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So, a documentary film crew follows a crazy academic up to Northern Canada in search of the Frankenstein monster. Yeah...for real.
For such a totally absurd premise, they play it straight, and totally beat my (admittedly low) expectations for the found-footage genre -- for a number of reasons.
First, this thing is shot pro. Very minimal running-at-night-shaky-cam. It all looks good here, and some of the scenery is downright splendid. I am not sure where they shot this, but they definitely succeed in making you feel the cold isolation they were after. It must have been an agonizing shoot -- but it looks great -- with an authenticity throughout that I am sure they earned the hard way.
Second, this is really well-written. The characters actually have something to say besides "Oh f*ck!" and "Oh sh*t!" every three seconds -- which was very refreshing for this type of film. And (even bigger surprise) the characters are likable here, particularly the gruff guide that leads them into the wilderness. Idiotic decisions by the doomed team are kept to a minimum -- and frankly, their options are pretty limited anyway.
Third, it has an ending! Thank you! Some argue for the merits of ambiguous endings, but I will forever maintain that they are cr*p. If I want to write the ending of a movie I will write my own darn movie, you know? Here we get a nice, provocative final image that lingers on the screen -- and sets your imagination to wandering – in a good way.
The pace is leisurely, but engaging -- and wisely, I think -- you do not get too many looks at ol' Frankenstein himself. The premise is already so goofy that multiple shots of a growling Frankenstein would probably elicit more laughs than terror. But you do hear the growls often enough -- effectively done to good effect.
I definitely did not expect to be recommending this film going in, but having seen it, I give it a passing grade and encourage others to check out some good low-budget, found-footage fun that is done well.
I'm a half hour into this Bert, and I want to slap you for recommending it.
EDIT: The movie just ended and I want to beat Bert over the head with the internet! If this movie was any slower, it would've played backwards. The pay-off at the end was thin. Terrible movie!
I'm about an hour into it. Was hoping I'd get through it 1 sitting last night, but I was a bit hammied and tired from a long weekend of partying.
It is slow, but for me, that's not a problem yet. The dialogue is, however. It's pretty poor and although in a way I like the way this looks, it just doesn't come off very realistically, and I think that's due to the dialogue and the acting.
Maybe I watch too much cr*p on Netflix and this just seemed good by comparison...
I honestly know exactly what you mean, Bert. The vast majority of all movies are total fucking crap (note, I didn't use the little star to conceal "crap", and I added an expletive sorry). Seriously, I agree - this has a much better look than most and I do appreciate the actual locations for the shoot.
I will finish tonight but no matter what happens from here on out, I agree, this is better than most I have the displeasure of watching.
Nothing really happens until the last fifteen minutes... and it wasn't that much. I thought the premise was extremely interesting though. This movie was about as exciting as watching laundry in a dryer.
I noticed my standards are lower when it comes to Netflix. I'll flip through what's available and put six or eight movies in the que. Whatever catches my fancy at the moment. Then I curse at myself when I start watching them.
If Grave Encounters is still available, I strong recommend watching it. While the premise is cliche, it was very well done. Just don't watch the shitty sequel.
If Grave Encounters is still available, I strong recommend watching it. While the premise is cliche, it was very well done. Just don't watch the shitty sequel.
Phil
Frankly, I can't stomach most of the Netflix swill that Phil's willing to look at. And I don't think Blair Witch or Paranormal Activity were all that, either. I've been trying to get him to cancel Netflix for several months now. Nothing I WANT to see is on there. If it weren't for the intention of seeing Mad Men someday, I would've forced the issue awhile back...
However, I do very much recommend Grave Encounters. As Phil mentioned, it's a cliche premise, but well done. And the sequel's to be avoided at all costs!
I will say that the Frankenstein Theory is nicely shot, Bert...
I've been on a big found footage kick recently and found The Frankenstein Theory to be better than most, but that ending was pretty dreadful. I did like the premise and the characters are okay, as these movies go, but it's a pretty shoddy film viewing experience in light of the last half. Some interesting moments, but it doesn't hold up to said premise.
Yeah, I finished watching last night and was very unhappy with the 2nd half. Even sadder is the fact that the 2nd half should be when this thing rocks. They really dropped the ball, IMO.
