Candlewood

I watched this so you don't have too. I usually love a campy scary movie. This was not it.

It started out intriguing. A blended city family moves to secluded home in woods. Each family member pushing boundaries with the other members of their family. Add legends about the area where they're now living to explain history of haunted land. So much potential to work with.

Then the movie loses the plot. Bad acting and weird special effects made for a long boring movie. It's like the director had a vision, but after 10 minutes got frustrated and quit trying. None of the characters had any redeeming qualities. The "story" had huge plot holes which I don't really care about, I was just glad it was over.

Candlewood, effortlessly blends suspense, drama, and a mesmerizing musical score. From the opening scenes to the climactic moments, the film kept me on the edge of my seat, hooked by its unpredictable twists. The characters undergo a captivating evolution, portrayed with depth and authenticity by a stellar cast. The interconnected subplots add complexity to the narrative, keeping the audience guessing until the final frame. What sets this film apart is its exceptional use of music - a carefully curated soundtrack that not only complements each scene but also becomes a driving force behind the emotional impact.

I had high hopes for this movie. Unfortunately, I was extremely disappointed. I heard about the film years ago and was looking forward to it. Being from Connecticut, I had been to the lake many times. There are a lot of interesting stories about the lake. It is a 17 mile, man-made lake and there are a ton a creepy stories about it that we all used to tell each other as kids. All of them more interesting than the story in this movie. Very pedestrian directing effort and not a very entertaining script. All these high ratings must be from people involved with the movie or friends of the filmmakers. Not a good movie at all.

"I went into Candlewood hoping for a solid horror film, but what I got was something much more profound. From the very first scene, I was hooked - not just by the creepy atmosphere but by the emotional undercurrents running throughout the film. The director, Myke Furhman, did an incredible job of blending the supernatural with human emotions, making the horror feel real and impactful. I was especially moved by the way the characters dealt with their personal struggles amidst the terror. It was a beautifully layered film, and I can't wait to see it again. Highly recommend it to anyone looking for a horror movie that actually has heart.

I actually got to see this film at some private screening. I am a former NYers now living in this CT town where apparently the movie was filmed. Its about some local folklore and a family that moves to this town. So it def struck a nerve. It was a fun ride and I actually laughed some some hilarious one-liners. It was more of a thriller and a psychological horror film that anything really gory. I found the acting really great and the cinematography really cool. This film does not scream indie and everyone around me laughed and jumped at the same time. I hear they are making a 2nd one which I will certainly watch. The writing was really smart and pretty great. It's nothing earth shattering but doesn't take itself too seriously. Again, I laughed really hard in parts. Def worth a watch!!