Silent Hill


release year: 2006
genre: drama/horror
viewing setting: home DVD, 9/25/06

synopsis: A woman follows her adopted daughter's strange problems/visions to an abandoned, haunted town.

impressions: This started off slow and stupid, but actually got better as it went. The pacing was slow at times, but by the end it was apparent that there was a story to tell, and things began to make sense. Unfortunately, they didn't make enough sense when all was said and done. It's still not clear what happened in Silent Hill in the past, or what just happened during the (movie's events in the) present, or what the future holds for some of the characters. One thing I did like about the movie: it shows the downside of extreme religious fanaticism (think the Salem witch trials of the 1600s.)

something this movie has that no other movie has: "Pyramid Head", a large muscular guy with a big pyramidial helmet and a bigger knife.

acting: Radha Mitchell is the sometimes-competent, sometimes-stupid heroine. Sean Bean is her take-action husband. Laurie Holden is a tough female cop who gets involved in the weird events. Alice Krige plays a very unlikeable religious fanatic.

final word: A horror/drama that's high on atmosphere and low on sensible plot.

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