Still, as I said, it's put together better than most zero budget crap.
The acting and dialogue is not good...at all.
Worst thing is this - think about it...so, a group of peeps decide to go find this monster...or any monster. They hire a local guy. Within 2 days, they've already found it. Really? It's that easy? Maybe so, based on all the "unexplained" deaths in the area over the years. It's just that they didn't do anything at all involved to find him and there he is and everyone's dead...except his new bride! OK...
Worst thing is this - think about it...so, a group of peeps decide to go find this monster...or any monster. They hire a local guy. Within 2 days, they've already found it. Really? It's that easy? Maybe so, based on all the "unexplained" deaths in the area over the years. It's just that they didn't do anything at all involved to find him and there he is and everyone's dead...except his new bride! OK...
See, I viewed it differently. He found them.
That hut was his -- and so was that doll. And the doll and the "bride" all tied everything together, with psychology and motivations all rolled into one nice package.
I hated the end to Blair Witch. I got nothing from it. Here, as far as I'm concerned, every question was answered and I was satisfied with the conclusion.
That hut was his -- and so was that doll. And the doll and the "bride" all tied everything together, with psychology and motivations all rolled into one nice package.
I understand what you're saying.
So, this yurt was his, huh? So any time a hunter or group of hunters comes around this area, he kills them and that's that?
I know the Northwest Territories are remote, but I'm sure someone has escaped the clutches of this monster and returned home with stories and warnings.
The group was there to find him, yet you're saying he found them instead? Why would he want to find them? Just to kill them like he's been killing all the various wastoids that have roamed around this desolate area?
Taking a "bride" at the very end was a good touch, but logically speaking, I don't think so.
It is nice to see some different perspectives and opinions.
He didn't build it, no -- he had only recently arrived "in the area".
But once he found it, yeah, it was "his".
Quoted from Dreamscale
...but I'm sure someone has escaped the clutches of this monster and returned home with stories and warnings.
Yeah, and they spoke to one. I thought that scene was great.
Quoted from Dreamscale
Why would he want to find them?
He wasn't looking -- but certainly noticed when someone invaded his "home".
Quoted from Dreamscale
Taking a "bride" at the very end was a good touch, but logically speaking, I don't think so.
And I thought it made perfect, poetic sense.
I thought this was such a simple, full-circle story. I am surprised to find so much distaste for it -- but yeah, I also enjoy seeing the differing opinions.
I find that the more I defend this film the more I like it haha.
My main problem with Netflix? (And Amazon Prime, FWIW). You can't get MOST of the classics, which is what I want to see and catch up on. I can pick any 5 classic films (using the term loosely to include popular films from 1960s - 2000.) and maybe ONE will be available. Then I just end up paying Amazon Instant to see the rest. Not fair - Netflix should have a better #(*$*(#$&(*#& selection!
Yes, we do. Play nice. Though admittedly - for low budget found footage - I'm more a fan of Grave Encounters....
Janet, somehow I got it in my head that you liked The Awakening, which I watched. Granted post WWII era isn't found footage, I was intriqed. A very satisfactory edwardian horror thriller.
I will give grave encounters a spin after another go at "The Frankenstein Theory."
"A methhead held a gun to our heads... And, smelled our wallets." Classic!
I watched this before Bert's initial post. I didn't like it. They came up with a great premise to start this thing, it just fizzled quickly.
I don't believe that was Franke's hutt, then why would he take his bride out of there? Does he have another one?
I love how he's built up to be such an intelligent being throughout the film and all he does is have temper tandrums at night going GRRRR in the distance. And even when that descendant moron tries to talk to him, like he shouldn't, Franke just kills him. No dialogue.
The monster in the book wanted something. And he warned what would happen if he didn't get it and it did. That's what made him scary.
I watched this before Bert's initial post. I didn't like it. They came up with a great premise to start this thing, it just fizzled quickly.
I don't believe that was Franke's hutt, then why would he take his bride out of there? Does he have another one?
