The Curse of Sleeping Beauty

I was more than intrigued by this take on Sleeping Beauty, and it showed a lot of promise. It wasn't fancy or big budget, and the acting had some not-so-great moments, but I still highly enjoyed it. Until the end. It doesn't end, it just stops. It sets up for a sequel, but you can do that without having such an unsatisfying ending. And if no sequel is planned that makes it even worse. There is no resolution, no conclusion...it just stops. And leaves you angry. I liked it otherwise, but I just can't get past the end.

'THE CURSE OF SLEEPING BEAUTY': Two and a Half Stars (Out of Five)

Another B-horror flick based on a classic Brothers Grimm fairy tale. This one is a dark modern update of 'Sleeping Beauty' (written by the Brothers Grimm and Charles Perrault); it deals with an art painter, who inherits an ancient curse (which involves dreams of a 'sleeping beauty'). The film was directed by Pearry Reginald Teo; and it was scripted by Teo and first time feature film writer Josh Nadler (based on the comic book by Everette Hartsoe). It stars India Eisley, Ethan Peck, Natalie Hall and Bruce Davison. The movie received harshly negative reviews from critics, and a large percentage of viewers as well. I hated it at first; but then I grew to enjoy it more, as it went on.

The story centers around an art painter, named Thomas Kaiser (Peck), who keeps having dreams of a beautiful sleeping woman (Eisley). He continuously tries to wake her, but is unsuccessful. Thomas later learns of his uncle's suicide, and the mansion he left him; which had been in his family for generations. While investigating the property, for appraisal reasons, Thomas also learns of an ancient curse there, and his role as the 'protector'. He must keep the demons in his new home imprisoned there, while also trying to awake the sleeping beauty. He finds help from a friendly realtor (Hall), and a paranormal investigator (Davison).

For the first 45-minutes of the movie, I was completely bored (and falling asleep). The acting and writing were atrocious; and the film was really repetitive, and uninvolving. Then, about halfway through the movie, it got a lot more interesting, and entertaining. Once it got to the story, it became filled with more tense, and very gruesome, imagery (and stunningly beautiful women). At that point, I enjoyed it a lot more. It's still mostly a bore, and a misfire, but a sequel could be a lot better (which the end is completely set up for).

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I went into watching this movie thinking it would be one of those movies that would be so horrible that it would make me laugh. It was not one of those. I found it quite compelling for what it was, and rather enjoyed it.

It's obviously a lower budget film. If you watch this knowing and accepting it for what it is, not expecting high quality effects, then it is enjoyable. I felt they did well at creating the suspense and creepiness with what they had.

The actors really brought this to life. They made it more believable. The main actor was great. He portrayed the pain and confusion well. Even when the sets were a touch lack-luster and less believable, he conveyed the emotions to make it seem more real than it looked.

The ending seems to be where most people have an issue. I won't go into detail as I would rather avoid spoilers. I can see how people would find it rushed. The beginning of the movie moves slower and builds suspense, then the end moves a bit faster. However, I liked the ending. I found it to be different, if this were a Hollywood movie it would have a Hollywood ending, it is not that, do not expect that.

Addition observation: The house was beautiful, imagine what that place looks like all cleaned up.

Thomas Kaiser (Ethan Peck) is always dreaming of a Sleeping Beauty figure (India Eisley). Out of the blue, he inherits the ancestral mansion, Kaiser Gardens. It's apparently cursed and home to a series of tragic incidents over the centuries. Realtor Linda (Natalie Hall) reveals that she's actually looking for her brother who went missing in the house. They are joined by supernatural expert Richard Meyers (Bruce Davison) and edgy techie Daniel.

This relative B-horror alludes to the Brothers Grimm story. It's a haunted house horror. It has elements of Silent Hill. The mannequins have good potential. I would have liked Thomas and Linda to stay in the house. Leaving there to go pick up Richard and Daniel is a waste of time. There could be more done with Sleeping Beauty, both the idea and the character. This horror feels a bit undercooked.

Okay let me level with you - this movie caters to a particular taste and style of film for certain people. If you're expecting Harry Potter then no, it's not for you. If you're expecting a gory gritty horror movie, no not for you. If you like "Beautiful Creatures"or "Pan's Labrinth" this IS for you and I suggest you give it a shot. There is a scene in the end that haunts me still, the costume and makeup was OUTSTANDING! I really must give props. And Gregory Peck's grandson reminds you of him the whole time - looks like him, sounds like him, and he was a good actor. The Director had a great sense of humor or perhaps the screenwriter as the dialogue was well written and there was some natural laughs. I liked the mystery of it - it really was a mystery. The ending is messed up but not predictable and reminds you that you signed up for a horror movie so that's what you're getting.