the answers to the previous questions become a lot more appealing than the “haunting” and viewer starts to put two and two together on a rather banal conclusion.
The main problem(s) with “The Ward” is that the script is so poor the viewers find themselves asking questions that are not necessarily relevant to the “haunting of the hospital”. Yet because of these obvious and unexplained inquires, for example “why is there so small a staff looking after a ward of at least 6 woman” and “why are the actually woman incarcerated for” mixed with the uninteresting method in which the “ghost” is handled.
However what makes these films a lot more interesting is the downward spiral into the madness of the characters and not the abrupt (and all-to-often extremely predicable) realisation of insanity, whereby the journey becomes a lot more interesting than the destination.
I find this technique somewhat lazy in regarding to the storytelling, as unexplainable events (or gaping plot holes) and unanswered question can simply be dismissed as the POV of an “unreliable narrator”.
Now as a fan of “horror of personality” films I have no problem with the “unreliable narrator”, example of which includes American Psycho, Black Swan and Repulsion.
I watched John Carpenter’s “The Ward” tonight and was greatly disappointed! The film was extremely bland and predictable following the rather overused “its all in his/her head” formula of horror film, seen before in the lukewarm affairs of Identity, Shutter Island and Switchblade romance (when the killer is driving the car/van with “woman’s” hands, it kind of spoils the fun”).
It's a good film. Above average for a film of it's type(freaky mental asylum films). Not anywhere near John Carpenter's best but it was a decent enough comeback for him.
Also, for the record, the multiple-personality thing is NOT introduced early on, it's introduced about 5 minutes from the end of the frikkin movie. It's predictable, but it IS the big plot twist at the end - way to screw up Marky boy.
And I'm glad I watched this now after seeing the movie, since Kermode just casually reveals the entire twist of the film in his review. Haha!! Frankly, I didn't see that ending coming at all and was actually expecting something totally different.
Saw this at TIFF (twice!) and agree with virtually everything you say. So nice to see positive reviews of this in an age where internet wannabes have all but decided they hate the film based solely on the trailer! Can't wait for this on Blu-ray, and might even see it one more time in the theatre.
the answers to the previous questions become a lot more appealing than the “haunting” and viewer starts to put two and two together on a rather banal conclusion.
hellsditchfilms 2 months ago
The main problem(s) with “The Ward” is that the script is so poor the viewers find themselves asking questions that are not necessarily relevant to the “haunting of the hospital”. Yet because of these obvious and unexplained inquires, for example “why is there so small a staff looking after a ward of at least 6 woman” and “why are the actually woman incarcerated for” mixed with the uninteresting method in which the “ghost” is handled.
hellsditchfilms 2 months ago
However what makes these films a lot more interesting is the downward spiral into the madness of the characters and not the abrupt (and all-to-often extremely predicable) realisation of insanity, whereby the journey becomes a lot more interesting than the destination.
hellsditchfilms 2 months ago
I find this technique somewhat lazy in regarding to the storytelling, as unexplainable events (or gaping plot holes) and unanswered question can simply be dismissed as the POV of an “unreliable narrator”.
Now as a fan of “horror of personality” films I have no problem with the “unreliable narrator”, example of which includes American Psycho, Black Swan and Repulsion.
hellsditchfilms 2 months ago
I watched John Carpenter’s “The Ward” tonight and was greatly disappointed! The film was extremely bland and predictable following the rather overused “its all in his/her head” formula of horror film, seen before in the lukewarm affairs of Identity, Shutter Island and Switchblade romance (when the killer is driving the car/van with “woman’s” hands, it kind of spoils the fun”).
hellsditchfilms 2 months ago
It's a good film. Above average for a film of it's type(freaky mental asylum films). Not anywhere near John Carpenter's best but it was a decent enough comeback for him.
TheEvilelvis89 3 months ago
Kermode you are so wrong...it's rubbish!
crushedbeaks 6 months ago
Also, for the record, the multiple-personality thing is NOT introduced early on, it's introduced about 5 minutes from the end of the frikkin movie. It's predictable, but it IS the big plot twist at the end - way to screw up Marky boy.
MahMahAfro3000 7 months ago
I love john carpenter, and I thought the ward was crap.
And how can Kermode give it such a positive review whilst also saying he's surprised it even got a cinema release?!
I really hope Carpenter has another classic or two left in him - I'd take Escape From L.A. over this.
MahMahAfro3000 7 months ago
And I'm glad I watched this now after seeing the movie, since Kermode just casually reveals the entire twist of the film in his review. Haha!! Frankly, I didn't see that ending coming at all and was actually expecting something totally different.
MikeAM78 7 months ago
Saw it Saturday night. LOVED IT! A return to form for Carpenter.
MikeAM78 7 months ago
bughouse shrieker?? wtf that does mean.
open0Fire 11 months ago
Saw this at TIFF (twice!) and agree with virtually everything you say. So nice to see positive reviews of this in an age where internet wannabes have all but decided they hate the film based solely on the trailer! Can't wait for this on Blu-ray, and might even see it one more time in the theatre.
Coolestmovies 1 year ago
I'm glad they loved "The Ward". I thought it was awesome too.
desirewalkson99 1 year ago
Comment removed
jd899 1 year ago
Great views Mark, you're one of the finest film critics in the world. Carpenter is a legend.
shitcasecinema 1 year ago 5
im so happy this got a good review, i love john carpenter.
TheNoodle97 1 year ago 6
Amber Heard is hot
lordtufty 1 year ago 8