I love how he's built up to be such an intelligent being throughout the film and all he does is have temper tandrums at night going GRRRR in the distance. And even when that descendant moron tries to talk to him, like he shouldn't, Franke just kills him. No dialogue.
The monster in the book wanted something. And he warned what would happen if he didn't get it and it did. That's what made him scary.
James
James,
I think you are correct on all counts, however, I think they took the movie as a pattern for the creature, rather than the more eloquent Shelly version.
I watched this one thanks to bert's recommend. Sorry to say, but I hated it...
I was sort of intrigued in the beginning, by the whole premise, but before long, I found myself checking to see how many more minutes I would have to watch.
I can't believe you thought it was well written. IMHO, the dialogue was really horrendous. I thought Karl was okay, but when they were in the yurt and he started telling his tale of the murders and such, it screamed of Quint! Even his accent changed. Then there's the whole Blair Witch similarities. I don't know, this just didn't work for me at all, but I agree that it didn't look too bad.
Janet, I hear what you're saying about classic films. What I can suggest is that you Bing a film that you want to see, and they show up somewhere a good percentage of the time. Bootlegs? Yeah. Often not in English, so you have to look around. But I've found a lot this way.
And sometimes from that when you go to the person who posted the film you'll find he has posted a pretty big collection of films. I'm still going through one guy's collection of about 150 movies, many of which are classics or at least were blockbusters.
Me and Don will just go live in our happy little yurt watchin' movies and the only time you'll ever see us again is when we stick our arms out the window to flip ya'll off.
I'm not downloading, certainly not redistributing. Merely clicking on youtube or some similar site. And I'm not rationalizing it, but it's the only way I can view the film at the moment.
Very seldom do I watch the whole film. I just look for certain things. Simply can't afford to buy them all. And while I make no attempt to justify the activity, I don't think it rises to the level of piracy. We're talking about a youtube viewing or something similar, after all.
If you are going to be that self righteous on this, I trust this level of ethical judgment applies to all of your other activity.
Very seldom do I watch the whole film. I just look for certain things. Simply can't afford to buy them all. And while I make no attempt to justify the activity, I don't think it rises to the level of piracy. We're talking about a youtube viewing or something similar, after all.
If you are going to be that self righteous on this, I trust this level of ethical judgment applies to all of your other activity.
You're still watching illegal movies. And I sincerly doubt you can defend your actions with 'educational purposes.'
Me and Don will just go live in our happy little yurt watchin' movies and the only time you'll ever see us again is when we stick our arms out the window to flip ya'll off.
So there.
I did, on Janet's recommendation, watch "Grave Encounters". I found both films to be quite similar in many, many respects. Namely the pacing - long slow start building up to a frenetic ending with a twist. GE's twist ending I thought was telegraphed half an hour prior to the end, tho. I thought the acting was adequate on both. I strongly suspect that huge chunks of the dialogue on both films was ad libbed. Both were entertaining. I liked "The Frankenstein Theory" slightly more because I liked the idea and the payoff was out of left field and satisfying. I am not a fan of Ghost Hunters type entertainment, but despite that, GE held my attention.
You guys are pretty ridiculous. There was absolutely no need for an argument with this. I'm not averse to a good donnybrook now and again, as you know, but does every single issue have to be turned into a battle?
Ok. I'll play if I have to.
I have not "defended" watching illegal movies. Never have. When the issue of pirating came up in a thread months ago, I was clearly not on the side of pirating.
But if you guys are going to get sanctimonious about what's legal and not...do you smoke weed? Do you claim all income on tax returns? If someone gave you something in exchange for services, say something for coverage reads, do you claim on tax returns? Do you only cross streets in crosswalks? Do you sneak coffee into the movies?
You get the idea. People put videos on youtube and similar sites. I don't download them. They can be watched until youtube removes them. What I am doing is legal. The person posting the video is breaking the law.
I can't believe you guys don't have better stuff to do than to start a war over this. Couldn't we find something more interesting to battle over?
But if you guys are going to get sanctimonious about what's legal and not...do you smoke weed? Do you claim all income on tax returns? If someone gave you something in exchange for services, say something for coverage reads, do you claim on tax returns? Do you only cross streets in crosswalks? Do you sneak coffee into the movies?
