Dr. Venkman Reviews: 'The Strangers'

Before I begin, I just want to let you know that I am a huge fan of horror movies. I feel I have seen so many that I have become desensitized But I know a good horror movie when I see one, and there are still movies that get me. I don't like the cheap thrills, they are fun, but when they pop up in a movie I kind of feel like I have been cheated. "Oh! you flinched!" type thing. I like the horror movies that eat at your brain the ones that make you think, and mess with your mind. I like the type of horror movies that you still think about when you are trying to go to sleep at night.

‘The Strangers' has a mixture of both these elements. The cheap loud thrills that I hate, and then there are the moments of suspense where you wonder what is going to happen next. Like most horror movies the people that are being stalked become the stupidest people on the face of the earth. Every decision they make is the wrong decision, and will eventually lead to their demise. It is frustrating as hell! But that is part of the fun of seeing a horror movie. You know you really are smarter than the people in the movies, and during the movie you and the rest of the audience is telling them out loud how stupid they are and asking them and the person next to you "why are they running back in the house?" or "Why are they leaving the house?" and "Why don't they just shoot them?" These are questions you will ask yourself and others over and over again during this movie.

I thought the movie was shot very well. I really liked the cinematography and how the shots were set up. It added an eerie element. The acting was good. Liv Tyler is a fine horror actress and can scream with the best of them. I think Scott Speedman is a good actor and I hope he gets some decent film roles in the future. He was also good in this movie. The writer and director of the movie was Bryan Bertino. I just wish he would have given the characters common sense. 

They say the movie is based on a true story, but I found nothing online linking any real event to this movie. It is my opinion that they based this movie on the actual events of many senseless killings in anywhere U.S.A.

If you are not a big horror movie fan there's a 50/50 chance you will like it. If you get scared easily this movie will scare you. If you like going to movies it will be a fun experience. If you are a hardcore horror fan you might not like it. I enjoyed the movie because of the audience and my friends around me. I love people's reactions to certain things during the film, I liked making those annoying comments throughout the film (Quietly of course). It was just that type of film. Its not a horror masterpiece by any means though. It was a fun movie to be there for, but it didn't haunt me afterwards.

I will say this. I would see ‘The Strangers' again before I go see ‘Sex in the City'. Whatever movie you decide to go see this week, remember to always enjoy your time at the movies.

-Dr. Venkman