Creepy Kids

I'm not planning for themes as I watch movies that have been sitting on my "to watch" list but sometimes it just happens. Such was the case this week as I finally got around to checking out ANOTHER Mike Flanagan film, this time Ouija Origin of Evil and the 1980 low-budget grindhouse classic The Children. Spooky kids is a nice little horror movie trope, much better than creepy clowns in my opinion, but its not about what you got, its what you do with it. So how did these two films do?

Ouija: Origin of Evil

Ouija: Origin of Evil. This is a title of a horror movie I would recommend, but feel embarrassed to say out loud. I love Blumhouse because its business model allows it to take chances on unknown filmmakers and actors, but also results in some by-the-numbers stinkers at times. I haven't seen the first film, and from what I've heard it is not really necessary. But Origin of Evil is.

This film hooked me the moment I saw the title card. Before it even had a scene to establish itself as an homage to all those 70s and 80s big studio/ low-budget horror movies  the title card nailed it.  Words fail me as to the feelings it created in me, so just take a look. 

If you felt it too, you know what I mean. If not, this title card basically says this will be a family drama with some nice, creepy scares. On that, the film delivers. It has scenes so perfectly filmed as homages to the era they almost seem cut and pasted. Not the most flattering way to put it, but I'm going to give Flanagan a pass because considering the source material it was a risk to do something stylish. Origin of Evil's strength is its style, the acting, and the cinematography. The scene of teens using the Ouija board with psychedelic lighting (this takes place in the sixties) reflecting off a pool and their groovy clothes all awash in the shimmering light is just one of the most damn good looking things I've ever seen in a Blumhouse film. 

Origin of Evil is worth a watch. It's a well acted and shot film with some good PG-13 scares. Not the best, most cohesive plot, and the constant twists of who gets possessed by the spirits gets a bit repetitive and predictable, but this is the closest I've come so far to a fright film a family could enjoy together after the little ones are in bed. But make sure you check up on them afterwards. They might have swallowed a demon or something while you were out buying toilet paper. 

Ouija: Origin of Evil Grades

General Horror Fans: B
Jump Scare Fans: A
Creepy Vibe Fans: B
Gore Hounds: F
Yours Truly: B+

The Children

This is a movie about children who, thanks to exposure to radioactivity leaking from a nearby nuclear plant, burn their parents alive when they hug them . What else is there to say about this movie? Not much. If you're like me and these low budget 70s and 80s flicks feel as comfortable to you as an old shoe, give it a go when you have the time. It's free on Amazon after all. But if you're looking for a well constructed film where victims don't look like someone just spilled pepperoni pizza on their faces you probably should give this one a pass. If you still have a bit of curiosity about it check out this clip. You'll know if you want to pursue it any further afterwards. Good for some laughs at least!

The Children Grades

General Horror Fans: C-
Jump Scare Fans: D
Creepy Vibe Fans: C
Gore Hounds: C+
Yours Truly: C