Saturday, October 2, 2010

The Ruins

Plot: A group of friends' leisurely Mexican holiday takes a turn for the worse when they, along with a fellow tourist, embark on a remote archaeological dig in the jungle, where something evil lives among the ruins.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzdto154_to

Clip: http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi2465792281/

Starring: Jonathan Tucker (Meskada & Hostage), Saturn award winner Jena Malone (Contact & Five Star Day), Laura Ramsey (Somewhere & She's the Man), Saturn award nominee Shawn Ashmore (X2 & Frozen), Joe Anderson (The Crazies & Across the Universe).

Written by: Scott B. Smith (A Simple Plan) based on his novel

Directed by: Carter Smith (Boy Life 6(V) segment "Bugcrush")

Review: These college students sure ruined their vacation. Touted like a modern monster movie, this movie is really about human nature and survival. The monster itself is not scary. What's scary is what happens to these people once someone touches it. That's the part I liked about the film. The acting was also great with a nice character arch for Malone. I really rooted for these people and found the film suspenseful with some disturbing, surprising, and sad moments. A fun rollercoaster ride. True, the whole set up is pretty typical. Haven't these people seen enough horror movies to know you never go off the beaten path down covered trails, and you don't piss off the natives? The monster itself I thought was pretty and would make mine and my hubby's house homier, at least until a guest touches it or it starts making obnoxious ringing cell-phone noises. This "monster's" call sounds like cell phone. If you can overlook a few of those moments, most of which happen at the beginning of the film, the rest of the movie is actually quite effective.

Fun Facts: Ben Stiller was involved with this film because he is a friend of novelist / screenwriter Scott B. Smith. He was an executive producer. All the outdoor scenes were shot with natural light.

Awards:

Golden Trailer Awards
YearResultAwardCategory/Recipient(s)
2008NominatedGolden TrailerBest Horror Poster
(Ignition Print).
For "Face".
Rating:

Writing-B

Acting-A

Directing-B

Music-B

Cinematography-A

Editing-A

Hair-B

Makeup-A

Costumes-B

Art Direction-B

Visual Effects-B

"Stamped Out but worth seeing"- not original but still worth seeing

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