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[BD Review] 'A Night in the Woods' Is Yet Another Copycat

Movies
Posted by Lauren Taylor on September 24, 2013 @ 10:40am
Category: Movies / Reviews

Remember when The Blair Witch Project was released? Remember how it brought found footage to the mainstream and was pretty scary? Well, that was almost 15 years ago, and for some reason, filmmakers still think this narrative works. Such is the case with A Night in the Woods.

A Night in the Woods follows Kerry and her boyfriend Brody as they go camping in the woods. Kerry decides to bring her “cousin” Leo along with them. They stop at a pub, hear a local tale about an entity in the woods that carves crosses into people’s foreheads and kills them, and then set off on their trip. Of course, Brody has to film this entire experience – something that Leo questions about thirty minutes into the film. (I had already been questioning it way before this.) And, of course, Leo is not Kerry’s cousin, but her former lover because bringing along an ex lover that you still have a thing for is always the right decision when going camping in the woods where a supposed killer of sinners resides.

In other words, A Night in the Woods is another jumbled mess of a “horror” film.

The fault lies in almost every aspect of the film, too. First, found footage is overused – and from what is new that is coming out in this format – it is deader than dead. I feel I’ve been repeating this in every review I’ve written lately. But would A Night in the Woods have benefited from just a point and shoot perspective? The answer, obviously, is no. Why? Well, the script is so clichéd that there was no hope for it to begin with. I honestly hate having to rip apart films, but when there is no pure effort shown, I can’t forgive it.

A Night in the Woods relies on what was shown to be effective in The Blair Witch Project. But, filmmakers, let me reiterate – it was 15 years ago. Copycatting is no longer worth it. Having a film about a group of young people in the woods with a supernatural entity that may or may not be present, due to the fact that we throw in a bit of conflict and claustrophobia to question it, is not original – and yet we continue to see it over and over again.

While some positivity could be applied to the fact that little gore is relied upon, the “scares” present are ineffective. The actors work with the script they are given. It is a shame to see Scoot McNairy, who gave a great performance in Monsters, as one dimensional Brody. Setting the film in the remote woods of England, with the initial warning of the townsfolk in the pub, only has one longing for the few minutes on the moors in An American Werewolf in London. Unfortunately, the subtlety of A Night in the Woods is not beneficial. Too many flaws leaves it simply as a less than mediocre story.

A Night in the Woods is available on demand September 24th, 2013 and in theatres in New York and San Diego October, 24th, 2013.

A Night in the Woods 3D

Posted by Bloody Disgusting Staff on September 24, 2013 @ 12:00am
Category:

The Richard Parry directed shocker details what happens on a camping trip in Dartmoor’s Wistman’s Woods, so named because of its legendary haunted past.

Trailer For Richard Parry's 'A Night In The Woods'

Movies
Posted by EvanDickson on July 30, 2012 @ 9:59am
Category: Movies / Indie

A Night In The Woods hits UK cinemas September 7th and we now have the official theatrical trailer.

The cast includes Scoot McNairy (Monsters, Argo), Anna Skellern (W.E.) and rising star Andrew Hawley. Directed by the BAFTA nominated War photographer, documentary maker Richard Parry (South West 9).

In the film “On what is intended to be a fun camping trip to investigate and to chill in the atmosphere of the legendary haunted past of Dartmoor’s Wistman’s Woods, Brody, his girlfriend Kerry and her cousin Leo very soon find themselves mysteriously ill at ease both with their surroundings and their companions. Bad moods and minor disagreements rapidly lead to feelings of severe paranoia, sexual tension, fear and, eventually, violence between the three friends, a situation that worsens as the evening draws in. At first, they suspect the conflicts are simply the result of being thrown together in the ancient, eerie surroundings, but as night closes upon them each begins to wonder if darker forces are at work.”

Head inside to check it out! READ MORE

DVD Review: 'Monsters'

Movies
Posted by David Harley on January 30, 2011 @ 7:28pm
Category: Movies / News

When it comes to horror films, there are a few central complaints that everyone makes about why many of them turn out so lackluster. But one of the big – and most prevalent – reasons is that there isn’t enough emphasis on plot and compelling characters. And if you find that’s normally your beef with the increasingly large number of dreadful duds, then perhaps Monsters is the film you’ve been searching for. That is, if you don’t mind it really not being a horror film.
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Marcus (V)

Posted by Bloody Disgusting Staff on March 06, 2007 @ 12:00am
Category:

It’s Christmas time. Roger returns home to reconcile with his younger sister, Brooke, who he hasn’t seen in almost three years. He arrives with his new fiancee, Gwen, only to find out that Brooke is nowhere to be seen. To make matters worse, he’s greeted by his estranged friend, Charles, and his ex-girlfriend, Kate, who have come to meddle in the evening’s festivities. Suspicious of their intentions, Roger tries to keep his volatile temper at bay while everyone waits for Brooke to get home. Brooke’s alleged boyfriend, Marcus, enters the house unexpectedly and assures the group that Brooke will be there shortly. As time passes, and Brooke’s whereabouts still remain unknown, the night takes a disturbing turn. Marcus pushes all the right buttons, causing the others to quickly unravel. Roger’s unsavory past comes to light as Marcus’s true intentions explode into a shocking display of violence and deception.