Horns 9 out of 10

One of the best things about streaming TV is the availability of all movies, even some before actual release date. This was the case with Horns. I could rent it on Amazon Prime for $9.99 even before it's theatrical release. I'd been waiting for this movie for so long, and yet I waited just a little longer. Why? I knew the special effects were good. I'd seen a picture of Joe Hill (Stephen King's son who wrote the book the movie was based from) wearing the horns. How you ask? Well I happen to know a fantastic special effects artist, Mike McCarty, who did the work on Horns. And was thoughtful enough (because he knows what a huge Joe Hill fan I am) to send me some pics during production. (Thanks, Mike!!) I guess I waited out of fear. I loved the book, but I was unsure how it would translate to film. And well, I just wasn't sold on Daniel Radcliffe as Ig.

But Thanksgiving night was the night. I rented it for $6.99, but I would have gladly spent more. Now, as much as I liked the book, it has been awhile since I read it. So there may be a few things I missed. But to me, the movie definitely did the book justice. There were differences, most notably, the grandmother was missing from the family. The book has a funny scene where Ig pushes her wheelchair (with her in it) down a hill. And the ending is quite different. But all in all, the movie works.

It's not scary, by any means, but it does make you think. What if people suddenly started telling you  their deepest darkest secrets? And why as a culture do we always want to blame those closest to the victim? Why do we leap to the conclusion their loved ones are guilty?

The movie also has it's funny moments as Ig embraces the power of the horns and encourages some people's dark side. I think Daniel's performance really shines in those moments. And in the end, the movie is about love, loss, and redemption.

I highly recommend this movie to both those who have read the book and those who haven't. My husband doesn't read horror and he really enjoyed the movie. Don't look for scares or jumps though. This movie is not about cheap thrills.

Happy viewing,

♥Spot

Devil 9 out of 10

Lu and I saw this movie opening night. I will fully admit up front that I am an M. Night Shyamalan fan. I think the man is brilliant. Okay, not all of the films are winners for me. I did not really like Unbreakable. And The Village was not my favorite either. But for original ideas, taut psychological drama and films that make you think...I give him high marks. I know he has his critics and that some of the general movie going public may not necessarily understand all his films, but so what? I like him. That said, I always go to his films with my fingers crossed. I mean, no one makes a winner every time. This time, I was rewarded.

Devil is about the actual Devil. One of the characters, a catholic security guard narrates part of the movie with a story his mother told him about the devil. It sets the background for the story nicely. Then, 5 strangers are trapped in an elevator together. Each has something to hide. And each are targeted for death by the Devil, who wants their souls. It could have been cheesy. But it's not. It's a tight drama filled with jumps and twists. It's a scary movie with a moral. In the end it's about salvation, redemption and forgiveness.

It's a good scary movie that will make you jump, leave you with that "creeped out" feeling, and give you something to think about for days to come. That adds up in my book to 9 out of 10 stars.

♥Spot