Oracle

Rather bland ghost story haunted house movie. The overall quality of the lighting didn't help aa it just made the movie dark. Plotting was standard, and it was lacking in originality. There were several elements from other ghost stories and movies that I was guessing ahead of time and sticking the landing.

The efforts of the film makers to bring social relevance to the film by entwining the history of hatred from slavery and racism didn't have the impact that was needed. (Get Out this isn't, and doesn't come close.) Instead, this is simply the plotting and setting to place the movie, but it tries to make it more relevant because of slavery and racism. There is no attempts for understanding of the intergenerational aspects of slavery, or the social impacts of racism that is inherent in our world.

Acting is decent but mildly stereotypical for this genre and subject matter. That appeared more the do with the script than the actors. Overall, it was watchable but not interesting.

One star for the production quality and one star for the atmosphere. The acting is pretty dull. An earlier reviewer described the characters as bland and unlikable. I completely agree. The main character barely shows interest or emotion. I don't want to "spoil" anything but there's two times where characters just don't react to some pretty serious events. Besides all that it's a horror movie that's been done before, only better. I'm glad I didn't pay to watch this, it's one of the worst movies I've seen in a while honestly. Fortunately it's only an hour and twenty six minutes long. Usually I throw out some ideas I think could've maybe helped but this one needs to much help. 3 out of 10 is generous.

Oracle had a very similar vibe to The Skeleton Key and I really enjoyed that the protagonist in the movie was smart, driven and not just a fool wandering through an old house without any insight to the fact that horrible things had taken place there prior to her arrival. It's got some harrowing moments, but the acting is on point and contains a cast that complements the vibe of the film perfectly.

The cinematography is exceptional and the story that weaves it all together plays out to be an entertaining movie that I am certain those who are found of haunted houses in the Southern Gothic light will enjoy. It's a rare movie, and I don't feel there are many that even line up in similarity but Antebellum might be one that can also be considered in the comparison light for Oracle.

Overall, I found the themes surrounding history, and the nanny's intrigue to be highly entertaining, and acting to be compelling and the scenes put together with a pristine Gothic ambiance that I found thoroughly enjoyable.

So this movie feels like they wanted to make a Jordan Peele movie, just without a decent director, good writing, passable talent, or anything interesting or creative.

Every character is a 2D characture, just there to fill overused and bland role. It's almost a paint by numbers with, first impression of a character on screen and you already know what they're going to be.

From the moment we enter the house, they begin to throw every cheap scare in the book. If you've seen any horror movie you can play a drinking game with how predictable this movie is.

Finally the movie's pacing is just a drag. Half way through and you're still waiting for anything to happen besides the main character brooding.

Oracle is horror movie that addresses some sort of slave-era situation, but in modern day. It's not really clear. Its the sort of movie that you watch on a boring Saturday afternoon, maybe when it's rainy.

You don't watch this movie with any other expectation than to be watching a cookie cutter, grade D formula horror movie with a dark skinned black female lead instead of your usual skinny blond dish. You'll wonder how they got Heather Graham to deliver her handful of lines. You'll wonder what the storyline was all about. You'll wonder why you have nothing better to do than to watch movies like this. And then when you're done, you'll feel better about life.

5/10 - not bad, not good, has its moments, sorta.