Case 39 (D or 1/4 stars)
Renee Zellweger. Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Seriously ... what happened to you? She's gone from winning an Oscar in March of 2004 to playing a family services social worker in this low-grade horror flick, 'Case 39' (directed by Christian Alvart, Pandorum). Emily Jenkins (Zellweger) is said social worker; hoping to save abused children in Portland, Oregon. She is so devoted to her case work that she can't seem to hold any meaningful relationships; though, she does like psychiatrist friend, Doug (Bradley Cooper, her real life boyfriend, thanks to this putrid movie). Detective Mike Barron (Ian McShane) is a sympathetic cop who has, on occasion, monitored a particular house where Emily suspects a child is in danger.
10 yr. old Lily (Jodelle Ferland) is said child - scared, grades falling from A's to D's in school, etc.. And on meeting her terrifying & angry parents (Callum Keith Rennie, Kerry O'Malley), Emily knows that these parents are being more than neglectful. Emily anticipates & isn't shocked when Lily calls her at home & she has to fly across town to save the child from her nut job parents who are stuffing her into an oven! Child saved! But why would the parents do that? Is there a reason? You bet. After that rescue, Emily takes Lily into her own home until proper foster parents can be found. And she starts to feel/witness dark forces that make her wonder just who or what Lily is ... and why those around her are suddenly dying. Is Emily next? Can she discover the truth before it's too late?
This movie actually starts out interestingly. I was into it. The acting seemed better than most horror films. The movie takes it's time introducing characters & setting up plot points. I was settled in. But then the cheesy scares enter the film (loud noises, a dog, an alarm, someone popping up in view, etc.). And the once intriguing story becomes increasingly absurd; culminating in one of the worst final 10-15 min. of any film I've seen this year. And it almost gets to reach the "so bad it's good" category - but doesn't. This could have gone into pure camp territory; therefore, finding something remotely admirable/humorous about its awfulness. But no. It takes itself WAY too seriously, and is all the more awful for it.
'Case 39' is incredibly silly, ridiculously bad, forgettable, & a good 15 min. too long; as most poor horror films are. Ray Wright's screenplay is abhorrent. The supernatural element that enters near the end - and the ensuing atrocious special effects (of demons) - is a disappointment. And I'd like to know where it all went wrong for Renee Zellweger. I enjoyed her in Cinderella Man & Miss Potter - 2 respectable films from the 2005, 06 era. But ever since, she's fallen off (bad movie choices, box office disappointments, & she doesn't even look that good). I hope she can get back on the bandwagon. But the last 4-5 films she's been a part of have bombed. In fact, 'Case 39' was made 4 years ago(!!), and only came out now in 2010. That shows that even the studio had no faith in it.
10 yr. old Lily (Jodelle Ferland) is said child - scared, grades falling from A's to D's in school, etc.. And on meeting her terrifying & angry parents (Callum Keith Rennie, Kerry O'Malley), Emily knows that these parents are being more than neglectful. Emily anticipates & isn't shocked when Lily calls her at home & she has to fly across town to save the child from her nut job parents who are stuffing her into an oven! Child saved! But why would the parents do that? Is there a reason? You bet. After that rescue, Emily takes Lily into her own home until proper foster parents can be found. And she starts to feel/witness dark forces that make her wonder just who or what Lily is ... and why those around her are suddenly dying. Is Emily next? Can she discover the truth before it's too late?
This movie actually starts out interestingly. I was into it. The acting seemed better than most horror films. The movie takes it's time introducing characters & setting up plot points. I was settled in. But then the cheesy scares enter the film (loud noises, a dog, an alarm, someone popping up in view, etc.). And the once intriguing story becomes increasingly absurd; culminating in one of the worst final 10-15 min. of any film I've seen this year. And it almost gets to reach the "so bad it's good" category - but doesn't. This could have gone into pure camp territory; therefore, finding something remotely admirable/humorous about its awfulness. But no. It takes itself WAY too seriously, and is all the more awful for it.
'Case 39' is incredibly silly, ridiculously bad, forgettable, & a good 15 min. too long; as most poor horror films are. Ray Wright's screenplay is abhorrent. The supernatural element that enters near the end - and the ensuing atrocious special effects (of demons) - is a disappointment. And I'd like to know where it all went wrong for Renee Zellweger. I enjoyed her in Cinderella Man & Miss Potter - 2 respectable films from the 2005, 06 era. But ever since, she's fallen off (bad movie choices, box office disappointments, & she doesn't even look that good). I hope she can get back on the bandwagon. But the last 4-5 films she's been a part of have bombed. In fact, 'Case 39' was made 4 years ago(!!), and only came out now in 2010. That shows that even the studio had no faith in it.