Vacancy
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Movie Reviews of Vacancy
Movie Review: good movie
Summary: 5 Stars
this is a really good movie keeps you on the edge of your seat. i recommend this movie to all horror movie loversMovie Review: good movie
Summary: 5 Stars
Vacancy two was not as good as the 1st... but movie arrived quickly and no scratches, no dents.. played excellentMovie Review: VERY VERY GOOD!
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie is so different, I like that is is not the regular old scary movie. It is worth watching.Movie Review: A motel where you check in but never check out 3 1/2 stars
Summary: 4 Stars
Although it becomes a bit predictable by the end of the second act, "Vacancy" breathes new life into the suspense thriller genre by taking an unusual premise, a married couple at the end of their relationship and mixing it up with dazzling techique to create a great little thriller. Director Nimrod Antal and the writer take an unsual tact by actually creating characters we care about that are having major martial problems. Although it becomes predictable by the second act, I was sucked in to the film enough so that I was willing to stick around and finish the ride.
SPOILERS*
David (Luke Wilson) and Amy Fox (Kate Beckinsale)are stranded in the middle of nowhere while on a trip. They end up staying at a ratty looking motel. The creepy manager (well played by Frank Whaley in a role that echoes both "Psycho" and "Touch of Evil")and dilapated appearence of the motel hint that it isn't going to be a quiet night for the couple. What David & Amy don't realize is that the survival of their marriage is the least of their concerns.
END OF SPOILERS*
A taunt, well directed thriller, "Vacancy" isn't deep--it's a nail biting thriller that doesn't take the easy like a lot of slasher flicks that rely a bit too heavily on blood and gore. "Vacancy" works due to the appealing work of Luke Wilson, Kate Beckinsale and the creepy performance of Frank Whaley. Unlike a lot of thrillers, the backstory for the characters is actually interesting.
Using his skills in film technique Antal manages to create suspense electing NOT to take lazy approach that we see in all these torture porn films (yes Eli Roth I am talking about your films "Hostel" and "Hostel II") simply putting more gore on screen. The film reminds me of "Identity" and "Breakdown" (and, of course, the granddaddy of all these films "Psycho") in that the director digs deep into the characters to help create suspense during the first half of the film. Sure the film has a couple of cheap thrills but on the whole the makers of "Vacancy" opt for using their characters and the situations to generate suspense as opposed to just throwing blood and guts at the audience. Those expecting a film like "Hostel" or "The Hills Have Eyes II" will be disappointed but those expecting solid performances and skillful direction will enjoy this film.
"Vacancy" reflects the skill that John Carpenter or even Hitchcock might have displayed at the top of their game. What makes the film unique is that the director and writer doesn't make this into your typical slasher film developing the main characters so that we can identify with them and root for them once they are on the run from the killers.
The transfer is top notch with solid blacks, a sharp looking picture and bold colors. The extras on the disc are a bit disappointing. We get a deleted scene, a couple of the "unedited" films that Amy & David see when they put the videos on their room and a short featurette on the making of the film. I'm a bit disappointed that there isn't a commentary track from the writer or director but, really, the film kind of speaks for itself with its marvelous set pieces. We do get a lot of previews for forthcoming flicks. I didn't watch the pan & scan version included on the same disc so have no comments on how it looks, sounds, etc.
You might want to check into this motel. You won't get any sleep but you will get a suspenseful filled thrill ride. The film takes some unexpected twists and turns in its plot that will keep you on the edge of your seat. 3 1/2 stars.
Movie Review: The Fantastic Mr. Fox & Wife Get a Room for the Night
Summary: 4 Stars
"Vacancy" is not your average thriller/slasher film. To the untrained eye, it provides nearly an hour and a half of Luke Wilson and Kate Beckinsale just trying to stay alive in a sleaze-bag motel while being constantly harassed by the unknown locals. The film seems to follow a structure, it seems to be predictable, but then - it transforms into something diabolically more. "Vacancy" is one of those undercut films that blends the power of a modern Hitchcock with just the right twists to keep new audiences on the edge of their seat. "Vacancy", upon watching it a second time, is more than just slash and grab; it is a cineophile dream come true.
In the modern world of "Saw", "Hostel" and nearly anything Eli Roth places his name upon, it would be easy to see how this film would be overlooked. It doesn't have a monster, people are not dripping blood in every scene, and (the biggie) there is no major twist at the end. Director Nimrod Antal's sophomore outing is more about the style, the cinematography, and the characters than just your a-typical release of this genre. We are privy to see our characters prior to these horrific incidents, to understand why they are pushed, and despite their ability to just run away from each other, they stay - giving us a great hour and a half. To begin, the opening credits set the tone. Not since "Panic Room" was I stricken by the originality of these credits, and how they propelled me into a immediate state of nervousness. After this, we are welcomed into a car, a already tense filled car that keeps us on the edge of our seats even further. Perhaps Luke and Kate will provide a moment of ease in this ride, but no - quite a different approach than we have seen prior from these two actors - they are in their own zone, and Antal controls it. He makes us believe. He scares us, while never taking us out of that moment of disbelief. This could happen. Antal knows that, Luke and Kate give us realism, and we are set for a wild ride.
The plot was strong - the acting kept up with the chilling score and Frank Whaley proves that skinny nerds can be frightening. Whaley commands the time he has on screen, giving us small nuances of this character that others may have forgotten. Known mainly for lower-budget roles, "Vacancy" demonstrates what happens when small actors get good parts (with great directors.). Finally, one cannot discuss "Vacancy" without drooling over the cinematography. Briefly mentioned above, Antal has paid homage to Hitchcock in a grandiose way by giving us these early shots of our characters not in the foreground, but symbolically traveling along the open highway. For the first hour, prior to the desperate need to escape, there were filmed moments that just stood out - i.e. the car ride, the discovery of the tapes, the walk to the motel, and even near the end - with the shot of Kate looking through the cracks resonated early Hitch. This is what small attention to detail can do for your film.
"Vacancy" is worth a second viewing, and even a third - it impresses me that I like Luke and Kate in their roles, and Whaley hits his mark directly. Antal's choice of music, cinematography, and leads prove his ability behind the camera, giving us a new twist to a genre that at times feels dated and recycled. I would recommend this film for a good fright - don't believe it is just another product of the Hollywood machine - it stands tall and proud.
Grade: **** ½ out of *****