wildblueyonder This is one of my all time favorite horror movies, I love the atmosphere and the slow burn...Problem is, its not for everyone. The movie does what I love - gives the viewer some credit. Everything isn't just spelled out in capital letters, but when you start to realize what is going on it becomes a truly creepy experience! Must see, IMO!

thesar-2 Whoever thinks Sony's 24P HD video should be used for anything but YouTube, should be deported.Wow. What a waste. An incredible location, qualified actors, an actual budget and an idea that could've been a contender…all squandered by amateurish filmmaking.Yes, the acting was decent – at times, and the location was amazing, but what did this film in for me was the use of the 24P HD video it was shot on. Immediately, that was a distraction and this looked more like a student film, or even a pitch, than an actual movie. Had they used real film and spent a little more time on the script, this could've been a fantastic movie.Basically, several men with backstories someone actually thought was clever take a job on cleaning out asbestos from a defunct mental institution. Tensions sort of rise when they give themselves a week for a month job and some of the staff is not qualified. Make that, most of the movie you just see everyone just stand around, take long lunch breaks or look pained into the camera. So, really, this staff might as well been appointed by the current White House in 2017.OK, so things get tense as one member feels he should bring in a replacement asbestos-buster and another man struggles with his past. The movie goes on too long, it's obvious where it got its inspiration and I kept expecting so much more with what these filmmakers were gifted with. Can't even remotely recommend this because how it was cheaply shot and badly written – so much so, I had to keep rewinding and skipping back to previous scenes to try and figure out what they were trying to convey.Skip Session 9. While completely different, just watch District 9. At least that movie's to the 9s. ***Final thoughts: I asked one of my closest friends, a professional movie critic and radio/podcast host a question for his next show on the style of this film and mentioned how almost unwatchable this movie was because of it. At the time, I didn't know it was shot on Sony's 24P HD video and I will let him know now. He jumped at the chance to answer this next week and I cannot wait to hear his response. Tune into Fat Guys at the Movies with host, Kevin Carr, on/after May 5th for his take on this terrible (my opinion) style of filmmaking.

romanorum1 Construction contractor Gordon (Peter Mullan) and business associate Phil (David Caruso) have bid on removing the asbestos from Kirkbride Mental Health Hospital, a large and abandoned insane asylum originally built in the 19th century and closed in 1985 (The building was actually Danvers State Hospital in Danvers, MA.). The entire structure is being reclaimed for local use. Gordon is so eager for the job that he claims his tiny crew can handle the asbestos abatement in one week (!). Any contractor worth his salt knows that the job for the entire structure will require six months. Even if only a partial abatement is specified in the contract, one week is insufficient for job completion. More than desperate, Gordon must be a tad unhinged. The crew will include folks who have personal problems, and some who do not like others. Gordon's newborn baby is unnerving him more than should be expected. Phil, the job foreman, feels the work will be difficult to complete on time. He does not think much of crew member Hank (Josh Lucas), a wise-cracking self-absorbed troublemaker who stole Phil's girl. Then there is Gordon's young teenage nephew Jeff (Brendan Sexton III), who is afraid of the dark. Rounding out the crew is former law student lawyer Mike (Stephen Gevedon), whose district attorney father was involved in a patient lawsuit that contributed to Kirkbride's closing. The official reason for closure is budget cuts but unofficially because of reports of patient abuse and unorthodox practices. The complex is eerie and seems to affect everyone's nerves in one way or another. Nearly vacant, it is grim, engulfed by peeling paint, graffiti, and patients' mementos stuck on walls. During the tour of the building, Gordon alone hears a voice call out to him in a creepy hallway with what looks like an old-time electric chair. Later, when he reflects on his wife and baby, we hear haunting screams. Hank pretty well disappears after covetously finding a cache of old coins hidden behind a brick wall. Mike discovers both a tape player left behind and also some compelling tapes from former patient (#444) Mary Hobbes, who had three personalities, "Princess," "Billy," and the disturbing "Simon." Simon's spine-chilling voice does not appear until Session 9; he lives "with the weak and the wounded." There is a spooky scene where Jeff is trapped in a corridor when the outside generator fails. He runs in sheer panic as each temporary lamp above goes out in rapid succession, the darkness chasing and overtaking the hapless lad. So is the building itself haunted, or are the guys only being bedeviled by their own demons? Filming on location is always a plus (note that the Danvers structure was mostly demolished a few years after the movie was made). The acting is plausible. But for such a rush job, we often do not see the few employees actually working as they are often on breaks or doing anything but asbestos abatement. Also vexing is seeing folks work while only sporadically wearing various types of safety equipment, like face masks and protective clothing (asbestos is harmful material). On the other hand, suspense builds as Mike advances deeper into the tapes, and Gordon becomes deranged. So, despite its drawbacks, the film is sufficiently chilling and worth watching.

garrsuccess First off, there are a few spoilers. This film is one of my personal favorites. Although, I'm still trying to put the puzzle together completely. This is one of those movies that keeps you wanting more. I still don't know all of the answers. It has a such a real atmosphere and that's a wonderful thing about this film. You can witness and even relate to the true horrors of life. The whole time I'm confused, because there are different ways you can view the movie. So, you're really craving for the answers most moments as you're watching it. It definitely keeps your brain turning. Although, some things are cleared up towards the ending. One thing I really love about this film is the mysteriousness and suspense. Especially, from the old recording sessions with the doctor and patient (who suffers from multiple personality disorder). I also really like the fact that there were no green-screen effects, like too many movies have in these current times. This is how films SHOULD be, regardless of the genre. Plus, it's great that gore or bloody scene weren't used to creep you out, but true existing horror. You will get chills that will creep through you, making you briefly cold.I'm still wondering if Phil had something to do with the way Gordon's behavior turned out. Just as the example when Mike mentioned that the girl who claimed that she was raped, lost her case because she was a virgin (and the doctor helped her recover those "memories"). Although, the experience was never true. It's as if the doctor created them for her. So, maybe Phil created some memories or thoughts for Gordon. It sort of appears that way. I keep wondering if Phil actually talked to Amy on the phone or not, because he said that she told him that Hank went to Miami, but Jeff found him standing at the top of the stairs. It seemed as if Phil lied and had something to do with Hank disappearing because he wanted Hank gone from the start. Although,it puzzles me that Phil seems confused when he finds Hank sitting in the basement area. Did the guys who were talking to Phil have anything to do with what happened in the asylum. It did seem suspicious. Also, I wonder how the evidence box effect them all. Maybe the entity of "Simon" was released. I wish the characters would have been exposed more; their lives at home and such. Additionally, I wonder why the deleted scene weren't included in the film. I think it was explained that they felt the scenes were unnecessary or "slowed the movie down". I recommend watching the deleted scenes to understand what I'm talking about. The cast of the film did a good job working together. Overall, this film is outstanding and I would love the see a part 2 or sequel. Perhaps, it could start off from before the time when they starting working in the asylum. Last but not least, the background music is awesome. This film will definitely mess with your mind.