Shut In

Halloween

I hadn't heard of this film until yesterday, and all I saw was the poster. It looked fantastic and film noir'esque with the blinds and shadows, I was sold on that alone. I didn't want to watch a trailer and go in blindly cause the poster is supposed to represent what the movie is also. I do have the Movie Pass, so though I pay the monthly subscription fee for the service, I didn't actually have to pay to go in the door to see the movie which has led me to seeing some great films on a whim that I otherwise wouldn't have seen that I loved, I sometimes go twenty times a month to the movies, so going to this on a whim was not a rare occurrence. Plus I love Naomi Watts, ever since Mulholland Drive I've been a fan of hers. Within the first ten minutes I realized that the film was going to be vastly different than the poster, which is fine, calling an audible on the line of scrimmage isn't going to make me hate the film, sometimes those turn out to be the best movies, but within twenty minutes I sat there and I knew exactly what was going to happen, and it only got worse from there. They really could have taken what they had and made something incredible, it was there, but instead they decided to go and make a paint-by-the numbers "thriller" that didn't even allow them to color outside the lines at all. At on point in the film I looked at Naomi Watts and knew she must have needed a new car or something as this was a phoned in performance, everyone else in the movie did great and really tried, but I feel like they knew they were in a dud and were trying to pump themselves up and give the best damned performance of their careers to make the movie better than it was turning out to be. Yes, there was some great cinematography, some that even followed suit with the noir style poster that drew me in, so that I enjoyed. They really did try to make it look great, so I applaud them on that. But all in all, this film is what I tend to think of as a disposable cup movie. You're thirsty, so you grab that small plastic cup next to the water cooler, take your drink and toss the cup in the garbage and forget you even had a drink.

Shut In is a rather predictable thriller that treads a well worn path. That's not to say this is a poor film, its just that this concept has been recycled so many times, its become rather obvious whats happening and where its going. Naomi Watts hands in a decent effort in the lead role and indeed, the cast in general hand in competent performances. The tension builds nicely but I felt, the reveal was too sudden and robbed the film of much of the scare factor that had been built up to that point. The actions of the key character also seem a bit absurd at times as does the overall concept, which stretches credulity to a degree. In short, not a bad film if you like a few scares but regrettably nothing terribly special either. Six out of ten from me.

This movie can be summed up in a single word: awful. The performances were phoned in, the plot was weak, and the premise was ridiculous. ***** SPOILERS ***** The person who wrote this drivel apparently expected everyone to believe a number of complete implausibilities: that a catatonic boy who requires extreme care would be released to a home that lacks any accommodation for his condition other than an adjustable bed; that someone could convincingly fake being catatonic for six months; that despite his need to never be seen moving about, he also managed to slip his mother frequent doses of a tranquilizer that had been prescribed to him (we aren't shown how he managed this); that somehow the missing pills were never noticed during the six month period; that a raccoon rummaging in the garbage outside would wake her from her drug- induced sleep feeling compelled to investigate, but her supposedly catatonic son running around the house at night didn't disturb her a bit; and that the little boy trapped in the house only managed to make it to Naomi during the night when she was in drugged slumber and the fake catatonic was free to run around, not during the day when the fake catatonic had to sit passively in his chair or reveal his farce. In my experience, the care the makers' of a movie take with the minor details shows how much they care about the production as a whole. Here, they apparently didn't give a f---. An unexpected visitor tells the mother that the huge storm raging outside has already deposited so much snow that the end of her driveway was blocked when the road was plowed. Yet a little while later, when she runs outside, her driveway appears freshly plowed and there is a well beaten path to a dock on a little lake or pond. Despite the supposedly raging winter storm, the dock is free of snow and ice. Although it is supposed to be bitterly cold, there is not so much as a crust of ice on the pond/lake. This list could go on and on, but that's enough. In short, there are so many good movies out there, that it would be a shame to waste any time watching this one.

source: Shut In

Firstly I usually enjoy everything Naomi Watts acts in. If not for her this movie would not be worth watching. The plot is in turns predictable, preposterous, clichéd and over simplistic. Although it is quite scary at times. Naomi who is very pretty and should get better roles than this plays a psychologist who lives in a rural Maine town. Her husband is killed in an accident which leaves her stepson paralyzed. This stepson is played by Charlie Heaton and he does look suitably troubled teen. She has to care for him and looks after children with problems including a deaf boy played by Jacob Tremblay from Room. She starts to think she is losing it when strange things start happening. The twist from supernatural to slasher is when things get bad. Why would the villain be such a homicidal maniac? You know which one of the supporting cast is toast pretty quickly. The ending is so formula. Quite a let down.

Teared down by the press but still it popped up on horror sites now and then as worth seeing so I gave it 91 time out of my life. It isn't that scary and maybe you have seen a lot of flicks in this kind but for me it wasn't that bad at all. It's the performance of Charlie Heaton (Stephen Portman) also famous for Stranger Things (2016) series that elevates this flick. What he does with his character from disabled to creep is outstanding. The fact that Naomie Watts plays his mum does give it an extra touch. On part of the story itself it may be all predictable and you can guess who's the stranger in house rather quickly but still it entertained me. There aren't many effects used, it's the house that must deliver and that one shot while Dr Wilson (Oliver Platt) is skyping with Mary (Watts) and he notices stranger things (hihi) going on. Not one for the horror geeks but if you do like home-invading flicks or a bit of suspense then this is worth seeing. Gore 0/5 Nudity 0,5/5 Effects 2/5 Story 2,5/5 Comedy 0/5

After seeing the rating, reading some reviews...I didn't even want to watch this movie. BUT, I'm happy I did. I honestly think it's good. It will not change the world with unexpected twists or so, but an overall rating under 6?? I don't get that. Give it a try guys :)

This film definitely does not deserve all the hate. It was a good solid thriller, the acting was good, and so was the cinematography. Although there was some slight homage to the Shining, it was far from being predictable or derivative, and it kept the viewer guessing until close to the end. Perhaps to help out the less- informed viewer, one of the characters should have explained the "shut-in syndrome" at the outset, knowledge of which might have added to the intrigue for some of those panning this well-made indie movie.

Child psychologist Mary is trying to put her life back together after losing her husband in a car accident. Her teenage son was in the same car and he's in a coma. Mary, who works from home, is given a patient, Tom, a boy grieving after his mother's death. When she's told Tom is being taken away, she doesn't agree that the move is the best thing for him. He escapes from custody during a storm and is presumed dead by authorities. Mary starts hearing his voice in her house and catches glimpses of him. But then more mysterious things happen as she's trapped in her isolated home during the storm....... What could have been a totally perfunctory little supernatural thriller starring a once prolific actress, turns into nothing more than a bland thriller that thinks it's something better than what it is. Watts sleepwalks through her performance as the troubled Mary,,and it's not surprising, because this film is so dark at times, it's really difficult to see what is going on. But it's all for the sinister effect of the overall product, isn't it? Platt pops up every now and again as Mr. Skype advice, but then turns all Scatman Crothers in The Shinjng come the third act, and you can probably guess what happens. But it's this huge, ridiculous twist at the end that makes the film so laughably bad, and it almost harks at an incestuous relationship. Instead of shocking the viewer, it almost turned my stomach, making me dislike this wretched film a little but more. If the thought of a once great actress walking around a dark house for ninety minutes with a look of disdain on her face throughout, then this may be your cup of tea. Watts must have needed some money quick, because heaven knows why she agreed to be in this ridiculous piece of work.