Movie Review: Oculus (2013)

I didn't know this was going to be a "mirror" movie.  So...A brother and a sister grow up after having a traumatic experience as children.  We don't know what, but it was hardcore enough to leave the brother institutionalized until today, the day he gets out.  It's told in such a way that you get to experience what happened to them as children and what's happening to them now in tandem.  It expects the audience to be clever enough to pay attention which was exhilarating.

The movie is absorbing because you can see both the siblings' point of view.  One believe's the other is making everything up.  The other believes the mirror will try to kill them.  They both try to prove that they're right and your point of view sways back and forth with their efforts.  Throw in the childhood story and you're on the edge of your seat!

The actors were what drew me to this movie.  I was curious because of Karen Gillan (Amy Pond of Doctor Who) and Katee Sackhoff (Starbuck of Battlestar Galactica).  What I didn't know was that they'd have Dazed and Confused alum, Rory Cochrane and up-and-comer Brendan Thwaites (The Giver).  Along with the very compelling child actors, this was a stellar cast and everyone was spectacular.

MEMORABLE SCENE:
I keep trying to think of a different one, but no, it was the apple scene, hands down.  While it was not the craziest thing to happen in the film, I bet it's the first thing that pops into your head.

QUOTE:
Kaylie: "I found it!"
Tim: "What do you mean?"
Kaylie: "We only have a few days."
Tim: "A few days for what?"
Kaylie:  "To keep our promise.  And kill it."

RATING:
I give it a 8.5 out of 10.  I've been avoiding horror movies for the past couple of years because of the recent infatuation with torture porn.  I'f you haven't heard that term before, it's basically movie-slang for when a film purposefully focuses on graphic violence and gore.  If I can't watch the screen, how can I enjoy the movie?  Luckily, they are again making movies like "The Conjuring" and "Oculus," which instead rely on psychological horror and creepiness to keep you awake at night.