vanessa on Jan 7, 2012
20
The lady turned into one of them. Another severely blank pothole and an ending that was rushed.
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21
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