No. Yes. N/A. No. No.
Jaywalking and piracy are apples and oranges, btw. And silly to bring up. You, I'm sure, know that.
I can't believe you guys don't have better stuff to do than to start a war over this. Couldn't we find something more interesting to battle over?
I think this is very interesting and relevant to who we are. SR got bitchslapped for it; INTS got bitchslapped for it. I hope you appreciate the irony of your actions.
I did, on Janet's recommendation, watch "Grave Encounters". I found both films to be quite similar in many, many respects.
I watched GE too because of this thread. I found it superior to Frankenstein Theory in every way. Neither film had any memorable characters, IMO, but GE shits and gets. I was sincerely creeped out by a couple of scenes. That's not easy to do to me.
I just wish the monster in Frankenstein Theory spoke. They could've made him so much creepier. Imagine him whispering to his soon to be bride through the boards of the yurt before he kills anyone. Creep factor is upped by 10.
I just wish the monster in Frankenstein Theory spoke. They could've made him so much creepier. Imagine him whispering to his soon to be bride through the boards of the yurt before he kills anyone. Creep factor is upped by 10.
I agree with you here. As I mentioned, I think they patterned "The Monster" after the Frankenstein movie rather than after Shelly's creature in the novel.
Janet, somehow I got it in my head that you liked The Awakening, which I watched. Don
Hey Don -
Actually, I've never seen the Awakening. Thanks alot - NOW it's on my radar.
Thanks for giving GE a go. I'm not a huge FF fan, but of the ones I've seen, GE is the top of my list. As discussed, it's not terribly original...but it delivers the scares and the creeps well, nonetheless. (I'm not a watcher of Ghost Hunters, either...)
As for other recommended horrors that you *may* not have seen. How's about The Changeling and Jacob's Ladder? Two of my favorites! (Though I haven't seen them in many years, and my tastes may have changed since then. I'd have to revisit to be sure...)
I saw The Awakening on Netflix. I thought it was pretty good until the ending when the 'secrets' are revealed. The suck-o-meter on my television caught fire at that point.
Decided to check out both The Frankenstein Theory and Grave Encounters just to see what all the fuss was about. I didn't hate either one but both felt like the same old shit. This one reminded me of Trollhunter while GE reminded me of REC.
I think I enjoyed GE more because I dug the setting, the time/space distortion, and just the fact that there was more going on. Unfortunately, the stupid parts were stupider and the scares were generic and lame. It also has no place in a world where Session 9 exists. The Frankenstein Theory started off pretty strong but showed itself to be not so much slow paced as just uneventful. I also gotta say the team had some of the wimpiest, most crybaby crew members ever. Dudes better not quit their day jobs.
So yeah. Good and bad between the both of them. Frankenstein probably irked me more for the sake that there was a promise of giant walruses that was not met.
EDIT: Also, what was up with the random black guy in the beginning that they almost hit with their car? I swear, fake scares need to be retired from horror movies forever. They kinda just make me want to slap the director in the mouth.
I'm a huge fan of found footage films for some reason, apart from the two most famous ones...Paranormal Activity and Blair Witch, both of which I found laughable.
I'm also a huge fan of Frankenstein. Mainly stories in which he's involved, rather than films...but still.
So I was pretty looking forward to this. I thought the premise was gold. It started off well with the student believer, and the meth head.
It was slow, but I thought once the monster showed up we'd be really onto something...but it just never went anywhere. Very poor kills with no suspense or feeling of dread or horror.
It picked up for about a minute when we went to night vision for a kill...that stuff just always seems to work, whichever film it's in.
The ending made sense extra textually...in terms of the classic Frankenstein's monster, but had no real power in the story the film told.
Yeah, really wasted premise and that's a shame. It could have been incredibly dark and creepy meeting the monster. It could have been a really interesting and intense film, but it never even got close.
I sort of feel like someone needs to do a blatant rip off of it, just to make it into the film it should have been.
I saw this a few years back. Not good. Like 97% of found footage movies.
Generally, movies that have Project, Theory, Chapter, Chronicles, The Last, Redemption, The Return and so on in the title, they tend not to be very good.
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