"Alone in the Dark" Reviews/Discussion - 2023 Horror Challenge
09-25-23, 12:35 AM
#1
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"Alone in the Dark" Reviews/Discussion - 2023 Horror Challenge
Alone in the Dark (1982)  Selected by WillieMLF |
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These "October Horror Movie Challenge" threads are for the discussion of the films in the 31 FILM SUBSET list.
The plan is for everyone to watch this film on the October day in the thread title, and to start discussing it the morning of the following day.
You may start discussion early if you want, but the preferred plan is for this to be as much of a group exercise as possible, with all of us viewing it "together" and discussing after.
Of course, you are totally encouraged to participate in these threads even if you haven't watched the movie on the designated day.
Even if you haven't watched it in years, or are not participating in the Horror Challenge, please feel free to chime in.
Spoiler tags aren't always used in here, so if you have yet to see the film BEWARE OF POSSIBLE SPOILERS.
______________________________
These "October Horror Movie Challenge" threads are for the discussion of the films in the 31 FILM SUBSET list.
The plan is for everyone to watch this film on the October day in the thread title, and to start discussing it the morning of the following day.
You may start discussion early if you want, but the preferred plan is for this to be as much of a group exercise as possible, with all of us viewing it "together" and discussing after.
Of course, you are totally encouraged to participate in these threads even if you haven't watched the movie on the designated day.
Even if you haven't watched it in years, or are not participating in the Horror Challenge, please feel free to chime in.
Spoiler tags aren't always used in here, so if you have yet to see the film BEWARE OF POSSIBLE SPOILERS.
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10-10-23, 02:01 PM
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Re: "Alone in the Dark" Reviews/Discussion - 2023 Horror Challenge
Oh man, unfortunately I was thinking about the 2005 Uwe Boll movie of the same name for the Frightfest theme. Sadly, the 1982 one is a much better movie.
10-14-23, 12:06 AM
#3
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Re: "Alone in the Dark" Reviews/Discussion - 2023 Horror Challenge
I didn't care for this and thought it was a pretty dull affair despite all the recognizable faces and names. There are really only a couple of interesting scenes, and the plot never held my interest.
The home invasion stuff at the end seems realistic on how normal people would deal with the situation but by that time, I just didn't care and wanted the move to end.
This is NOT a movie so bad it is good. It is just bland.
My rating: *1/2 out of *****
The home invasion stuff at the end seems realistic on how normal people would deal with the situation but by that time, I just didn't care and wanted the move to end.
This is NOT a movie so bad it is good. It is just bland.
My rating: *1/2 out of *****
10-14-23, 02:30 PM
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Re: "Alone in the Dark" Reviews/Discussion - 2023 Horror Challenge
It took me a while to realize how tongue in cheek they were being, but the amusingly random introdiction should have been a giveaway (if the laughing brutal end wasnt). It feels like a sly straight on lampoon of horror that is not good but also not bad even though it is perhaps trying to be bad. The 'escaped mental patients' premise is irksome (lazy explaination that ultimately makes no sense, stigmatized illness) and about as vanilla as it gets but maybe intentionally so and the nuclear power subplot feels dated. Vanilla is a good description for the film in general. Its surprising how little screen time some of the big names get (which is maybe part of the sly comedy - that the killer gets top billing and least screen time). Having more than one 'slasher' was a good idea, under utilized here but since to better effect in more popular films, and the home invasion segment was good. The ending was brilliant where he just sort of gives up or not.
Last edited by Undeadcow; 10-14-23 at 03:08 PM.
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10-14-23, 10:08 PM
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Re: "Alone in the Dark" Reviews/Discussion - 2023 Horror Challenge
Martin Landau and Jack Palance are excellent as patients in a Psych hospital that break out and reek havoc. Donald Pleaseance as the doctor didnt have enough to do in my opinion.
7/10
7/10
10-14-23, 11:27 PM
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Re: "Alone in the Dark" Reviews/Discussion - 2023 Horror Challenge
I'm more of this opinion. I liked this one. It was fun to see Palance and Landau chewing up the scenery.
10-15-23, 01:24 AM
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Re: "Alone in the Dark" Reviews/Discussion - 2023 Horror Challenge
I liked the insane asylum setting and the ideas. Pleasance is solid as the doctor who believes all his inmates are good at heart and simply misunderstood. Of course, he is SO wrong. Great character actors with Landau and Palance. However, the whole last part devolves into a jump scare slasher, which I didn't love. 2/5 stars for me.
10-15-23, 11:30 AM
#9
DVD Talk Legend
Re: "Alone in the Dark" Reviews/Discussion - 2023 Horror Challenge
I liked the insane asylum setting and the ideas. Pleasance is solid as the doctor who believes all his inmates are good at heart and simply misunderstood. Of course, he is SO wrong. Great character actors with Landau and Palance. However, the whole last part devolves into a jump scare slasher, which I didn't love. 2/5 stars for me.
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10-20-23, 11:50 AM
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Re: "Alone in the Dark" Reviews/Discussion - 2023 Horror Challenge
I watched this last night with my daughter. I thought the opening was interesting and even funny, but when it devolved into a generic slasher, I kind of lost interest.
