[psycho d]

Vacancy (2007). Instead of relying on cheap scares, torture, and gore, this little flick instead gives chance to some decent character development and then places our endearing characters into harm's way. Luke Wilson and Kate Beckinsale do their part and make for a believably troubled couple whose marriage is unraveling. As well, their response to the misfortune ahead are more in line with what normal people would do, normal people which seem conspicuously absent in most horror flicks. Frank Whaley's part is simply fantastic with the only complaint being a lack of screen time. The story itself had a nice Hitchcockian feel to it, more of an homage than a crutch. The direction and camera work was solid. The sense of grounded frame composures which devolved into some dynamic hand held scenes was perfect for effect. The sense of claustrophobia that was instilled by some of the shots was almost palpable. The denouement left much to be desired, but it was not so bad as to detract the viewer from checking this one out. Ashe.
derek