Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (2019) - Movie Review

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark - Exactly What the Title Says it is

Rating - 7/10

 "This town has told stories about me. Horrible stories."

    Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark takes the beloved and creepy children’s books and transforms them into a movie that feels like a campfire tale brought to life. Directed by André Øvredal and produced by Guillermo del Toro, the film does a solid job of capturing the eerie and unsettling spirit of Alvin Schwartz’s original stories, while also weaving them into a larger narrative about a cursed book that brings nightmares into reality.

    The movie’s greatest strength lies in its creature design and atmosphere. The Pale Lady, Harold the Scarecrow, and the Jangly Man are all incredibly creepy and memorable, brought to life with practical effects and clever use of lighting and tension. These sequences are the film at its best, combining suspense and dread in a way that feels true to the tone of the source material.

    The story itself is decent, centering on a group of teens in 1968 who stumble upon Sarah Bellows’ mysterious book of stories. While the characters are not the most fleshed out, they are likable enough to keep you invested. Zoe Margaret Colletti does a good job as Stella, the aspiring writer who serves as the emotional anchor of the film.

    Where the movie stumbles is in its pacing and tone. At times it feels caught between wanting to be a kid-friendly gateway horror film and something more terrifying. It never fully leans into one or the other, which can make it feel uneven. Still, the visuals and the faithful recreations of the book’s most iconic monsters more than make up for it.

    Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is not perfect, but it succeeds in being a spooky and entertaining introduction to horror for younger audiences while also offering enough chills for longtime fans of the books. It might not haunt your dreams forever, but it is a fun and creepy ride worth taking.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Civil War (2024) - Movie Review

Image
Civil War - Another Gripping Alex Garland Film Rating - 7/10 “They’re not the good guys. We’re not the bad guys. We’re just trying to tell the story.”      Civil War is a gripping and unsettling film that imagines an America torn apart, not through some far fetched science fiction lens, but through the eyes of those trying to make sense of it, journalists on the frontlines. Directed by Alex Garland, this film does not hold your hand or over explain its world. Instead, it drops you into chaos and asks you to observe, to feel, and to interpret what you see. It is intense, grounded, and deeply uncomfortable in the best way possible.      The cast delivers sharp and believable performances that make the story feel almost too real. Kirsten Dunst gives one of her most grounded portrayals, showing both weariness and courage as a photojournalist who has seen too much. Her quiet strength contrasts beautifully with the reckless energy of her younger colleague, pla...
Read more

Spider-Man 3 (2007) - Movie Review

Image
Spider-Man 3 - Come for Spider-Man, Stay for the Memes Rating - 6/10 “Now dig on this.”      Spider-Man 3 is the kind of movie that tries to do too much all at once and ends up tripping over itself. It wants to deliver the same emotional punch as the first two Raimi films while also cramming in more villains, more side plots, and more spectacle. The result is a film that is entertaining in parts but bloated overall.      The biggest issue is the overload of characters and storylines. Sandman has an emotional arc that could have worked on its own, but it gets lost in the shuffle. Harry Osborn’s return as the new Goblin has some good beats, but his story feels rushed. And then there is Venom, one of Spider-Man’s most iconic villains, who ends up feeling underdeveloped and unsatisfying. None of the antagonists are bad exactly, but when they are all mashed together they start to cancel each other out.      Then there is emo Peter Parker, also kn...
Read more

Nosferatu (2024) - Movie Review

Image
Nosferatu - Eggers Does it Again! Rating - 8/10 "The night holds its breath as something ancient stirs."      Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu is a hauntingly crafted reimagining of a horror classic, and it delivers an experience that feels both timeless and freshly terrifying. I give it an 8 out of 10 because while it may not be a flawless film, it excels in atmosphere and filmmaking craft in a way that lingers long after the credits roll.      The strongest element here is the atmosphere. Eggers captures a sense of dread and unease throughout the entire runtime, using his signature attention to detail and period authenticity to immerse you completely in this chilling world. The cinematography is stunning, filled with shadows, eerie landscapes, and moments that feel like moving paintings of fear.      The acting also deserves high praise. The performances feel deliberate and weighty, perfectly fitting the eerie tone. Each character seems to carr...
Read more