METHOD SPOOKING
There is one good thing about the indie horror flick Insidious, directed by the original SAW helmer James Wan: the awesome retro-Bernard Herrmann-style score, all nutso violins in the key of Psycho.
Otherwise, there’s not so much to say about a pretty conventional schlock horror story that might as well be made by a studio. The only difference is that Insidious uses pretty back-to-basic spook stuff built around a family drama to get the job done. The ghosts and demons don’t do much CG contorting; they just open and close doors, wear eerie lace gowns, and hover ominously in dark rooms. Let’s call them method spooks. I’m glad there are still spooks out there who love and respect the work enough to work on an indie budget.
I remember how much Poltergeist scared the living tar out of me when I was 10 years old. It took me a while to look at trees or television the same way. I’ve been looking for (or more likely hiding from) that same feeling ever since. Insidious builds nicely, until it tries to make itself make sense. When the psychic and her comic cohorts start slinging around paranormal explanations, it loses power by the second. It never lost me entirely, but I cared less and less.
kevinbowen @ stageandcinema.com
Insidious
rated PG-13
now playing nationwide