The Monster (2016)

The Monster (2016)

Actors:
Zoe Kazan (Ruby Sparks), Scott Speedman (Underworld) & Ella Ballentine (The Calling)
Director:
Bryan Bertino (The Strangers)
Runtime:
1hr 31 minutes

Plot:
A mother and daughter must confront a terrifying monster when they break down on a deserted road.
Trailer:


Review:
The mother, Kathy is taking her daughter Lizzy to be with her father. On the way they break down in the middle of no where after hitting a wolf on the road. After which, a monster terrorizes them.
Zoe Kazan plays the alcholic, disfunctional mother and is great at it. Ella Ballentine, who plays the daughter, is has a great career ahead of her. This is an atmospheric movie. The monster's makeup was all practical and was beautifully done.
While this was a decent film, it was very emotional between the mother and the daughter and that is not really seen in horror. 

Ouija: Origin of Evil (2016)

Ouija: Origin of Evil  (2016)

Actors:

Lulu Wilson, Annalise Basso & Elizabeth Reaser

Director:

Mike Flanagan

Runtime:

1 hour 39 minutes

Plot:

In 1965 Los Angles, a widowed mother and her daughters add a new stunt to bolster their seance business and unwittingly invite authentic evil into their home. When the youngest daughter is overtaken by a supernatural spirit, the family confronts unthinkable fears to save and send her possessor back to the other side.

Trailer:

Review:

This film is the prequel to the 2014 film Ouija, which takes place in the same house but 50 years earlier. And is also directed by Mike Flanagan (director of "Hush" and "Oculus") and with his special touch makes the movie far better than the first film. This film has generic story plot said countless times before, but told in a brilliant way.

The cinematography makes a creepy atmosphere. The actors' skills are all around first rate for any film, not one bad egg. As for the special effects, though not original by any means, are done very well and on the creepy side. 

For horror fans, there is a surprise and the end of the credits.
All around I would give this movie a 7.5 out of 10.