Enjoyable atmospheric and haunting horror
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Film and Television Discussion
Moviemanic22 — 9 years ago(January 22, 2017 12:04 PM)
I recall the first time I seen this movie was almost 15 years back. That was at a time when I never really appreciated the small detail in movies. When I seen it I couldn't really understand who the killer was. I thought it was somebody who witnessed the hit and run. This movie released at a time when slasher films became very popular in the late nighties. This was also the time when teenagers could actually act and not come across too fake.
This film brings back a lot of nostalgia. The film has some great cinematography and background music that suits the theme of the movie. Despite it being loosely based on the 1973 novel of the same name, it still manages to come across as a decent movie with a genuine feel. Many have criticised how the movie had altered elements of the book for the movie. But I feel that it was required because certain elements have to be changed to suit the horror genre. The movie has a good pace. All performances from the 3 lead actors was good. -
Stratego — 9 years ago(January 23, 2017 05:12 PM)
I agree. I always thought the atmosphere was one of the best things about this movie, very eerie and rather depressing. It really helped to create suspense as well.
And it's true, the book is a rather tame young adult thriller, doing a faithful adaptation wouldn't have worked unless it was a tv movie. -
itsascreambaby96 — 9 years ago(January 24, 2017 04:08 AM)
Agreed with everything you both said. The atmosphere in this is incredible. The tone and mood that was set was top notch! The washed out, somewhat muted cinematography added to that omnipresent feel of constant dread, combined with the creepy haunted score and it was an immediate winning combination.
What I also really appreciate about the movie is that the characters are given depth and theres a sadness to them (well some..) over what they've done and the downward turn their lives have all taken. Usually horror movies, the majority of characters walk around blissfully unaware of their impending doom so it was interesting to see this group aware they were being threatened and fighting to stay alive. Sarah Michelle Gellar absolutely stole the show here, Ive never wanted a character to survive so badly. Helen was so stripped bare from what she once was, at the end she seemed a shell of herself and you just wanted to see her make it, she fought so hard but just didn't find her way back. It was sad.
Also lastly on the shallow front, this was the best the 4 leads ever looked. They shone here like nowhere else (they all still look great now btw). The movie got the best of this group for sure! -
Moviemanic22 — 9 years ago(January 24, 2017 11:16 AM)
I agree with you about Helen. It almost seemed like she overshadowed Julie. But what bothered me is she had initial plans to become a journalist and travel Europe. What happened? Did she loose her interest in her studies or something? She did graduate.
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ranc1 — 3 years ago(February 15, 2023 07:47 PM)
Novel from 1973. Interesting trivia.
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High school senior Julie James receives a note in the mail that reads, "I know what you did last summer". The previous summer, Julie, her then-boyfriend Ray Bronson, Ray's best friend Barry Cox, and Barry's girlfriend and Julie’s best friend Helen Rivers were driving home after partying in the mountains. They accidentally run over and kill a young bicycling boy named David Gregg
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Woodyanders — 1 year ago(October 09, 2024 12:15 AM)
Love the vivid and flavorsome evocation of the sleepy small fishing town in this film. Moreover, the spooky ooga-booga gloom-doom atmosphere was completely spot-on.
You've seen Guy Standeven in something because the man was in everything.