Movie Review: Oculus

Have you ever seen a movie that just has a super familiar plot/twist, but you just can't seem to place it?
That's about how "Oculus" is. Essentially, it's a horror film about a mirror that warps people's minds and can force them to do horrible things (including, but not limited to, starving themselves, committing acts they can't recall later, and attacking others.) I feel like I've seen this movie before (with different characters and such, of course.)
A lot of the movie just seems so stupid. The dad, for instance, hangs this super huge, super ornate mirror in his OFFICE--why? Is he that conceited? The daughter risks her life for stupid reasons, even though she's had years to recover from a traumatic childhood, and she brings her brother (her recently released-from-the-psych-hospital brother, at that) along for the crazy train ride. The mom is just weird, just everything... Everything seems so half-thought-up or ridiculous.
Granted, it does have its moments. We get a bit of comic relief from one of the title characters, Kaylie, naming her dog "Dog" and her brother questioning this; Dog is used a few more times for some lightening, and I think I honestly enjoyed those scenes the most. The film is just not scary, and the few moments it had the opportunity to be, it just didn't pull through.
The only saving grace this film has was a very interesting title character in Tim. We learn at the beginning of the film Tim has been living in a mental hospital for 10-11 years, because he evidently killed his father for killing his mother (or something like that.) Tim is a pretty solid, dimensional character, and by the end of the film, you really are rooting for him to come out on top. His sister, Kaylie, I could do without, but I guess she works as a good foil to him.
Overall, don't waste your money. "Oculus" was a dud for me, and I so wanted to like it, but it just could not redeem itself in my eyes.

Final Judgement

Pros: Occasional comic relief, good lead character

Cons: Half-assed, completely un-scary, familiar story, un-connectable characters, etc etc (the list goes onnnn and onnnnn)

Rating: 1/5

Anime Review: Death Note

Let me start off by saying that I am a huge fan of horror, and that I do (in fact) own "Death Note." It intrigued me the first time I watched it on TV, and instead of watching the episodes online or on air, I went ahead and begged my mom for a personal copy.
Let me say now: she could have saved her money.
There is nothing WRONG with "Death Note" (aside from some heart wrenching deaths,) but it never just grabbed me. The style is beautiful, in my opinion; I especially love the character designs for Light, Ryuk, and Misa. There are a lot of beautiful backgrounds and a unique area of characters (both in design and personality.)
The concept is also fantastic, and Light's role is what really captured my attention in the first place. After all, how cool would it be to find a notebook (and an awesome God of Death) that kills whoever has their name written inside? Light's descent into the Kira mindset is done beautifully, and at times it can both infuriate and tear your heart to shreds. By the end of the series, I wasn't sure whether to continue cheering for Light (I'm totally Team Kira) or hate him for some very shocking, very horrifying choices.
So, what made "Death Note" such a dud for me?
It tends to take itself too seriously, for one, and seems to try to elevate that tension with poor comic relief at times. It can get very dark and serious, but never really seems to click with me, for whatever reason. I didn't find out as much about the characters or their histories as I wanted--L and Ryuk in particular. I also wanted some more character relationship development, and while it occurred, I felt none of them were ever deeply attached or opposed to one another. The ending also didn't seem to quite fit to me--but hey, maybe it was because I wanted a "happy ending," which "Death Note" does not supply.
All in all, I give "Death Note" 3.5 Stars. If you're a fan of horror, crime, psychology, or thrillers, I would definitely say give "Death Note" a shot and try to keep an open mind, because it wasn't too bad of an anime, just not up to my tastes.

Final Judgement

Pros: Artwork/Design, Character Uniqueness and Personality, Concept

Cons: Couldn't Get Engaged, Not Enough Relationship/History Development
Rating: 3.5/5